Building The Right Public Image as an Indie Artist
I'll show you the importance of building your public image with some helpful tips.

Morgan Freeman, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Bruno Mars. What comes to your mind when you hear each of these names? I bet you think completely different things about each of them. For example, when I say "good girl gone bad", you immediately think of Rihanna. That album wasn't just a hit album, it was her arrival. She isn't just Rihanna, she's the good girl who went bad. That's what I mean when I talk about public image.

Your public image is what comes to mind when your name is mentioned. It's what people think of you, who they see you as. When I hear the name Morgan Freeman, I think of impeccable storytelling. That's his public image. One mistake many upcoming indie artists make, often to the detriment of their careers, is to underrate the power of public image. Let's make sure you don't make the same mistake.

Benefits of a Good Public Image

What's all this fuss about a public image? Everyone says they don't care what others think of them, so why should this bother you? What's so important about a good public image?

Sets you apart from the competition

The quality of your music is the number one priority for anyone looking to work with you, but your public image follows closely behind. A good public image can easily be the difference between you and another talented indie artist. In fact, a stellar public image can even cover up for not-so-quality music. In a world where the competition between artists is fiercer than ever, your public image will set you apart.

You'd rather have Bruno Mars instead of Alicia Keys if you want to dance and party, but you'd rather have her if you want a soothing and inspiring performance. It's not that Bruno Mars can't be soothing or that Alicia Keys can't party. It's just their public image.

Grows your popularity

When people can attach an image to you, it means you're known for something, and that increases your popularity. This is why most of your favorite artists have a unique sound that sets them apart from everyone else. We all know an NF song from the instrumental, and because we can attach that to him, it makes him stick in our minds more than if he just bounced around from place to place.

Gives better leverage

One of the main advantages signed artists have over indie artists is that they have an established image sponsored by the record labels. This increases their value so they're paid more for gigs, features, and any deals generally. When you have an established public image, it means you have an established fanbase. If you have an established fanbase, you're already in a better negotiating position. You've become more than just your vocals, you've become a brand on your own.

Tips on Building the Right Public Image

Now that you understand why a public image is important, how can you build the right public image?

Be good at what you do

Content is king. No matter how polished you are, you can't fake quality. The first and most important part of building the right image is nailing your content. Hold yourself to the highest standards so that your ability is never in doubt. When you're recognized for being good at what you do, it's the foundation upon which your good image will be built.

As nice as a carpenter can be, you won't call them back if they can't fix your problem. So don't be the nice guy who isn't good at music.

Connect with your audience

Don't just make music, be a real person to your audience. By letting your audience into your life, they become much more attached because of the things they can relate to. It makes you more human and endears you to them. NF is the perfect example of this. His personal life is more private than the CIA would like, but he connects with his audience on a deep level.

You can give interviews, do live shows, be active on social media, or even surprise a fan on their wedding day or at the hospital. These things are what make you human, and that's the image people will hold on to.

Find your why

Why do you make music? Why are you so in love with it? It's not easy to make it in the music industry, so you must love it to have lasted this long. Why have you stayed, endured all the sleepless nights, and fought for success in music? If you don't understand this, you can't build a good public image effectively. Here's an example.

NF makes his music because it helps him cope with his issues. He even named one of his albums Therapy Session. He knows why he can't help but make music, so he can build his image around his "why".

Share your story

The Good Girl Gone Bad album is how Rihanna launched herself into stardom, but it was also a way of telling her story. If you'll ever build a solid public image, people must know your story. It will help shape what kind of person they think you are, and that's exactly what public image is. Beyond the music, who do people think you are?

Art is beautiful because of the emotions it awakens in people. A huge chunk of these emotions are triggered by the stories behind the art. This is why Adele and Taylor Swift will always be the go-tos for heartbreak songs, and John Legend and Ed Sheeran will always be the go-tos for love songs.

Employ branding strategies

The right branding strategies can transform your public image, and this is one thing record labels have mastered to the letter. I can't claim to be a branding expert, but there are clever and effective branding strategies you can use to establish yourself as a brand. You can follow the example of your favorite artists, I may have mentioned some of them already. You can also get a professional to help you fix it.

As an upcoming artist, you probably don't need to hire anyone. Start with the other tips and as your audience grows, you can take things up a notch.

Final Thoughts

When you hear someone say they don't care what others think about them, just know they're lying. Of course, there are people pleasers, and you should never be one, but public image is an important part of your career.

Don't ignore it.