How to Brand Your Business Online

Social media has taken the Internet market by storm, and in fact, is considered THE way to brand your business online by most experts.  But many don’t realize that when branding a business online, there are strict guidelines to follow.  They assume that because the social media platform is so hip, that anything goes—but those are the people who end up branding their business with a bad name.  If you’re looking to brand your business online in a way that will not only make you memorable to your potential market, but also increase your sales, here are the rules that will ensure your success.

Make a Connection

People today want to do business with those who they are connected to.  Gone are the days when a business would keep a polite distance from their customers, serving only to educate them on their products.  Today’s consumers want to know that you’re interested in the same things they are, that you support their causes, and are vocal about the issues that matter to them.  In short, if you want to brand your business online in the best possible light, you must first understand what drives your potential customers, and then use social media to engage them about their concerns.

Don’t Get Too Casual

There is a right way and a wrong way to make that connection and brand your business.  Many newbie’s to social media assume that anything goes in this fresh environment, and while that may be true for some, it doesn’t apply to businesses or professionals.  Think of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s recent gaff when he thought it was funny to wave around a large knife while telling his constitutes that he would have to cut their government services.  To his target audience, he crossed a line that a professional never should. 
Instead, you should remain professional in your marketing efforts while keeping in mind what matters most to your target audience.  Then present it in a way that will appeal to them, while establishing yourself as an expert on the subject.

Remain Consistent

Another common mistake when branding your business is not establishing a regular pattern that your fans can come to expect.  Many start out with a bang, and dwindle down to a few measly Tweets or Facebook entries a month.  In order to brand your business and become relevant and socially connected, you must be consistent and as loyal to your fans as you want them to be to you.

Admit Your Weaknesses

Not everyone is a marketing Guru, and not everyone can write effective blog posts or even Tweet copy.  There is a whole world out there of freelancer contractors who are experts at the different aspects of branding a business.  For instance, you might hire one person to determine your ideal keywords, another to write your copy, and still another to promote your business on the social media platform.  If you’re interested in building a powerful marketing team like this, check out the sites online that allow you to build such a team for free, such as freelancer.com.
Branding your business should be on your top ten list in 2011.  While it has always been a part of marketing, establishing an identify for your business is now more important than ever.  Today’s consumer is smarter, hipper and wants to do business with people they know care about them and their world.  But if you’re going to get in on the game—and be successful at it—you’ll need to learn the rules of this quickly changing platform, because one wrong move, and you run the risk of being branded negatively in an instant.
source:business.com.au