When promoting a positive image and unique presence, a brand needs to keep in mind it’s about connecting with the audience and customers. By doing so, the brand creates a path for customers to build relationships, spread the word and keeps them coming back for more.  One way this is done is to put a face behind who your customers and audience speak and do service with on Social Media. As a consumer on Social Media , this is something I and many others look for to help get a better feel and understanding of who we are conversing with but what some look for doesn’t stop there.

The key to keeping the positive image and presence is to be authentic, original and unique in doing so. This is done by enhancing it through the use of video which takes it above and beyond the profile face pictures you find on other brands websites, blogs and Social Media platforms. By using video, a brand is giving their audience and consumers a look from the outside in and further deepening the connection. There are several ways to make this happen.

• Create a short video with enthusiasm from each team member within the brand. No one likes, “Just another boring video” so it’s important to create it with zazz and make it interesting and fun. In this video, state your name, what your position is, and what makes your position fun and enjoyable.

• Give your audience and consumers a look into the daily life by showing them around your companies work environment in a different video. Put them in your shoes. After all, they are your brand and fuel your success and growth.

• Create an additional personal video of the person responsible for managing the Twitter account. Basically, the person tweeting and engaging. If more than one individual tweets from the account, make sure each one has a personal video. Tweet the video link at the start of each day or when the account is changing users. Include in the video the person’s name, a relevant greeting and the question, “Is there anything that I can help you with today?”

• Thank your consumers and audience weekly in a video. Give a shout out to people on Twitter that follow you, people that have liked your brand page on Facebook. Make it personal, show gratitude and let them know they are never forgotten.

• Post all videos on the brands YouTube account, landing page on Facebook  and Twitter as I discussed above. As far as the team video, post it on the brand’s website as a welcome.

By using video, the brand is raising their profile, promoting a positive image and enhancing brand value for others. This connects the brand with their customers and audience in a unique way and shows them the brand has took the time to create it for them. Basically saying, we care about and value our audience and consumers. I understand this might be time consuming but by investing in this time it is sure to create a remarkable ROI as many customers are looking for this type of aspect in a brand and sharing what the brand is doing.

So is your brand ready to enhance their image and presence by being unique, authentic and make a lasting impression through the use of video?

At approximately 5:30pm, I was sitting in my home here in Caldwell County doing some work as the local news station broke into regular broadcasting with the first tornado warning issued for Rutherford County progressing into Burke and parts of Caldwell.

Upon receiving the warning for Caldwell, I immediately began to see flashes of light from the fierce lighting and hear loud rolling thunder along with rain drops pelting against the windows. I then decided to secure myself in a closet where I was very frightened which was immediately taken away by my Twitter community as I had my iPhone with me checking for updates.

In closing, no damage is reported in my immediate community but just a short distance away in Granite Falls area a home was leveled with reports of boats at a Lake Hickory Marina being flipped over.

Photo Courtesy of Brad Panovich of WCNC TV

In the adjacent counties of Burke and Rutherford, total destruction is being reported in hardest hit areas, (Bradshaw RD, Icard and Ellenboro community), with at least 30-50 homes and structures suffering major damage and complete devastation along with many pets wondering around the rubble. I am happy to report that no deaths are being reported and around a dozen individuals with minor injuries.

Photo Courtesy of Burke Weather Inc.

Photo Courtesy of WCNC TV

Photo Courtesy of WCNC TV

Photo Courtesy of WCNC TV

Photo Courtesy of Diane Gallagher

Photo Courtesy of Diane Gallagher

Photo Courtesy of Diane Gallagher

Photo Courtesy of News Channel 13

Photo Courtesy of WCNC TV

After seeing all the major damage and interviews with neighbors, I am very thankful I was spared. Despite many families losing all they have, they are all optimistic and thankful to be alive by saying, “It wasn’t luck nor a miracle. It was the grace of God.”

I ask that you remember all individuals affected by the storm in your prayers including officials and others helping with cleanup. Burke Weather Incorporated is meeting today with Samaritan’s Purse and others to put into action a call for volunteers.

For further updates throughout the day and to see additional images, follow me on Twitter @JasonPromotesU and by following #NCWX

2013 ILX

2013 RDX

- Be open to suggestions from customers of what they want to see.

- Have a rapid response time for customer service questions. Show the customer they are valued and you care.

- Do a short interview video with current clients conveying to others how you have helped them grow. Same goes for consumers who have bought your products.

- Follow up with every client. This shows you never forget them and are willing to keep a built relationship.

- Have a presentation ready showing your company in action doing business.

- Show you’re listening by responding.

- Be willing to build your services or products around clients/customers needs and wants, putting them first.

- Convey that you are willing to connect globally.

Basically, just make the client/customer feel at home and successful. All the things I have talked about can help mold your business into a success. Does your business or company practice Business Etiquette? I encourage you to add to my list of ideas and recommendations in a comment. Until next time, Happy Blogging.

Social Media Love is a community you can visit daily on Facebook to share, inspire and support. In addition, I have created the community for you to share ideas and get your daily dose of LOVE. A community designed for YOU and about YOU. So join us as we make a difference in Social Media. We never know who may be looking for that special phrase, “You are loved” or “You are appreciated.”

1. Create a personal and memorable experience. Interact with your audience daily to ensure they know you acknowledge them. Surprise with a “Thank You” and “How is your day going?” Respond to all negative and positive feedback publicly. Show them you care and value them.
2. Handle customer complaints in a timely manner. Be ready with an answer to a question and solution to a problem. Do this by coming up with possible questions that may be asked or possible problems that may arise. Then activate a plan into action to be ready.
3. Let your audience know they are your brand. Ask what they want to see. Then listen, respond and deliver. After all, a brand with no audience results in no brand and no sales.
4. Work together as a team. Collaborate, hear all ideas and assign each person a task accordingly. Always have a back up person trained to handle online management in Social Media in case others are sick.
5. Make your online presence FUN. Let your audience know you are relaxed and inviting. Tweet and post humor, offer contests. Great aspect to have to show that you are friendly and ready to take the brand to relationship building.
6. Plan ahead for the week. Have a backup strategy plan in place. Do this by creating a weekly agenda to help the brand stay on task and moving forward. It is important to always think ahead.
7. Create content that defines the brand as a valuable resource and engages. Ask questions for feedback, share articles that answers commonly asked questions. Keep it relevant and to the point. Never confuse!

Brand Management on Social Media becomes a difficult task for some brands as they don’t take the time to adapt to where new media is today. Brand success begins when the brand works together behind the scenes planning to create an experience unlike any other. The main focus I am conveying here is give your audience reason to connect, share, build a relationship  and go viral with your brand. The key ingredient to online brand management in social media is engage but do it in a unique and authentic way. Make the brand POP with awesome.

How is your brand handling online brand management in Social Media? Are you making it POP?

Orlando – Leigh Caldwell – @ThemeParkMom – TravelingMamas.com - ThemeParkMom.com – Family Travel, Mom Blog

Orlando – Rori Paul – @RoriTravel - RoriTravel.com - Florida Travels

Fernandina Beach – Lillie McFerrin – @LillieMcFerrin - LillieMcFerrin.blogspot.com - Writing and Aspiring Authors

Jacksonville – Melissa Rorabaugh – @TubsWife Life as Pastor’s wife @PastorTub – MyLife-TubsWife.tumblr.com - Christ Follower, Living under God’s word.

Miami – Trish – @Dayngr – Dayngrous Discourse – Focuses on life as a sassy Social Media Influencer, New Media Darling, Blogger, Entrepreneur and Mom

Gainesville – Mohana Rajakumar – @Moha_Doha – Mohanalakshmi.com – Living, Working, Writing in Doha Qatar

Are you a California blogger? Let me know in a comment or on Twitter @JasonPromotesU and I will get you added. Time to expand your blog network.

Matt – @MIFuller – JacksonFuller.com – San Francisco, San Francisco Real Estate