Hey Steemians!
as I was reading through your comments, I noticed one question many new members are curious about.
"How do I become successful on Steemit?" and so I thought, why not take the opportunity to address this topic, not just in the case of Steemit, but on any other social media platform, whether you a building an online business that evolves around a brand as a product / company, or a personal brand that evolves around you growing a following.
The key ingredient remains the same: Learning how to build a brand!
Let's first of all define what a brand is:
A brand is a name, term, design, symbol, or other feature that distinguishes an organization or product from its rivals in the eyes of the customer...
Initially, livestock branding was adopted to differentiate one person’s cattle from another's by means of a distinctive symbol burned into the animal’s skin with a hot branding iron. If a person would steal the animals, anyone could detect the symbol and deduce the actual owner. However, the term has been extended to mean a strategic personality for a product or company, so that ‘brand’ now suggests the values and promises that a consumer may perceive and buy into. Branding is a set of marketing and communication methods that help to distinguish a company or products from competitors, aiming to create a lasting impression in the minds of customers. The key components that form a brand's toolbox include a brand’s identity, brand communication (such as by logos and trademarks), brand awareness, brand loyalty and various branding (brand management) strategies.
In other words: WHY should somebody follow you? / buy from you? / be interested in you? / be interested in your brand?
1. Traditional Brand Identity
For decades certain companies have been able to withstand the ups and downs, the rollercoaster of the market. Especially right now, during a time of constant changes, technology evolving at a rapid pace like never before and several shifts taking place, few businesses have managed to remain stable, because their numbers don't depend on seasons. What I mean by that is that these companies have established a TRUE BRAND. This is the main goal of any business owner, to achieve a customer base of people who will always come back to them (just like going to your dentist or hairdresser) despite trends and shifts, because what they sell is not a product, they sell a brand.
2. Building a Brand - Online
When you're in business it's easy to get caught up in your perspective and that's where a lot of people fail at building a brand online. You might know exactly what you want to talk about and in what way you want to express it, but we need to keep in mind that it's not about you, it's about your audience. One of the things I have done from the start and will always do is ask for feedback! Read the comments carefully and listen to what people like about your content, but much more important - listen to what they criticize! One of the biggest mistake one can make when trying to get ahead is to ignore the people commenting on your work, especially the "haters" (not the trolls) - those who will tell you what you're not so good it and help you improve.
I am fascinated by those who think they deserve to get something without offering anything of value upfront. In the real world, you ALWAYS have to deliver something first if you want to get something in return AND what you give (input) is almost always what you get in return (output). Instead of
Don’t be so concerned with your transactions, conversions and ROI today.
There’s a difference between sales and transactions and branding and marketing. Don’t take the easy route. Build your brand instead. The world will evolve. Don’t get stuck in a math game. There is too much social innovation going on right now. Staying in one place and one social media platform that might be working OK for you right now is a bad place to be. You will be able to survive every shift in technology if you build a brand not a transaction. Math is commoditized, brand is not. Build a brand, not a transaction.
- Gary V
LEGACY IS GREATER THAN CURRENCY
As I was watching a keynote of the guy you see above, one particular thing he said stuck with me. He said that the best book probably will never be published, for the simple reason that the author didn't know how to communicate the value. And the lesson behind this is, that no matter how great your product/service/company is or you as a personal brand are, you need to know how to get your message across, communicate your value to your audience. The most successful brands in the world are in that spot not necessarily because they are the best.. or do you think Starbucks has makes best coffee in the world? They simply are one of the best to articulate values, storytell and build a relationship with their customers. The only way companies are able to trick the whole world into buying their products is by selling a brand aka. a feeling (trust / belongingness / coolness / modernity etc.)!
And if you're not particularly talented at something, or at least you think you don't have something special that sets you apart from others in your field, you can still build a brand that is focused around: DEDICATION + CONSISTENCY!
Everybody can pump out content once in a while, a few days a week or many days– but only few would be willing to put in the time and creative effort to produce something every single day. That's the secret success ingredient of many YouTubers I know. Now if you have both, something you're really good at (in case of a personal brand) or an amazing product AND you combine it with effort, care, creativity and time of putting out valuable content and delivering upfront... you make a commitment to try this method for one year straight.. I can guarantee you success in form of growth to a degree with no limits.
I hope you enjoyed my advice on "How to: Build a Brand". There is so much more on this topic and obviously this is just a tiny glimpse into the world of branding. If you like I'll continue to share more about what I've learned so far. Let me know in the comments!
Question OTD: Instead of the question, I'll give you a task. Create your own brand identity prism, for your business (if you have one), or simply for your Steemit blog. What is it you want to communicate and how?
Much love,
- Mrs.Steemit
@mrs.steemit - I am constantly impressed by your ability to address the questions plaguing most newcomers on Steemit. You have illustrated the point on brand equity very correctly and in extremely simple language that is easy for everyone to grasp. I was definitely aware of the importance of branding because I have worked with some multinational big companies. I knew that these companies value their brand image as an asset at close to 7-10% of their own turnover. However, I had not really thought about how building a brand is very important for presence on Social media - like Steemit. Thank you for this useful article. Upvoted.
I think I have tried to follow what you have outlined so far in the last 2 months on Steemit and have, unconsciously, tried to build a brand. I think my brand image is of being passionate about Wildlife and Steemit. I will put more focused efforts now, guided by your articles. I would be really obliged if you take a look at my blogs and provide some feedback on this aspect.
Regards,
Thanks for your always thought-through comment. I'm glad you found my article useful, just checked out your latest post on the "Steemit Cover" also great advice that I just made use of! :)
I am very happy that my method of creating the Steemit Cover was useful. Your Steemit Cover looks fantastic. You have applied your famous white theme to the concept. The result is fabulous.
If you found the method quick and easy to use, can you please let your friends and proteges know. I am trying to let people know in Steemit Chat etc but do not know any other way of reaching more people. We must make Steemit beautiful !! Everyone should have a great Cover!
Your working of choice is praisable..mainly in the field of nature and wildlife... In today's world it is very essential.
Great work on the post. Personal brand is everything online right now.
Here's my slightly darker take on the psychological aspects of personal branding and why people are looking for a hero, someone they can identify with and believe in.
https://steemit.com/marketing/@joannajablonka/do-we-need-heros-idols-and-the-belief-in-fairytales
Thank you for sharing @Mrs.Steemit great article and posts! I am someone who is building my own personal brand and this is very important to keep in mind. Being able to speak to your audience in their words is KEY love that quote!
Sincerely,
@joeparys
Thank you Joe! As always appreciate your feedback :)
I love it! Great post.
Thanks for the tips!
Great info!
This was a nice article
@mrs.steemit As always an interesting and enjoyable post to read.
Recently I took a course of Community Manager / Social Media and the meaning of brand could be summarized in:
Greetings and have a good day :)
Thank you! :)
I must look this info more :)
Very helpful!
It seems like something that is easily missed, but if you do it right can be what makes or breaks a person.
Excellent info, thanks for sharing!
Excellent tips and ideas. Persistent content contributions online is key to brand creation and preservation.
A very good article, I always had my brand identity written down, but the prism is something much more simple and effective. I am currently building my Designer Fashion brand from scratch, but with a clear path. What you should mention as well is that a business plan-nowadays is irrelevant, the Leanstack Canvas is the way to go.
Thank you. @mrs.steemit
"only few would be willing to put in the time and creative effort to produce something every single day... something you're really good at (in case of a personal brand) or an amazing product AND you combine it with effort, care, creativity and time... you make a commitment"
I would concur. Therein at the end of your article are the golden words of truth.
Thank you very much. Appreciate it lots :)
You offer some amazing insights which I will consider as this inspires me to find my concept and brand. Thank you for providing us with this info on the definition, history and brand building. Love the quote by Lister and the message to "communicate your value". Everyone keeps telling everyone about the need to offer value but they fail to mention that the trick is on how to communicate and present it.
Hey @mrs.steemit, what a fabulous article ma'am. A great advice for anyone who is new at creating a brand for himself, online. And your opinion on persistence and consistency is a no brainer. I have been on steemit from 40 odd days and have been trying hard to make a name for myself here. But no matter how hard I try, the amount of traction I would like to get, I haven't been able to garner. Speaking of consistency, I have been posting 1 articles every single day, without fail, from the last 16 days. Lack of eyeballs does set ones confidence back a little, but I will continue to do so, till I achieve what I want. Thanks. Peace..!!
To be honest, you are getting great results and can be extremely happy with what you've achieved. Like you said you've only been blogging for a month and already made over $200! and you have over 200 Followers! This kind of growth would have not happened normally. Every post of yours is getting some kind of engagement and you can clearly see the improvement. I think you are a great example actually and again you've only been blogging for a couple of days! What you've achieved is huge, you just need to be more patient and not compare yourself with others. Every journey is different and if you do the math of what happened in one month of being consistent, just think about what's possible if you'd keep up what you're doing for a year. Perspective is everything! You're doing great, be proud of yourself & grateful. Continue what you're doing and you'll continue to grow.
Thank you very much @mrs.steemit for taking out time and responding to my comment, as detailed. Yes, you re right in saying that patient is the most important factor and the primary key to success. I shall continue posting from my end and hopefully much better things will transpire some day. :)
Love your post. Here is another take on brand: Be more of who you already are. Don't transform, liberate!
Amazing work sweetie, so much information and so useful to know everything about the brand!! love it!!x
Thanks babe <3
Thanks for the tips on build a brand online! Resteemed.
Upvoted & RESTEEMED :]
Indeed, I can't be seemed to find the focus point for my brand. Need to really think about it and execute. Great tips there! Thanks. Do comment on my profile if you have any suggestion :)
Great, you found use in my post. I'll make sure to check it out, keep it up!
👍👍sure do! Keep the fire burning. It makes me much motivated.
Useful information ! Thanks for sharing about brand identity prism
This was a something i have never learned before or have thinked about it Thanks you so much for explaining it in very simple way to me :)
You had to bust out that Gary Veeeeee.... BOSS.
Branding is key for online success... started my brand "STACKIN" about 5 years ago.
It's odd when I see people on the streets, they say you're that stackin dude and not by my name haha. Great post :)
Gotta love Gary V, one of those rare honest and genuine people in the world of biz :) & that's great people recognize you by your brand's name, proof that you've built a real brand!
Very useful information. Thanks for sharing your ideas and experiences
Thanks :)
That Gary V quote is lit......
I always learn something from your blog. Today, I learned about the branding prism - task accepted.
Thanks for the feedback. Great! if you create one, send me the link or tag me :)
I've definitely seen this with a lot of the big Steemit accounts. They have already established a name for themselves and their "brand" about what they do and what they post about.
I've also seen a lot of the big accounts have consistent theme thumbnails. That way, the reader doesn't have to see the username of who wrote the post. They will know by just looking at the picture.
Real-life example of "branding" right there :D
Haha! I've been trying to remain consistent with putting the banner in my comments. I just started creating a consistent thumbnail theme too! Learning and implementing the knowledge, little by little :D
Great tips from you my dear @mrs.steemit , people should know their cor competence and build on it. Thanks for sharing, upped.
Thanks!
welcome, do not forget to stay in touch
Brand is so important! I also think that consistency and creativity are the keys :)
Yes they really are. The "how" is never difficult, it's always the "actually doing" :)
Great read. The Brand Identification Prism is an interesting approach and potentially a good way to visualize results from a brand audit/review or for using when doing rebranding.
I've been following Gary Vaynerchuck for years now, he's a really great example of personal branding. :)
I agree, he's brilliant!
So nice post and got lot of information to make growth of own
Thanks @mrs.steemit
I was just talking to a friend about online branding today! Thanks for sharing. Such useful info :) Perfect timing!
Glad you enjoyed it :)
Your priority has to be the creativity while building a brand. That's what everybody should do. That's the smart thing to do, don't you agree ?
Sure, creativity is an important part of the equation.
I get some guideline as a new user , from this post
Very important information.. Thanks
Thanks for sharing your own experiences .i will try to follow up in my journey of steemit. Expect more post towards the direction of success.
Very interesting
Great post!
Excellent post, very helpful, thanks for sharing!
interesting will try out these tips
excellent posting I have ever read
thank you for your sharing
thanks for sharing this blog @mrs.steemit i need this
Thanks for telling us the true meaning of brand.
I m newbie here . Please upvote me
Build a Brand - Thanks Need This
UPVOTED
You had successfully made yourself a brand.
I agree with your post. As a writer, I'm constantly aware of my reading audience and I know who thet are and what they want. Knowing your target demographic is half the battle, the other half is knowing who you are.
I'm coming from the perspective of writers, but my remarks can apply to others as well. If you're blogging and posting every day that's fine, but what's even better is to be blogging and posting at the same time. Be predictable.
If, like me, you don't write erotica or edgy material, then don't deviate from the essence of who you are because certain types of writing are 'hot'. You have to first be someone - get your own pain - have your own message - acquire your own distinctive voice, and always give your audience something. I give away my stories, poems and quotes. How else will people get to know me and what I'm about?
Anyway, these are a few of the things I learned over the years and want to pass along to others. You wrote a good post, @mrs.steemit - I had to stop myself from writing another in this comment :)
great info on this. I followed you to learn even more and upvoted!
Good article. Brand is only a "tag" for what you sell.At the end of the day it always comes down to the quality of the "product", your service and your consistency. These days though there is a lot more to be done to get it stick!!!!