As creatives, we face the constant need for an effective strategy for sharing our work online. Perhaps main character syndrome might have useful applications for building brand recognition?
For many anxious (and introverted) creatives, too much attention can be overwhelming. Thus, we might think it's strange when certain celebrities keep showing up in our news feeds. It is one thing to be advertising a business venture, project or collaboration. But if I'm honest, a lot of what I see feels greedy. Quite a few famous people pay click farms to get their names trending on social media. However, you'll also see them on podcasts whining about backlash over the very same overexposure.
This morning, I read that one "victimised" and "bullied" singer was "forced" to sell one of their private jets because a youngster was sharing the flight path (public information) on Twitter. Personally, I'd love to have a "one private jet problem." So, if you have $54 million you're not using, you know where to find me.
The look at me problem: Balancing recognition and oversaturation
Besides celebrities whose thirst for attention is exhausting for us, we can easily think of everyday people with main character syndrome. According to the Cleveland Clinic, "Main character syndrome is defined by a series of behaviors in which you see yourself as the main character in the story of your life. You are the protagonist and everyone else is often a sidekick or a villain." One example that springs to mind is the mother-in-law who insisted on wearing her wedding dress to her son's wedding. TikTok, Reddit and YouTube are filled with stories of people who are pathologically self-absorbed.
Oversaturation, in my opinion, works best for objects or dead people. Think of the Mona Lisa or the Palais de Versailles. Or historical figures like Elizabeth I or Nelson Mandela, who we recognise from iconic images representing them at the height of their fame. For living individuals, icon status is more difficult to attain. Celine Dion is one exception due to her immense talent and the ebbing of her career as she battles a debilitating neurological condition.
To remain relevant, many famous people force us to stare at them. They also spend lots of money on social media teams, stylists, and articles in mainstream publications. However, if you try to act like them and saturate social media with your work, you might get your accounts shadowbanned, muted, blocked or reported.
Embracing visibility with intention is a better alternative. Focus on intentional storytelling. This means setting clear goals for your online presence. Your objective is to create a narrative that resonates with your audience. The following are some ideas for building a presence you can "overexpose" as a main character with minimum risk.
"Object" yourself, hey hey
Develop a unique and visually memorable symbol or logo associated with your creative persona. This icon can serve as a consistent visual element across your digital platforms, making your brand instantly recognisable. Create several personas and icons. Cycle through these as needed.
Establish a signature style that becomes synonymous with your brand. Whether it's a specific tone, colour palette, or choice of themes, a distinctive creative style contributes to the legendary quality of your work.
Intentionally cultivate a mythos around yourself. Tell stories, show behind-the-scenes videos or photos, or share unique rituals associated with your creative process. This adds layers to your persona, making your work more intriguing and enduring.
Explore timeless themes in your creative projects that go beyond current trends. Creating with universal topics in mind allows your work to remain relevant over time. This contributes to the enduring quality of your brand story.
Collaborate with yourself. If you're a writer, consider using illustrations, graphics, or visual representations of your work. If you're a fine artist, complement your artwork with a story or poem so your audience can connect with it more closely. This technique allows you to externalise your brand because you are presenting fresh, visually appealing iterations of your work.
Release limited edition or special versions of your work. You could create a video or slideshow trailer for your writing on Instagram, narrating on TikTok, and then use images with excerpts on your blog. Exclusivity adds a sense of rarity to your brand. It also encourages discovery which enhances the perceived value of your work.
Cultivate an enigmatic online persona by carefully selecting what aspects of your life and work to share. Keep an air of mystery around your creative process and personal life. Curiosity contributes to the allure of your work.
Remember, you want to combine elements of uniqueness, timelessness, and mystique. By externalising aspects of your image you can craft a brand story with enduring qualities.
Conclusion: Self-reflection and goal-setting
Main character syndrome can be useful for promoting your creative work online. Acting as the main character in your own brand story will help you to reinvent yourself or experiment while maintaining your allure, exclusivity, and uniqueness. However, before starting each campaign, you'll need to set clear goals for your online presence.
Bear in mind your values and the impact you want to make. Elevate your presentations with distinctive symbols, a signature style, and timeless themes. Your creative journey is unique, so let your story unfold authentically and your audience will embrace you.
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