Creatively Promoting Your Brand as An Artist

Too many people record music and want to be a “star” with out realizing entertaining is not just about the music.   There are far too many bad artists on mainstream radio today than good ones. Many more talented artists have recorded tracks that are not selling, as they should be.  Getting on the mainstream radio is difficult today as it ever has been. 

You do not just wake up one day as a success; you have to earn that through perseverance, trial and error.

When you are a performer you are in the business of entertaining.  That is what you need to realize when marketing yourself.  Whether it is music, performance art or stand up comedy you are there to entertain and this is a business first not a talent competition. 

Even without being on the mainstream radio you can be financially successful in entertainment. When performing live, the name of the game is  “Can I fill the seats in the venue?”  That is what the venue wants and so do you! How many seats you fill will tell the venue to rebook you again or not.  This is marketing 101.

How do you become financially successful and accomplish filling the house?

1-Develop Fan loyalty to your brand

You are a “brand” just like a bar of soap.   You need to sell yourself. Without a doubt you need to network and connect with your fans.   You need fans to want to spend their hard earned cash for your tickets.   If fans do not care, they will not spend.

Today it is up to the artist to interact with their fans regularly on social media such Twitter, Facebook, Google + and others.   Do entertaining tweets and posts.  Share about yourself enough to be interesting to the fans. Occasionally you may need to do a free song give away too. Keep their attention on you.  It is NOT just about a fan loving your comedy act or song.   They have to like you as a person too not just as a performer.   That building of the love will keep fans longer term than if they do not care about you the person.   Appreciate your fans!  This is all part of building your brand and brand loyalty.   You are after all a commodity in the entertainment world.

2- Give a new angle for your next show

Just like in songs you need a hook, you need a hook as a performer too.

Try a song or album release to get them out.   Or, maybe you are going on tour…so kick off the tour at home for your home base of fans. If you have a cause or charity you care about.   Develop that caring in your fans through your media interactions with them. Don’t be afraid to give a portion of what you earn to the cause and encourage them to do the same by them filling the house.   This can help with brand loyalty.  It is good for fans to know that you are a real human being who cares about what is happening in the community and world.

3- Play Less Often

That may sound strange but if you play constantly and always do the exact it show in the same area, fans will become bored.  Your seat numbers will decline over time if you do play too often in the same city.

4- Mix it up

Keep your show interesting! Have other artists perform with you to change up the show.   Try out new material!  The best way to try out a new tune of comedy piece is to perform it in front of your loyal fans.  If they do not like it, you know you are heading in the wrong direction.  Do not make the whole show new, just parts of it.  Make the fans feel special knowing they are the first to hear the material.  Ask the fans once in a while what they want to hear.  Be creative!   Have t-shirts?  Think about giving out a couple once in a while. 

5- Promote!!!

This may see obvious but if fans don’t know about you performing, they will not be showing up.  Ask the venue to list you on their websites and in their promotional materials.   Post a poster on their premises.  As your fame grows, maybe a local radio station can do a give away of some tickets.   Have you connected with the college radio stations?  Online radio stations?   Be creative here, no perfect right or wrong way to promote yourself.    This is where word of mouth from your fans online comes in handy too.   Do event pages on sites like Facebook.   Have friends and fans invite their friends too.

6- Be creative

Remember:  You are selling “you the brand”.   Do not be afraid to sell yourself.   Volunteer to perform at fundraisers.   Have confidence in your abilities in self-promotion as much as your confidence in your art.  Most importantly, show the fans how much you enjoy their company at every show you do.

Meet the artist......Dampte

The ever popular and gifted writer performer Dampte has an ever-increasing repertoire and has been holding it down since before hip-hop started ruling his native Nigeria.

Catch Dampte on streaming including Apple Music, buy his music on iTunes 

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Biography

Dampte is the professional name of African artiste born Oluwaseun Oluyole the eldest son with 4 siblings born to an Evangelist mother and Pastor Father. +Sean Dampte finished his High School Education in Lagos, Nigeria and graduated Bellevue University, Nebraska where he earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Computer Information Systems with an emphasis in Business.
Dampte like a number of other artistes started off in the choir as a child. He discovered and honed his innate talent for rhymes, word play, metaphors and his ability to weave those words into songs. Dampte’s path to recognition did not however follow the conventional. His first real taste of music was at a very tender age listening to the likes of King Sunny Ade (KSA), Ebenezer Obey, and other Nigerian musical heavy weights. Additionally Dampte has been influenced by the likes of other internationally known stars such as Jay Z, R. Kelly, LL Cool J, Jadakiss, Styles P, Warren G, Snoop Dogg, Treach (Naughty by Nature), 2Pac, Biggie Smalls, Wale, K’naan and a host of others. He also claims to take bites off Nigeria’s own NAETO C. Dampte follows his own path musically blending in rap with African undertones making his music uniquely his own.
In 1994 Dampte discovered and fell deeply in love with Hip Hop after listening to a musical compilation of some of the aforementioned artistes’ tracks. In 1999 after a lot of self-penning, Dampte recorded his first solo effort titled “J-E-S-U-S”, where he featured Rocksteady (of the now defunct 2nd Avenue) and Wreck (Now a member of Dem Mama Soldiers). After a long hiatus due to education, Dampte returned to the music scene with his massive hit single “Wine Your Tinkolo” that features Nigerian R&B star YQ. The single that was released in early 2009 and climbed various charts across Nigeria and internationally. He quickly followed up successfully with another massive hit single “Wapa”. Now known for his hit-dropping prowess, Dampte continued his upward push following up with his next hit “Ghetto” for which he filmed a highly regarded video.

The gifted writer and performer Dampte has an ever-increasing repertoire and has been holding it down since before hip-hop started ruling his native Nigerian airwaves. His stage performances have always been off the hook and have successfully been rocking audiences across Nigeria, Ghana, and elsewhere. He is currently living and performing in the UK.
"I used to love to just sit down and write but now, I sit down and spit." Additionally Dampte states, "I've got more anthems than any National…”.
Dampte spits in a track off his debut album “Los Gidi Certified” released March 2011. His debut album has got something in it for everyone. From laid-back tunes to fast paced rhythms, Dampte has managed to compose and successfully record over 14 hits. Watch out for tracks like Times Two, Street Magic, Go Get Her, Ghetto and lots more. His debut album is titled “Los Gidi Certified” and is available on iTunes, Amazon and many other sites.
Rising star Dampte officially unveiled his brand new single "Are You Ready" crafted by multi platinum producer Goldhands. The dance music inspired song is a smash hit in the clubs across Europe, especially in the United Kingdom. "Are You Ready", which features T-Pain’s Nappy Boy artist Tay Dizm, is now available on iTunes and was released via Bugatti Music Group. The single is a huge success with both fans and critics and it is receiving a great amount of attention from notable commercial radio stations around the country. YoRaps, Europe’s #1 urban online magazine, calls Dampte “the next to blow”.
Never content to rest, when he’s not performing Dampte is in his studio working and creating more tracks for his new album which is yet untitled but sure to impress the fans and his critics.

Are You Ready   Available on iTunes  Buy on iTunes