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Message Teaching Guide: From Sound to Signature – Discover Your Genre & Define Your Brand 6-Session Coaching Program with Worksheets & Homework SESSION 1: Discover Your Genre & Artistic Identity Goal: Lay the foundation by uncovering the artist's sound, identity, and emotional tone. Teaching Focus: • Introduce the concept: Genre = Foundation of Branding → Explain how genre, values, and vibe shape all visual decisions. Reinforce that this is step one in becoming a marketable, memorable artist brand. • Genre Discovery Before Laddering → Use the "Genre Discovery Worksheet" to help artists explore their musical influences, lyrical themes, instruments used, performance energy, and emotional tone. This helps inform their genre identity before assigning formal labels. • Guide artist through Primary → Secondary → Micro-Niche genre breakdown → After discovery, introduce the "Genre Ladder Worksheet" to walk them through their genre identity using artist comparisons, keyword tagging, and mood associations. • Draw sonic comparisons ("What artists do you sound like?") → Provide an "Artist Comparison & Sonic Identity Chart" and use Spotify or YouTube to demonstrate similarities. • Use vibe-defining exercises (keywords, mood, emotional tone) → Introduce a "Vibe Mapping Journal Prompt" worksheet: adjectives, visuals, moods, and emotions.

In-Session Activities: • Genre Discovery Worksheet (Guides exploration of influences, instrumentation, lyrical themes, and emotional tone) • Genre Ladder Worksheet (Three-tier genre tree with examples + blank template to complete after discovery worksheet) • Artist Comparison & Sonic Identity Chart (Includes "Fans Also Like" prompts + playlist matching) • Vibe Mapping Journal Prompt (Reflective page to define emotional and sonic tone) Homework: • Complete the Genre Ladder Worksheet after finishing the Discovery Worksheet • Write a 1-paragraph reflection: "This is who I am as an artist." • Bring 5 songs you feel most represent your vibe to next session Deliverables: ✓ Completed Genre Discovery + Genre Ladder Worksheets ✓ 5 Brand Keywords ✓ Starter Notes for Moodboard Worksheets: • See attached: Genre Discovery Worksheet, Genre Ladder Worksheet, Artist Comparison & Sonic Identity Chart, Vibe Mapping Journal Prompt NOTE: An adjective is a descriptive word that modifies or adds detail to a noun. In this context, adjectives describe the emotional or stylistic tone of your music—such as "moody," "uplifting," "gritty," "ethereal," "playful," "raw," "cinematic," etc.

SESSION 2: Define Your Brand DNA Goal: Clarify what the artist stands for and the emotional story behind their music. Teaching Focus: • Explore core values and message → Use a guided worksheet to help artists reflect on their lived experiences, life lessons, recurring themes in their lyrics, and the change they want to create through their music. Help them identify which values are consistent. • Identify your “why” as an artist → Use a "Why I Create" writing prompt to uncover purpose. • Create a short brand message → Draft a 1–2 sentence "Artist Identity Statement" with emotional impact. In-Session Activities: • Core Values Discovery Worksheet (Includes prompts such as: "What matters most to you?" "What do your lyrics always circle back to?" "What do you want your fans to walk away feeling?") • Values Inventory Grid (Circle or highlight from this expanded list of 50+ values below.) Expanded Values List: Authenticity, Adventure, Artistry, Balance, Beauty, Boldness, Bravery, Calm, Change, Clarity, Collaboration, Compassion, Confidence, Connection, Consistency, Courage, Creativity, Curiosity, Depth, Determination, Diversity, Empathy, Empowerment, Encouragement, Energy, Equality, Faith, Family, Freedom, Fun, Growth, Healing, Honesty, Hope, Imagination, Individuality, Innovation, Inspiration, Integrity, Introspection, Joy, Justice, Kindness, Legacy, Light, Love, Mystery, Openness, Passion, Peace, Power, Purpose, Reflection, Resilience, Respect, Rebellion, Security, Self-Discovery, Simplicity, Spirituality, Strength, Support, Sustainability, Transformation, Trust, Truth, Uniqueness, Vulnerability, Wholeness, Wonder • Brand Pillars Worksheet (Narrow values down to your top 3 and provide examples of how each one shows up in your music, visuals, or message) • Core Message Writing Prompt (“The world I want to create with my music is…”) Homework:

• Refine your Artist Statement using your top 3 values • Choose 3 visual or verbal ways you can begin expressing each value in your content Deliverables: ✓ Completed Brand Pillars Worksheet ✓ Artist Statement (Short Form) ✓ Core Values List + Emotional Tags Worksheets: • See attached: Core Values Discovery Worksheet, Values Inventory Grid (with 50+ values), Brand Pillars Worksheet, Core Message Prompt SESSION 3: Visual Style & Aesthetic Direction Goal: Translate the artist’s sound and values into visual mood and style. Teaching Focus: • Color psychology, font personalities, and visual tone → Discuss how colors evoke emotion and fonts imply tone • Moodboard creation using Pinterest, design magazines, or curated visual references → Begin collecting references that reflect their sound, story, and vibe In-Session Activities: • Visual Moodboard Worksheet (Intro to moodboard + image grid layout using Pinterest or print references) • Color & Font Style Matching Exercise (Reference moods and matching typefaces/colors) • Emotional Style Mapping Tool (Helps define if their brand is moody, ethereal, bold, etc.) Homework: • Finalize moodboard with 5–7 strong visual references • Bring 3 examples of visuals from other artists that reflect your brand tone

Deliverables: ✓ Visual Moodboard ✓ Preferred Color Palette & Fonts ✓ 3–5 Style References Worksheets: • See attached: Visual Moodboard Worksheet, Color & Font Style Matching Exercise, Emotional Style Mapping Tool

SESSION 4: Branding in Action – Photos, Covers & Socials Goal: Apply visual brand to content, photos, and marketing assets. Teaching Focus: • Plan a cohesive photoshoot → Discuss themes, colors, clothing, props, and locations • Ensure consistency in artwork and posts → Use a checklist to audit current Instagram and covers In-Session Activities: • Brand Identity Questionnaire • Photoshoot Planning Worksheet (Includes outfit, lighting, concept prompts) • Album/Song Cover Concept Sketch Page (Draw or list ideas visually aligned to moodboard) • Social Media Brand Consistency Checklist (10-point checklist to identify mismatches) Homework: • Plan a 1-outfit brand-aligned mini shoot with your phone or camera • Create a 3x3 Instagram layout grid with visual cohesion Deliverables: ✓ Photoshoot Prep Plan ✓ Cover Art Draft Concepts ✓ Social Visual Consistency Plan Worksheets: • See attached: Brand Identity Questionnaire, Photoshoot Planning Worksheet, Album/Song Cover Concept Sketch Page, Social Media Brand Consistency Checklist

SESSION 5: Build Your Artist Style Guide Goal: Combine all elements into a cohesive, usable branding document. Teaching Focus: • Create a personal Artist Style Guide → Use a simple layout to organize fonts, colors, moodboard, and keywords • Organize all visual and brand cues in one place → Use real-world artist examples to demonstrate strong identity kits In-Session Activities: • Style Guide Template (Sections: brand statement, fonts, colors, moodboard, keywords, visual references) • Refine Brand Messaging (Group review of tone and message clarity) • Final Color + Font Pairing Selection (Confirm primary and secondary assets) Homework: • Finalize and export Artist Style Guide PDF • Upload to Google Drive or Dropbox for sharing with collaborators Deliverables: ✓ Completed Artist Brand Style Guide ✓ Final Brand Message Statement Worksheets: • See attached: Style Guide Template, Brand Messaging Review Prompts

SESSION 6: Brand Integration + Merch Teaser Goal: Implement brand across platforms and introduce merchandising. Teaching Focus: • Apply brand identity across EPK, website, and socials → Review platform visual alignment • Begin mockup for first merch item → Sticker, tee, tote, or print concept using branding elements In-Session Activities: • Brand Integration Checklist (Review Instagram bio, banners, profile images, etc.) • Visual Strategy Feedback Session (Live screen review of assets + brainstorm) • Merch Mockup Starter Sheet (Includes template for designing a basic branded item) Homework: • Create a first merch concept mockup (sketch or photo-based reference) • Apply your branding style to one public platform: website, bio, or profile header Deliverables: ✓ Brand Integration Plan ✓ Visual Content Strategy Snapshot ✓ First Merch Concept (Mockup or Draft) Worksheets: • See attached: Brand Integration Checklist, Merch Mockup Starter Sheet

Brand Identity Questionnaire - What is your artist name? Is it your real name or a stage name? - If your music had a scent, color, and feeling, what would they be? - What three words describe your personality as an artist? - What three words describe your music’s personality? - What genre(s) do you fall into, and what makes your take on it unique? - What do you want your audience to feel when they experience your brand? - What kind of artists do you admire visually? Why? - If your brand were a fashion line or movie trailer, what would it look like? - Are there colors, symbols, or imagery that you’re naturally drawn to? - Are there any visuals you definitely don't want to be associated with? - Why did you start making music? - What message or mission drives your work? - What do you stand for? (Example: authenticity, freedom, beauty, rebellion) - How do your personal beliefs or experiences show up in your music? - Who is your ideal fan? - What are they into, where do they hang out, and how do they dress? - What kind of people do you want to attract more of? - Do you have a logo, color palette, or visual look right now? - Are you happy with how your social media looks? - What do people often say about your vibe or style? - What would make you feel proud at the end of this branding process? - What’s one platform or place you want your brand to shine on? - Do you plan to hire a graphic designer or DIY your visuals?