subject: Brand Consultancy and Social Media: How and Why [print this page] Brand Consultancy and Social Media: How and Why
Brand consultancy is dangerous business. Ok, maybe not dangerous in the cloak-and-dagger sense, but dangerous in the potential it wields. Brand consultancy has the potential to make or break a business, company, person or idea. Puts a bit of a new perspective on the whole notion, doesn't it? As with any dangerous enterprise, perhaps the most important tools are preparation and knowledge of the dangers.
Some tips for dealing with this new "danger" of social media combined with brand consultancy:
Know the medium. It is well worth the time and energy invested to know the workings of various social media outlets. They are here to stay. Time--and money--spent determining how they fit into your overall plan is time and money well spent that will yield significant returns. Leave room for failure here, people. Rome wasn't built in a day and social media won't be mastered in the first go-round, either.
Recognize. Brand consultancy is changing due to social media; this is fact, not fiction. Social media has enabled savvy users to brand themselves without the necessary budgets of the "olden days" of marketing. The people who are attempting to brand themselves are the very people you should be communicating with as they have proven their willingness to enter this bold and brave new world.
Research, research, research. What is being said 'out there' about your product? How can those who are attempting to brand themselves be linked up with your company/product? Those who are on the cutting edge of this branding are the very people you want to be diagloging with on a regular basis. They are answering your questions;asking the right questions is the key to success in this brave new world.
Review, review, review. If something is not working, stop and determine why. Ask questions. Go on the offensive in conversations.
Making social media work "for" you rather than "against" you is the biggest challenge facing producers, companies and marketers in today's rapidly changing sales environment. Investing the time and talent to accomplish this task will reap great dividends for those who are up to the challenge.
