Connecting with an audience online is an important aspect of creativity. While art is known to exist in itself, no painter, artist, musician, filmmaker etc. would necessarily enjoy their creative work being ignored by everyone. Thus knowing how to connect with the people who enjoy your work is the surest way to build your own fanbase. 

Showing up consistently, creating value with “good” art or being your authentic self is just a part of building an online connection. Here are 5 ways young creatives can build strong connection with an audience today;

1. Share a story

Stories are a special touch to how a brand sells itself to its audience, big or small. When a creative brand owner shares things like “the come-up story”, “an experience with a crazy industry colleague”, “what got them out of a creative hurdle” etc with direction, people can get drawn into the brand’s personality and later its vision. 

2. Be “funny” strategically

Brands on social media are going above and beyond to be funny in their day-to-day interaction online. While this isn’t directly to close a sale, “being” funny is a strategy that a lot of brands are adopting just to market to a young audience. So why not steal from the playbook of big name brands to establish connection with your own fanbase. Share relatable memes, have friendly banter with your competition on the timeline, do the crazy dance trend or tap into a rap beef if you have what it takes to win. Do it all!

3. Show the BTS for a project

Audiences see your beautiful films, paintings, songs from time to time and might even know your name, if you have attained a level of traction for the brand. However, not occasionally sharing behind the scenes cuts, writing sessions or a time-lapse video of your painting limits your creative reach. In an AI-driven world today, where nothing is believable online, using BTS strategy should be the best way to connect with your audience. 

In a recent viral post by Wisdom Kaye, a model and social media influencer, on his “high Fashion Solar System” edition, he shares a BTS of the shoot on Youtube, leaving his supporters stunned and more appreciative of his craft. 

4. Leave an impression

People are impressionable, either the good or the bad. So if you’re new to building a creative personal brand online, understand that many creatives have attained large followership because they have something beyond the talent. It could be anything – fashion sense, soft spoken voice, unique laugh and funny allure, advocacy beyond business. See Ghanaian artiste Black Sherif OOTD Tiktoks or Content Creator, Ama Burland cool and funny personality. 

These little things when done right become second nature to your media personality. It can be the reason more people would stop to interact with your work. Another example is the food review with online personality Keith Lee started on Tiktok. His way of rating and enjoying food was definitely a factor for his popularity all over the world. 

5. Recommend something

Often times when creatives, celebrities and now influencers attain a certain level of popularity, they can quickly seem unreachable to a lot of their followers. So as a creative building a brand online, it’s important to maintain a healthy level of relatability with the people who support you. You can do so by sharing simple recommendations like; what skin care product helped with an acne scar, how you started your Youtube/Twitch career, or what type beats you pick for your DJing set for every December house party. While this draws in followers, fans who would learn from you in business, others who enjoy your craft will simply relate more with your media personality. 

Try out these tips to build an online relationship with your audience, gain some die-hard fans and rack up in sales if you sell products.