“Listen” — Few single names can capture attention like Beyoncé.
She went from being in a girl group (Destiny’s Child) to slaying the super bowl halftime shows, dropping some of the most iconic Pop/R’n’B albums of the last two decade and most recently becoming the face for Tiffany & Co wearing $33 Million (!!) diamond, she’s officially gone from being an icon to being an inspiration.
She’s more than an artist. She’s a brand — and she works her personal brand to a strategic advantage.
And… You can too! Here are six personal branding ideas you can put into place and create a “Formation” of your own personal brand.
1. Bey Intentional
Have you ever notice how little you hear from Beyoncé in the media? That’s because she rarely speaks out in public unless she has something important to say.
Only speak/post about valuable, relevant, and engaging information. Your credibility will “Rise up” and you will establish yourself as an industry source to be respected. Like Beyoncé, let your successes do the talking for you. You don’t need to tell the world every little thing you do. When people come to you for information, they don’t have to wade through nonsense to find the “Green light.”
2. (“Say my) Name”
Beyoncé, Oprah, Obama, Rihanna, Kardashians… Instantly recognisable. What does your name say about you? The most easiest thing you can do first is google your name incognito.(Windows, Linux, or Chrome OS: Press Ctrl + Shift + n. Mac: Press ⌘ + Shift + n.)
Is it what you expected?
To “Upgrade U” start to implement improvements by:
Writing articles for online magazines and LinkedIn articles.
Tidy up your socials: Lock down and download your personal Facebook, Instagram (etc) profiles especially if they have “Irreplaceable” images and content you don’t want to lose but also don’t really want any other eyes to see.
3. Collaborations
“Lift off” with building your tribe. Beyoncé has achieved great success with collaborations. From her husband Jay-Z to Shakira, Megan the Stallion and Sean Paul. If you look into this into more detail — names like Shakira were pretty big back in 2007. Was this on purpose?
How can other people in your industry help you? Who do you need to collab with to grow your brand? > Start by attending networking events and researching on LinkedIn to find your tribe.
4. Being Authentic Matters
Beyoncé is not “Sorry” for being herself. I don’t think there has even been a time where I have thought ‘oh, no. What are you doing?’ — She knows her niche, she knows her skills and she knows who she is.
Side note: Although a great place to start is by doing research, reviewing how others show up to the world. It is important that you uncover your own overarching personal brand and image!
You are who you are. Not who you are trying to be.
Aim to get the big-picture clarity on who you truly are and where you would like to be. Start by answering these 5 questions:
What are your values?
What are your strengths?
What are the things you are interested in?
Where do you need to do improve on?
What object could you use to give a visual to your meaning? (Start a vision board)
5. Turn your struggles into strengths
If you don’t know, Jay Z cheated on Beyoncé which was why her album ‘Lemonade’ was made.
Making the most out of a bad situation, she turned the experience into music. She also taught her fans a great lesson: No struggle = No strengths + No success.
Take time going through your areas you would like to improve, times you have made mistakes and when things haven’t gone to plan. Ask yourself:
What are you learning?
What would you do differently?
What will turn this around?
6. Adapt, Grow and Sustain
Beyoncé hasn’t stayed the same but has kept her authenticity. If her mindset was just focused on being in a girl group, then would she be the the Queen Bey that we know today? The answer is probably “No, no, no.”
If you stall out and become stale — you are not adapting or growing which isn’t sustainable. So…Keep learning, collaborating, being curious and keep moving “Forward.”
