In an effort to establish a name or image, it is possible to cast an unfavorable light on your image and your brand. Let’s use Facebook pages for this exercise. Facebook is a great tool for exposing your skill set and brand to those who would ordinarily be outside of your marketing reach. But, what are you showing them? Beware of being the “jack of all trades and the master of none”. Your audience needs to understand exactly who you are and what you are presenting to them.
Here are a few things to ponder when it comes to your online image:
DO NOT have Facebook pages for ever idea or skill set. This could confuse your audience. On lookers could also get the feeling you are desperately seeking attention. The abundance of unnecessary pages does not add credibility. It instead subtracts from it.
DO combine pages with similar topics, but have few people who ‘like’ them independently. In this case make sure you tell each page the reason for the consolidation. Work on building up one page. You will be better able to supply consistent and useful information.
DO NOT inundate multiple pages with the same information. If you are distributing the same information to multiple pages then you need to decide on one of two options: (1) consolidate the pages or (2) create credible, noteworthy, unique content for each page.
DO create a page for each business you are branding. If you have two or more businesses, each having a unique brand and product or service, you should have a separate page for each. People will gravitate to a page for specific reasons. Giving too much information on a page which cannot be logically (and quickly) linked could lead to a confused audience.
DO NOT leave any of your pages inactive for too long. If you have a page which is less active, be sure to check in and remind the audience why you exist. Give them information or motivation.
DO advertise your social networking links, profiles, and urls on all of your marketing tools, email signatures, and printed materials.
These are but a few I have noticed. However, I know there are more. The worst thing to do is to confuse or annoy your audience. I am not by any means a social media guru. These are my observations based on personal experience and on conversation with others. Before thinking growth, think quality!
Tonisha “Ms. Toni” Pinckney, CFE, CFFA, MSCJ (I AM MORE, LLC) is an empowerment speaker, author, forensic accountant, and criminologist. She has a B.S. in Accounting, a M.S. in Criminal Justice, and a post-graduate Certificate in Forensic Criminology. Ms. Toni is passionate about giving steps necessary for success starting with the mantra: “You are no longer a product of your past; you are a facilitator of your future!” She is also passionate about victim rights, juvenile justice, effective restorative justice. Email her: saymore@iammoreonline.com. Follow her: Twitter @IAMMORE. Website: www.tonishapinckney.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/IAMMORE www.facebook.com/Revelatus
This is something I'm trying to be careful of...looking a mess online!
ReplyDeleteMultiple streams of income is the way to go but we must brand wisely.
Yes, Ty, multiple streams of income is a good way to go. However, we must be careful that they are indeed streams and not merely dips here and there/ People are watching. So, we must watch what we are showing them.
ReplyDeleteBut one has to crawl (dip) before they walk, no? How would one go about earning streams if they aren't advertising, on FB or anywhere?
ReplyDeletePeople are watching for honest growth, and for those who only type a good game. Or at least they should. I can't worry about those who are merely judging.
Yes. You must crawl before you walk. I am just cautioning people against trying to crawl in too many directions. Take time to develop, put your all into, one idea at a time. I am a fan of doing multiple things at once. However, I am aware that excellence requires focus. Your (meaning anyone) audience can sense when the business owner is focused on too many things. If they want to support you then they also want to understand exactly what they are supporting.
ReplyDeleteThis blog is not about stopping, but about streamlining. I was referring to audience (potential customers or clients) not those watching in judgment. Those who judge will judge no matter what you say, type, or do. This post is also not against advertising. Advertising is necessary. But, what are you (meaning anyone) advertising? Is the message that you are an expert, source of specific information, or is the message inadvertently being sent that you are "trying to get a dollar" in as many ways possible? Advertising is not only the actual post on a page or a wall. Advertising is everything you do and do not do.
Have a clear marketing plan and flow.
Check out Suzzette Turnbull (http://www.facebook.com/socialmediacmo) for ideas as well
This is great stuff, Ms. Toni. I beg to differ about the social guru part. You are truly an authority in this space. You use it better than most!! I had the pleasure of listening in on a Focus Find the Right Customer teleseminar yesterday. The consensus was that social media should be used by leading with value instead of sales. I always think of it as the 80/20 rule. It's important to let your audience know what you have to offer but the majority of your content should add value to their lives which helps you to build trust and credibility. Again...this is something Ms. Toni does very well!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Suzzette! I try ;) Building trust and credibility is invaluable.
ReplyDelete