When you look at the mega successful people in internet marketing they seem to have one thing in common. They stand out in a crowded marketplace. In simple terms they used their personality to make money on the web. Some call it personality marketing or branding. Others call it buzz marketing.
The truth is people like to do business with people they like. You’ll stand out a lot more by being helpful, likable and unique.
Online this seems to be truer than in some other medias. When you’re dealing with websites and digital media it’s so important to display personality in your marketing.
There are thousands of websites on the internet with many selling the same things. To make money on the web you need to stand out by putting a little personality into your marketing or creating a buzz.
How can you do that?
Here are 3 tips to get you started:
#1 – Don’t be Bland.
Vanilla is never the flavour of the month. Let’s face it there are more exciting flavours around. When it comes to making money on the internet you don’t want to be bland. Avoid being just like everyone else.
It’s tempting to copy others. In fact I have been told to watch what others do and copy them. That’s true up to a point but you have to put your own spin on it.
Certainly don’t copy other boring or bland websites. Instead think about your business and your vision. Let your website show people what you and only you are all about – never mind what everyone else is doing.
Spice up your marketing by adding your unique style of writing, design and personality to everything you do.
#2 –Become a Super Size
A lot of people have predefined ideas of how they should be. A lot of it stems from the way we have been brought up.
But when it comes to your business it’s important to let the real you shine through. Think about what personality trait got you into trouble when you were at school. That is probably the exact trait you need to let shine through.
Everything in your business should reflect who you are and what you stand for. If you write in a passionate clear voice that reflects your ethos you can’t fail but to inject your personality into your marketing.
#3 – Create your Identity
When you register on a forum or social media site you are creating an online personality in your profile.
It might be tempting to only fill in the bare essentials but it’s really worth taking the time to fill in all those profile questions.
It’s essential to plan out before you start joining these sites exactly what is your overall personality? Are you traditional or trendy? Are you geeky or creative? What is your business about?
Every time you post comments on blogs or forums you are leaving a bit of your personality and expertise behind. Have you ever checked out someone’s profile on a forum only to find it’s a compete blank? It’s a lost opportunity if you haven’t completed yours.
If you want to make money on the web try personality marketing. It means putting “you” into your business. What do you do to put “you” into your business?
Hey Sandy,
Great post, I happen to like Vanilla Ice Cream, but I totally see the point you are making.
Buzz and brand are highly important, if people like and trust you, they will buy from you.
The part about “what’s your personality” got me thinking…. hmmmm hope people think I am genuine and funny, ha ha.
To me, you come across as very honest, caring and willing to help others, not just in this business for a fast buck!
Really cool post, I enjoyed reading it,
Speak soon, Sally 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the post Sally and thanks for the compliments. With my background I guess you could say I am a carer at heart and it’s in my nature to help people.
Sandy
Hi Sandy,
Very Simple Yet Good Tips you have here.
I had learned in my many years as a sales and marketing person that there is no One-For-ALL methods or ways as a sales person. There are still a lot of companies out there focus on standard sales pitches in their training.
What I found over the years that our Personality play a large part of your success in sales. My boss stripped me off from my sales job function last year, wanting me to focus only on marketing aspect of my job.
Up to now, my client still call me for help whenever they face problems with the new sales person who took over. Nobody understand why, but the truth is I treat each of client as a unique person and so do they.
This is even more true in the online world. Treat me as a person, a real person.
Our personality is our brand in the online world.
And thanks for your Tip no.3. I am going to schedule a time to revamp my profile on all my online community this week.
Cheers
Jason Ser
P/S: I think you should used this post to joined the recently started [100 Blog Comments Challenge] by Jacinta Dean. It will be a blast. Go to my blog and click on the [100 Meaningful Connection] page to find out more.
Thanks for the tip about the 100 blog Challenge. I’ve signed up for it.
Oh, no not more blog hopping!
Sandy
Hi Sally
I totally agree with trying not to be bland with your website and trying to do things a little differently can be a lot more fun too.
I like the Vanilla analogy…it’s very true..and as I read it I fancied a bowl of cornish vanilla…it is my favourite of all time.
Cheers
Steve
Hi Sandy
Sorry – I spelled your name wrong. I had Halliday in my head and I Heard Halli and wrote Sally..oops sorry
Steve 🙂
It’s OK Steve. For some reason I get called Sally quite a lot. I could never understand why.
So you are not the first by a long shot nor will you be the last I don’t suppose.
I’m used to it!
Sandy
Hi Sandy, excellent advice. I always fill in my profile but only with what i do not who i am. I’m going to go back and see where i can improve them.
I’m with Steve on the ice cream, I’m looking for raspberry ripple now.
Thanks for the advice Sandy, i’ll be taking it.
Thanks also to Jason Ser for mentioning the 100 Blog Comment Challenge. We now have 46 taking part, 54 to go.
I’ve added your details to the pages Sandy, catch up soon,
Barry
Hi Sandy
Excellent Post! I couldnt agree more with your 3 important points that you have listed. I guess this is why my mentor suggested a self named blog as a way of branding myself and my personality. It is so competetive we have to find some way as you mentioned to stand out from the rest. I find the whole internet marketing business so confusing so many different people telling you that they have the next big thing since sliced bread. It can be quite daunting to sort out what is genuine.
Thanks for your down to earth tips.
Hi Stan, Thanks for visiting my blog. You’re right it’s easy to get distracted by all these offers that come flooding into our inboxes but as many mentors say you have to focus on one thing at a time and complete what you started.
Sometimes we get so caught up in it all that we forget the basics.
Sandy
Hi Sandy, standing out of the crowd is the only way to get noticed in today’s business world, online or off. I agree very much that you must let your own uniqueness stand out in such a way that people notice.
There are many ways to do this but I believe one of the most important ways you can stand out of the crowd is by giving and then worry about receiving. In today’s world I believe its a unique way of thinking that will make you shine.
One way you can do this is by the use of a blog to build good relationships by letting people know who you are and what you do in your own unique way furthermore, GIVE valuable information on your posts that will make people notice.
Terry Conti
Hi Sandy,
I guess I was cheeky and a little bit mischievous at school.
Always in detention.
Bit of a practical joker. A lot more serious these days, maybe I should find the old me.
Great blog you have here. Real natural talent for writing.
Pete
Hi Pete, I think you can get away with being a bit cheeky online. Just depends on how it’s done.
I always fancied myself as a writer many years ago when I went to a careers interview. I never imagined
that I would be writing blog posts and eBooks!
An excellent post Sandy, and I think it’s the first time I have seen this issue raised on a blog. 8)
The easiest personality to promote is your own. I think some people make the mistake of pretending to be someone that they’re not.
My blog is all me. However I think I have been too ‘official’ on some of my websites. Thanks to this reminder I’ve realised that my personality may be hidden on my sales pages.
Good luck with the 100 comment challenge Sandy.
John
Hi John, thanks for visiting my blog.
There seems to be some controversy over whether it’s OK to pretend you are something you are not.
I have seen advice to do that but I think it eventually becomes very hard to be something you are not.
I know what you mean by being too official. I think some of my posts in my health niche were a bit official and factual.
We learn as we go along.
Sandy
Hi Sandy, I completely agree that we must make the best use of our personality bith in our blog posts and in the comments we leave for others. Often links to our own blogs will come from other commenters reading our own comments on other blogs.
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy