5 Things the Music Industry Can Teach You About Branding!

We have all been through it... This plagues us all! You can't seem to understand why at 10 a.m. in the morning you hear Beyonce's "Single Ladies" playing in your head! How did you ever come to LOVE this song? Well it is NOT a coincidence rather a successful thumbs up for music industries marketing team!

Throughout the years record labels have used the same methods to DRAW YOU IN! So let's say YOU are not in the music business... and are wondering what the heck does this post have to do with me? Well it is quite simple ladies! I plan to show you 5 key things record labels do to draw you into their BRAND and how YOU can use these same methods to build YOUR brand!

1)Consistency
The music industry thrives on CONSISTENCY. What does this word mean?
Anything that is capable of being reproduced... POINT BLANK!
Your brand should have a consistent message, a consistent image, color, theme, program or whatever you specialize in IT SHOULD BE CONSISTENT or people become confused and shy away!

2)Repetition
What does this word mean? Simply the repeated use of the same word or word pattern as a rhetorical device. It sounds similar to consistency but it can be quite different. You want your brand to be consistent but you always want to show repetition in what you are doing with your brand. Think of Beyonce's "Single Ladies" once more... How many times do you recall hearing this song on the radio? From Hot 97to Z100 to whatever other station you frequent. This was NO ACCIDENT, people tend to become addicted to something when they are constantly reminded that it exists..SO MAKE YOUR BRAND EXIST IN THIS WORLD!

3)Networks
What do I mean? The power of networking is essential in any relationship both personally and professionally. Music industry leaders stay well connected and so should you! When the late Aaliyah needed a new movie script Joel Silver remembered her from Romeo Must Die and instantly called her in for a reading! Her team had maintained a relationship with movie directors etc..
Do the same... value relationships, get connected and most importantly answer your EMAILS!

4) Remember Your Target Market
Whatever you brand is, it must have a specific market! This is important to know... who are you selling/marketing to? Would you see Celine Dion at a Heavy Metal concert singing "My Heart Will Go On?" NO... ABSOLUTELY NOT! And I don't think her label would set that up anyhow!
Market specifically! And be consistent!

5) Keep Appeal Alive
What do I mean? Be able to attract interest or draw favorable attention to your brand! That is what THEY do! Mariah Carey very appealing! D'Angelo WAY appealing! You see where I am going with this? As you watch the growth of your fav artist you can see how much more visually appealing they become! It is not a coincidence!

So get with it ALREADY!

Any specific questions please contact me at zanademann@yahoo.com or hit me up on Twitter!
www.twitter.com/zanade

Love Ya!

This article was penned by Zanade L. Mann
All Rights Reserved!!!

5 Ways To Brand Yourself Right Now!

Ok, if you know me and follow my numerous blogs you are fully aware of Designing Women Inc. and if not then I officially invite you to jump on board to the best business to help you succeed from now to INFINITY!

Side note: Designing Women Inc. is a business of products and services exclusively designed for the OPTIMISTIC woman in YOU! From The Art of Networking, Branding and consulting services to an array of beauty products this company is all ABOUT YOU!

So this blog solely speaks of BRANDING

Do you have one clue what branding is? Yeah you can Google it but I am positive you will be HIT with too many results to decipher which ones are credible... But lucky you Zanade CEO of Designing Women Inc. will give you a head start!

Branding is: The process of creating a unique, positive and recognizable identity for a person, product or service.

So how would you get started?

1) Get to know social networking sites! Who cares whether you prefer Facebook over Myspace... It's all about getting your BRAND out into the social networking world!

2) Create a mantra, a saying, a quote anything that is YOURS! Take me for example many people know me as the Networking Queen that follows the saying "To Infinity and Beyond!" ... So with that being said...create yours and stick with it!

3) Grab a Twitter account! www.twitter.com (Might I add President Barack Obama has a Twitter profile!) Yeah! So get with it! Along with famous people and places like Starbucks, CNN and Beyonce!

Follow me www.twitter.com/zanade

4) Think Different! What is so unique about what you are doing that you know will create buzz???

5) CREATE A BLOG! Now you may not have 200 comments or 15,000 followers but your BRAND will be picked up by Google... FAST! And that builds SEO (Search Engine Optimization) which is very important in this digital world!

Thank you for giving yourself a chance to learn and grow! NOW GO OUT AND CREATE YOUR BRAND!!!

Zanade Mann
Designing Women Inc

A night with a Prince (and some other stuff!!!)

Contrary to popular belief

1) I don't party

2) I am a Gemini

And 3) I am obsessed with nail polish (but we will leave this one for another post!) lol

But last night I decided to have a good time with a good friend without solely focusing on professional aspects of my life, and although he tried to make me talk about work I side-tracked him so elegantly he didn't even notice lol

Let me say it was a long time coming because when I do events or go to galas everything is about work, no matter how many glasses of Merlot you see in my hand! Zanade is the networking Queen so I have to stay true to my title, but last night I let that go so that I could enjoy a moment to relax, relate and release...

1) We have a Black President who not only embodies what many men in this world should but he is strong and has a great woman beside him!

2) My intense workout is going great

3) And for purposes of this blog someone very special to me gave me a night of laughs and true joy... So thank you :-)

Ok, so after I sweated to the oldies for an hour the Prince* picked me up and we headed to the wonderful world that is Union Square. I must admit that my attire wasn't the best (weather conditions) but I made it work... A DIVA always does... with flashy butterfly earrings and flowing hair I was set to thrill!

Prince* took me to this great spot called Spice (if you never had then you must go NOW) For some reason he suspected that I was a bit uneasy with eating new foods but if you truly know me that is never the case. I was just taking it all in; the place was so beautiful I felt right at home. So I normally like to have the man order... I must say I am quite old fashion when it comes to that (my grandfather was such a gentleman) So after 20 minutes of being indecisive and having the waiter prompt us twice to order I let Prince* take care of business. He ordered these great shrimp and chicken fritters with a spicy sauce that was so tasty but eating them was a bit odd... Prince shoved the entire fritter in his mouth and suggested I do the same... so me being adventurous threw the entire thing in my mouth (weird visual I KNOW)

We talked about goals and life and of course he asked "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" now ladies be careful how you answer this question, because your answer could scare the hell out of that man! Some women go off and start talking about marriage and mortgages (two things that scare the hell out of ME!) So I answered that I intend on living my dreams and having an established business and such. He began to tell me what his plans are and I was intrigued by every moment! Prince* is a very motivated DIE HARD individual so grabbing my attention was easy!

After that he gestured that we go see a movie and of course he said "Have you seen Notorious?" And ... for the record NO! I HAVEN'T! But the next showing was way too late for me so we opted to see My Bloody Valentine (not a great choice but suitable for the time and place)

Side note: When did 3D get so popular again? ;-(

We laughed and jumped at every single thing that SHOT at us (literally) and I must mention he has great arms and I took advantage of holding them EVER chance I could... it was a great moment and I took a deep breath to inhale the wonderful thought provoking.....WEED? What the heck I thought and totally blanked out from the classic horror movie girl-grabs boys arm routine and said "Is someone sitting in the movie theatre smoking weed?"

Prince* so embarrassed says "Yes... Yes it is weed."
I HATE THAT SMELL! I thought and proceeded to ignore or try to ignore what the dumb kids were doing...

OK, Jump to the mid-end of the movie..

Prince* and I are totally confused and he wants to know where did we get lost and I am still stuck at trying to adjust my eyes to see the darn thing in 3D! Then by the end we finally "GET IT"

Disappointed? Not really because I spent the night with a Prince* and like a true man (to my standards) he made sure that I got home safe and sound so that I can pick up bright and early on MY JOURNEY!

Sincerely,

An essential shining DIVA*

Zanade

Top 10 Ways To Corner the Recession!!!

Ok... How are you doing through this recession??? Are your bills piling up? Did you cut back on salon visits? Are you looking for anything to cover your expenses?

Well it wouldn't be silly to say "You are not alone!" But this does not have to stop you from being the optimistic person you are deep inside... Rough times always makes people depressed and needy but I say "Why should it?" Being depressed will do nothing to your current situation... Correct?

Well today the NYC Diva will give you 10 things you can do to better yourself and stay above water!


1) Look for opportunities... Be aggressive in your future don't wait for them to arrive go meet them there!

2) Get into the entertainment arena ...this could be anything.. Because during these times many people are looking for things to make them happy... Like going to the movies or local plays.. Try to fit yourself in those sectors! Reposition yourself!

3) Up your game in Networking! Meet more people be more social... If you need any help with this email me ASAP!

4) Absolutely look into new fields other than the field you are currently marketing to!

5) Look at the relationships you have with people in your contact list! See who can do things for you professionally AND CONTACT THEM! (On tips of what to say email me! zanademann@yahoo.com)

6) Stop being FEARFUL!

7) Invest in associations and professional organizations... it may cost some $ but the long term effect will pay off!

8) See a career coach... (Side note) if you buy a membership with a professional org you may be entitled to a free session with one! Try www.nywici.org if you are in the communications field!

9) Prepare for sudden changes personally and professionally and then your worries won't be that high if something happens!

And...

10) Think of yourself as a brand! ®

I hope this list was very informative for you as it is for me I want to thank those who have instilled this in me over the years! Many thanks to my organizational women!

Later!

Zanade Mann

Any questions please don't hesitate to email the DIVA! Let's help each other!

I Have That Face

Hey all ☼☼☼

Ok... So...I have this crazy notion that I have this look on my face that says "Talk to me!" and that's great truly... I think it is important to connect to people outside the digital world right?

Many of us are so tied into our own worlds that we fail to disconnect the cells, emails and blackberries and connect with ordinary people...so I want to share with you 3 funny scenarios of my theory and invite you to come talk to me!

♥1) I was heading back from this weekend retreat and was quietly reading my notes on an express train back to NY when this lovely Jewish lady started to ask me a series of questions that quickly felt like I was playing Jeopardy, but I welcomed it. She asked if I was married and I said after a bad break up, I preferred to be alone and she looked at me like I was insane LOL "why would you do that?" she exclaimed and I began to tell her a logical reason but then decided to listen because I was sure she had jewels to give me. The old woman said "You see that man sleeping over there?" and I said "Yes" and she continued to say "That's my husband and he is rich!" so I laughed and she said "Never let a man break your heart, I learned that a long time ago." and I asked her how can I do that and she said "The key is to never marry for love marry for money and then your heart will always be safe!"

Now some will agree and some won't but that woman was hilarious! And well dressed for that matter! And I doubt if she goes around telling everyone that tale!

♥♥2)I was at a networking event and everyone was meeting and greeting talking about goals and dreams, family and kids when I noticed one of the guest speakers seemed a bit distant and me being ME decided to approach her and ask if everything was cool... She said with a sly remark "Yeah but these things just bore me, all this blah blah blah stuff about careers drives me nuts!" so I just answered back "Yeah I know what you mean (but not really lol) then she asked if I was leaving anytime soon and I said yes and agreed to walk out with her once I said my goodbyes... We got into the elevator and she began to talk about the event and why she was objecting to everything while sitting on the panel and I was in tears

(Did I mention this woman is a big shot at a large media company?)

She had no clue who I was and didn't care she then gave me her card and said call me when you wanna do some real networking!

♥♥♥3) The very last event I was at I sat next to this wonderful lady who introduced herself by one name only and mentioned this was her first event with the organization. So I began to give her the org's pitch to inform her about us... Now throughout the event the lady went back and forth between the panel and the brochure and was making little comments... Some regarding the size of one's waist and the bad photo-shopped picture on the flyer and all I could do was smile because I didn't want to talk about the guests.
She began to tap me and say "Wow she is terrible!" and I laughed... She had no clue who I was to the org and I didn't mention...She asked me some weird questions and as I started to answer I noticed she was writing it down so I proceeded to ask this lady what network she was with and she responded "I am a reporter" So needless to say I shut my mouth LOL
So the fact that she felt like I was the main source was cool! LOL

Later :-)

Zanade Mann

Top 21 Fiercest Beyonce Verses!

Top 21 Fiercest Beyonce Verses!

We all know and love the ICON Sasha Fierce formally known as Beyonce Knowles because of her diverse talents but let’s take a journey back into some of her hottest verses since she hit the charts!

1)“last week and you stayed at home alone and lonely, couldn’t find yo man he was chilling with his homies, this week and your going out, if he try to stop you your going off”

Jumpin’ Jumpin’ Destiny’s Child

2)“You can't stay, you gotta go, Ain't no other chick spending' your dough”

“Ring the Alarm” Beyonce B’Day

3)“Bragging' on that cash that he gave you is to front, If you're gonna brag make sure it's, your money you flaunt, Depend on no one else to give you what you want”

“Independent Women” (Part 1) Destiny’s Child

4)“if you don't go bragging, i'ma let you have it, you think that I’m teasing, but I Ain’t got no, reason, I’m sure that I can please ya, but first I gotta read you”

“Check on It” Beyonce the Pink Panther

5)“With you next to me, there’s no darkness I can't overcome, you are my raindrops, I am a seed, with you and God, who's my sunlight, I bloom and grow so beautifully”

“Dangerously in Love” Beyonce Dangerously in Love

6)“Know that I can't get over you, 'Cause everything I see is you, and I don't want no, substitute, Baby I swear its Déjà vu”

“Déjà vu” Beyonce B’Day

7)“I'm a train wreck in the morning, I'm a bitch in the afternoon, Every now and then without, warning, I can be really mean towards you”

“Flaws and All” Beyonce

8)“Don't treat me to these things of the world, I'm not that kind of girl, Your love is what, prefer, what I deserve, Is a man that makes me then takes me, And delivers me to a destiny,, to infinity and beyond,”

Single Ladies (Put a ring on it) Beyonce

9)“Now I’m done believing you, You don’t know what I'm feeling, I'm more than what, you made, of me, I followed the voice, you think you gave to me, But now I gotta find, my own.., my own...”

“Listen” Dreamgirls Beyonce

10)“Mission five, Skip to the front of the line, Let me fix my hair up 'fore I go inside (hey), Mission six, Gotta check these chicks, 'Cause you know they gone block when I take these flicks (hey), Mission seven, Gotta make my rounds, Given eyes to the guys now I think I found him (hey), Mission eight, Now we conversate, And we can skip small talk let's get right to the chase”

“Get Me Bodied” Beyonce

11)“Ego so big you must admit, I got every reason to feel like I'm that bitch, Ego so strong, you Ain’t know?, I don't need no beat, I can sing it with piano”

“Ego” Beyonce I Am… Sasha Fierce

12)“I'm a world wide woman WWW you can log on anywhere you're girl can take you there.”

“World Wide Woman” Beyonce”

13)“We like dem boys up top from the BK (BK), Know how to flip that money three ways, (Three ways), Always riding' big on the freeway (Freeway), (Wit that east coast slang that us, country girls we like), Low cut Caesars wit the deep waves (deep waves)
so quick to snatch up your Beyonce”

“Solider” Destiny’s Child

14)“When I walk up to you baby, You seem so shy, What's the problem baby, Never had a, girl like I, I can see right through you, And you know you wanna be mine, So get your act, together, Cause you're running out of time”

“No, No, No” Destiny’s Child

15)“its not hot that when in blocking your phone number, you call me from over your best friends house, and its not hot that I cant even go out with my girlfriends, without you tracking, me down, you need to chill out with that mess, cause you cant keep having me stressed, cause every time my phone rings it seems to be you, and I’m praying that it is someone else”

“Bug a Boo” Destiny’s Child

16)“You could be a sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare”

“Beautiful Nightmare” Beyonce

17)“What is up wit this tell the truth who you wit, How would you like it if I came over wit my, clique, Don't try to change it now see you got to bounce, When 2 seconds ago you said you, just got in the house”

“Say My Name” Destiny’s Child

18)“You triflin', good for nothing type of brother, Silly me, why haven't I found another? A baller, when times get hard need someone to help me out, Instead of a scrub like you, Who don't know what a man's about”

“Bills, Bills, Bills” Destiny’s Child

19)“So since I'm not your everything, How about I'll be nothing, Nothing at all to you, Baby I wont shed a tear for you, I won't lose a wink of sleep, Cause the truth of the matter is, Replacing you is so easy”

“Irreplaceable” Beyonce

20)“I can do for you what Martin did for the people, Ran by the men but the women keep the tempo, It's very seldom that you're blessed to find your equal, Still play my part and let, you take the lead role…Believe me”

“Upgrade U” Beyonce


21)“You thought I couldn't last without you, But I'm lasting', you thought that I would die, without you, But I'm living', Thought that I would fail without you, But I'm on top, Thought it would be over by now, But it won't stop”

“Survivor” Destiny’s Child

Beyonce knows just how to hit em HARD!

I hope you enjoyed the list

Love ya!

Zanade Mann

8 Reasons Not To Let Your Dream Die!

One fond memory that I hold dear to me would have to be my elementary school trips, one in particular. I went to a small school P.S. 13 in Staten Island, New York and my teachers would always bring us on these wonderful exploratory trips. One trip I loved was our monthly trips to the Alice Austin house where there was a mini beach that we walked on. Now I was not interested in running around with my peers or sticking under the teacher because I was more interested in dreaming...

I envisioned where I would be in ten years, what home I would live in and more importantly what people I would encounter on my journey. I must admit I was quite ambitious and eager to become an adult. Then the teacher would blow her whistle to let us know it was time to go and I would leave all my dreams on the sand so that they would drift away into the waters and somehow come back to me as I aged.

Thinking back on those days I now realize that after being tossed through the mighty waters my dreams are now alive and kicking...

It is fair to say that what you want as a child related to your future goals are very pertinent! I don't think for one moment that any dream that I left out on the beach will be forgotten and more importantly I know they will come to pass..

Furthermore I present to you 8 real LIFE reasons not to let YOUR DREAMS DIE!

The waters re-create new life... New patterns in the sand... Things may not work out the way you envisioned them as a child but they can come to pass in whatever avenues they present themselves in!

1) Children are far more creative than adults and letting your creative dream die is not a smart idea.

2) When we are kids we believe that there is nothing "weird" about what we expect to happen when we are older... But for some reason as adults we let the minor things people say deter us from our hearts desire! Why not keep the notions you had?

3) Because this has been your dream for a very long time... Why would you want to start all over finding something that is just not who you are?

4) Because the person who discouraged you is counting on your failure!

5) Because dreams can easily be turned into real life goals and visions...and can even become companies!

6) Following your dreams will inspire someone else to follow theirs!

7) How will you ever be able to throw your hands up and sing Destiny's Child Survivor with a honest smile on your face?

8) And finally ... What about that ambitious child on the beach... huh? Who will answer to her?