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Not Just an Artist, This Lady is An Inspiration for Entrepreneurs Learn the art of building an empire from Lady Gaga

By Aastha Singal

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Millions strive to channel their talent into a successful career but how many are really successful? Not many, of course. Not even Steve Jobs' suggestion to stay hungry can guarantee victory but Lady Gaga's marketing strategies are sure worth a shot. The 33-year-old built her empire worth an estimated $275 million within 10 years of her debut. If that doesn't spell out her intellect than nothing can.

The American music industry witnessed a steep decline around 2013 but Lady Gaga was standing tall, with her ever-increasing population of "Little Monsters' cheering in the background. Her smooth transition from a musician to an actress in her latest release "A Star is Born' has further proved her sharp skills to capture the audience's interest in whatever she does. And no, it is not sheer luck!

Here's what entrepreneurs from this extremely savvy businesswoman:

Generate the Loyals

Ever since her debut album – The Fame, Gaga has sold over 27 million albums worldwide (as of January 2016). She made her music not for those who came and left but for those who stayed. Gaga identified what her loyal subscribers were looking to hear and tailored her music accordingly. In business, you can't target the entire population but need to identify a target and invest in them for constant profits.

Be Unique

With everyone trying to push others off the stage, it is crucial to claiming the land which is yours. And so, she marked her tribe. Ditching the conventional music lovers, she went for those who were deemed outcasts, were bullied and didn't fit in. She called them her "Little Monsters". Following the bandwagon might add into a business' temporary revenue but having a USP helps it in the long run.

Ensure You Are Remembered

Despite her albums failing the charts, Gaga always remained at the top of her game and the headlines. Be it her beef dress she wore at 2010 MTV Video Music Awards or the sweet, cotton candy-inspired outfit, her outrageous style statement never fails to catch the attention. Generating the buzz with occasional antics and marketing is crucial for everyone to stay relevant.

Thriving through Social Media

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and peers have become such powerful tools of promotion today that anyone and everyone can build a business. While survival needs an entirely different game plan, it is the web you wound through your magical content that enraptures the audience. With 78.4 million followers on Twitter, Gaga enjoys the privilege of making launch announcements and give out other big information pieces without spending a penny.

Collaborate Right

Teaming up with the right people and organizations is the key to a successful journey. Gaga teamed up with Zynga, makers of the popular Facebook game Farmville, for a promotional multi-week stint, only to get a virtual farm – Gagaville, named after her. You can't run an empire alone. The need for occasional loans and partnerships work as fuel for your business growth.

Aastha Singal

Entrepreneur Staff

Former Features Writer

A business journalist looking to find happiness in the world of startups, investments, MSMEs and more. Officially started her career as a news reporter for News World India, Aastha had short stints with NDTV and NewsX. A true optimist seeking to make a difference, she is a comic junkie who'd rather watch a typical Bollywood masala than a Hollywood blockbuster. 

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