| Quick, think of McDonalds! Did the golden arches | | | | colors, tagline and brand in general should inspire trust. |
| come to mind? Sure they did. Why? Because | | | | Once you have chosen your brand, be consistent. Put |
| McDonalds has THE most recognizable brand in the | | | | that brand on everything! Your brand should be on |
| world. No matter what country you are in, people | | | | your business cards, letterhead, Social Networks and |
| know what McDonalds is because they have a simple | | | | traditional advertising. |
| brand that they have stuck with for years. What can | | | | This brings me to Social Media Marketing. Social |
| we learn from the golden arches? Branding works | | | | Networks are a wonderful way to brand your small |
| and here is the short list of how to make it work for | | | | business without the huge investment that traditional |
| you. | | | | marketing brings. It cost's nothing to sign up on |
| Take some time to think about how you want to | | | | Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, StumbleUpon, Digg, |
| brand yourself. Really choose wisely your logo, catch | | | | YouTube and so on. Make sure your brand is |
| phrases, and taglines. You want your brand to stick | | | | consistent throughout your Networks and this will |
| with your business forever. Rebranding can | | | | gain the brand recognition you seek. If you keep |
| be done, but it's very, very difficult even on a huge | | | | up your networks correctly, in other words, connect |
| budget, so imagine how hard it would be on your | | | | with your fans, post regularly, answer questions on |
| small business budget. So think before you leap. Hire | | | | time, offer advice when appropriate, link with groups |
| a graphic artist to help you create a logo if your not | | | | and in general use your time wisely, people will start |
| terribly creative. This will bring return on investment, | | | | to recognize your brand and advocate for it. And |
| so spend the money and do it right. Same thing with | | | | this, kind reader, is the point, to have advocates for |
| your tagline. You want this tagline to tell people in a | | | | your company, brand and services. They are like an |
| few short words who you are and what your | | | | army of marketers for your company. It's the kind |
| business can do for them. You also want to think of | | | | of advertising business' dream of and can't buy |
| color. The colors of your logo and business are going | | | | anywhere else. |
| to be with you for the life of your business as well. | | | | Take time, brand correctly and be consistent with |
| Make sure they are not only colors you can live with, | | | | your brands on your Social Networks and you'll be on |
| but like looking at because they will be on your | | | | your way! |
| business cards, letterhead, everywhere. Your logo, | | | | |