Branding — Get In Front Communications

6 Ways to Become a Social Media Magnet

Are people drawn to your blog, profiles, networking channels, and videos? Are you aware of your brand’s magnetic fields of energy that push and pull? What are you doing in social media to expand this magnetism?

Here are 6 ways to become a social media magnet that will impact your brand and identity:

1. Develop your online persona. What do you value, stand for, and know? Your style will define your brand. What does it feel like?

2. Use your true voice. Write and speak from the heart. You’ll be more attractive to others.

3. Understand the fine art of charisma. Charisma is magnetism, allure, and appeal. It’s what makes you special. Charisma draws people to you, online and in real life. It builds instant rapport.

4. Know who you’re trying to reach. You can’t be all things to all people. Zero in on your target audience and how you can best serve them. When others begin to trust you and your message , they will want to be in your circle. They’ll likely bring friends.

5. Convey a message based on emotion. As Simon Sinek writes in his book, Start With Why, people buy into why you do what you do. The what and how (logical part of our brains), will follow. Your Tweets, posts, and articles should focus on your passion and emotion. People will buy into emotion before they buy into a process. As Sinek reminds us, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. titled his speech, ”I Have a Dream.” It wasn’t titled, “I Have a Plan.”

6. Give and take. Magnetic fields receive and emit energy and light. Remember, it’s the push and pull. Others will pay attention to you when you interact, converse, retweet, share, and invite them in. Be the bright spot in someone else’s day. Talk about impact and magnetism. Wow.

Creating your brand, identity, and magnetism takes time. It’s about creating a buzz that everyone wants to be a part of. The goal is to be a social media magnet, and not a crap magnet. Your time has come. Hasn’t it?

P.S. If you want to be an ace at communication, sign up for my free, 21-day video series, “Speaking of Communication.” Learn tips and strategies on PR, social media, blogging, branding, and more.

Filed Under: Branding, Social Media Tagged With: brand, Social Media, technology

2 Reasons Your Company Needs Brand Ambassadors in Social Media

by Susan Young at 1:07 am 1 Comment

Who is the president of your fan club? You know, your biggest cheerleader. Who is the person with fierce loyalty who absolutely believes in what you represent? (Let’s exclude relatives from this.)

In our world, these fan club presidents and cheerleaders are also known as your brand ambassadors. Regardless of their title, social media channels will help them cheer you on and tout your business far and wide. They market for you when you are asleep, in meetings, driving your car, or coaching soccer with the kids.

I recently interviewed Shel Holtz, an online communication authority with more than 30 years of experience consulting with companies including PepsiCo and National Geographic. He told me that its essential employees in small and large companies have access to the Internet and social media channels while at work. Shel maintains if they don’t, you’re missing huge opportunities.

1. “Superficially, organizations might think they’re protecting themselves, but in keeping employees from networking in ways that they’re comfortable doing it, it prevents employees from engaging on behalf of the organization. I don’t mean as official spokespeople, but to talk enthusiastically about where they work.”

2. “There is no better way to get someone to believe in a company’s product than employees being enthused when talking to their social networks about the quality of the products and services that they work on. There are countless ways that employees can improve a company’s bottom line by engaging with their own networks. So this really means that there has to be a shift away from preventing contact with employees to educating employees how to behave in those kinds of contacts. There is no better recruiting tool.”

Consider these brand ambassadors the new way of gathering testimonials or business references. The greatest difference is that brand ambassadors do what they do without being asked. Talk about authenticity and credibility.

Unsolicited testimonials from people who think you’re the best thing since sliced bread are priceless.

Filed Under: Branding, Online Marketing, Social Networking Tagged With: brand, Marketing, networking, Social Media

4 Ways to Boost Your Brand with Social Media

by Susan Young at 11:56 pm 1 Comment

“People are talking about you whether you like it or not. So you may as well be involved in the dialogue.”

That’s the message from Elizabeth Pizzanato, vice president of Brand Communications for the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. I interviewed her at a recent public relations and social media conference organized by Ragan Communications.

I wanted to share her insights with you because her message is so important to businesses, both large and small. I know you’re working hard to increase your visibility, credibility, and revenues. We’re in the midst of a technology revolution that can be scary and exciting at the same time. Clearly the tools we use to deliver our messages have changed the way we promote our products and services. You and I both know that some of these methods of delivery may not be best for our particular line of work or industry. It’s essential that you learn about them and decide if they could be beneficial. If not, just move on.

As Pizzinato reminds us, the key is to have an integrated approach. She offers a four-point checklist:

Listen to your clients and customers are saying about you, your product and service.

Respond and be part of the conversation. Then react. Take in what they are saying and start a two-way dialogue.

React to what people are saying by changing your products and services. Take in that feedback. It’s free consumer research.

Sell through social media channels. Use technology to sell what consumers want to buy from you.

According to Pizzinato, “Social media does not replace traditional publicity; it augments it. It’s becoming more and more dominant and we can’t ignore it. For instance, if I’m doing a food and beverage promotion and I want it to be an integrated campaign, I look at all the channels, and social media is one of those channels that maybe I wouldn’t have considered five years ago. Am I going to promote it in the magazines, am I going to send an e-mail blast out, am I going to put it on Facebook, or am I going to Tweet about it? It becomes part of the marketing mix and the marketing toolbox.”

My favorite take-aways from this interview: Her point that social media is free consumer research. And the opening line to this post: “People are talking about you whether you like it or not. So you may as well be involved in the dialogue.”

By the way, if you want to learn more about publicity, social media, blogging, PR, and interpersonal communication, I invite you to sign up for my free, 21-day video series, “Speaking of Communication.”

(Photo Credit: Ricardo)

Filed Under: Branding, Business, customer service, Online Marketing, Social Media Tagged With: brand, customer service, Marketing, Social Media