When in 1980, the pop song Fame was released, nobody realized the impact the song would have on the entertainment industry for all artists – painters, authors, musicians, singers, actors and dancers alike. If there’s something the song has taught professionals everywhere in the world is, in order to achieve ultimate success in your industry, people will need to know who you are. It’s no surprise Irene Cara demands listeners to remember her name; she knows that without a name, she can’t exist as an artist. Since Fame, many performers have shared a similar message in their own creative works.
As a performer, as an artist, your name is your brand. You don’t only need to make sure people remember it, but you should also take all the precautions you can to protect it. Here are a few things you need to keep in mind.
Maintain a positive reputation whenever possible
As an artist, your name is the brand under which you act and perform. Consequently, you can’t afford to tarnish your name through poor advertising and social media presence or even lack of dedication to your craft. Your reputation is built on how your audience and the market perceive you. This means you need to ensure your communication and actions can’t be misinterpreted and used against you. Always try to be clear in your thoughts and how you present yourself. Remember with all of our actions and words, there are consequences and yours can cost you your career.
Don’t let anybody steal your ideas without referencing your name
Your name needs to accompany all your work. Think of it as a brand tag. You shouldn’t publish your creations without ensuring it’s connected to your name. That’s precisely why you need a dedicated lawyer to help you with copyright services. However, for creatives, it’s often tricky to find a professional who understands the versatility of their creations. Ideally, you want someone who’s been active in your world too – some firms provide you with a full biography of a music lawyer or a literature lawyer, for instance. It’s best to work with someone is familiar with and enjoys your professional field.
Don’t let others use it in vain
It’s not easy to maintain a positive reputation, but sometimes newspapers and other official statements can make it incredibly challenging by publishing fake information about you. Many artists, such as Katie Holmes, Cameron Diaz, and Russell Brand have filed lawsuits against magazines like this and won. Most recently Cuban artist, Tania Bruguera, filed a defamation lawsuit against her government. Ultimately, when incorrect data tarnish your name, your career could suffer as a result. You have the right to stop gossips and harmful lies to keep your brand safe.
Should you use your birth name?
Numerous artists worry about using their real names. However, at the age of digital news, your audience is savvy enough to unlock your secrets. Additionally, if you develop multiple personas to promote different fields of your creativity, you will find it tricky to maintain various social media profiles without losing your mind! Choosing one pseudonym and sticking to it for all your works best and will not confuse your audience.
As an artist, be it a writer, painter, author, dancer, singer, etc., you need to know the value of your name. Your name is your brand, product, and earning strategy. You can’t afford to mishandle your name or to let anybody misuse it. As Irene Cara sings in Fame, it’s time everybody remembers your name.
Carolyn R. Owens has over 25 years of proven experience and serves as a Career Strategist, Executive and Leadership Coach. She is the President of Infinity Coaching, Inc. where she can help you up-level your skills, so you can up-level your income, career, business or life. Infinity Coaching, Inc. provides coaching, organizational training, personality assessments, and a signature program, the Infinity Coaching Inner Circle. Carolyn is certified to give both The Energy Leadership Index Assessment and Myers Briggs Type Indicator Assessment. You can find out more about both assessments and other products and services at https://infinitycoaching.net.
