If you don’t know who DJ Khaled is, chances are you don’t listen to commercial Hip Hop, don’t have snapchat and don’t have a subscription to Source magazine.

But in 2016 the producer, DJ and music label executive has managed to become the King of snapchat, shamelessly promoting his appearances, apparel and music.

This year alone DJ Khaled has signed a management-only deal with Jay Z’s company, Roc Nation, announced his ninth studio album and released a single featuring Drake.

Even if you’re not impressed by his catch phrases (MAJOR KEY!) home workouts and daily jet ski rides, here are some things he does that can seriously benefit you in business:

1. He shamelessly self-promotes.

I meet so many people who publish content online and just expect people to find it all on their own.

The internet is a very noisy place, so you need to be promoting what you’re doing on a daily basis with little to no shame.

That means telling your colleagues, posting frequently about it on social media (with great visuals, correct spellings and links) and being proud of every single piece of content you create.

2. He actually uses his own products.

If you’re a fashion designer I should see you wearing your own pieces, if you’re an app creator you should be the most active user on that app, if you own a cupcake business I only want to see you eating your own cupcakes. Just kidding about that last one (kind of.)

DJ Khaled plays music he’s produced or featured on in the background of his snaps and wears clothes from the We The Best store, which is his record label. Who knows what music he listens to when he’s not on camera — the point is as far as you’re concerned he only listens to music he is affiliated with.

 

 

3. He collaborates with stars bigger than him.

I’ve seen P Diddy, Karen Civil, Kim Kardashian, Jay –Z and Ellen Degeneres on DJ Khaled’s snapchat to name a few.

DJ Khaled isn’t afraid of other stars stealing his shine, he uses them to make him appear to be the man who knows everyone in the industry, and it seems to be paying off.

Use a platform bigger than yours to expose your work to new audiences; good examples include hosting joint webinars, guest posting on bigger websites and joining Twitter chats.

4. He shares intimate details with his audience.

I’ve seen the stomach of the woman pregnant with DJ Khaled’s child on his snapchat.

I’m not saying we need to see ALL the intimate details of everyone’s lives, but by showing his audience behind the scenes at a photo shoot, his kitchen at breakfast time and what goes on in his dressing room before a show, he makes us feel much more connected to him and we become emotionally invested in his story.

5. Repetition and routine. 

How many times have you seen DJ Khaled water his flowers, workout on the elliptical machine and eat the same damn turkey bacon for breakfast?

He’s selling us his brand values and being consistent. He also uses the same phrases over and over again; Major Key, Lion Order, They don’t want you to win — so that they become synonymous with him and other people start using them.

 

 

6. He has clear visual branding. 

You see Khaled in the same jeans, We The Best T-Shirt and trainers combo, with the same haircut and big chain. Surrounded by the same flowers/swimming pool/adoring fans, but it’s not boring, it’s branding.

7. He puts the fans first. 

DJ Khaled surprises his fans by delivering packages to their door and featuring them in his snapchats. Did you know that DJ Khaled used to call himself Arab Attack? But he didn’t want to seem insensitive after the events of 9/11 – putting his audience first instead of going with the name he wanted to go with.

Do you think about your audience first before anyone else? A good way to do this is by using polling your audience via Twitter, find out what your audience wants and then use the results to inform your content, products or services.

8. He delivers unwavering positivity.

DJ Khaled’s positive outlook is infectious. I dare you to watch his snapchat story without laughing or feeling more positive about your day.

People always remember how you made them feel – if you’re constantly complaining online and spreading negativity, people will remember how drained they felt when consuming your content and not want to come back.

 

Featured image credit: The Odyssey Online 

You can now sign up to my email list to receive my free workbook on how to market your content effectively on and offline: http://eepurl.com/b2rdHP

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22.