In the past two years, Lady Gaga and her other worldly image has transformed the entertainment business, inspired the fashion industry, topped music charts in the United States and in Europe, and won over — and influenced — the ears of everyone from Hollywood to middle American teenagers to
young YouTube stars. How did she do it in such a short amount of time (and with so many initial critics?) Lady Gaga's a genius at marketing and branding, and if you're a business owner or just getting an
online degree in a business field, you should really take a look at her business plan. Here are 10 brilliant business lessons we can all learn from Lady Gaga.
- Go against the grain: During a time when club music basically meant party beats from Caribbean-bred hip-hop stars and pop music regularly crossed with country as well as it did with rock, Lady Gaga broke out onto the scene with European-style, electronica-mixed dance music that brought new energy to middle America, as well as East Coast and Hollywood venues. Once we got a look at her costumes and her over-the-top style, we knew she was bringing something different to the world of entertainment. Lady Gaga took a risk and was the subject of nasty criticism about her avant-garde image, but she kept people talking. And after everyone got used to seeing her performances, TV appearances and paparazzi shots, we all settled down a bit and appreciated that she had the guts to stand out and give us something new.
- Create a distinguishable, recognizable brand: When video footage of Lady Gaga's NYU days surfaced, we couldn't believe that the brunette in a simple tube dress was the pantless, bleached blonde megastar who now greets the world in opaque sunglasses and wieldy head attachments and hair accessories. Whether she's photographed in the airport, leaving a club, or on stage at one of her own concerts, Lady Gaga is always done up in her unique style. She's a master at personal branding, and her crazy looks are just a part of the whole Gaga package. Her fashion choices have actually trickled into the mainstream and onto the red carpet, from her frosty lipstick to her bondage-style corsets to her glove fetish. If you're able to create an instantly recognizable image, your brand and your message will speak for itself and will travel much more quickly and effectively than if you have to use weighty explanations to reach customers.
- Commit to your image 100%: Do you know how much time and effort it must take to get all dressed up like Lady Gaga every morning? It doesn't matter: the girl is 100% committed to her image, probably because she recognizes that it's her appearance that connects her to her fans. Never give up on your most basic mission and the values of your products or services; otherwise, your customers will become confused about what it is you're really trying to sell them.
- Remain open to inspiration: Lady Gaga's got a sound that's totally hers, but she admits to being inspired by everyone from David Bowie and Queen to Michael Jackson and Madonna. In her music videos and costume choices, Gaga also references Marilyn Monroe, Courtney Love, and
