Twitter - more than a soapbox!

A lot of people think of Twitter as a ONE-TO-MANY platform of communication. Yes, you can reach the masses but Twitter has grown because of its ability to connect people tribe to tribe. It's not about reaching woman aged 35 to 49. You aren't just reaching markets; you're reaching targeted people who are genuinely interested in what you have to say.

If you use Twitter more like a ONE-TO-ONE communication platform, you'll have more success with it. Think of it as telling your close friend something important to improve their life in some small way or to connect them with someone who can help them accomplish something. Every time you use Twitter to tell your followers that you "like the colour blue", you risk using them.

Ask yourself these important questions before you tweet:

1. Am I sharing useful information that can make a difference in some or all of my followers lives?

2. Is it what I want to say or what THEY want to hear... focusing on the latter builds a richer brand and more respect for you and your advice.

3. Does it have longevity? The answer doesn't always have to be yes... but it lives online and when it's archival information, it has more value for longer.

4. Is it relevant to your company or personal brand... is it what people signed up for?

5. When was the last time I tweeted? This one is tricky. If you tweet too much, people tend to ignore the majority of tweets due to their busy lives. If you tweet too little, you aren't top of mind. It's important that you find the right mix for your followers and only YOU can determine that.

Twitter is a great tool but if you abuse it or over use it, it can work against you. Only you can know what strategy works best for your brand and your followers so do take the time to think seriously about the Value Proposition for them. You'll be glad you did.

by Laura James, Producer at VideoBIO

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5 WAYS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR PERSONAL BRAND

In today’s ever-changing virtual landscape of social networking, information sharing, and communication, it is important to have a firm grasp on who you are and what you can offer to the world. You already have a personal brand, whether you are conscious of it or not. It is how people perceive you. The stronger your brand, the more you will stand out against the clutter of the web.

Here are 5 simple things that you can do today to strengthen your personal brand:

1. 1. State your value in one sentence.

It is important to create a one-liner that encapsulates who you are and offers a glimpse into the value you provide. Use this on business cards, in email signatures, on your social media profiles, and on your website if you have one. A well-written and concise one-liner will capture your audience’s attention.

2. 2. Create a personal pitch.

Your personal pitch expands on your one-liner value statement, and should convince people of your unique value in one minute or less. This is effective in face-to-face communication, and being prepared with a pitch will help you to network in any situation.

3. 3. Maintain your online profiles.

Make sure your online profiles on various social media sites represent you in the best light and be sure your online profiles are representative of how you want others to perceive you.

4. 4. Utilize social media to associate with the right people.

Be active with your social media sites and engaging regularly. Not only will you boost your online presence, you’ll also ensure that you are accessible to all the right people.

5. 5. Showcase your brand with video.

Text on a screen can only go so far, and photographs only tell half the story. Online video is an excellent way to manage your first impression, give your personal brand wings, engage your audience, and extend the reach and impact of your brand in a full communication.

-By Stephanie Kittell, videoBIO Producer