Top Social Media Tools For Turning Your eBrand Into a Powerhouse

May 26, 2008 at 11:25 am | In Career Development, Personal Branding, Success Strategies, eBrand, social media | 18 Comments
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In this podcast, I narrow down the top social media tools for building your personal brand into a POWERHOUSE. At the end of the podcast, I will conclude by telling you what I feel the #1 tool is and explain why, while eliminating the others along the way. You will notice that my brand is represented in all of the following. If I endorse a social network, it means you can trust my judgement and that it will have a positive impact on your personal brand. The reason for this is simply because reserving your brand name on over 2,000 social networks doesn’t make sense. It’s not manageable and will hurt you, instead of provide value or ROR (return-on-relationship). Join the one’s that help solve your professional or personal problems, that are popular, credible and relevant to your current situation.


Subscribe to receive my podcast series

The Top Social Media Tools

Facebook: With 63 million active users from around the world and now more professionals than collegeFacebook Logo students, joining Facebook is a requirement. If you go to a party, a barmitzvah, a sports game or have a job, you realize quickly how much people count on Facebook to run their lives and keep in touch. Aside from creating a group or event (marketing strategy), there are social ads for your business, you have a news feed from your network, so you can follow them, without asking them. Facebook is a great central resource for your brand and ranks extremely high in Google (helps you establish great e-presence). The downside is that, as your network flourishes, it becomes a wasteland of clutter (think of all the apps).

LinkedIn: A lot of people don’t leverage LinkedIn properly and as a result, they barely use it’s true power. LinkedIn Logo I’m a victim of this as well and to me it has become a moving repository of contacts that remains lifeless, as I bridge new relationships using Facebook, Twitter and email communication. The value in this tool stems from your ability to ask and answer questions to your network, export contacts, develop a virtual resume and finally, by using a unique link (you better create one with your name linkedin.com/in/danschawbel for example) to your profile, you can have that on your blog or website.

Twitter: Everyone is so passionate and crazed about Twitter for a few legitimate reasons. For one, you canTwitter Logo connect with people that you wouldn’t have access to before, such as Jason Calacanis and Kevin Rose. Also, you can force personal brand recognition by using the “@theirname” in your Tweet (message), so upon response, the receiver will get to know your name (Hat Tip: Jim Kukral). Twitter is an amazing marketing tool (just ask Guy Kawasaki) because it allows you to push messages quickly to your followers (audience) and either direct them to the location of your choice or provide another resource. In terms of PR, the TwitPitch makes absolute sense in how you can type out a 140 character pitch on your brand, that reporters would typically get in their email (Hat Tip: Stowe Boyd). The downfall of Twitter is it’s inability to scale, decentralize and the amount of times it’s not working.

Blogs: I’m at the point, where I cannot talk about personal branding without mentioning blogs. Frankly, it’sWordPress Logo impossible to avoid blogging because it’s a continuous rendition of your life, knowledge, passion and the material actually helps people. Blogs are amazing because of the Theory of eBrand Attraction, the delivery of value, the monetization, the acceptance by our society (and mainstream media) and the ability to form a community to connect to others in a fraction of the time you could have done it before. If you don’t have a blog, you might want to study Bryan Person’s, Rohit Bhargava’s, Scott Monty’s, Jeremiah Owyang’s, Valeria Maltoni’s, and Drew McLellan’s for excellent examples (good personal branding).

Wiki’s: I think this tool is completely underestimated. Aside from the obvious example of Wikipedia, a wikiWiki Logo allows you to collaborate with one or more individuals and the best way to network is by creating projects and working on them with people. Think about it; don’t you build stronger rapport with people you accomplish something with? There is an obvious business application, but personally, your perceived as more tech savvy when you use them and you can create lists of people, things to do, or start your own personal projects.

Ning: A lot of people underestimate Ning, even with over 180,000 social networks. The fact that anyoneNing Logo can build their own social network gives it a personal edge and allows one to take a leadership role within their own community, on the topic of their choice. One of the main issues with Ning, just like many other social networks, is that it is far too cluttered and it’s not as customizable as it should be. If you start a network on Ning without a clear objective, just like all the rest, then it will be abandoned at some point.

YouTube: In January 2008 alone, nearly 79 million users watched over 3 billion videos on YouTube. TheYouTube Logo con is that your podcast is one of 3 billion, but the pro is that there are 79 million possible users that may watch your podcast. The bigger pro is that you can take a podcast from YouTube and stick it on your blog or personal website (and others can do the same). Video is extremely hot right now (as Paris Hilton would say) and I truly believe it’s the closest thing you can get to meeting someone without ever speaking to them. Some posts have too much passion and emotion behind them, so traditional posts won’t be able to express how you’re feeling about a particular subject.

FriendFeed: You need to be careful with this one. Depending on how open you are to the online world, youhttp://friendfeed.com/ will want to turn on or off your privacy. FriendFeed does what many of us social media fiends wanted for a long time; seamless integration, consolidation and syndication of our social media. All the social networks listed here can be syndicated through FriendFeed, which allows those with access to view every time you add a video to YouTube (or favorite one), as well as add to del.icio.us or Flickr, etc. When someone gains access, they can comment on each blog post, tweet, and more that runs through your FriendFeed. There is also an option now for FriendFeed rooms, where you can take a selection of people interested in a common theme and put them in a single room to have the conversation. You bet Twitter will do this at some point.

Flickr: People like Brian Solis have used this tool for tagging and distributing photos of people they meet,Flickr Logo just like in Facebook. Flickr is a powerful tool because you are showing other people what you look like and that you care about them by posting their photo and remembering their name by tagging. Yes, this works just like on Facebook. There are Flickr apps for Facebook as well, so don’t think you won’t get enough use out of your pictures. My favorite part of this tool is that it makes it easier to view photos and as the size of your photo album increases, tagging will keep it organized for you.

Upcoming: I haven’t even used upcoming, much like Scoble and others in the tech world have. I do believehttp://upcoming.org it was a steal by Yahoo! because you get access to information about where communities form and meet. If you want a social life or just want to learn or meet professional contacts, Upcoming is a great database for you. If you are a speaker or want to hold your own event, this social tool will position you as tech savvy, as well as give your audience directions and the ability for you to follow up with them. Also, you can run your event feed through a widget on your blog or website (see danschawbel.com).

Del.icio.us: Aside from making you hungry, this tool is incredible. Google tries to organize the worldsDel.icio.us Logo information as a whole, but think of del.icio.us as a tasty way to organize your personal world. Upon visiting a blog or traditional website, you can bookmark the page and tag it for future reference. It’s a great way to organize all the sites that you find everyday, so that you don’t forget about them and you don’t have to add them to your Firefox/IE bookmarks (which is annoying). By sharing your bookmarks you can give value, while learning.

StumbleUpon: There are millions of people on this network. Basically, it let’s do you what you can do onStumbleUpon Logo del.icio.us, but file a recommendation for a website you find. They both have browser toolbars that you can use to submit. Upon submission, your reviewed site goes to your network and the category of interest. I remember when StumbleUpon was in infancy and now it’s a top-of-mind social network.

MyBlogLog: Clearly this is one of my favorites, as noted by Mike Sansone. This tool is on all the topMyBlogLog logo blogs because it shows the avatars of your visitors. The problem with many of these sites is that people don’t know how to use them to there full capacity. For MyBlogLog, it’s obvious to add the widget to your site to build community, but there is much more. Adding friends is a must and promoting your other networks is really important. If you join someone else’s community, they will join yours, thus there is reciprocal networking going on there.

What do you think is the most powerful and significant social media tool?

You can view my answer to this in my podcast above!

Remarkable Personal Brands Get Endorsements During College

May 23, 2008 at 3:24 pm | In Career Development, Personal Branding, Success Strategies, guest post | 9 Comments
Tags:

This is a guest post by Jess Neill. Jess is one of Seth Godin’s lucky summer interns. Jess Neill There was a lot of competition for this internship program and just by networking with Seth, I’m sure Jess’s personal brand will never be the same.  During the rest of the year she will be studying advertising, new media and English at the University of Georgia in Athens. She loves marketing, books and while she doesn’t exactly know what she is going to do, she would like to make sure it’s relevant to her brand.  She describes her personal brand as being fearless, passionate, philanthropic, and effective.

Introduction

Everyday in the classroom I see students who are good students, and that’s all they are. When they go to their professor to ask for a recommendation for this internship or that job, they’ll get a good recommendation. Good recommendations are a dime a dozen, and won’t hold up to competition. What you want is a spectacular recommendation. At then end of the course, you want to have formed a relationship with your professor, keeping in mind that every interaction you have is a chance to reinforce your personal brand.

Here are some tips

Your personal brand starts from day one. Show up to class. On time. Seriously, it will ruin you to be that kid who slams the door ten minutes late on the first lecture.

Participate, but don’t dominate. Professors can see straight through BS; they see enough of it. Every time you comment it should add something other than noise to the class discussion.

Talk to your professors outside of class. But don’t just make up something, give some thought to what they can teach you, and then ask them to. Their job revolves around teaching, so you can safely bet that they enjoy it. Professors are also very busy though, so you’re much less likely to get blown off if you genuinely want to learn.  By the end of the class, you should feel that you’ve truly developed a relationship with that professor. And it will pay off, most importantly because they have invaluable knowledge and real world experience.  If the human part didn’t matter, the class would be a set of PowerPoints and textbooks. Forming a relationship with your professor also has more physical rewards, as there are often many faculty nominated awards. Forming the first relationship is the hardest, but the second will come easier, since it’s probable that they will have heard of you from the first.

Just keep your personal brand in mind at all times. How do you want them to think of you? What are the first words that you want to hear when they talk about you to someone else?

Be polite, friendly and enthusiastic, and remember that they’re there for more than just giving you a recommendation at the end, and they’ll know if that’s all you’re there for.

Reputation Management Tips From The Brand Known As Andy Beal

May 22, 2008 at 7:35 pm | In Book Reviews, Interview, People, Personal Branding, Reputation Management, eBrand, social media | 4 Comments
Tags:

Recently, I spoke with Andy Beal about reputation management. In terms of the personal branding process,Andy Beal reputation management falls into the “maintain” bucket. First, you discover your brand (what you represent, are passionate about, etc), then you create a brand online, communicate it to your audience through personal PR and then maintain your reputation. Andy, is not only a consultant, speaker, business owner, blogger and author, but one of the judges for the 2008 Personal Brand Awards. He blogs at Marketing Pilgrim, which is a top 10 blog by AdAge, out of over 600 (I’m #71 right now). He’s also one of the most sought after speakers for the search industry and one of the more respected internet marketers by his peers, such as Shoemoney and Neil Patel. Andy even found the time to write an entire book dedicated to reputation management called “Radically Transparent,” while starting his own company called Trackur.

—–

People have the choice whether they engage in eBranding. True or false? Why?

Andy: Of course they have a choice. But, the real question is, do people realize they have an eBrand? Everyone has a brand–especially online–they just need to decide whether they wish to play a part in its development.

If you’re in a situation where your reputation is damaged by another media source, either blog or traditional media, how do you react?Crisis Management

Andy: It depends on whether the damage is the results of a legitimate criticism, or incorrect (and maybe defamatory) attack.

If you are the victim of a legitimate crisis–for example, a web designer that didn’t deliver a web site–then you should follow the seven step plan we share in Radically Transparent.

  • Check the facts
  • Determine the impact
  • Bring together trusted counsel
  • Understand your detractor
  • Decide on the appropriate response
  • Host the conversation
  • Continue to monitor

You can distill it down to just three words. Sincerity, Transparency, and Consistency. Be sincere in your apology. Be transparent in explaining how you are resolving the situation. Then, be consistent in your future actions.

If you’re the victim of a defamatory attack, the process is very much the same. The difference is that you can afford to be a little more insistent in your communication. I.e. you can bring on side your legal counsel to ensure the incorrect information is removed.

What are a few ways you can maintain a strong presence in Google and how can youGoogle Search Box counteract negative search results when they appear?

Andy: The best defense is a strong offense. With your Google reputation, you need to make plans now. It’s much easier to build positive content for Google now–while you’re not under attack–than to wait until the negative results appear.

Start with the registration of a domain name that matches your brand–your personal or business brand–and publish a blog to it. You can also create profiles at popular social networks such as Flickr, Facebook, and LinkedIn–all of which rank well in Google.

How does one become synonymous with a phrase? For instance, when people think of personal branding, my name is top-of-mind and when they think of Andy Beal, they think of Marketing Pilgrim.

Andy: Lots of repetition until they get it right! :-)

I chose Marketing Pilgrim for my blog because I felt it matched my ongoing journey to find the latest internet marketing trends. I’ve been blessed that enough people enjoy reading what I have to say–and it didn’t hurt to refer to myself as the “Pilgrim” now and then. ;-)

How were you able to start a new company (Trackur), co-author a book, blog, consult andTrackur speak in the past few months? Can you explain how each supported one another?

Andy: If my ambitions ruled my life, I’d have about twenty different projects going on at any one time. It’s very hard for me to switch off. Instead, I forced myself to pick just four channels to focus on for the majority of 2008: consulting, blogging, speaking, and Trackur.

For the most part, each of the channels share synergy with each other. This helps keep my efforts focused and keeps me a little more efficient in my promotion. For example, when I speak at an event, I can discuss online reputation management and tie it back to my consulting, book, and Trackur.

Can you share any email best practices? How do people brand themselves through email and what impact does each email have?Email Icon

Andy: My best advice is to not get sloppy with email. It can be very easy to fall into instant messenger or Twitter “speak” but you should realize that your emails say a lot about your brand.

Also, for reputation management purposes, always assume your email will be made public at some point. That assumption will help you maintain the correct tone in your emails.

How did you discover your personal brand and what strategies got you to where you are today?Radically Transparent

Andy: I realized that personal branding was at least as important as company branding. My company may change, but I’ll always be Andy Beal.

If you want to build a strong brand, it’s not enough to simply become great at what you do. You have to let others know too! While it can be very difficult to set aside modesty, if you don’t brag about your accomplishments, who will?

Writing articles and speaking at industry events are two of the channels that really helped with my personal branding. Once blogging came along, that made it even easier.

If you have a deeper interest on how to position yourself on Google or simply manage your eBrand, Andy’s new book is a great resource for you.

Improve Your Personal Brand With a Makeover

May 21, 2008 at 4:53 pm | In Personal Branding, Reputation Management, Success Strategies, guest post | 3 Comments

 

I will be in Last Vegas until Wednesday, so here is another guest post for you. This post was contributed by Heather Johnson, who is an industry critic on the subject of how to become a nurse. She invites your feedback at heatherjohnson2323@gmail.com.

___________________

Personal branding is all about a perceived image, so the best way to boost your appeal is by changing your physical appearance (note: don’t change who you are) . No, this doesn’t require a visit to the plastic surgeon. In fact, there are some very simple ways to physically present yourself as a successful business professional. A little work in the following areas can go a long way in helping your personal brand.Model

  • Clothes – Clothes really do make the man… and woman, for that matter. I can’t tell you how many upscale offices I have entered recently that are filled with inappropriately dressed employees. (Too casual, too sexy, too wild, etc.) Are bankers and lawyers the only people who pay attention to their attire these days? You would be surprised at how differently people would treat you if you took a sophisticated approach to your business clothes. A sharp business suit can work for anyone.
  • Grooming – Why opt for a new wardrobe if you aren’t going to finish off the look with some proper grooming? While your personal brand may be that of an edgy designer, for example, you still need to put some effort into your overall style. The right hair is essential for both men and women when completing the look. Also, one of the first things people notice about you is your smile, which can be vastly improved with some teeth whitener. And finally, women should wear appropriate make-up for the image they are trying to convey.
  • Posture and Walk – Your mother was right, you know. You shouldn’t slouch. Not only is this bad for your back, it makes you appear heavier and less confident than a person who walks with their shoulders back and their chin in the air. You should practice walking with more confidence and always sit up straight. Body language is important in the workplace and you would be surprised at how differently you will both feel and appear when you change your posture and walk.
  • Overall Physical Health – People come in all shapes and sizes and, in a perfect world, everyone would accept that fact and not judge people based on their weight. However, it can definitely improve your personal brand if you get into shape. No, you shouldn’t be obsessed with having the perfect figure. However, the proper diet and regular exercise benefits you in so many ways. Not only will it help you manage stress, people will see you in a different light and you will feel better about yourself. All of these factors contribute to a successful personal brand.

All of our lives, we are told not to judge a book by its cover. However, people do it in the business world all the time. As you know, our personal brand is affected by everything we do and say. From the people we associate with to the foods we eat, it all contributes to an overall image. By undergoing a makeover, you will both increase your self-confidence and alter the way people perceive you in the workplace. These changes can undoubtedly help you to achieve success with an improved personal brand.

 

« Previous Page — Next Page »

Blog at WordPress.com. | Theme: Pool by Borja Fernandez.
Entries and comments feeds.