The last question our personal branding panel got at Affiliate Summit West was, to me, curious, “What would you do if someone hijacked your brand?” Being an overly trusting person, I never thought about the possibility of someone intentionally hijacking your brand – or your work. Yet, it’s happened to me before. Recently I discovered that it’s happened again. Can people really be that clueless? After dashing off a quick email with links to the sites to a few peers and getting their advice, I’m coming out with a warning: take it down or I’m coming after you. And, I’m also telling you how we can work together. Here’s why . . .
Posts tagged: Branding
Hijacker Awareness Alert for Brands and Creative Work
VIDEO: Brand Journalism – SMC Chicago Jan. 2011
At the January 2011 Social Media Club Community Outlook event, four panelists talked about 2011 social media trends. “How many of you would say social media has resulted in some major breakthrough for you? Do you feel like social media allows you to control your content destiny?” Mark Ragan, CEO of Ragan Communications asked. In the video Mark talks about the importance of content and the Brand Journalism concept. Read More…
Social Networking Personality Advice for Authentic Bobcats
Online you can be anyone you want to be. Not that you should, but you can.
While we would never, ever recommend our clients create even a slightly fictitious persona, some people can and do make things up every day in real life and online.
Over the weekend, I watched a rerun of this Saturday Night Live skit with Christopher Walken and Tim Meadows. Called “The Census Taker,” Walken answers questions about his life like . . . number of people in his apartment: 80; hours worked: part-time, part of the day from 9-5; citizenship: US with a passport to Florida; wife: a bobcat. Here’s the video from Hulu.com.
Many times when I present to live audiences, I’m asked: how do you recommend setting personal boundaries on social networking sites? The top concerns? Revealing too much, looking foolish and being out of character with their image and their brand.
Every now and then I unintentionally cross a social networking boundary I’ve set.
Like when I mention something more than I’d like people to know about my family and my life. Or, I say something that gets taken out of context because I didn’t have enough characters to set it up properly. Sometimes I hesitate and withhold useful information.
How do you make decisions on what to share on social media sites like twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn?
Social Networking Personality Checklist
Since 1996, I’ve been interacting with people online. Ten years later, I launched this blog and started shaping an online personality. Mine is a continual work in progress: you learn-you change-you evolve. In thinking about what goes into a social media personality, I came up with this preliminary guide to help new people starting out.
Set Personal Information Boundaries Online
How much do you want to share online? Keep in mind that age, address and phone may be in public records anyway.
Do you want to connect with family members, both close and extended? How far back do you want to go with friends, classmates and employers?
Revealing Lifestyle Preferences Online
Eating is usually a safe zone and can be a good way to invite interaction. While we don’t suggest posting every single meal online, a photo of a yummy dessert is always good, especially around lunchtime.
Are you an insomniac who rolls out of bed late or the one who gets up at 5am? People will be able to tell by the date stamp on your updates.
Drinking is a sensitive topic both in terms of mentions and updating under the influence. For some, mentioning vintages and beverages is acceptable, for others it’s always off limits.
Promoting Companies and Brands: Intentionally or Unintentionally
Every time you mention company or a brand in social media, it can be seen as an endorsement, review or a call for customer service. If you’re trying to get a brand’s attention, mention them often.
Quoting People in Social Media Updates
Be sure you quote someone accurately and in context – not sure? Then don’t quote them or better yet, ask for their permission first.
Referencing Employer Connections
Drop an employer’s name and it shows up in searches. People may attach your opinion to the company.
Signing up for Events
Going somewhere? You’re telling people where to find you, which can be a good thing if you want to meet up with friends.
Measuring: IRL BFFs or Digital-Only Friends?
In real life best friends forever may or may not be digital friends. My worlds are starting to merge as friends from both sides start to meet each other online and at events.
Knowing When It Is TMI
TMI, or too much information, happens when people find out more than they want to know. What’s on your TMI list?
What kind of animal are you?
Odd question isn’t it? But, one that’s fun to answer.
Image credit: Lynx in a living room by Barbara Rozgonyi copyright 2007 for www.thesociallens.com. Yes, I was there. Yes, this was one of three cats in a living room. Yes, it was exotic. Yes, it was amazing. Yes, it was in California.
Ten Branding Methods: Butterflies and Rainbows Optional
Butterflies used to be my visual brand. Why? Because I like photographing them and with the tagline “Marketing Transformations,” I though they were a natural fit. So I posted a series on my site: one for every page. But, did the images fit the brand? Here’s a replay of an article about branding methods, updated to merge with today’s contemporary takes.
Ten Branding Methods: Butterflies and Rainbows Optional
by Barbara Rozgonyi, founder of CoryWest Media, LLC
To request permission to reproduce or republish this article, contact connect AT corywestmedia DOT com.
Do your customers see you as the company or person you think you are? You can define your business and personal branding style with values, messaging and images that match the perception you want to project. In this article, you’ll take a look at the variety in the ways you can brand yourself and your company. Being consistent across the board builds brand equity and makes it easier for your customers to recruit new prospects for you.
1. Identity Design – logos, layouts, look must match your brand
While you may be a fashion plate, your business doesn’t have to be. Are your customers conservative? Then go with a strong, yet neutral image. If you’re confused about your look, your prospects will pick up on that. Interview a few graphic designers and don’t think about cost – at least at first. Investing thousands in an image pays off as your look becomes well-known. Or, you can outsource your image project to a company like CrowdSpring who has 45,000 designers ready to work on your project.
2. Virtual – Search results, Social Networking Sites
What’s your virtual branding profile? It’s easy to find out. Search for your name or company in several search engines. Click on news and images to see what’s out there. If you’re on LinkedIn , Facebook or flickr, your crowd is your brand. Be careful about who you associate with and always check profiles before you accept invitation.
3. Multimedia – videos, audios, podcasts, radio shows
If you’re a speaker or want to be interviewed as an expert, you need at least one video. Recording audios is less intimidating than shooting a video, but seeing is believing. Podcast short interview or tips to build up an audio library. Offering multimedia products positions you as being ahead of the game.
4. Word of Mouth – what’s your reputation?
What do people say about you or your company? If you ask your best customers, they’ll tell you what you want to hear. Search in forums to see who’s talking about you. Set up a survey to get anonymous feedback.
5. Awareness – do people know about you?
Some businesses and organizations think everybody knows who they are and what they do. Probably not. Employees may not even have the story straight. Think about how much awareness you need versus what you want. It’s okay if your major clients know who you are and what you do, but your neighbor only knows you grow roses.
6. Personality – what are your traits?
Do you tolerate change or fight it? What do you champion? Realize that your personality won’t click with everyone. That’s good. You want to attract people who like you. The ones who don’t will naturally go away and find someone who suits them.
7. People- who represents you – board members, staff, partners?
Cloning the perfect employee won’t work, but you can teach everyone who represents you to model the same public image with messaging, language and ethics training so that anyone who comes in contact with one of your representatives will recognize your company right away.
8. Experience – what is your customer experience, could it be better, different, more impactful?
Everyone’s customer experience is part of their brand. Don’t be fabulous one day and mediocre the next. Aim for a level experience that’s set to high standards and be ready to react right away if something goes awry.
9. Community – who carries out your message????
Grow your own community and communicate with them frequently. If you do it right, you’ll know what’s on their mind and how you can better serve them.
10. Word of Mouth
The trickiest to manage and the most powerful branding of all, word of mouth is how your customers and prospects talk about you to their own community. Strategic public relations campaigns can fuel word of mouth and energize a company.
How did you do? Which of these is your most effective branding method? Which ones will you work on first?
Image credits: Shutterstock.com illustration, photography by Barbara Rozgonyi from social butterflies collection for www.thesociallens.com, copyright 2006
Disclosure: Shutterstock is waiving the licensing fee in exchange for credit, which we are pleased to provide.
