Discovering your own brand involves a process of self-reflection, exploration, and understanding of your unique qualities, values, and strengths. It really has little to do with websites and logos, but has everything to do with that people think of you.
Discovering Your Own Brand: 10 Steps
Your personal branding is a crucial element to your career and will largely enhance or encumber your career progression, no matter what your end goal is. Raindance offers a series of personal branding workshops designed to assist screenwriters and filmmakers working on self branding.
1.Identify your passion:
Have you ever made a personal inventory about what excites you? Many have a favourite soccer team or sports personality. What made you choose them?
This is really step number one.Consider the activities, subjects, or causes that ignite your enthusiasm and drive. Carry a notebook, or voice recorder on your phone. Note the things you enjoy doing and that bring you a sense of fulfilment.
2. Define your values:
If you take then time to decide what you stand for, you will find much in your own brand falls into shape. It will also help you voice your response to news, both global and personal.
Reflect on your core beliefs and principles. What is important to you in life, work, relationships, and beyond? Identifying your values will help shape your brand and attract like-minded individuals.
From a Raindance perspective, it has taken a long time to shape our core values. It’s from this that our decisions are made.
3. Assess your strengths and skills:
Itemise your core strengths. A trusted friend will help you see your core skills better than perhaps, you can. Think about what you excel at and what sets you apart from others. Consider both hard skills (technical expertise) and soft skills (communication, problem-solving, leadership).
4. Understand your target audience:
Determine who your target audience is or who you aspire to serve. Are you looking for work? Or, are you starting a social impact campaign like Peter Tatchel?
Consider the demographics, psychographics, and needs of your desired audience. This will help you tailor your brand message and offerings.
5. Research the film and tv industry:
The film and tv industry is changing rapidly. Familiarise yourself with your niche. Set up (free) Google alerts) that alerts you to news of anyone or any topic you are tracking. Understand the current trends, key players, and market demands. Identify gaps or opportunities that align with your interests and strengths.
6. Craft your brand story:
Develop a compelling narrative that communicates who you are, what you stand for, and what makes you unique. Your story should resonate with your audience and highlight the value you bring.
7. Create a brand identity:
Let’s get visual. Design a visual identity that aligns with your brand story. This includes a logo, colour scheme, typography, and other visual elements. Consistency in your branding across platforms helps build recognition.
8. Define your brand voice:
Determine the tone and style of your communication. Think about how you want your audience to perceive you—professional, friendly, authoritative, etc. Consistency in your brand voice helps establish trust and familiarity.
9. Build an online presence:
With so many different social media platforms competing for your attention, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Establish a presence on platforms that are relevant to your brand and target audience. This can include a website, blog, social media profiles, or a YouTube channel. Consistently share valuable content that aligns with your brand message.
10.Seek feedback and iterate:
Once you have developed your brand, seek feedback from trusted friends, mentors, or professionals in your field. Listen to their insights and make adjustments as needed. Remember, your brand may evolve over time, so be open to refining and adapting it.
Fade Out
Remember that discovering your own brand is a personal journey, and it may take time to fully understand and articulate it. Be authentic, true to yourself, and continually seek opportunities to learn and grow.
Did You Know?
- Raindance Film Festival is considered one of the top fifteen film festivals in the world? We feature Filmmakers Working Under Hollywood’s Radar
- Our film School London has a Higher Education programme offering HND, BA and MA in Filmmaking and Screenwriting?
- Raindance members support indie film, and enjoy a range of benefits
- Let Raindance guide you on your filmmaking pathway. call +44 (0) 207 930 3412 or email filmschool@raindance.ac.uk
Photo Credit: Bertie Watson
I founded Raindance Film Festival in 1993 because the British film industry was closed, polite, and congratulating itself while shutting new filmmakers out.
I co-founded the British Independent Film Awards in 1998 because British indie film deserved more than a shrug, a pat on the head, and a Tuesday night screening.
Raindance didn’t start as a brand. It started as a rebellion: film training without gatekeepers, a festival without permission, and a community built by filmmakers who weren’t waiting to be invited in.
Later, we took it global: Toronto, Vancouver, New York, LA, Berlin, and Brussels, because independent film doesn’t belong to one city, one class, or one accent.
I’ve produced 700+ short films and seven features, including Deadly Virtues (2014) and ALICE, which won the SXSW Grand Jury Prize (2019) not because someone “discovered” us, but because the work earned its place.
I’ve written three books used by filmmakers worldwide because too many courses taught compliance instead of survival.
In 2009, I was awarded a PhD for services to film education, ironic, given that most of my career has been about tearing down the rules that education insisted you follow.
I don’t believe in waiting for permission.I believe in making work, building systems, and forcing the industry to catch up.
Specialties: Independent Film (the real kind) · Producing · Writing · Film Education · Festivals · Breaking Broken Systems
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