The Creator Archetype (also known as The Artist)
The Creator brand is a visionary that values imagination and self-expression. These brands dare, normally avoid what's ordinary and strive for the extraordinary.
Purchasing from a creator brand is a means of self-expression or even self-actualisation. When customers purchase from a creator brand, they are not just buying a product or service - they are asserting their individuality. Whether it's a unique piece of art or a custom home, customers who purchase from a creator brand are making a statement about who they are and what they believe in.
Wondering what your brand archetype could be? Take the brand archetype assessment.
The Creator Archetype Strengths
The Creator brand strives towards the highest of standards, attracting consumers that are intolerant of cheap, mass-produced junk. This doesn't mean these brands are snobs, they quite simply are a reflection of beauty. These brands often appeal to customers who value quality, authenticity and, attention to detail. They tend to be priced a tad higher than average, quite simply because they are above average in nature.
These brands find satisfaction in process that enables them to create something that did not previously exist. This is somewhat ironic, as the creative bent means they tend to reach outside universal process, yet seek to create a new process in what could be described as their parallel universe.
The Creator Archetype Examples
The creator brand is especially effective for brands that sell products or services related to the arts, crafts or design. It's a brand archetype that suits marketing agencies, architects, designers as well as news sources and research firms that are pursuing new ideas.
Example of the creator archetype in branding includes:
- YouTube
- Adobe
- Etsy
- Ikea
- Lego
- Tesla
- Pixar
- Apple
- Creative Market
Creator brands tap into the human desire for self-expression. If you want to inspire your customers to be creative, the creator archetype may be perfect.
The Creator Archetype Family
The Creator archetype is a part of the larger family of archetypes known as the artisan family. These sub-archetypes share traits, kind of like family members.
- The Artist: promotes individuality and self-expression
- The Visionary: Inspiring, promotes a sense of purpose
- The Storyteller: immersive narratives
- The Entrepreneur: focused on big ideas
Brands that embody the artisan family often appeal to customers who value quality, authenticity, and attention to detail.
The Creator Archetype Voice
The creator archetype's voice leaves their customers feeling captivated, guided and informed. Emphasis the brand's unique pespective and willingness to push boundaries. Use language that is imaginative and evocative, that inspires customers to think outside the norm. Your brand voice should encourage self-expression and promote the idea that creativity is an essential part of the human experience.
At the same time, your brand voice should also be authentic and down-to-earth. It's important to balance your brand's visionary qualities with a sense of approachability and relatability. Use language that is conversational and engaging, and that speaks directly to your customers in a manner that feels personal and genuine.
The Creator Archetype Power Words
Power words crank up marketing effectiveness by evoking emotion and triggering curiosity. The saying goes, 'curiosity killed the cat', but let me tell you, it certainly makes a marketer's life easier. Here are some power words you might use for the Creator archetype in branding:
- Transform
- Imagine
- Inspiring
- Recreate
- Master
- Perfect
- Create
- Better
- Breath-taking
- Beautiful
- Swoon-worthy
- Amazing
- Effortless
- Captivating
- Memorable
- Unforgettable
- Step-by-Step
Incorporating power words in your copy can help facilitate a brand voice that resonates with your audience and inspires them to take action.
The Creator Archetype Calls To Action
Speaking of action, Calls-to-actions that may work well for creator brands include:
- Bring Your Ideas To Life
- Explore [product]
- Discover [product]
- Let's Nail It
By using a brand voice that is imaginative, innovative and expressive, you can better connect with customers that share the same values.
The Creator Archetype On Social Media
Creator brands need to offer their audience visual examples. Infographics, before and afters, tutorials or process videos are often used by Creator brands. These enable their audience to imagine themselves achieving what the creator brand offers whether that be life goals, video editing, home renovations or design objectives.
Social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok are well-suited to the Creator archetype as they allow brands to showcase their creativity and maximise visual story-telling.
The Creator Archetype Weaknesses
Let's face it, Creator brands can be perfectionists. Their standards are so high that it causes business stagnation and internal frustrations. Management within creator brands can struggle to delegate, worrying team members 'won't be up to scratch.' This can stifle the brand's character, which feeds on the freedom of innovation.
Ironically, this disdain for mediocrity can facilitate exactly that. See, the tendency to micromanage stifles new ideas and stalls progress. An intolerance for mistakes murders creativity and... destroys the souls of team members. Think about it: the brand is growing by attracting non-conformists that resist structure and think outside the box, while the company's very nature is to structure new ideas and process in order to scale. Managing this dynamic is no easy feat.
I don't envy HR.
Here's some key points to remember if you are a creator archetype:
- Balance experimentation with practicality
- Be open to feedback: this archetype can be so invested in its own ideas, it can resist insights that would actually help it
- Don't neglect the 'boring' stuff
Managing the weaknesses of the creator brand requires balance. By being aware of the potential weak points of your brand character, you can take steps to manage them.
Unsure what your brand archetype is? Take the Brand Archetype Assessment.
