The document outlines key differences between an artist and a singer. An artist has a distinct style and creates their own musical genre, while a singer emulates other artists' styles. An artist develops a fan base and brand that is uniquely theirs, whereas a singer does not create their own identifiable persona and follows work opportunities. An artist carefully considers everything from their music to public image to marketing to maintain a consistent brand, while a singer is more flexible in what they perform and how they present themselves.

1. Are You An Artist Or A Singer?
Here are some key differences between an artist and a
singer?

2. An Artist has a distinct and recognizable sound. This includes his song arrangements
as well as vocal style. A Singer moulds his/her voice and overall sound to the song or
genre he/she is singing.
An Artist creates a musical style, and even a sub-genre of his own. They do not copy
what is already on the market, because they know that what is on the market now
will be obsolete in 12 months. A Singer tries to emulate other artists and particular
genres.
An artist has fans who rave about him/her, tell their friends about him/her and bring
them to see him live. He/she draws fans to his/her appearances. A Singer doesn’t
create a fan base because they are not identifiable on their own. They get paid to
entertain whoever is in the audience at the time.
An Artist’s attitude is “It’s all about me!” I don’t mean that it in a selfish or cocky
way. But he/she knows that he/she is a brand that must me marketed and sold.
He/she knows that he/she needs to develop and protect his/her image, his/her
integrity, his/her message etc.” All plans have to revolve around that concept. A
Singer, however, is all about the gig, the band members, what he/she likes or
dislikes, how he/she is in the mood to dress etc.

3. An Artist is ‘on stage’ whenever he/she is in public. He/she knows
he/she is being watched by both fans and the press, and he music
conduct himself accordingly. For example, he cannot buy a car
that doesn’t fit his image. A Singer, on the other hand, goes back
to being himself the second he walks out the door of the venue
he performed in.
An Artist is very particular about the songs he/she sings because
they reflect his/her true feelings, beliefs, emotions and/or
convictions. A Singer sings any song that he can get paid for,
regardless of the personal meaning behind it.
An Artist is very particular about the gigs he/she accepts because
he/she has to maintain a specific image. A Singer goes where the
work is and moulds his/her performance to meet the expectations
of the audience.

4. An Artist develops a vocal style that is all his/her own. He/she is never confused with
another artist because he/she has worked hard to not be a copycat. He/she
transforms songs to fit his own style. Singers transform themselves to fit the songs
they sing. They purposely emulate other artists. That is what is expected of them.
An Artist develops a brand all his/she own. That means that his sound, his/she
look, his/she marketing, his /she web page, his/she CDs and everything else
associated with him/her is always consistent in style, colours, message and image. A
Singer, on the other hand, may dress and sing country one day, then don a tuxedo to
sing standards at a wedding the next. He/she is not trying to create a persona, just
get work.
An Artist has a marketing plan that specifically identifies how he/she is going to get
recognition, get airplay, generate publicity etc. He/she works hard at establishing
himself and his brand as a recognisable, stand-alone entity regionally, nationally and
even internationally. A Singer follows the money. He/she may sing demos, sing for
commercials, sing numerous styles of music etc. His/her marketing plan consists of
advertising his/her service for hire.

5. An Artist finds a niche and fills it. He/she may be a cross between two or more genres, attracting fans
from both ends of the spectrum. He /she may reach a specific segment of the population that no one
else has tapped in to. He /she knows his niche and sticks with it.
An Artist knows his /her fans. He/she studies them to find out what they like about him. He /she then
gives them more and more of what they’ve come to expect from him/her. A Singer may have a
completely different audience at every gig. He/she entertains whoever is there, and then goes home.
As you can see, there are many distinctions between an Artist and a Singer. Again, each one is a
conscious choice. If you want to be an Artist, you need to be very aware of all of the points I
mentioned. You cannot launch and sustain a career without paying close attention to every detail. You
are on a very long-term mission. If you deviate onto the ‘singer’ side of the stage in the middle of your
career by deviating from what your fans have some to expect, you run the risk of alienating them.
This is why it is so important to LOVE what you’re doing and what you’re singing. You will always have
to live with the persona that you created.
If you want to be a Singer, which in essence means simply making money using your vocal
talents, then you have fewer restrictions on you. You can perform when, where and how you want to.
You can sing all kinds of styles, modifying your performances to match your audience’s desires.
Or, you can stick with one genre because it is what you do best, and carve out your own little niche
within that market. You have many more choices than the Artist. If at some point you decide that you
want to transform yourself into being an Artist, then you need to start from scratch and develop an
entirely new plan of attack that takes into consideration every one of the differences we’ve
identified.