CREATIVE PROCESS-Identity

THE CREATIVE PROCESS;    PT 2 of a monthly series dealing with the "Creative Process" to help independent artists careers.

When life is puffed into us, we are born artists, some of us enthusiastically embrace this fact, others may have their creative urges stuffed into a little corner and don’t ever go “play there”. I like to think they are the grumpy jerks that cut you off when your driving, individuals mad at the world.

There is a process that occurs when you, as a artist are giving birth to creativity.

The creative process is really a series of steps to achieve a creative outcome, whether that is a play, painting, sculpture, or song.

If you view the creative process as a pyramid,  over the next few posts we will review the 7 steps in the creative process starting now with the very foundation.

IDENTITY
who we are

A Personal Brand- is what you as a individual are putting out to the world. To have a successful creative career you need to have a clear understanding of your Identity or who YOU are, then, you can watch the magic that happens when you align your public brand, what people see, with your core values.

Your core values are the things in life that determine your tastes and thoughts, it is where social, political, and religious beliefs are held.  As children growing up, our parents and any religious experiences we have heavily influence our values and identity.   


Some values evolve as life experiences and influences take place, while other values stay fixed throughout our life these 5-10 fixed values are our core values.

It isn’t always what the artist says but the image they are conveying.  Think of your favorite artists of all time, pick 3 words to describe their style.  Your list is probably going to include artists who believe in the same kind of  things you do.

The 3 basic elements of a strong Brand Identity include:

Values:  knowing the core beliefs that are important to you, they are what drive your brand.

Difference: What makes you uniquely different from everyone else?

Marketability: In your field how marketable are you?  In the old Hollywood film days they used to refer to actors that transitioned from Vaudeville stage to screen as “triple threats” because they could sing, dance, and act.  It greatly increased the actors ability to work because they were so marketable, because of their versatility!   Today you may recognize them as the artists selling all the records who are the dancing, singing, “check out my new movie” artists.

What does a personal brand do for you?

Your Personal Brand is like putting your stamp on everything you do. It is your most valuable asset because it encompasses your intangible qualities and puts all that knowledge into a platform that helps guide your life and career, while presenting your uniqueness in a tangible,  marketable and valuable way. Your platform is your launching pad, roadmap and touchstone rolled into one.

It gives you:

·   A strong sense of self – you’ll know your story and be able to present it

·   The comfort of feeling centered on making career decisions.

·   A clear vision and sense of purpose.

·   Knowledge on what’s really important to you.

·   A CAN-DO attitude and mindset.

·   Clear focus.

·   Knowledge how to position yourself as an expert and in the best light possible.

·   The ability to put yourself at the top of the pile of increasing choices in the marketplace

More meaning in your career

Can you identify what your core values are? Or did you just identify a area you need to develop?

Tamra Engle is a independent business strategist based in the S.F. bay area. She assists artists and  business owners Private consultations and special assignments.
Her areas of specialty include:  creative development, project management, music producer, motivational speaking, and workshops to  help you develop your independent music  or creative business. You can read more about services to help you and join her mailing list at www.tamraengle.com  you can email her at guitartam@gmail.com