Social Branding – Social Networking Effectively Brands Your Business

Are you the Mary Kay Mommy? A new face breaks the silence as she walks into the networking room, her tiny bundle wrapped in a Sophist-a-Wrap on her shoulder. He’s sleeping with his toes sticking out of the soft cocoon where he spends many hours while his mommy works.

With a face fresh as the morning dew, she greets women with a smile and the cheerful sound of laughter. Her products shine as she presents herself and her products over the soft glow of a halo of dark hair sticking out of the white wrap that keeps her son close by and safe while she works. Mid-morning, she finds a safe secure place to unwrap him and snuggle in for some cozy nursing moments before she turns him around to face the world, happy and content. The Mary Kay Mommy serves her client’s needs and keeps her son with her.

Social Networking offered her the opportunity to share her products and build her business while becoming a recognized BRAND around the community. Her niche has been represented well, with her own efforts, recognized as the Mary Kay Mommy.

You can use the same niche marketing tool to brand your business at social networking events. Although most of us would have to borrow a baby to use the Sophist-a-Wrap for recognition, the principles work.

Principle #1 – Arrive cheerful and presentable with your best face forward. Make an entrance. No, I didn’t say make a scene, I said make an entrance. Arrive in a manner that let’s others know you’re an important person to meet.

Principle #2 – Be gracious and greet everyone in the room. Your winning smile will go to the darkest corners of the room, if you simply use it. Allow laughter to spring forth, drawing attention to your smile. Not loud boisterous laughter, but that soft tinkling laughter that captures attention.

Principle #3 – Rock their world. Be different. Dare to present yourself in a manner unexpected, yet becoming to your business. If you sell hats, wear the loudest, most gregarious hat you sell. If you sell bags, carry one that makes a statement. If you have a specific audience, market your product to that audience, from the first step into the room.

Principle #4 – Introduce yourself to everyone, get their card and tell them you’ll be calling them. Even if you KNOW they won’t buy from you, sell YOURSELF to them. Get their card and contact them. Get a referral and build your list based on contacts.

Principle #5 – Follow up. Create a well structured contact plan and stick to it, religiously. Your business and your brand depend on it. Make it your business to contact everyone you met and remind them who you are, ask when you can visit with them and ask for referrals. Get names, numbers and emails, then follow up with them too.

Don’t stop until you’ve reached saturation point and then, hire your work out and keep driving traffic.