Online Branding - Controlling the flow of information

Knowing how to use the internet is becoming an essential part of doing business. But for some it can feel downright overwhelming.

Blogging, Social Media, Search Engines, Websites, what should your business be doing?

Well to begin with you need to have a presence online ( a powerful presence). From looking up reviews of local restaurants to finding directions to your next meeting, the internet has changed the way people do business.

With just a couple clicks, people can find out everything they need to know about a product, or a business. The good, the bad, and the ugly, it’s all there for the world to see. So what are your customers finding when they search for you? Can they even find you? And if they can what are they saying?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you need to find out. Do a quick Google search on your companies name, then do a quick search on your name, find anything? What are people saying?

Hopefully what you found is not to bad, or even worse, hopefully you didn’t come to find out that the internet has forgotten about you and your business. No matter what the case, it’s not to late to create a powerful online presence.

Things you can do to get started.

1. Website - I’m hoping that you at least have a website. If you don’t you need to develop one right now. Even if your “just a sales person” you should have a small website telling your prospects who you are and what you do. Remember you are trying to brand yourself, while at the same time controlling what information people see when they search for you or your product.
2. Blogging - Blogging is easy, and it allows you to stay connected to your customers. Think of it as a powerful way of networking. Blogging allows you to write posts on everything from helpful tips on how to use your products. to relevant news related to your industry. It is a great tool that can help you stay in contact with your customers.  There is a great site at  http://www.problogger.net/ that can help you get started in the world of blogging.
   You can also check out our site at http://richardsongraphics.com/web-design/blog.html if you need help setting up your own blog.
3. Social Media - Social Media is like networking online. It consists of using tools like  Myspace, Youtube, Twitter, commenting on other blogs, and a host of other social networking sites, to stay in contact with your customers. If done right it can be a very effective way of growing your business. One word of caution, make sure you know what your doing. Using Myspace and other Social networking sites can also be very harmful to your business. Remember that everything you do online is there for the world to see. A lot of these sites are filled with people making fools out of themselves, don’t be one of them.

There are a million and one things you can do to control your brand online.  With a little bit of work you can use the internet to grow your business beyond your wildest expectations.

Need help branding yourself online? Contact us at www.RichardsonGraphics.com You can also call me directly at 702-253-7446