Social Media: Branding, Begging and Balancing the Act of Business ...

At our company we specialize in branding, marketing, and making money for our clients. So when a client called yesterday to lament that he had only been allowed two comments on Pinterest before they ?cut him off? we wanted to know why. After a few questions it became apparent that our client was attacking social media with the same amount of gusto that he attacks everything else in life. His comments weren?t comments but rather thinly veiled sales pitches for his website. Social communities and especially Pinterest shut this type of behavior down right away. So how to make the most of social media? Embrace the three B?s of branding, begging and balancing and watch your social media start to pay off.

Branding on Social Media

Successfully using social media starts with looking at these platforms as a place to brand yourself rather than a place to sell your products. In the marketing funnel this is the top of the funnel in the ?recognition? phase. Most social media isn?t going to sell your products (sorry FB). Despite this, social media is incredibly valuable for getting your name recognized. Pre-Internet simple brand recognition took years and thousands of dollars to establish. Social Media is basically free. In branding your product or business on social media soft sell is always the best approach. Here are two Pinterest accounts that use social media very effectively and in a way that is absolutely acceptable to Pinterest: The first is for canadian architect in Vancouver named Gaile Guevara. The second is for a Tomate Joyeuse, a french blogger.

In both of these cases the Pinterest pages are well-branded. Unlike most Pinterest pages that contain a little of this and a little of that, there is absolutely no question that these pinners are single minded in their pursuit of pins. The architect clearly embraces modern, clean designs. Her color pallet is subdued. She pays attention to detail. As a client looking to hire an architect in Vancouver there is little question about what you could expect from this architect. Yet not a single design of her own is showcased. This is clearly not spam or direct marketing.

Begging on Social Media

Begging is perhaps your best friend on social media. This refers to asking friends, associates and even business competitors to ?like? your site/and or follow your posts. The worst part about this is that for these strategies to work well, the likes and follows are best when they aren?t reciprocated. This is why Begging is a pretty good term for this form of outreach. ?like me even if you don?t like me back? is a tough sell, so practice long and hard and throw your pride to the wind.

Balancing on Social Media

Have you ever been stranded at a party, cornered by a nice well meaning woman that is just excruciatingly boring? She won?t let you speak. You just sit there hoping eventually she will stop so that you can escape? Well online- everyone can escape, and they will if you bore them. Taking a real interest in the posts of other people is the secret to successful Social Media interactions. Psychologists disagree about the best balance of comments to posts but 10-1 is a good rule. Focus ten times on the posts of others for the one time you post about yourself. Choose the people you follow carefully and this approach can translate into some great new friends and useful online business relationships.

Source: http://www.business2community.com/social-media/social-media-branding-begging-and-balancing-the-act-of-business-online-0286105

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