How to Market your Brand Online

I first met Mari Smith when she was teaching me via Youtube how to create the background for my Twitter page. As the months progressed I continued studying Twitter and FaceBook marketing strategies and the name Mari Smith kept popping up during my searches. Latter that year I was at an exclusive networking event for speakers and authors and guess who walked through the door?

Mari Smith…The woman who has helped me numerous times to learn about FaceBook and Twitter and she never even knew it.

That is the power of marketing yourself online. Once you create an article, video, Tweet or status update that information will continue to work for you, establishing credibility and building a following for you even though you have moved onto the next project.

When I saw Mari at the conference I said, “Hey, I know you…I have seen your YouTube videos!” (Real professional, right?) A couple of months later I called her up for an interview so she can teach you and I her secrets to becoming known throughout the world by leveraging social media.

Keys to Online Success

Throughout our interview Mari was extremely generous with her time and wisdom. She explained that her success had to do with “Radical Strategic Visibility” which is being seen in the right places by the right people at the right time. Her goal is for people to say, “I see you everywhere.” (which is basically what I said to her the first time that we met.)

Secondly, Smith says that her success online is as a result of her efforts offline. She gives without an expectation of a return (like this interview). In her own words she says, “I give give give and then the law of sowing and reaping will eventually pay me back.

Thirdly, her success online is that she remains extremely accessible. She doesn’t like people to call her a celebrity and doesn’t like to be placed on a pedestol. She stays accessible to her followers.

Lastly, she is consistent. Mari says, “Be congruent. Don’t develop an online persona that you can’t keep up in person. Make sure that all of your profiles have an up to date picture and keep your online personality consistent with your offline personality.”

Cultivate Relationships

Though I have already eluded to this I want to really drive this point home. Your ability to cultivate relationships is probably the most important factor in your success (in any industry). Mari does an amazing job at connecting with her audience. She has a way of connecting with people that really makes you feel like you have known her for years. Though her business is globally known, the feel of her organization is like a storefront grocery in small town USA.

That’s what you want.

Give from your Saucer

When asked what her secret was for creating this culture she replied, “Give from your saucer. (not your cup) I make the time to answer people’s questions, and take the time to respond to people with questions.”

Something worth mentioning is what Mari concluded with. She said, “I take the time to build the relationship with myself.” If you don’t take the time to build the relationship that you have with yourself, then you will have nothing to give to the multitude of people who are pulling on you, and seeking your advice on a daily basis.

Take the time to fill up your own cup so that you can give from your saucer.

Mari Smith is someone that you should connect with on FaceBook. She will help you with your FaceBook and Twitter questions…take my word.

Related posts:

1. How to Market Your Business Online
2. Twitter Statistics 2009
3. Online Marketing Strategies for Small Business
4. 2009 FaceBook Statistics
5. 5 Creative Ways to Use Twitter Lists