When we build a solid base and follow a tried and true system, success becomes inevitable. As more and more of us get into online life how can we ensure that we make our time spent on these sites worth it?
We must get KNOWN, LIKED, FOLLOWED then PROMOTED.
To do this there are 7 major pillars which must all be addressed.
Pillar One
Firstly we must decide who we are – that way others will know who we are but more importantly what we stand for. Then we will get readily found and recommended. Success is often determined by what we say ‘no‘ to, so please do not make your niche too wide and do not attempt to be everything to everyone. For example, BlueFlameDesign fairly and squarely into graphic design, branding and print marketing. Although we are highly recommended and trusted for our logo design and small businesses branding packages. Hence we tend to promote these services higher.
Pillar Two
Secondly we need to be continually keeping up with the internet. If Facebook release changes to your business page then embrace and learn it! If Gmail brings out a new feature? Read what it’s all about and implement! Twitter releases a new version? Upgrade immediately! Try new things. Beta launches of new sites etc. Add a new skill every day. Unlearning is key here too. Strategies and tools are developing fast. Embrace change. Have a data base and keep building it too. Be conscious of always adding to it. Have the best available system for capturing email addresses and regularly showering that data base with great content. Know SEO and stick to your key words. Do you consider yourself a good driver in your car? Then make sure you’re a good ‘driver’ of the Internet too. If all these things are not solid then what you build above will be like a castle in the sand.
OK so now we have a base to build on.
Pillar Three
The third pillar is getting liked. For this we need to give value. Be friendly, fun and especially be an expert in your field. Fo example, be the ‘go to guy’ about brochure design in your town, state or country. You need an authoritve blog and you need somewhere to channel the people who you attract to it. In the words of the social media and marketing guru Mark Schaefer: “….you need to create insanely great content”. Somewhere along the line there also has to be a product associated with your area of expertise. When you comment on blogs, threads in Facebook, tweets etc. you must always regularly turn conversation back to your expertise and your product. People will grow to like you and the product.
Pillar Four
Next, or number four, we must be social and accept followers. Engage and interact with these people. Be real. Get on Facebook, You Tube, Twitter, LinkedIn, G+ and be yourself. Treat people the way you would have them treat you. Be consistent. Better to be on social media for say 30 mins a day instead of say 12 hours a day once a week.
Pillar Five
The extension of this, the fifth pillar, and the fastest growing area which many have not yet embraced is location based social media such as Facebook ‘Check-In”, Foursquare, or Google Maps. Be seen to be doing the things that everyone does. Like going to restaurants, watching movies, county fairs, business exhibitions, art galleries, going to the cinema etc. People like people like themselves.
Pillar Six
Sixthly you need to make yourself shareable. A recommendation from someone else to their followers and friends is worth umpteen times more than if it comes from ourselves. So do not broadcast! Often you need to regularly share and promote the content of your “competitors” to have them do this back for you. Think abundance. Promoting others in your niche or industry promotes that industry. For example network marketeers bickering with each other turns people off from becoming one. However if they see it as a fun and friendly space then they will be attracted to it.
Everything you do must always be geared towards getting PROMOTED. This is how you leverage your online presence. Niche, great content, socialising, being seen to be real, promoting and connecting others will lead to getting promoted.
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Pillar Seven
Whether you are truly great and reach and stay the top of the tree is determined by your mindset. So the seventh pillar is about being great! Be relentlessly confident and positive. People come online to have fun and be inspired. Do not “fight” about anything or with anyone. Ever. Acknowledge and enjoy your greatness. If you do not no-one will. Be the leader of the leaders in your niche. You will get promoted like crazy. It is inevitable.
Once the pillars are in place just remember to keep renewing and strengthening them.
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