10 Steps to Grow Your Business as a Solo Artist

Branding is a big buzzword and for good reason. It’s about creating a unique image of yourself, your business and the services you offer in the eyes of your clients. For solo artists, a smart brand strategy is the key to gaining new clients and impressing and maintaining current clients.

MODERN called on Kelly Ehlers, branding and social media expert and founder of Ideas That Evoke marketing agency to share steps for solo artists to amp up their branding game.

1. Brand your business. Create a visual identity. Choose the color scheme, fonts and esthetic. Your brand should have a cohesive feel across all social channels and inside the salon.

2. Be active on social. Post regularly to Facebook and Instagram. Engage with fans and respond to their comments and messages on a daily basis.

3. Use strategic hashtags. Hashtags create clickable, searchable links making it easier for potential clients to find you if used properly. Always use three hashtags: business name, business location and business description.

4. Manage your negative reviews. The key is to monitor and respond. Acknowledge the complaint and ask the individual to Direct Message (DM) you their contact information. Take the conversation offline and avoid public confrontation.

5. Foster positive reviews. Ask satisfied clients to share their great experience by leaving a review on your Yelp!, Google and/or Facebook site.

6. Don’t be afraid to sell yourself. You are the most important asset to your brand. Show off the amazing work you are creating on a daily basis via social channels.

7. Leverage your community. Partner with other small businesses on events and cross promotion.

8. Retail. Retail. Retail. Choose a brand you believe in and make it an experience for the customer just as much as the service itself.

9. Power off. Running your own business can be exhausting and being sick is not an option. Remember, to take care of yourself first.

10. Never stop learning. Actively seek opportunities to continue education. The moment you stop learning is the moment your business stops growing.