Your Business, Your World
“A look at branding, marketing, and social media”
Business has changed in the past decade. Not long ago, our business was locally focused. Our costumers came to us, or if possible, we traveled to them. There may have been an occasional phone call from a distant client, but for the most part business was centered in our immediate area. With the expanse of the internet and technology, our business is the world. With this altered direction in business, how do we adapt? This article will address branding, marketing, and social media steps, for your business, in today’s digital world.
BRANDING/WEBSITE
The first step, after perhaps contacting a lawyer or the State Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to officially register your business, is to design and create a website. Your business has a name and so do you. Your potential clients might not know the name of your new business, but they probably know your name. The advice from successful Hay House authors and business people is to use your own name for your website. Your business may change over the years, grow, and develop into something entirely different from where you began. Vista Print is an on-line website service that is easy to use and cost friendly. In lieu of continuously changing the name of your website, and confusing customers, build your website under your name.
DIGITAL NEWSLETTERS
Gone are the days of receiving, what we refer to in the business world, as “hardcopies”. In the past, schools, churches, and businesses would send a newsletter in the mail with all the current happenings and updates. This iconic service is soon to be a past remembrance. Saving trees, time, and money, digital communication is faster, more efficient, and better for Mother Earth. There are services such as Constant Contact that provide the designs and expertise, in order to create an eloquent newsletter, and miraculously send it to your clientele in significantly less time than creating, printing, and mailing hundreds of newsletters.
WEBLOGS OR “BLOG”/SOCIAL MEDIA
A “blog” or “weblog” is a conversational website used to draw readers into your business and your world. Similar to your business website, a BLOG would benefit, if it is in your personal name. BLOG topics can change frequently, but your name stays the same. At www.blogger.com, you can select a name, a design, and a format. Once the BLOG is written, it can be easily shared with multiple social media sites such as: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google or emailed. The BLOG can be written daily, weekly, monthly, or as desired to meet your business needs.
The BLOG is useful as part of social media communication. It is not necessary to have an active presence in all social media sites. What is most beneficial is to select one or perhaps two sites. You can share with your customer base, what is happening in your business community.
ARTICLES/PUBLIC SPEAKING
Being available to your associates is easier than ever before. As part of an integral community of professionals, you can share knowledge and information through articles and public speaking engagements. Giving back your talents and time by sharing valuable insights allows you to develop and grow personally and professionally. This enhances your career and helps to showcase your business. Organizations are looking for educated professionals willing to gift their knowledge to members, both in person and on-line.
COACHING/ON-LINE CLASSES
The phone has been with us for over one hundred years, becoming increasingly portable, convenient, and all-encompassing. Calling across communities or across the world is easy, affordable, and efficient. Our computers can even call, with images and information readily available. From “conference calls” to “webinars,” the sites available for these services are endless, helping facilitate teaching, learning, and counseling. Whether for a fee or for free, this is a solid tool in your business world bucket.
As part of an expanding Universe, it is necessary for us to grow and develop along with it. Utilizing the current electronic media sources will help to enlarge your business and your world.
Susan worked twenty years as an international business woman after receiving degrees in Business Communication and Spanish from Michigan State.
She is a Holistic Health Practitioner, HHP, an ordained minister, public speaker, and writer. She is an Independent Business Owner, offering Nutrilite health products through Amway.
She teaches clients holistic and spiritual living concepts. She is available for articles, speaking engagements, and classes.
www.susanjmcfarland@yahoo.com
www.amway.com/susanmcfarland
