I found an excellent post today by Skellie on northxeast about 15 ways to become an influential blogger. Actually, she gives 17 ways, but that is just an additional bonus in an otherwise comprehensive list. And the great thing about this list is that it doesn’t just work to become an influential blogger – if you apply these things, you have the makings for building a great online reputation.
I won’t go through all of the points as Skellie has covered most of them pretty comprehensively, but I wanted to focus on one point which is absolutely vital for a social media marketing campaign. That is point number 4 in her list – Be Everywhere.
It almost goes without saying but the only way you are going to get noticed is to get out there. People need to know your name if they are going to talk about you, and the only way they are going to know your name is if you give them the opportunity to see it. Whether it is your actual name, or the name of your company, or both, it is important that it becomes familiar – but familiar in the right way, not in the ‘I am going to shout at you loudly so you’ll notice me’ way.
On the internet, get out there by:
- Keeping your profiles up to date: this includes your profiles on business networking sites, social media sites and your own website.
- Get involved, consistently: There is no point making the odd comment here or there on a blog, or posting on a forum once every month or so. You need to be commenting or posting on a regular enough basis that your potential customers and advocates will start to know your name.
- Give away your expertise: Offer to guest post on other blogs or write articles for people. Get involved in group writing projects. We have said it before but people will respond to your generosity, and when imparted on a regular basis, will become synonymous with your name.
- Try new things: There is a new Web 2.0 initiative starting every minute or so it seems. Give them a try. If people know you from other sites, then seeing your name will be a familiar sight for them and will encourage them to use the site.
But getting out of the box isn’t just an online exercise – it is just as important to be everywhere offline as well. Humans have an innate capacity to remember faces – all the more so if they have actually met you and spoken to you. Let them put a face to the name where you can.
- Attend events: Whether they are networking events, or conferences or seminars in your niche, it is good to go along to get to know others and have them get to know you. It is all too easy to get stuck sitting behind a computer – but it is so much nicer to receive a comment on your blog from someone you just met.
- Offer to speak: Granted, many of us have a mortal fear of speaking in public, but if you can overcome that, it is a great idea to take up speaking engagements where you can. If you have a captive audience, they are almost guaranteed to remember your name.
- Set up your own groups: There may be a lack of seminars, training courses or networking events for your niche. So what is stopping you running one yourself? As the organiser, you will gain that recognition.
These are just a tiny number of things you can do to get yourself out there. Undoubtedly, there are only 24 hours in the day and you do need to sleep for a few of them, but take every other opportunity to you can to get everywhere. If you persist, bit by bit your online reputation will grow…
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