Learnings of the Day
written by Audrey Leboutte
Have you ever wondered...
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How do I tell my story? Do I use a portfolio, bio, presskit?
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What should I show?
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How do I reach out to collaborators or clients?
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How do I improve my digital presence?
Building Your Personal Brand
Quotes from Selene
“Instagram is where you show your style, inspirations and influences. Curate your Instagram.”
“Your artistic DNA should be visible online, even if you’re not the one executing the work.”
"The portfolio is for clients."
“Your portfolio is not a catalogue of everything you’ve done, it should highlight your essence.”
“If your portfolio feels too small, add work-in-progress, moodboards, or who you’re reaching out to. It helps for funding and context.”
Key idea: Your brand is not your history, it’s your essence. Curate what reflects your vision, not everything you’ve ever done.
Reaching Out for Collaborations
Quotes from Selene
“Come with confidence in your project, people feel it even in your email.”
“You’re talking to another human. Create connection, not conversion.”
“Invite the person into your vision, instead of asking for a favour.”
“After the first contact, send a visual so they can really imagine the project.”
Key idea: Collaboration starts with connection, clarity, and confidence; not with convincing.
Posting vs Sharing
Quotes from Selene
“Posts are for your process, it’s an archive of what you’ve made.”
“Stories are for direct reactions: use them.”
“Perfection isn’t interesting. Show all sides of the job.”
“Detach from the numbers (followers, like), they are not a quality label.”
Key idea: Use Instagram as a tool, not a scoreboard. Your audience connects to process, not perfection.
How to Build an Online Presence
Quotes from Selene
Use CHC Model = C · H · C = Consistency · Honesty · Curiosity
- “Consistency matters more than virality. Post once a week, likes don’t matter.”
If your creative work is your business, you have to feed it regularly.
Showing up matters more than being perfect or viral.
Consistency builds trust and legitimacy.
- “Honesty is more important than aesthetics.”
People connect to voice, personality, and process - not to feeds that look like magazines.
What makes you stand out is truth, not polish.
Don’t hide the messy parts of the job.
- “Curiosity is more interesting than branding. Branding is over-curation, it kills your voice.”
Branding can become an over-curated mask.
Curiosity keeps your universe alive and makes people feel invited in.
Key idea: Your online presence is sustainable when it’s real, regular and rooted in your curiosity, not in seeking validation.
Branding VS Curiousity
- Branding = over-curation, controlled image, validation-seeking.
- Curiosity = openness, exploration, sharing what moves you.
What Makes a Good Presskit
Quotes from Red Le Rouge
“You need high-resolution photos, horizontal and vertical.”
“One short video (30 sec to 1 min) where people can see you in action.”
“A short bio, and a long version if needed, at least one in English.”
“Everything should live in one open Drive folder or a Linktree.”
“iPhone photos are risky. Rent a camera if needed, resolution matters more than glamour.”
Key idea: A presskit is a clarity kit: clean visuals, simple structure, and easy access.
Being Active on Multiple Platforms
Quotes from Red Le Rouge
“Any platform can disappear. Be everywhere you can handle.”
“A newsletter generates more sales than social media; stronger engagement, better analytics.”
Key idea: Don’t rely on one platform. Diversify your presence and build spaces you own (e.g., newsletter).
Website or Portfolio?
Quotes from Red Le Rouge
“It depends on your means and how much content you have.”
“Social media starts the relationship — the website deepens it. Start with social media and then website”
“People visit sites once they already feel connected to you.”
Key idea: Instagram builds awareness; a website builds depth.
Visibility & Getting Clients
Quotes from Red Le Rouge
“Social media keeps you in people’s subconscious. That’s how you get mentioned in meetings.”
“When people discuss interesting profiles, they think of the ones they’ve seen recently.”
Key idea: Regular, intentional visibility creates opportunities. Staying top-of-mind matters.
Reaching Out to Clients
Quotes from Red Le Rouge
“Sign up with production houses that post opportunities; like CHASE in Brussels/Flanders.”
“Target your portfolio to the person you’re addressing.”
“Stay authentic. If a project isn’t for you, pass it to someone else.”
“When you pass a project to someone else, they often think of you later when new opportunities come or when their workload is too high.”
Key idea: Align your portfolio to the person, but never lose your voice. Saying no builds long-term trust.
Who is Selene?
Based in Brussels, Selene Alexa Pliez is a creative director, communication consultant, and coach specializing in the development of emerging artists. After working on numerous public relations campaigns and supporting the early careers of musicians and performers, she went freelance in 2021, collaborating on international projects with Yseult, Gayance, NMSS, MIMI, Blck Mamba and Martha Da’ro.
In 2025, she co-founded ELS, a Brussels-based creative agency that blends culture, community, and artistic direction, supporting projects where identity and innovation meet. Through her coaching program, Selene helps artists build a strong and authentic artistic identity, while equipping them with the tools to navigate the realities of the contemporary music industry.
Who is Red Le Rouge?
Red Le Rouge is a multidisciplinary creative, founder of BX.CULTURE & co-founder of THEDIFFERENCE Studio & Future Nostalgia TV. Brussels-born and globally inspired, Red Le Rouge is a designer, storyteller, and creative mind blending illustration, graphic design, photography, and videography.
Raised in an artistic household, he honed his craft at Lucas School of Arts before launching The Difference Studio, a creative space for content creators, and BX.CULTURE, a clothing brand that tells stories through fashion. From behind-the-scenes visuals on tour to conceptual collections shaped by his travels, Red’s work celebrates cultural diversity and artistic expression.