10 steps to brand YOU

Step 1: Create a Logo Businesses
Blogs even individuals can stand to benefit from a compelling and memorable logo. The best logos are almost surprisingly simplistic; for example, think of the lowercase for that immediately brings Facebook to mind. The reason why logos are so important in the branding process is that people tend to remember images more vividly than they remember words and names, so if you can create a visual representation of yourself or your business that really stands out, youve already accomplished half of the branding battl lead to a dead end, so heres how to brand yourself both online and off to maximize your results.

Step 2: Focus on Making Genuine Connections
SAll too often, people think of networking as something they have to do for their business, and the entire process is suddenly imbued with a sense of dreadful phoniness. The real key to successful networking is to make an effort to forge real connections with people, both online and off. Every blog you contact for linkbacks should be one that you actually read and enjoy; every person you hand a business card to should be someone with whom you have found common ground. It may take a little extra work to network this way, but it will be far more effective in the long run.

Step 3: Synergize!
Every single piece of correspondence you send out, from emails to mass mailings of postcards, should have a uniform appearance that makes it identifiably yours. If theres a particular font you favor, use it on your blog and your business card. Place your logo everywhere. Always refer to your business by the same official name. You simply cant have one kind of identity online and a different one in the real world it will work against your branding efforts and leave people confused, or worse, disinterested

Step 4: Choose Unconventional Items to Promote Yourself
When it comes to integrating print marketing into your branding strategy, dont limit yourself to the old standards like postcards or flyers. Instead, you can make a real impact by choosing less expected items, like door hangers, magnets or custom stickers. When was the last time you found a door hanger on your front door that was promoting a blog or website rather than a restaurant or carpet cleaning business? Wouldnt you remember it if you had? Case closed.

Step 5: Your WebsiteTraditional websites
were fairly static, one-way conversations where the website's purpose was to inform/education, promote or sell to a specific audience. Today's consumers want more than that they want to know who they are doing business with; they want to know the voice behind the product andthey want to be able to have a conversation with that voice. If you have a traditional website, add a blog component to it and open up the conversation between yourself and your potential customers (and existing ones, too). Not only does it give a voice to your brand, it allows you to educate yourcustomers, build a relationship with them and market yourself. WordPress our Blogger are according to me the perfect platforms for adding that blog component.

WordPress It is open-source, free, and very easy to learn. You can add it on to any existing website or you can start from scratch and let your blog be the face of your online presence.

Blogger is very easy. If you can send an email, you can do a blog post. Plus, many people already have a g-mail account which makes it easy for them to comment on your Blogger blog and subscribe and follow you. If you're just starting out, go ahead and set up your free account to any of these platforms to give it a try!

Step 6: Your Email
This is a real easy one!! Use a signature block in your emails that you sendout. Include your name, website address, tagline (if you have one) or oneliner highlighting your area of expertise, and any other contact information you want in front of your potential customers. I believe strongly in the value of electronic mail in both corporate and personal domains. Email is cheaper and faster than a letter, less intrusive than a phone call, less hassle than a FAX. Using email, differences in location and time zone are less of an obstacle to communication. There is also evidence that email leads to a more egalitarian information structure.

Step 7: Be Part of a Two Way Conversation
Develop a list of other sites that encourage two way conversation and get involved. Leave meaningful comments onposts that interest you. Always use your first name or recognized nickname when leaving a comment. Do not insult the site owner by leaving keywords in place of your name I usually deletethose comments here. Do leave the URL of your website in the URL field (when available) and use an email address that works in the event that the site owner would like to continue the conversation directly with you.

Step 8: Get Social On Sociala Network
There are social networks for everyone and everything! Facebook , Twitter are just the tip of the iceberg. Social networks allow you to expand your own network and tap into the connections of others with similar interests.Be professional,consistent and genuine in all of your social networking endeavors and you never know what doors Discussion forums are another form of social networking. Find forums that are in your area of expertise or your potential customers area of interest and get involved. Ask questions and answer questions, be genuine and willing to give before you expect to receive anything!

Step 9: Use of Twitter and Facebook

TWITTER, How to use Twitter to land more clients. After content marketing, the second most successful way that I land clients is through Twitter. I click into the search box in my Hootsuite dashboard (you can do the same thing in the Twitter console). I search for phrases that match the services I offer, then I comb through the results and find tweets that match people looking for my services. Finally, I click through to the blogs from tweets that match my criteria and do one of three things: 1) Leave a comment 2) Submit a message through the contact form 3) Send an e-mail if an address is listed. That´s all I do. It´s so successful that Ive landed more clients this way than through content marketing alone. Granted, having meaningful content increases the chancesmthat these clients will sign on the dotted line (or click through to Paypal)

FACEBOOKE, veryone from the small business owner to corporate giants is realizing the viral power of Facebook to drive traffic to their websites and connect with new clients. Facebook has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere where most individuals won't ask why you've sent them a "friend request." Most are all too happy to have the attention and will gladly "friend" you right back. On Facebook, friends have access to each other's walls, pages, photos, videos, blog streams, and any other posted content. The emphasis of Facebook is on socialnet working. These people are yourfriends. Even if you are a Fortune 500 business, you are going to have to let your hair down a little bit in order to fit in with the Facebook crowd. No constant self promotion allowed. If a new friend feels that the only reason you befriended them was to peddle your wares, you will eventually find yourself friendless.

Facebook, is an excellent marketing tool, but just be mindful to build relationships first. The unique thing about this social network is the fact that your "friends" reflect your real life. Your list is a mix of collegefriends, co-workers, peers, neighbors, family members, and clients. Groups and Pages Facebook offers two distinct ways to market your business: creating a group or building a fan page.

GROUPS, Groups are organizations of people who are interested in whatever topic the group is associated with. Florida Real Estate could be a group. This group could include agents, mortgage brokers, investors and other clients. A group will require you to commit some time to moderation and monitoring of the discussions within the group, what goes on, what is said, etc. A group can be used to bring together like-minded individuals who can later become potential clients. Starting an "Orlando Area Real Estate Investment Group" is a perfect way to educate individuals who may have the desire to invest, but are unsure where to begin. Offering tutorials and discussing hot or controversial topics are excellent ways to "grow your group."

FACEBOOK FAN PAGE, On the other hand, creating a Facebook Page requires zero monitoring or moderators. A fan page can include a monthly newsletter, a virtual magazine, special offers, contests, your blog stream, polls,question and answer sessions, and more. A fan page can easily be integrated to stream your blog posts and post your tutorial videos or power point presentations. Getting visitors to your group or fan page can be accomplished by promoting them to your friends and networks, or by getting additional exposure throughadvertising opportunities offered by Facebook.

Step 10: Be a Guest Author
Most blog owners I know will gladly post an article written by someone else along with a byline, if that article is well written and pertinent to the site. This is a great way for you to share your expertise with a different audience and expand your reach at the same time.

Remember, branding does not have to be a headache. With a bit of ingenuity, it can offer many excellent opportunities to publicize yourself and your business.