Monday, April 23, 2012

Is Your Visual Brand Smart?

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Expose counterfeits & empower consumers to buy genuine products.
Official agent of Funky Speakers is SpeakersNet AB
New Branding Techniques For You - DY Works, Award Winning Branding
Expert Author Maria Duron
It's a fact that most people are visual creatures. This is why when it comes to your personal brand, it's important that you grab your audience's attention visually - from your website, to your social media accounts, and even your caller ID, you need to ensure that you're memorable and that people can identify that it's you.
There is too much noise out there which is why it's getting harder and harder for brands stand out. Personal brands also get overlooked even though their impact is stronger than product brands since people are the ones who are doing the interacting.
Since the first thing that people are going to notice is your visual brand, have you taken the steps to ensure that your brand is visually appealing? What are some of the ways you can ensure that your visual brand is smart?
1. Amp up your website/blog design
Your website or blog is one of the first things that people will visit when they want to learn more about you and what you have to offer. Ensure that your website or blog is attractive enough to capture their attention and make them stay long enough to read the content you share. Because even if you have the most amazing content, if no one stays long enough to read it, then people aren't going to know about it.
Your website or blog should represent you and what your brand is all about. Your design should reflect your style and personality - it would be odd, for example, if your design is very dainty and girlish, but your brand is all about rock and roll. So it should help represent you visually to your audience - make sure it's in line with how you want people to view your personal brand.
2. Optimize your social media accounts
Social media is where most people are currently spending their time, which is why it's essential for personal brands to establish their presence in different social networking sites. Though it would be easy to simply create an account and post status updates every other day, it would be better for you to optimize your account so that it is visually attractive and that it represents you.
Facebook, for example, has rolled out a new profile for users - Facebook Timeline. The most distinctive thing about it is the landscape cover that spreads out horizontally at the top of every user's page - it's a great way to enhance your page and establish a unique and distinctive visual brand. Put up a great picture that really represents you so that you can quickly grab the attention of anyone who visits your page.
3. Utilize your visual caller ID
Did you know that you can now control how you appear to people you call and to people who call you? YouMail offers you this option so you can control how your personal brand appears through caller ID. In light of this, you now have the ability to show the image and information you want to portray, and not simply be represented by a random number or even the wrong information.
YouMail's app is called WhoAreYou, and it's a completely free visual caller ID application for android phones. With the use of this app, you have better control of how your personal brand appears so you can ensure that your visual brand is as smart as possible.
4. Consistently use one picture for all accounts
Having one distinctive picture for all of your online accounts can help your visual branding. It helps you become memorable and helps people associate your work with your persona.
Of course, make sure that your picture accurately represents how you look in person, so that people who meet you will be able to remember your online profile. Don't use a picture taken years ago since this will only confuse the people you meet. As a speaker, I've found that it's always beneficial to you to look "better in person" than you do in a photo. So, don't use old photos to depict who you are now. No one appreciates that "bait and switch" feeling when they meet you in person and you look so much older than your profile pictures. Always offer something that is current and updated, as well as something visually appealing.
When it comes to your pose, it depends on how seriously you want to portray yourself. If you're a graphic artist or marketing specialist, for example, you may want a more casual pose that shows you're easy to work with; but if you're a lawyer or doctor, you may want a more professional photo so that people will see you as competent and able to do the job.
Yes, it's time to evaluate your visual brand. Nothing's worse than blending in and becoming a random person among millions of people. Be distinctive, be smart, and be unforgettable with your visual brand.
Maria Elena Duron, CEO (chief engagement officer), buzz2bucks | a word of mouth marketing firm, is skilled at making networks "work" and harnessing powerful online and offline buzz, she facilitates online visibility services and word of mouth coaching and workshops - taking companies and professionals from buzz-worthy to bucks-worthy, http://buzz2bucks.com.

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