Holistic Branding for Multi-hyphenate Creatives (ultimate guide)
If you’re a multi-hyphenate creator or artist, you’re already holistic in what you do, naturally. So shouldn’t your branding strategy be the same?
When I was a kid, I wanted to be everything (that’s pretty normal). But as I got older, nothing changed. And now here I am—quite adult—and still unable to choose just one thing.
This is was my biggest obstacle online. Until I realized one day that it wasn’t a weakness, but a strength. I just needed the right approach.
Holistic branding is that approach. And this is my full guide.
Let’s get to it then!
Table of Contents
What Is Holistic Branding?
Holistic branding is approaching every aspect of your personal brand as being interconnected parts of a whole.
It’s a core focus for this site and my approach to multibranding and sharing my own artist life.
It’s also the branding model that makes the most sense for multi-hyphenate creators. Because again, you’re building something holistic, so shouldn’t your branding strategy be the same?
How I Approach Holistic Branding for Multi-hyphenates (5 elements)
1. SEO / LLMO
I don’t hear branding experts talk about SEO that much, but I always prioritize it.
(the same goes for the LLMO, or large language model optimization).
Because a great brand means nothing if nobody ever finds you. SEO boosts your chances of showing up in Google and AI platforms like ChatGPT.
It also improves your authority and reputation.
But maybe most importantly, it’s directly connected to your brand’s tone of voice. The words and phrases that you use throughout your content and website are both brand-building and SEO opportunities.
That’s why I always balance design with keyword optimization and clarity (so your website, for example, isn’t confusing when it gets crawled).
A good starting point for brand SEO is to identity your core personal brand keywords. Then, use them in important places like your header titles, meta description and blog content.
2. Niche Blending
Rather than niching down or building one domain at a time (which makes things sort of separate), my approach focuses on niche blending.
“Blending niches is a way to combine your core passions into a single package. It’s like having your cake and eating it too.”
For example, in my creative work, I blend music and art together in the same space. It’s not one or the other.
I also incorporate travel, video, photography and more.
It’s all very multi-layered and niche-collaborative. But it feels cohesive and intentional.
I’m using my homemade Creative Core System, which helps multi-passionates blend their niches clearly (so they can do it all).
I recommend checking out the full strategy here, but this is a quick breakdown:
Level one niches
The most important stuff you want to be most known for
Level two niches
Like supporting characters that play a role in your brand movie (but don’t hog the spotlight)
Level three niches
Close to brand themes, which add extra nuance and help to connect everything together
With all the buzz about authenticity and raw personal branding, this multi-layered approach is working right now. Plus, it’s just more honest and fun.
3. Content Layering
Love it or hate it, content is a core part of building a brand.
So the goal for holistic branding is to blend your niches in a way that feels cohesive and intentional (not scattered).
My approach to this is mixtape content.
Mixtape content is lifestyle- and mood-driven, so your posts actually reflect your real life.
[ yep, your sometimes boring (sometimes totally epic) very real life…but isn’t that the point of personal branding anyways? ]
You’re not just sharing your best moments. You’re providing a raw BTS look at what your universe actually looks like.
Mixtape content highlights your core niches but sprinkles in your life too. From studio sessions to weekend trips or restaurants visits, this is how I layer content for holistic branding.
Content is the mixtape of your life.
Don’t worry about perfection or being polished and curated…that was never the goal for the mixtape.
Be real. Share it all. Make it sloppy if needed, just add your vibe, style and messaging.
This approach is especially good for social media, but growing a multi-niche blog is also possible.
4. Consistent Design
Your brand design is the look and feel of everything, like your website, social posts, assets and the work itself. This should feel creative, honest and expressive.
Brand design is your brand aesthetic.
I’d even include visual identity in this basket, which is your personal style (“look”), personality and vibe.
Great holistic branding is a consistent design aesthetic across all your “stuff”. Your tone of voice, design style, fonts and message should match (more or less).
Here are some tips to get clear on your design aesthetic:
Add your personality
Know your core values
Start with mood boards
Consider your ideal content and style
Don’t be afraid to bend or break the rules
Test your design style works across all aspects of your brand
Explore more:
➤ Squarespace Design Tips
5. Build a Storyworld Narrative
When you’re juggling multiple niches, it’s easy to get confused or disorganized. Storytelling helps a lot here.
A great brand is anchored in its story. But as a multi-hyphenate creator, it helps to stretch this model a little bit further — into the storyworld concept.
Storyworlds are part of the brand world building model, which is when a brand crafts a universe that fans can interact with and join (it’s much more immersive and engaging).
So with the storyworld model, your different niches are like different realms in your story.
They’re individually important and often have their own subplots. But they each contribute something meaningful to the whole (brand) story.
Your throughlines can act as bridges between your realms, but simply staying aware of your brand storyworld helps clarify your messaging and content.
