5 Tips To Promote Yourself and Your Brand
If I Google your name, what happens? I do find you, your website, or news articles about your business? Or do I find everyone but you? When it comes to marketing your business, success starts with your name. Google “Tammy Levent” and everything you see on that search results page is the marketing I’ve done to build my brand – and with it, my businesses. Here are five ways to start building your reputation and recognition in your community and online.
1. Brand Yourself and Your Business.
Brand your name along with what you do, whether you own your own business or not. If you’re staring at your business card, it should be your face and name first, then your company. When you brand it like it’s yours, no one will forget your name if you end up working for yourself later. Always use your first and last name – and maybe even your middle name – to set yourself apart.
2. Make the Front Page of Your Own Search Results.
My email signature is: “Tammy Levent – Google Me.” I’m the only “Tammy Levent” in the world, which was no accident. I was born Stamatia Kavourakis, which is hard to pronounce, harder to spell, and impossible to brand. I’m not saying you have to change your name, but have something that stands out. In the age of social media, personal branding is one of the most important things you can do to get you and your business on the map.
3. Be Consistent.
When they do find you on Twitter, Facebook, G+, YouTube or your website, make sure that your photo, logo, colors and other visuals remain consistent. What would McDonald’s be without the golden arches? Or Starbucks without their green and white mermaid? These logos are branded and consistent. The biggest mistake businesses make is constantly re-branding themselves. Invest up front in one great logo that is clean, simple and timeless, and stick with it.
4. Print Lots of Business Cards – and Use Them.
There are two ways to never run out of business cards: Never hand them out and hoard them in your office or wallet, or, print 5,000 of them and hand them to everyone you meet and leave them on every flat surface. Which way do you think successful people choose? Your card is the cheapest form of advertising, so use both front and back to give as much detail on as you can, and use all of them.
5. Position Yourself as the Expert in Your Field.
Position yourself as the expert in your field, and you’ll increase your brand recognition, your credibility and your sales. Become an expert by using Strategic Partnerships to get yourself published in blogs, local magazines and newspapers. Don’t turn these opportunities into advertorials for your business – just offer genuinely helpful advice and you’ll not only expand your brand recognition, but also gain the respect of your community.