Branding

If you are wanting to be successful in the internet marketing field, then you are going to have to stand out from the crowd...and let me tell you, that crowd is a multitude!
Whatever it is you are selling, whether it be a product or information, there are literally thousands upon thousands of people who are selling the very same thing as you. How are you going to attract people to you and your website? How are you going to make them choose you over the next person? The only way to do this successfully is by branding yourself.
The meaning of 'brand' in the Webster's dictionary, is a mark made by a hot iron, a trade-mark or a mark of infamy. We are all familiar with the process that takes place in branding an animal. This is done so that the animal is permanently identified as belonging to a specific owner. Fortunately for us, we don't have to go to that extreme to brand ourselves! However, we do have to take some type of action to permanently identify ourselves and what we stand for. This is certainly going to be a lot less painful that hot iron branding but it is also going to be more time consuming.
We should first of all do some soul-searching and self-analysis. Ask ourselves these types of questions.... what are our goals in life? What lasting impression do we want to leave others with? And are we willing to stay the course and be true to ourselves? These are just a few of the questions that will help us get to know ourselves better. This is very important, because once we have done the branding for all to see, it will be very difficult to make major changes. If people catch us out in inconsistencies, then they will look for someone else to relate to and follow.
Once we have decided on what is going to make us unique and make us stand out in the crowd, we have to find a way to be seen and heard. The hottest way to create an identity and a following right now is through the Social Media. Twitter seems to be No. 1 at the moment with Facebook and YouTube following closely behind. It's necessary to have a presence on all three of these sites and by branding yourself as only you can, you will be recognized immediately because of your authenticity.
It is crucial to interact with others. You want people to get to know you as a person....someone they come to like, trust and ultimately follow closely. Make sure you reply to any messages that people send you. Acknowledge them and thank them for wanting to be your friend on Facebook or for following you on Twitter. If they leave a comment on your latest video, send them a thank you posting. You would be surprised at how many people are so wrapped up in themselves, that they never acknowledge these people that are seeking a relationship with them. Folks, this is called 'social networking'! It's all about getting to know people and helping them whenever we can.
I can assure you that if all you have in your head is dollar signs, then that will eventually became evident and people will drop you like a hot potato. They have literally thousands of others to choose to follow and they will go where they can get some of their needs met.
Don't rush into branding yourself. Take the time to think about how you want to come over to people. You obviously don't want to copy the next person....you want to be a unique, interesting individual. I'm sure you will agree, the most successful internet marketers all have a very distinct personality. They are absolutely not clones of each other. Be warned, you cannot build a presence like theirs overnight, but you absolutely can do it. If you read the life stories of these people, you will find that their success was not handed to them on a silver platter. There was a lot of hard work, struggle and sometimes heartache involved. However, they kept their foot on the gas pedal and not on the brake, and they are now reaping the rewards for all their hard work.
There are no two people alike in this entire world. You have to really get this!! You are going to strike a chord with people that relate to you and you alone. They want to follow you and be taught by you. This way you will gradually build up a following. These people will become your 'list' and will be happy to check out whatever it is you recommend, once they have come to know and trust you. You don't want to be one of the crowd, you want to stand out from the crowd! It is possible, just find your own uniqueness.
Jan Shimano was District Manager for Health & Welfare Canada for many years. She was also self-employed as a Nutritional Consultant and a Master Herbalist. She is currently a Business and Health Coach and operates her own internet marketing company from her home on Vancouver Island. Jan invites you to learn more about her at http://www.WealthyHealthyLiving.com and also at her YouTube channel