Presentation on "Branding business the social media way" by Barbara Bix, BB Marketing Plus. Presented to professional service providers in early 2010

1. Branding a business the social media way

2. Differences: This presentation : A 30,000 foot view Targets Professional Service Providers Provides a “sense” of the power of social media Due to time constraints: No detail No implementation If you find it valuable—and know of a company that wants to use social media to increase the power of their brand—please keep me in mind. Drawn from a ½ day workshop for Corporations

3. The conscious act of defining an identity that your target audiences will find attractive Reinforcing that identity clearly, frequently, and consistently until your audiences come to think of your company or solutions as synonymous with that identify What is branding?

4. Reduce buyers’ risk Give them perception they are purchasing a “known” quantity Elevate your business above the competition Why brand?

5. User-generated content Examples include: Blogs Microblogs, such as Twitter LinkedIn SlideShare Review sites, such as yelp, or Amazon Facebook Utube Flicker Forums or Groups where members can post and comment on others’ posts What is social media?

6. Ways you can use social media to brand your business With a focus on 3 of the 4 platforms that I believe are most important forprofessional service providers. LinkedIn Twitter Blog The 4th is Utube Which I don’t use as much Now, I’d like to talk about

7. Important for professsional service providers Clients are buying the Principals--as well as the company or its solutions. Everyone turns there first today when researching an individual Making LinkedIn an important tool for personal branding Linked In

8. Collection of several social media tools LinkedIn is more than a resume site

9. Is the most powerful aspect of Linked In Use it to: Update your network about what you’re doing Reinforce your brand Stay top of mind Follow what’s important to those in your network Microblog (like Twitter)

10. Testimonials (whatever you want others to most know about you) Your blog or slide presentations (thought leadership) Books you’re reading (e.g. I just posted AtulGawande) LinkedInGroups (Listen for trends, concerns; become a resource) Q&A Other LinkedIn social media tools

12. Knowledge is Power Helps you stay abreast of news and trends Especially useful for professional service providers

13. Search Retweet Reply Key features:

14. Ongong: Follow: Clients Thought leaders Publications Set up permanent searches Daily Scan headlines Clicking on interesting links to learn more Occasionally: Post How I use it

15. Twitter is primarily a listening tool Don’tworry too much about posting Use posts to converse with others: Curate (Retweet or Reply) Acknowledge Ask for help Tips

16. Write your own Post on others’ blogs Blogs

17. Boost SEO Clarify thinking Be seen as a thought leader Engage with others with similar interests Benefits

18. What does your audience want to hear? How will what you say affect your brand? Privacy Security Considerations

19. It’s here to stay It will become mainstream The tools will get better and better The medium will become more and more powerful. Predictions

20. Social media is a powerful way to stay current It’s also a great way to stay connected It works best with the right tools It’s most powerful when you use those tools strategically Summary