At any rate, in the spirit of adventure, and of practicing what I was busy preaching to a lovely branding consultation client today, I’m launching a Facebook ad campaign.  Please oh please don’t search for me and then skew the results — just know that I will report whatever happens.  Even if it means I get 0 clicks per day and 0 inquiries, total.

I’ve created two VERY different ad campaigns set to run at the same time, to the same demographic, with the same budget per day, for one week.  And whatever I learn, I’ll share.  I’ve targeted the people I *THINK* will be interested in my product, and I’m anxious to see the results.

Copyright Bill Watterson

More importantly, I’m anxious for you to have an adventure of your own.  You can read all the books about best business practice in the world, or you can learn from experience.  So put yourself out there — market the everloving hell out of your artwork, your services, your experience….and see what happens.

I’d love to hear about it!  brandcamponline@gmail.com

Want to read it on the blog? ADVENTURE, TOGETHER.

1.) Username.

Do you have just one username, and is it consistent across platforms?  For example, are you listed on Facebook as Lauren L. Hammerstein, on Twitter as LaurenLeeH, and on your website as LLH Photo?  (See how that can be confusing?)  If you can, get a new username or switch your existing URL — this can be done quite easily on Twitter — to reflect your ONE chosen username.  Whatever that is.

2.) Avatar.

How’s your avatar looking?  Christine Tremoulet is an excellent example of having a memorable avatar, and I’ve seen it all over the place — Twitter, PhotoLovecat, FStopBeyond — it’s her.  I may not even recognize her in another image, because I’d be convinced of her just having a little red wall behind her wherever she goes.

3.) Logo.

It hurts me to say it, but I have to ask : are you using just one logo?  Yes’m, I just wrote that.  I’ve seen different logos being used on assorted marketing materials for the same company.  Not iterations, but full-blown entirely-different logos on currently-circulating materials.

Please, fix it.

If your username, avatar, and logo are consistent, we’ve come to the final stage of Brand Check:

4. Message.

Copy and pricing send a message, but is it the one you’re trying to convey?

When your marketing materials, web design, and general web presence scream high-end, but you’re selling a 5×7″ FINE ART print for $15 (I saw this done today, and have to mention it), your brand is NOT consistent with your message.  The $15-shoppers are looking for keywords like ‘value’ and ‘affordability,’ not ‘decor’ and ‘fine art’ of any kind.

Ultimately, the more consistent you are with your message, the stronger your brand becomes.  The stronger your brand becomes, the more clients you attract, etc, etc…world domination follows.  But you’re going to have to pick just one logo first.

Want to read it on the blog? BRAND CHECK! CONSISTENCY IS KEY.