1. Identify your passion
2. Make sure you can think of at least fifty awesome blog topics to ensure stickiness
3. Answer the following questions – Am I sure my passion is what I think it is? Can I talk about it better than anyone else?
4. Name your personal brand. You don’t have to refer to it anywhere in your content, but you should have a clear idea of what it is. eg: The connoisseur of cookware, the guru of gardening etc.
5. Buy your user name – .com and .tv if possible at GoDaddy.com
6. Choose your medium: video, audio, written word
7. Start a WordPress or Tumblr account
8. Hire a designer
9. Include a Facebook Connect link, call to action buttons, share functions, and a button that invites people to do business with you in a prominent place on your blog.
10. Create a Facebook fan page
11. Sign up for Ping.fm or TubeMogul and select all of the platforms to which you want to distribute your content. Choosing Twitter and Facebook is imperative; the others you can select according to your needs and preference
12. Post your content
13. Start creating community by leaving comments on other people’s blogs and forums and replying to comments on your own comment
14. Use  Twitter Search (or Search.Twitter) to find as may people as possible talking about your topic, and communicate with them
15. Use Blogsearch.Google.com to find more blogs that are relevant to your subject
16. Join as many active Facebook fan pages and groups relating to your blog topic as possible
17. Repeat steps 12 through 16 over and over and over and over and over
18. Do it again
19. Do it again
20. When you feel your personal brand has gained sufficient attention and stickiness, start reaching out to advertisers and begin monetizing
21. Enjoy the ride

Source: Why Now Is The Time To CRUSH IT! Cash In On Your Passion – Gary Vaynerchuk

Building Your Personal Brand is a post from: OE Design Blog

I loved Gabrielle’s explanation of how she is using her blog, her website and social media to promote her fantastic work.  And if you’re ever in the areas that she is conducting exhibitions please check her artwork out.

So here is what Gabrielle has to say…

‘Do you see web tools such as a blog or website as integral to developing your artistic career?

A website is a must for any artist in this day and age. I use it to refer acquaintances (i.e. people I just met, interested in art or what I do etc. I give them my Business card, with website address, which is also essential); other artists (which helps them know you are serious – if they like your work you can show together, they might refer you to someone that matters etc); Students (a good artist is known by the fact that a younger generation is influenced by their work) and as a repository/personal record of my shows etc – i.e. how my work has changed, my growth. Galleries are sometimes referred to the website, however many prefer a printed portfolio or photos first.

I have only just started the blog -not sure if it is integral to my career. About one follower per month adds themselves (which means they think what I have to say is worthwhile). More people drop in and out – I get emails from Denmark, US and acquaintances tell me (unsolicited) they read it from time to time. I use it to store the writings I have collected over the years in one place, to record my thoughts and seek feedback on works in progress (mostly no-one comments, though).

I also enjoy writing, so this is an outlet. I hope it helps to draw people to my website (the more links the better – I have now linked it to Facebook), and gets my name out there; and I want to show that I am a serious artist by of the content of my website (sometimes, painters are not seen as up-to date/serious in this concept driven art world, and it is often difficult to show the breadth of your work, let alone your intellectual ruminations, otherwise).’

Source: Gabrielle Jones Art Attack

Web Promotion For Art’s Sake is a post from: OE Design Blog

On the other hand there are those fearless ones who are forging ahead, and as part of their strategy are reviewing their brand and its connection with both new and existing customers.

So what are some of the things that you can do when things may seem to be a little slower than desired?

1. Make Certain Your Brand Is Sending A Clear Message

Ask yourself what does our brand represent to the world out there . What do your customers think of your brand? Ask them. They won’t bite. Is the message that you are transmitting the same as the message that is being received.

2. Give Your Brand A Shot Of Life.

This all comes down to systems. The whys and the hows of how you present yourself to the world on a consistent basis. Make sure that you have these systems recorded for ready reference by all your staff. Consistency is so important to support a lively brand.

3. Shout Your Brand From The Rooftops.

Don’t conceal your brand. Get it out where the people are by writing a new article on a weekly basis on your Blog, submit them to the journalists that specialise in your industry and make yourself accessible to comment on the latest topics that relate to your industry , or even put on a seminar or provide a FREE presentation to your local chamber of commerce. And don’t forget to hit the streets with your brand. I have challenged my franchisees to walk the streets for at least half an hour a week handing out our advertising cards and collecting business cards for future follow-up. You still cant’ beat face to face. That 30 minutes can produce up to 30 new business opportunities.

4. Don’t Allow Your Brand To Ever Get Stale.

Just the other day I invited my youngest employee to do something for me. I elected him to the position of CEO of the up and coming new MySpace page for our company. Do you think he was excited? You bet. Do you think that we are going to make an impact into the Gen Y and Gen Z arena. You bet. Can’t wait. Young thought, fresh energy – directed and guided will destroy stale.

The small business with the brand will stand.

Small Business With The Brand Will Stand is a post from: OE Design Blog

Your potential client that is eyeing up your business online.

So the question is: How does my website size up in the eyes of potential clients? You may not be able to judge a book by its cover but you can sure judge a business by its website.

Take this quick quiz and you be the judge before others pass up their judgement and find your website wanting – and do business with the other guy who has judged his website.

Here are 10 quick questions you need to ask yourself when you look at your website that is currently representing your business.

1. Do I have a professional logo? There are so many small business owners who are not willing to spend what is required to get a first class logo made. But when you stop and think a moment. How much is the McDonald’s golden arches really worth in dollar value? That puts it in its right perspective doesn’t it? Branding online is vital, and great branding essential. Keep it simple, but make it professional.
2. Do I present professionally online? Does your website represent the professionalism that you show in the services you provide or the products that you supply? If it doesn’t, and you are afraid to point people to your website because it reflects poorly on you, then you need to invest in a redesign now. The website is your online shopfront. What potential client’s see in your website design is what potential clients think about your business.
3. Do I have a simple layout? Don’t make your website too complex. Your website needs to be unique. Your website must load fast. Your website navigation must be user friendly. Your message must be clearly communicated. The website must mirror your business, and the technology used must meet your business needs. Include a sitemap on your website as well.
4. Do I have great content? If you are not a writer then hire a copywriter. But whatever you do, make sure that you supply good, clear, and simple to read content that answers the questions that your potential clients are going to have. Include an FAQ page on your website so that you can get most of the potential client’s questions out of the road before they make contact with you. Make sure that you have a content management system for your website so that you can readily update this page on a regular basis.
5. Do I tell my story? People love to hear your story. So share it freely. Your About Us page or your Company History page or your Client Testimonials page tell the story of what it is like to do business with you and adds credibility to your branded image.
6. Do I have a range of ways that I can be contacted? Provide an online form. Provide a telephone number. Include your real geographical address so that they know you are a real business. Include a map of your location. Include your photo if you wish so that potential clients know that they are dealing with a real, live human being. Make it easy for them to contact you.
7. Do I have external links that keep people in my website? It is a great idea to open any links found within your website in a new window. That way your visitors will return to your site whenever they have finished browsing the external link.
8. Do I have an online newsletter? Here is another way by which you can create client loyalty. A regular communication with your clients and potential clients will help you to position yourself as an expert in your associated industry. Make sure that you send it out regularly.
9. Do I have a Blog? This is where you can really start to build some great ongoing content for your website and also allow you to receive input and interaction from your clients. Include an RSS feed in here as well and use permalinks. By including a full article RSS feed, you are allowing your readers to digest your content easier and will create loyal readers for years to come. By enabling permalinks in your Blog  it will make your url easier to understand for both search engines and your readers.
10. Do I promote my website? Make sure that you promote your website everywhere you go. Include it in all your offline advertising. Add your url in your Yellow Pages advertisement. Make sure your car signage includes it. Put it on your business cards, your flyers, your invoices, your advertising cards, your staff clothing and in online directories. Put it everywhere and put it on everything as part of your whole marketing strategy to drive more business to and through your website.

So how did you go? What was your score out of 10?

Remember this – that if you want to have a website that is judged correctly, and that you can confidently say is a true reflection of your business on a day to day basis – then make sure you have these ten suggestions operational in your website as soon as possible.

Is Your Website Judgement Proof? You Be The Judge! is a post from: OE Design Blog

Customer perceptions and relationships are determined to a large degree by your ability to create a consistent image that is conveyed through every interaction and activity that involves your company. Branding your business is more than a single campaign; it is continuous and it defines the relationship between you and your customers, prospective customers, employees, vendors and the media. According to Charles R. Pettis III, president of BrandSolutions Inc., “A brand is a proprietary visual, emotional, rational and cultural image that you associate with a company or product.”

While branding often is associated with highly visible expensive campaigns, it also can be effective by using available resources and starting small.

Branding insights for IT marketing:

• What is your current message? Even if the term “branding” has not been part of your marketing plan, customers still associate a brand image with your name. Assess your brand strengths by reviewing customer service files, interviewing sales representatives and asking clients about their perceived strengths of your company. Since branding elicits emotional and intellectual responses, get information about how consumers think and feel about your business.

• Craft your brand. What are the positive qualities that set you apart from your competition? Build the foundation of your brand around your unique selling points so your message reflects what you do best, and apply these concepts to every customer interaction including packaging, marketing, advertising, sales, customer service, public relations and the web.

• Brand to the individual and the community: Successful branding reaches people both on a personal and a community level. Personal branding impacts consumers when they are in contact with your business, such as talking with a sales person, walking into your showroom and visiting your website. Your impressions create a personal relationship that can be broadened through referrals and word of mouth. Community branding occurs when you create a consistent, repetitive association to your company through the use of marketing materials, advertising and public relations.
  

Specifics for Developing Your Brand Strategy

Be Consistent: Consistent messaging reinforces a brand. Burnish your image by efficiently and consistently telling your story. Tech companies find this particularly difficult because effectively describing sophisticated technologies is challenging.

All marketing materials should be consistent in use of design elements, inclusion of your logo and slogan, artwork, colors and typefaces, as well as the way your company name is displayed and your products are described. Strive for the same look and feel in your online and offline presence.

Brand Internally: Executive management’s commitment to develop a culture that supports the brand is fundamental to the success of this initiative. According to a study conducted by the Chartered Institute of Marketing, companies that have consistently succeeded in building brand equity view their brand as a central organizing principal for all company activities, not just something they sell to consumers.

Internal awareness throughout your organization can begin by distributing a brand-positioning document to your staff and reinforcing this message through company-wide meetings.

Infuse Your Brand in the Company Culture: Brand messages that are integrated into the daily company culture and are consistently reflected throughout an organization strengthen a brand’s equity. The philosophy behind your brand must permeate your entire organization for it to take hold, and to morph as your company evolves. Consider e-Bay, Google, HP and Microsoft: culture at these companies is reflected in all of their external and internal communications, from advertising to corporate gift giving to company meetings.

Use tools to spread your message.

• Advertise in as many vehicles as your budget allows. Frequency is important.
• Distribute press releases to trade and consumer publications on a regular basis. Craft them to demonstrate your expertise in providing solutions to customers’ challenges.
• Create a strong online presence. Give your target market ongoing reasons to visit your website. E-seminars and email marketing can establish and perpetuate your visibility.
• Give away products, promotional items and information so your brand becomes omnipresent.
• Sponsor media, industry, community, cultural, sports and other events.
• Offer incentives to tell others about your products and services (for example, give discounts to customers who refer prospects).
• Develop cooperative relationships with other businesses whose products complement yours.

While large companies can allocate a variety of resources to branding initiatives, smaller companies with tight budgets can still effectively build their brands by consistently delivering a positive, powerful message within the organization and its community.

By Teddi Converse, Principal, tc.communications

Brand Your Business is a post from: OE Design Blog