How a concert turned into a lesson in business....

At the last Fearless Entertainment concert event I attended, I had the opportunity to speak with Hajj E. Flemings.  You haven't heard of him?  Oh, you will.  He is the CEO & Founder of Brand Camp University.  He was also recently featured on CNN's Black In America 4: The New Promised Land: Silicon Valley.  Anyways, he was volunteering at the concert and so I had a chance to ask him a few questions.  He shared some great insights on marketing & branding.  Whether you are a public figure or an entrepreneur, lessons in branding can always be very beneficial.  Based on what I learned, I have provided 3 tips. 

1)  Power in pictures.  In branding, one of the most important things you can do for yourself is invest in a great photographer.  Humans are such visual creatures, how can you build a brand without amazing images?  So I would suggest schedule a photo shoot!  It doesn't have to be anything high fashion, just some nice, clean images of yourself.  Then, you can choose a favorite and use it as your logo.  Your face is now your brand!  May I also suggest you find a signature piece for your photo.  For example, he was explaining to me how he found this random pair of black, square, glasses and took some photos in them.  He used those photos to brand himself, so now he can't go anywhere without them because they are part of his image 'signature'.  

2)  Know for what you stand for.   A brand is what others expect out of you.  So, during the branding process, you are creating an image of who you are.  Take a few years building that image, building that foundation of strong morals.  In terms of a business, you ought to know your goals, your mission statement, what you stand for.  Take the time to discover what that is, build upon that.  The pressures of trends, society, and media can bring you to a place of moral dilemma.  So, the stronger your values, the more you won't allow pressure to dictate your decisions.  Your brand will reflect you.  So know yourself, know what you are reflecting....that way you won't be afraid to stand for it.

3)  Stay humble.  One thing I truly appreciated about speaking with Hajj is his humility.  He continued to give glory to God, claiming that at the end of the day, he is where he is because of God's favor.  I have learned that if pride comes before the fall, then as soon as you feel as though YOU have gotten yourself where you are in your power...you are on your way down, only a matter of time.  So, if you remain humble and know that it was God who brought you to where you are - you will only continue upwards.  God will exalt those who exalt Him.  If you give the honor where honor is due, then God will in turn show honor and grace to you!  So, no matter how big you become, never forget who got you there.  

In conclusion, I have learned through the years that if you meet someone more successful than you - shut up and listen.  Don't act like you know everything.  Do not try to prove you can speak at their level just because you feel as though you need to.  Many people think they have to show what they know instead of take the opportunity to learn.  Ask questions, take notes, listen.  That person is probably more successful for a reason, so take the time to learn what that reason is.  Now go schedule a photo shoot and get your brand on!

Thank you Hajj for taking the time to share some branding tidbits with me!

For more information on Brand Camp University, visit: http://www.BrandCampU.com

Or visit: www.hajjflemings.com

Your calling is calling - should I take a message?

Destiny.  Callings.  It's no wonder dreams don't manifest over night.  The man power, drive, motivation and passion it takes to carry out a dream can almost seem unbearable.  But you have to start somewhere.  Look around you, everything you see started off as a mere dream, started off as an idea.  Steve Jobs drastically changed our technology world from innovative ideas, what if he would of listened to those who didn't believe the impossible?  Walt Disney created a reality from his imagination, what if he would of given up after people told him he was crazy?  These men had a dream inside of them that would not quit.  Sometimes the manifestation is right beyond the time you feel like quitting.  You would be surprised to see how far you can go after the point you feel like walking away.  You may be saying, "well that is easy for them because they had such a clear vision to pursue".  Often times, we may have the drive, but lack the dream to follow.  Here are a few tips to position yourself in finding your passions.

1) Emotions Often times, your passion is the very thing that moves you emotionally.  When you see an abusive relationship does it make you mad enough to want to make a difference and possibly start a woman's shelter?  Or if someone were to tell you you weren't supposed to become a missionary, would you be sad because you have a heart for nations and traveling?  Take notice of the things that drive you to action, most of the time there is a reason for your motivation.

2)  Discouragement Once you understand your passions, sometimes you start off discouraged because there are already many people pursuing that same dream.  Don't tell yourself you can't do something just because someone else is already doing it.  If you have always wanted to write music and see someone else succeeding, sometimes you may feel like you don't have to push towards that dream because someone already is.  There are 6.9 trillion people on the earth.  We are all unique and are drawn to different things.  Do not let other people already living your dream discourage you, God put that desire in your heart for a reason.

3)  Time Get to know your creator.  If God created you for a purpose, the more time you spend with Him, the more you will discover who you are in Him and what you are called to do.  An artist knows his paintings inside and out because he created them, he spend ample time carefully constructing them.  Thus, since God created you, when you spend time learning Him, you spend time understanding yourself.  If we were made in His image, the more we know Him, the more we begin to know ourselves.  Take time for this, take time to learn about yourself. 

When you begin to know yourself and what moves you to action, you will begin to discover your purpose.  The first step is uncovering your passions, the clearer that becomes, the harder it will be for anything or anyone to discourage you.  Start a journey of self discovery, reflecting on those things that motivate you, and write them down.  If you don't know where or how to start, just start!  Things will be revealed to you as you take that first step.  GO!

Do you know the secret??

 

"She knows the secret!"  I heard Mike Gordon, of Fearless Entertainment say, pointing to me.  "What?"  I ask, confused, but know that I am being brought into the conversation.  We were at the Man Up Detroit concert & Mike was talking to a music artist referred to as RIME.  The music artist had asked him how Fearless Entertainment continues to host countless Christian rap shows so successfully. And Mike referred him to me....and he was right, I do know the secret to their success.....marketing!

As I proceeded to explain some of the things I have learned in terms of marketing over the years, I realized perhaps other musical artists needed to hear this information.  I understand as a musical talent, perhaps a buried fear is preforming to an empty room.  Here are a few tips that will help ensure that doesn't happen to you:

1) Right audience. You can spend a lot of money on flyers or advertisements, but could be wasted if handed to the wrong people.  Invest time and money in the audience you desire to reach.  If I am trying to reach a young person, I wouldn't advertise the event in the newspaper because that generation turns to social media for their information.  This may take research.

2)  Image Control.  If you are a new artist or would simply just like to change your image - know your image.  What would you like to portray?  You are your own brand.  When people see a brand, they expect a certain promise, be that promise.  Show consistency.  I suggest you 'sanitize' your social media or web-site.  Be the image you wish to portray, the brand.

3) Show integrity.  Be a person of your word.  Be honest, follow through with what you say you will do.  There is enough 'artists' in the world, so stand out simply by doing what you say you will do.  Your reputation is something that as talent, all you have.  So know that everything you do is essentially tied to your image as well as your brand.  Stand for integrity, if anything that alone will make you stand out.

These are just a few tips that I will be sharing throughout my own life experience...stay posted for more secrets :)

To learn more about Fearless Entertainment, visit:  www.fearlessentertainment.net