Each of the social network sites – LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter & Google all have a “personality” if you will. Take a look at this social media infographic below from LinkingR on how you can befriend your virtual friends Google, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to maximize your effectiveness of building your personal brand in each social circle:

Got thoughts?

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Personal Branding.

One of the Most Important Factors in your Social Media Message.

We have done over 50 seminars on that one subject. Personal Branding for traditional and home businesses.

It seems to be a subject that has gotten to be huge in the home business and social media circles.

But WHAT has NOT been taught on personal branding in social media?

A LOT.

And I am here to tell you that PB evolves daily and transforms into something more powerful about every 6 months in social media and internet marketing.

There are three tips that most do not know about personal branding and I wanted to share them with you. They have really helped us the last several years and hope that they help you.

So far, they have proven to be GOLDEN in our business.

What are they?

1) Quit trying to be Remembered. Become UNFORGETTABLE.

Nike. Tiger. Shaq. Madonna. Reebok. McDonalds. DoshDosh. Mashable. Taylor. Miley. BMW. CitiCorp.

And the list can go on and on.

YOU need to be on this list.

These are ALL unforgettable brands. How did they get that way?

Offer a Message, Image, or Product that is Totally Unique and repeated exposure.

Offer a Message, Image, or Product that is Totally Unique and repeated exposure.

Offer a Message, Image, or Product that is Totally Unique and repeated exposure.

Repeated exposure.

Repeated exposure.

Enough said?

2) Don’t just BE Something. DO SOMETHING.

Actions often are more powerful anchors to the mind than “being phrases.”

I call it “Action Branding.” This is where you go past where most go- and brand yourself with an ACTION that is uniquely yours.

It can be a bodacious give away free action that has never been done before.

Oprah gave away over 100 cars. THAT was bodacious. But you may not be able to afford that-so how about giving away something DAILY?

How about giving something away on people’s BIRTHDAYS?

How about doing a video that is so funny that people pass it along-and it brands you in a  unique way maybe for the holiday season? (THAT is a tip for NOW.)

How about doing a 24 hours podcast-a-thon and doing it LIVE and interview someone every hour in your niche?

These are just a few of the many secrets of “Action Branding.”

3) Quit focusing on your image and start focusing on the EMOTION.

Get this:

It is NOT the image that comes to people first in branding and when they think of you and your brand.

It is the EMOTION they feel again and experience they have had with you they FEEL- first.

THEN they start thinking of the image that pops into their mind.

So…what can you do to get that emotion to a peak positive level?

Start encouraging people when you communicate with them and tell them how wonderful they are with or without your message or product.

Elevate their perspective of who they are and CAN BE.

Let them know that YOU are there to HELP THEM achieve what their goals are for their life and your message or product is secondary to their most ardent desires for their life.

Have emotional colors and pictures connected to your brand. THIS is critical and if you do not know the psychology of colors, then go here.

These are three tips on personal branding that most do not know and I hope that it has given you something to think about in your social media marketing.

blessings…Doug Firebaugh
PassionFire Training
Follow Doug on Twitter

Editor’s note: this post was written by Doug Firebaugh of PassionFire International. If you’re passionate about social media, social media marketing and social networking lifestyle design, contact me about writing an article yourself.

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Cover via Amazon

A few weeks ago when Gary Vaynerchuk @garyvee of Wine Library TV, announced that he was coming to Seattle on October 20th as part of this book tour for his first book, Crush It! I was really jazzed. Then when he asked me to rally the peeps in the Seattle area about him coming to town for Crush It…how could I refuse?

Gary Vaynerchuk coming to Seattle!

Gary was one of the first people I connected with on Twitter when I joined in early 2008. Why? Because Gary is PASSIONATE about what he does. You see it in his videos, you see it in his wine reviews, even his tweets on Twitter when he’s heartbroken after another New York Jets loss. He wears his heart on his sleeve. He has built an INCREDIBLE personal brand through that passion. Gary has been such a FORCE of passion in social media that he’s been all over TV. From CNN, to Ellen and Conan O’Brien, to the Today Show and many appearances across the country speaking about his passion and social media. His passion impacts people’s lives:

Read the rest of this entry »

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Social Media Authority.

Lots of words flying around in the social media arena about Authority.

I have been seeing lots of posts lately all over the place about people that are “johhny come latelies” and making a splash on the social media sphere and bringing a huge list with them and then labeling themselves an “expert” and an “authority”.

Some of these posts and tweets about these social media neophytes have been brutal, while some have been very honest. And to be realistic, some of the these social media neophytes have been blatantly in your face, ”look at me” self promotional, and obviously it’s all about who they are and the numbers they have accumulated as “followers” and “friends” from their list and their friend’s list.

Or is it?

Some of these new to the social media scene, self proclaimed ‘experts” have not even been in social media 6 months. We have been in for over 4 years, and the first year we spent learning, observing and gaining knowledge about this new phenomenon. Yes, you can do it quicker, but I am very deliberate person and want to KNOW that I know that I know what is going on. Then once we felt we were where we needed to be, we started doing some posting and videos.

I have been blessed to travel to over 40 countries and train over a million people in an 11 year span in a particular industry, but that took YEARS to develop before anyone ever took me seriously- if they even do now.  What seems to be the rub with folks, is that people that have been in social media and PROVEN they are an authority and an undeniable expert  (like Chris Brogan and Scott Monty) still today do not label themselves an “expert.” Check their Profiles.

Scott appeared on Fox news and talked about Ford and Social media. THAT is social proof of Scott’s powerful reach in the national and worldwide social media arena.

That is where the debate has centered, and after watching this debate go on for a few weeks, I was compelled to write a post about what I feel is going on here and why. But this is just my opinion- and I do NOT call myself an Authority or an Expert in social media as I am not. Our company just helps folks and corporations with their strategic planning and execution of social media in the marketplace as many others do with their clients, among all the other things we do.

And the debate seems to all revolve around the evolving power of Social Media Leadership today and many trying to short circuit the leadership path.

It is interesting to note what the dictionary calls an “expert:”

“possessing special skill or knowledge; trained by practice; skillful or skilled (often fol. by in or at): an expert driver; to be expert at driving a car.”

Trained by PRACTICE. This means that it actually takes a while to become an ‘expert” at anything.

Hmmmmm….

In the mid and late 90s; and even early 2001 and 2002, it was all about Internet marketing, and it was HOT. Our companies have been doing Internet marketing for 11 years, and are blessed to bring in a lot of business marketing on the Internet every year. But around 2003 or so, a new Internet vehicle showed up that has actually eclipsed the Internet marketing world, and it is called social media. And because of the newness of it and the unique landscape of it, it eclipsed Internet marketing as far as numbers and being the “hot new thing.”

Many people have joined the social media zone, and for the marketers out there, it seems to have become a literal “feeding frenzy” for new business. And all you have to do is see all the new direct messages, ads, posts, emails, articles, the endless list of events, and giveaways to see that this it truly is an active marketplace.  But that somewhat goes against totally the culture and meaning of social media.

Social media is about GIVING, and then maybe marketing. It is about SOWING and then maybe reaping after a time. It is about TRANSFORMING and then maybe a transaction after that has occurred.

THAT is what the process and culture is about I believe.  And there is NOTHING WRONG at all profiting for your efforts. We do everyday. BUT in social media, following the cultural Leadership process that has been evolving of giving and making a difference is critical I believe. You CANNOT short circuit that path and be a Leader in social Media.

But there is a REAL challenge with that with some folks in the marketplace, as it goes totally against the grain with internet and traditional marketing. Yes, social media is still in diapers, but it is growing and becoming larger everyday attracting many different types of people.

Rule # 1 In Marketing:

To be paid attention to, be noticed, and even listened to online, you need to establish yourself as somewhat of an ‘authority.” Marketers know this. And they are very good at it.  ( FULL Disclosure: I am a marketer and have been for over 20 years.) So knowing that in order for anyone to take you seriously, you must establish some type of an authority and so called “expertise.”

That is where the real debate is-WHAT is happening and what is REAL Authority in social media?

Here is my take:

There are 4 Levels of Authority in Social Media Leadership. But there are 2 main ones:

1) PERCEIVED authority.

2) TRUE Authority.

And it is all about VOLUME vs VALUE.

There are those who follow PERCEIVED Authority -based on the VOLUME of followers that person has. But that person has yet to prove themselves with any social proof of results with their clients or corporations.

Then there are those who follow TRUE Authority – based on the VALUE that person offers to the social media arena, and thus has a lot of followers (i.e Chris Brogan ) and it took time to establish that authority and expertise.

Perceived Authority appears to have more of  a  SELF FOCUSED agenda (just watch their videos and read their profile) while True authority appears to have a more of  SELFLESS focus and is based on GIVING not taking, Helping not hyping.

Many folks that have made a quick name for themselves as they KNOW how to market, have what is called PERCEIVED Authority which even could be considered a False Authority. Nothing wrong with making a
quick name –just know their REAL Authority level.

One person looks for what they can GET OUT of social media. The other looks for what they can PUT INTO social media and grow it and help people do the same.

REAL and TRUE Authority -or-  Perceived and False Authority–that debate rages.

What are the 4 Levels of Authority in Social Media Leadership?

Level 1) (Lowest)  Perceived Authority.

This Authority comes from the image that you market to lists — and is a pure result of marketing which can create a large numbers of followers quickly. Results and Proof are lacking as well as personal connection.

Level 2)  Promotional Authority.

This authority comes from what you promote out into the marketplace about you and your message- and brand into the social media zone. This can come from many arenas, including ads, videos, and personal connections. Some results may be starting to show along the way.

Level 3)  Knowledge Authority.

This Authority comes from having the Knowledge and education about social media and folks realize it and acknowledge it with comments on blogs, videos, and other talking about you and your message. Your
teachings are well read and videos are well watched for content. Results are maturing as your Knowledge grows and matures of social media.

Level 4)  True Authority. (Highest)

This can only come from Consistent, Experienced, Knowledge Driven RESULTS and SOCIAL PROOF. In Social Media Leadership, there are no short cuts, and no hidden trails. True Authority can only come from what you have made happen in the marketplace for you and others over time and consistently. And folks will realize it, and want to be  a part of your Impact, and follow you and befriend you by the tens of thousands with little marketing needed. The word organically gets out.

But there is yet another level of Authority that we all can start with and I will end with:

Lets all work on our own Personal Authority and get as great at social media as we can, and connect and make a difference in as many lives of folks as we can. Anyone can be a Leader in social media, but you must travel the growth cycle to mature into that Leader.

And if we make some revenues along the way nothing wrong with that – as this IS Social media Marketing. But that is only PART of the Focus you should have.

blessings…Doug Firebaugh
PassionFire Training
Follow Doug on Twitter

Editor’s note: this post was written by Doug Firebaugh of PassionFire International. If you’re passionate about social media, social media marketing and social networking lifestyle design, contact me about writing an article yourself.

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“I have a passion for LIFE! A passion to impact people’s lives in a way that their lives are permanently transformed…physically and financially! To live as healthy as I can for as long as I can while leading others who want to do the same on their own terms. A passionate commitment to help others utilize social media and social networking to build a lifestyle, a business.“

From the moment my body registers it’s morning, my brain is thinking about my passion, I’m up and out of bed, motivated by this passion, filled with energy until I hit the pillow in exhaustion at the end of the day…only to dream about my passion! It brings a smile to my face and often some song to my heart, my lips, and occasionally a few Twitter “tweets”! LOL

Speaking of PASSION…

One of my favorite peeps in the social media networking community, Alejandro Reyes, a passionate “successfool”…who built a lifestyle around his passion. He’s an amazing guy with an incredible heart for the people he comes into contact with. You can read that latest on Alejandro from this great piece about the story of Alejandro Reyes becoming Internet Famous.

Alejandro was on his TV show SuccessFool.tv last August and his topic was The 10 Commandments of Passion with his mentor, Gary Zelesky. You’ve got to watch the archived video on Alejandro’s blog if you get a chance.

Here are his passion driven points that a passion filled entrepreneur has that impacts thousands upon thousands of lives:

1. Wealth: If your Passion is not part of what you do you will never be rich!

2: Career/Business: You must build a career/life around Passion to live without regret.

3: Attitude: Your Passion for life will affect your position in life.

4: Significance: If you do not define your Passion someone else will!

5: Responsibility: Do what you must while you focus on your Passion.

6: Balance: Core values are the difference between Passion and Obsession.

7: Time: Manage your Passion not simply your time.

8: Resiliency: Passion never dies it only gets buried through negativity.

9: Goals: Your goals without passion are fantasy!

10: Enthusiasm: Passion is the fuel of the soul that moves your goals forward to completion.

Are you TRULY passionate about what you do? Successful people are driven by their passion!

Looking for more passion examples? I asked the Twitter community that follows me, “What is it that you are passionate about?”  Here’s some of the responses I got about their passion:

kiwichamp @TimothyCarter Helping others be all they were born to be, using their God given talents to the max, as I do the same 10:26 AM October 05, 2008

danim24 @TimothyCarter empowering others, living the life u deserve, being a lifelong learner, laughter, friendship, teaching/coaching, be bold! 10:37 AM October 05, 2008

Luxetips @TimothyCarter My kids, my work, my travel…priceless10:56 AM October 05, 2008

AmyDymond @TimothyCarter All of Design, The journey of life, Seeing people succeed in realizing their dreams, Writing,Imagination,Connection,Seattle. 12:24 PM October 05, 2008

inspiremetoday @TimothyCarter I’m passionate about making a difference in the world. 03:10 PM October 05, 2008

jilliebfree @TimothyCarter I’m passioate about balance in mind, body and spirit. If you can get that , the rest takes care of itself. 03:23 PM October 05, 2008

Mark_Salinas @TimothyCarter Passionate about family, fitness and a well rounded health! Every waterfall starts with a drop! 10:46 AM October 06, 2008

So as you can read, these people are driven by their heart & mind…their passion! And I hope you are driven by your passion too! What is your passion? What gets you out of the bed every morning full of excitement and energy? Share it in the comments! Don’t be shy!

What are YOU passionate about?

~TC

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Your blog is the hub of your social media networking activities. It’s where you establish and develop your personal brand. Where people come to find out about you, learn more about you, and about the niche you’ve passionately decided to actively participate in. Blogging is the cornerstone to all of your social media activities.

In the last couple of weeks I’ve received emails and DM’s on Twitter about where is the best place to learn about personal brand blogging without spending a lot of money. Well…how about from a true expert and the cost is free?

One of leading voices in social media and definitely in building personal brand online is personal brand expert Dan Schawbel who wrote the top selling book, Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success.

Dan made available prior to the release of Me 2.0, a fantastic 52 page ebook that you can gain immense value from. This one ebook alone will DEFINITELY shorten your learning curve on how blogging can develop “your brand”.

Why blog for your personal brand?

There are so many reasons why blogging is good for your personal brand.
A blog allows you to position yourself as an expert in your field and
blogs rank very high in Google because there’s fresh content, they are
keyword rich and people link to them often.  Blogs allow you to build a
community around a topic, network professionally, and hopefully make
new friends.  A blog will help you become a more proficient writer,
gain confidence in yourself and it will make you feel empowered to
reach to the stars.  From a marketing standpoint, you can get your
message out for free and command the attention of the media.  There’s
also bloggers who make money with advertising and AdSense.

DOWNLOAD: “Blogging Your Brand: A Complete Guide to Your Success!”

Click here to download

You would also greatly benefit from subscribing to his RSS feed. His Personal Branding Blog has a never ending stream of content that will develop you. Has anyone implemented what Dan shares in the ebook? And for those of you who do download it, come back and describe the changes you made to your blog. Keep learning…keep taking action!

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