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Don’t forget about Identity
Posted on August 13th, 2009 by and currently 18 commenting.I’m talking to you “everyone should be using social media” folks. And I’m tired about talking about social media. So let’s talk about something that’s way, WAY bigger: your identity. Your brand. Who you are and what you believe in as a company. Your culture. All of it - it’s your identity.
Who are you?
And before you can think about the tools, before you get yourself all tool and tactic-ized to death, remember that it has to be rooted in you. Your tone-of-voice. Your attitude. Your language. And be authentic to you. I hate to use Apple as an example (because everybody uses them as an example for everything), but the company that just about everyone strives to be like has just about no presence in social media. Why? Because they are being true to who they are.
If you’re struggling with your identity, then you’re probably struggling with everything else. And the beautiful thing is that once you really know who you are and why you exist, everything else becomes clear as day. How you should engage people. What tools you should use. How you should reframe the conversation. What conversations you should even be participating in.
Everything starts with identity. And if you’re reading this and feel a pit in the middle of your stomach, then maybe it’s time to do something about it instead of starting that Facebook Fan page for your company.
I’m just sayin’.
Tags: branding, Facebook Fan page, Identity, identity development, Social media, Social Media Tools, What you stand for, who you are
18 Responses to “Don’t forget about Identity”
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Don’t forget about Identity [link to post] -
Thanks for giving me permission to not really enjoy twitter! I think I’ll pull out some lovely stationery, a fountain pen and communicate my way!
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First, I’m new to your blog. Second, you have this dead on! I wish there were more people out there explaining the truth about identity and social media. Looking forward to reading more in the future.
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Don’t forget about Identity (social media) [link to post] -
Don’t forget about Identity: [link to post] -
As a sole proprietor, I’ve come to realize not only do I have to brand my company, I need to express my personal brand and develop my own voice aside from my company’s. Personal branding is as important as business branding, but not only for the small business person like me, but for those in the corporate realm as well. In an age where so few seem to be secure in their job, branding oneself has become critical to survival. When the guy from XYZ company is laid off and he’s only ever been known as “the guy from XYZ company,” because he never built his own brand or identity, he has a steeper climb when trying to find his way back on the horse.
I like how you’ve phrased this. If someone is still struggling with their identity, then most likely, the rest is still not coming together very well. Maybe digging deeper and finding one’s personal brand can help bring the company’s brand and identity to the forefront easier. Personally, I had to struggle with “what and who am I” before I was able to figure out what my company could be. I’m still new enough that I’ve just begun to figure it out and FINALLY – that pit in the middle of my stomach that you mention has begun to melt!
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Don’t Forget Identity ~ Insightful post from @spikejones [link to post] -
You are so right!
Marketers are too quick to focus on the how without really defining the why.
Social media is no different from older marketing tactics like premiums, direct mail, email marketing, etc. Our tactics are always evolving.
Why spend time and money trying to get your customers’ attention if once you have it, you can’t articulate with conviction who you are or what you have to offer?
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For in-house marketing folks, this is our biggest challenge as most execs choose no identity at all. Subconsciously, it’s about job preservation…”If I do nothing, then nothing can get pinned on me if things go wrong”.
If more people shook free of this lie and were driven by the possibility of greatness we wouldn’t need to reference Apple so much.
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Props to Bev! Do your own thing and don’t let anyone tell you different. Even if it is more time consuming, people will remember it and it will leave more of an impression.
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Funny how it always comes down to First Principles: Who are you? What are your goals? Social media won’t solve that for anyone. But, if a company neglects to own and shape their identity, you can bet that social media participants will define it for them, usually with bad results.
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amen bro!
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A reminder of something more important than social media - [link to post] -
[link to post] Let’s NOT talk about social media tactics -
BRAVO!
Very well written ….specially resonated with the lines….“”If you’re struggling with your identity, then you’re probably struggling with everything else. And the beautiful thing is that once you really know who you are and why you exist, everything else becomes clear as day.”"
Maybe because that’s where I am today
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[...] 1. Chris Brogan – ‘You Are the Captain‘ 2. Paul Isakson – ‘Tools Don’t Build Things. People Do.‘ 3. Brains On Fire – ‘Don’t Forget About Identity‘ [...]
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[...] Brains On Fire Blog » Blog Archive » Don’t forget about Identity "I’m talking to you “everyone should be using social media” folks. And I’m tired about talking about social media. So let’s talk about something that’s way, WAY bigger: your identity. Your brand. Who you are and what you believe in as a company. Your culture. All of it – it’s your identity." (tags: brand brainsonfire identity) [...]
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Rob Salmon September 3rd, 2009 at 4:00 am
Werd———-
