Things I've learned from Lady Gaga

Say what you want about her music or controversial fashion statements, but there is one thing Lady Gaga is the undisputed best at-- Social Media.

It's not every day that a celebrity makes such a profound impact on her fans that nearly 29 million of them follow her on Twitter and 53 million of them "Like" her Facebook page. With stats like these, I can't help but give the pop star major kudos. Here are a few things I've learned about brand building (and yes, Lady Gaga is a brand) on Social Media by observing Lady Gaga:

• Being genuine goes a long way: Sure, Gaga plugs for her career occasionally on Social Media, but she also appeals to her followers by being genuine in her Tweets. In fact, she recently Tweeted a picture of her father's birthday cake, calling it "My Daddy's Bday Cake!" Even as a Super Star with fame, fortune and millions of fans, Gaga has shown fans that she is just like them-- a woman with a family that she loves. With Tweets like this, Gaga has established herself as a person and not a persona, and that is just good PR.
  

• Make a connection with your audience: Gaga affectionately refers to her fans as "Little Monsters" and to herself as "Mother Monster". Beyond this, she is constantly Tweeting inspirational messages to her fans, encouraging them to follow their dreams and to be who they are. The simple act of addressing your fans with a warm nickname and letting them know you care can do wonders for audience connection. If Gaga can find a way to connect with millions of people, any brand can make the same connection with its fans.

• Make it personal: The important thing here is to have a voice that is uniquely your own.Gaga makes it clear that her PR person is not updating her Twitter. Her Tweets are not formatted or consistent in subject matter. She does not bombard fans with tour dates or reports on an album's success. She makes it personal by Tweeting little updates about her everyday life. This makes her appealing and approachable-- two aspects any brand needs to be successful in Social Media.

• Show gratitude to your fans: Many of Gaga's Tweets are made simply to acknowledge her fan base. Gaga's Tweets to fans typically refer to how wonderful they are, how much she loves them and how much they inspire her. What's great about Gaga is that she reads the Tweets fans send her and takes the time to respond to them. I cannot stress enough how awesome this is, and how vital it is to her Social Media success. Making sure the people keeping your brand alive are appreciated isn't just a good Social Media move--it's a smart business move as well.

What Lady Gaga demonstrates via her Social Media skills is a keen understanding of her target audience. Gaga knows what things her fans want to see her Tweet about and she uses her Tweets as a way to connect with each and every one of her 29 million followers.

If you want to expand your brand's Social Media presence and truly connect with your fans, look no further than Mother Monster herself for the perfect example of how to do it.