Social Web Strategies

Social media sites are so common, like Coca Coca that most people can’t live without. And as a consequence, our e-buddies are everywhere, using  social networking site(s) of their choice. This explains why we keep an account of most (if not all) social networking sites (SNS),  to stay connected.

With this, we have a diverse but broad tool at our disposal to market our brand. This tool, however, is double edged. If we are not careful, our brand can be diluted  in light of the different networking streams. Let’s face it. It’s either we don’t have enough time to keep some of our accounts alive or we are inconsistent with the way we manage our profile. Trying to keep tab with each account is sometimes toxic, specially if you have an 8 hour job. More than that, in the midst of competition, our brands are side swept, not because other brands are better, but brand owners have positioned their brands properly using SNS.

My take on this issue: Synergize all our social networking sites.

Think of it this way, a single SNS is not a stand alone marketing tool, rather it should create synergy with your other SNS in building your brand.

How do we do that?

1. Be consistent– As much as you can, maintain a single identity across sites.
   • Use a single handle or pseudo name.  People follow people because they either know them personally or they recognize their brand. Don’t confuse people by changing your handle everyday (this is common among plurk users).
   • Use a common avatar or have a badge or button that will identify your brand. If you have been hanging out for a while in some of my SNS or blog, you’ll notice any of these, primarily to remind myself:                                                                                                                                     

   

2. Ensure your profile is the same or similar across SNS. Remember, your SNS is your marketing tool. Use them to point people to your main blog.
   • Get a main blog for your brand.– As much as they can, SNS would like to keep you under their roof. If you are popular, you’ll drive more visitors. With more visitors and new registration, better advertising income and impressive bottomline at the end of the day.
   • Get a domain for your brand, preferably, with your name in it (I will blog about this later).
3. Synergize- My different SNS points to my blog (via RSS or link), and my blog to SNS’s (status updates, events, photos).  These are permanent fixtures in my blog:                                                                                                                                                                                          Santos



4. Keep your accounts active.
   • Update your SNS regularly. To make things easier, get an account at Ping.fm. This babe updates most of your SNS  all at the same time.
   • Instead of publishing photos in your main blog, publish it in your SNS. Then point the SNS  from your blog entry, and vice-versa.  Friends who wish to know the story behind the pics will normally visit your main blog.
   • Broadcast the RSS feed of your blog from your different SNS.
   • Publish links of your blog entries from your different SNS.
   • Get widgets from your SNS and place them on your main blog.
   • Include your blogs in your SNS profile.
5. Did I miss something? Please share your best practice.

SNS are more personal in nature, people appreciates the human side of the brand, you. But don’t display your dirty underwear, and ensure your nostrils won’t show dirt.  Build relationships but at the same time market your brand.  If you don’t have a blog, go get one and add value to your community and readers.

If you follow these simple steps, it will work for you. It worked for me, remember?