Coke or Pepsi?

Twitter or Facebook?

Artist A or B?

You probably have a preference when it comes to brands. Defined as the way someone experiences a company or product, your brand is essential for setting yourself apart in a busy online space.

In fact, customers are starting base their preferences on brand experience, not just product quality. 86% of customers willing to pay more for a better experience.

If you’re an artist, you’re already communicating a brand through how you post. But is it the brand you want?

You're communicating a brand whenever you post or interact with someone, but is it the brand you want? Learn more about building your brand experience with #TheBusinessOfNSFW at Click To Tweet

There are a lot of amazing artists, but not all of them provide a good brand experience. Some art commissioners wait months for artworks, with no update whatsoever from the artist. The commissioner finally gets their art, but the bad brand experience stops them from returning.

Other artists are only on a platform to reupload art. 10,000 followers, but not a single interaction. Despite the great art, there’s not much to stay for.

I used to think brand experience was just a way to compensate for mediocre art, but the more I built my audience on Twitter and did commissions, the more people would mention that they enjoyed my content and working with me.

It’s not about bending over to please people but about making it a great experience to interact with your brand.

Building Your Brand Experience

It can be difficult building a brand if you’ve never thought about it. It helps to ask:

“If you were a well-known artist, who would you be?”

Then break down why you enjoy their brand experience so you can include that in your own:

Maybe you’re inspired by the consistency of NSFW game developers like Siren’s Domain and the Dystopian Project.

Or how Gats has created beloved characters that have numerous stories and comics.

boss tries to spook #pizzathot pic.twitter.com/fvvCIypIl0

— gats🔞 (@acgats) October 20, 2020

Maybe you want to be a well-rounded creator like ImJustThatKinky, who writes for Doujins.com and works with voice actors to create audio doujins.

Try to answer questions like:

• I want my audience to feel _______ by what I post (e.g., inspired, entertained)
• I want my art to be seen as _______ (e.g., professional, creative, clean)
• I don’t want to be seen as ______ (e.g., lazy, inconsistent)
• People describe me as _______ (e.g., hardworking, resourceful)
• It is ______ to work with me (e.g., easy, quick, fun)

In my case, I balance professionalism and approachability, conveying that by:

• Only posting complete artworks
• Keeping my media free of reaction GIFs or reuploads
• Asking questions about a client’s OC and exploring their backstory
• Updating clients even if there’s been minimal progress on their commission
• Sending artwork and memes that reminds me of someone’s character

• 

Think of it like your artworks being the destination, and your brand experience being the journey. Are you making brand choices consistent with what you want to be known for?

Here’s an example of brand experience at work.

I’m always busy drawing and writing, so I like artists who can work on their own.

When I first commissioned lenetheartist, she was quick to show sketches and updates. Her consistency, speed, and independence made her my go-to, and I’ve commissioned her more than 7 times now.

• 

• 

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Notice how different Lene’s and my approach to working with clients is. There’s no right or wrong, it just depends on what you want to convey.

What About Art Style?

It’s true that your art style attracts leads, or people who are interested in your service/art. However, that doesn’t always make them paying customers.

They need to be reassured that you can deliver. That your service is worth their money.

This is where your brand experience comes in. How do you persuade leads to become customers? Are you promoting your commissions? Are you sharing your art process and showing that you deliver consistently?

Just like your art style, your brand experience is another tool to convince strangers to become engaged in your personality.

Conclusion

With the shifting priority of today’s customers, your brand experience is more important than ever.

Take time to consider your processes and see if they’re consistent with what you want to convey.

Want to be more professional? Limit reaction gifs, reuploads, and WIPs. A bit slow with commissions? Let your clients know you like taking your time to guarantee quality.

By anticipating customer needs, involving people in your art, and making it easy to work with you, you’re guaranteed to turn strangers and one time customers into an audience that connects with you and your brand.

By anticipating customer needs and involving people in your art, you're guaranteed to turn one time customers into an audience that connects with you and your brand Click To Tweet

Will you be making any changes to your brand decisions? Let me know if the article helped you by commenting below!