Several weeks ago, Lady Gaga released her brand new album, “Born This Way,” on the commerce engine of Amazon, the biggest online bookstore and music store in the world.
Lady Gaga is proof, like her, don’t know her, or hate her, that flying a flag is essential to being heard among the herd.
Everyone I’ve met wants to be heard. They want to make a difference. They want to stand out. They have a story to tell, something to offer, a song, a verse, a book, a painting, an insight, a seminar, or a service. But how do you get noticed among the vast herd of people doing the very same thing? You have to fly your flag.
When you think of Lady Gaga, you are very clear on who she is and what she is about. Standing on the shoulders of Madonna, she’s learned how to craft her message and her image in such a way that there is a visceral and emotional response almost every time her name is mentioned. That’s flying your flag.
What flag are you flying? Obviously Lady Gaga is flying the “Gaga” flag. For me, I’m flying the “Renegade for God” flag, or the “Making Marriage Fun Again” flag. I have two flags that I’m flying. But I understand a lot of work needs to be done before I can fly that flag successfully.
Your brand is like flying a flag. It tells who you are, what you offer, and what the distinctives are that differentiate you from the herd. If you want to be heard, you have to be clear about what your message is and what your goals are as you fly your flag.