Promotional Youth Outerwear and Personal Branding, “Future Funk” Style

I have never been a huge fan of “America’s Got Talent,” but last night my sister showed me a YouTube video of two of this season’s semi-finalists in action. The five-year-old and nine-year-old members of the dance duo “Future Funk” absolutely blew me away. These pint-size break dancers demonstrate skill through their advanced dance routines, and even at such young ages, “BBoy Bailrok” and “BBoy Boogaloo” exhibit marketing savvy through their matching promotional youth outerwear.

Whether taking the stage for a performance or entering the boardroom to meet with prospective clients, here are some tips:

1. Build your own brand.
The group’s name, “Future Funk,” is catchy and memorable and their logo looks great when imprinted on t-shirts for their biggest fans. The red and black graphic is simple and uncluttered, yet presents a bold interpretation of the act’s brand. If you are currently self-employed, you can maximize the impression you make on prospective clients and/or employers by creating your own personal business card with a custom designed image.

2. Dress the part.
Like “BBoy Bailrok” and “BBoy Boogaloo,” you can portray yourself in a more positive light by dressing appropriately for the occasion. For a job interview, you are typically safe by opting for a suit; if you are pitching an idea to a new client, perhaps you can take a more casual route by wearing a neatly pressed button-down shirt embroidered with the name of your employer.

3. Be confident and stay positive.
“BBoy Bailrok” and “BBoy Boogaloo” have developed a fan following because of their upbeat attitudes and likeable demeanors. Yes, their age and unusual talent makes them appealing to a variety of audiences, but the boys always conduct themselves professionally in front of the show’s cameras. Similarly, professionals should maintain a high level of professionalism in any corporate setting to best represent themselves and their respective employers in the public eye.