You probably have asked this question before.

Or maybe twice.

I know I did several years ago-until the “light went on” and I discovered some things that proved to be worth millions in business.

But just what IS branding in social media and how do you participate in it?

Branding is a marketing technique, strategy, method, or action that has the massive potential to elevate your online and social media business to the top. It involves helping your customers every time they think of you to form a recognizable association -mental , emotional, or other–with you.

What can you do to make that happen?

Link your business with a powerful and unique design, logo, slogan, and/or color and observe the positive results and imaging that starts to take place in people's minds.

It is critical that you take the brnading efforts to a new level and understand that there are 3 things that people look for in branding:

1) What they are FEELING.

Branding is all about emotion and feelings when it comes down to it. Either it feels RIGHT, or it does not. And if it does not, then your brand will be extinct before too long.

2) What people are SEEING on the video screen in their mind.

What picture does the prospect SEE in their mind when they think of your brand? What emotions does that elicit? Is it a picture that you want them to see?

3) What are they EXPECTING.

What is the prospect EXPECTING to happen or experience with your brand? This is critical because your brand must be consistent as well as credible.

Brands create a feeling of recognition, remembrance, and familiarity.

If customers have seen your logo or meme, insignia, or company name, they are more likely to continue to consistently select your product or service. Also, they are more apt to refer and suggest them to others. Referrals through word of mouth can be an extremely powerful form of advertising and it can build your brand and accelerate it.

A brand helps possible customers remember your business as well as the emotions surrounding it. (Nike). People may know little about your life and business philosophy or reputation. However, if they can recognize your brand, the chances are greater that they will do business with you.

Branding creates memory in the mind of the public. we call it “Memory magnet.” Your brand must draw people towards you and your message and product every time they think of it.

When the public remembers your brand and familiarizes themselves and others with it, they will come back. Customers are more likely to remain devoted to your business and are apt to buy further products or services from you based on the brand of the initial product with which they had success.

This called building a book of business you can count on.

People are willing to pay more for products or services that they highly regard. This means that customers are likely to pass up cheaper prices with competitors if your brand has made a positive impression on them. If clients believe in your product, they will pay for it.

That is why you need to brand yourself as the “Premier Provider” in your niche and market, so you can charge what your brand is really worth.

When you have distinguished and set yourself and your business apart through branding, the marketing has the capability of becoming so profound, that little else is necessary. Developing your brand takes time and effort, but after it has been solidified, and after customers have had the chance to identify with it, your sales can increase naturally. You won't have to spend as much time planning marketing strategies to attract the public in your social media marketing strategies

blessings…doug firebaugh

http://www.socialmediablogster.com