Simple communication strategies for a complicated world.
September 28th, 2009

30 Days To A Better Brand: Day 10 – Hierarchy of brand importance and your social equity

This entry is part 10 of 12 in the series 30 Days To A Better Brand

I started this 30 Days To A Better Brand series with the intent to write an article everyday for 30 days. Sometimes intentions can not be synced up with actualities. My business started getting much busier so I had to decide what was more important- sticking to the plan or going with the flow. This is also the decision your brand must face in business.

I personally decided that doing what I had to do for Esultancy (my new social strategy firm with Oz Sultan and Khayyam Wakil) was of more pressing importance than sticking to a regimented posting schedule. This is a valuable lesson for all brands. When an opportunity presents itself that is more pressing you should shift to accommodate it.

The main criteria I gauge how I deal with situations are based on how pressing it is, how opportune it is, if it’s “on brand” and if it will net more money in the short run than the other project being displaced. While blogging can be lucrative and elevates your profile thus leading to money, unfortunately I don’t blog for money.

So I decided to focus on getting my business off the ground. We’re so enamored with the content creation and sharing products that we tend to forget that we’re here to make money. Regardless of using social media for fun, everyone has a personal brand and social media usage can affect you.

Everyone has social equity. What we do in the public eye shapes people’s perception of us and ultimately affects how much money we make. Referrals, appraisals, partnerships and promotions are formed over time. Do what’s right for you and your brand and in the end you’ll do what’s right for your pocket.


For branding and social media insights check out my Posterous.

Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.


September 20th, 2009

30 Days To A Better Brand: Day 9 – Your brand is not yours

This entry is part 9 of 12 in the series 30 Days To A Better Brand

While it may be your brand you do not actually own it. Your public owns it. Your customers decide what your brand means to them. Once you put your company out there it is now in the hands of the public.

The fact that your audience has final say in whether your product thrives or dies doesn’t change the fact that you still have the last say in the decisions implemented. If a majority of people purchasing your product decide decide they don’t like something either you must change it, change their opinion or become a victim of change.

Changing your brand based on feedback alone is shortsighted. Although there is wisdom in the crowd you ultimately are the professional. Your years of experience coupled with thorough knowledge of the category definitely weights your opinion. Just remember, you don’t pay your bills; they do.

So what do you do?

Survey your customers with key questions
List all potential pros and cons at hand
Compare with competitors and other businesses who may have had the same issue
Create a mindmap of your business / product / situation landscape
Map out the best possibility to completion
Implement your plan in timely phases
Gauge for feedback
Adjust accordingly

Not all situations are created equal and neither are your customers. By being aware of your capabilities, your customer’s savviness and the clarity of mind to know the difference between the two, you should be positioned to dominate in any situation you encounter.


For branding and social media insights check out my Posterous.

Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.


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