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
Hello Sandy,
I like the idea you gave to this post, it’s intriguing and brilliant.
When you said “ when it comes to your business it’s important to let the real you shine through. “ this is powerful to me, and makes me think of how to make true connection between myself and my own blog. Your post makes me learn, learn to come back to the basic and to put my own voice into the blog.
Thank you so much, Sandy.
Cheers.
Connie
Hi Sandy,
Great post I have been reading a lot of branding lately and one common answer keeps coming back.
Be Honest About Who You Are
If you don’t tell the truth you will be found out eventually, then your brand is tarnished!
Be honest and transparent and guys will respect you more.
Hi Daniel, I agree. There is nothing worse than dishonest marketers. I have come across a few in my time.
It does no ones reputation any good.
Sandy
Hi Sandy
Those that are successful all have the traits that you mention, however the other thing they have is self belief.
Having just recorded some videos this week, you can see in them, that I would rather be anywhere else!
Believing in the power and value that you can bring to other peoples lives will make you walk taller and perhaps even comfortable on video.
igor
You are so right igor ( I read the bit about the small i ). You have to believe that you can do it or you will just sabotage all your efforts.
Sandy
Hi Sally,
Great advise for us bland characters!
IM is an opportunity to be bold (without being obnoxious).
Cheers,
Jose
I agree Jose. There is definitely a knack to getting it just right.
Sandy
Hi Sandy,
People want to deal with real like minded people. Don’t follow the sheep. Think out of the box. As I have an offline business customer relationship is very important. Truth, Honesty and of course being yourself.
I have always said treat people how you want to be treated. That is in every aspect of your life. Be the trend setter not thr trend follower.
Will have to think about my profile on so many sites I have registered now Sandy. Got me thinking
Thanks
Craig
Hi Sandy!
Thanks for sharing these 3 excellent tips. Without adding a little personality in your marketing then you will find it hard making money online.
People like doing business with people they like and trust so do the buyers. Most people will NOT buy if they don’t like the owner of the product (even if it’s a first-rate product).
Take care,
Andreas
Hi Sandy
Thanks for the branding idea. I always thought it better to talk about concepts, but through internet, I can see how “knowing someone” would be very helpful. There has to be a “person” there somewhere.
Thanks : )
Great post Sandy!
Came over to continue the conversation, and I think this post is well constructed and touches on the most important ingredient in any successful blog – PERSONALITY
I am actually in the middle of doing a HUGE experiment with this, where I am writing guest posts to some big blogs all infused with more personality than helpful info, then I will drive traffic back to my blog where I will post on the importance of personality in writing, like you have done here. Mind if I still some ideas 🙂
Thanks for a great post Sandy
Be my guest Alex. Sounds like a good idea. Will be making a point of visiting your blog to see what you have written.
Sandy
Hi Sandy
This is such an important post.
Personality is everything in online marketing.
You must stamp your uniqueness on every message.
Good luck with the challenge and with your business.
All the best
Eamon
Great article, but I feel you limit yourself by saying this goes for internet marketing.
This rule goes for all marketing, in every industry and for any product.
You need to create a “brand identity”. A promise to the customer of what you are going to deliver.
Just look at cars and all of their problems and then look back at internet marketers. In many ways it is the same, you can promise a great driving experience or teachings from a interesting individual and so on.
The 3 tips you highlight are the core of any successful business.
Thanks a lot for the article as it is truly important for everyone to know about them.
Hi Sandy,
Really good advice on how to create a presence online using your personality. I think everybody would be smart to listen to your advice.
Thanks for sharing this with everybody!
Peace,
Darren L Carter
Hi Sandy, This is indeed a topic which has been ignored by many experts & professionals. You have done a great job by bringing this topic into light. I hope quality discussions follow this post. Great job.
Hi Sandy,
Just read your post. You are so right, personality is what separates us all. We are all unique and all have a story.
Pierrette & I are here from the 100 comment challenge at http://theequest.com/?p=3018.Please come and see us?
We are in the Perfect Health field.
You mentioned your interest? Are you still into Health?
Thanks for being the real you.
I love your attitude,
Pierre.
Hi Pierre, Yes I am very much into health. I intend to live healthily to a ripe old age!
Sandy
Hi Peirre, Thanks for visiting. Yes I am still very much into health. I am very passionate about it and still write about it on my detox blog http://thedetoxspecialist.com/blog . My passion for getting the information out there led me into internet marketing. The 2 go hand in hand.
Sandy
Hi Sandy,
Excellent post on a subject rarely mentioned.
Sales professionals say that people buy off people they like. If this is true in personal dealings, then it is essential in the online environment.
Making your site stand out from the crowd is one way to get ahead of the competition, being different is another. It’s not hard to make the difference but the results can make it all worthwhile.
Regards,
Bill
Hi Sandy,
Great tips and hints! I try my best to inject my self on my blog as well as when I communicate with people. I luv using the smilies as a way of showing personality and mood! 😛
Regarding what I used to get in trouble for at school. That would be cracking jokes! saying silly comments (hence I often refer myself as bimbo! :lol:) and being a smart little bugger when I wanted to be! I did have a brain I was just lazy at using it!
I hope you have been finding the challenge fun. I have finally been able to start blog hopping to check up on everyone. Got to visit another 60 blogs in the next 3 days! oops on that one!.
A few people have mentioned they have had trouble leaving comments on your blog. Are you checking your spam folder?
Hope all is going well.
Cheers
Jacinta 😀
Hi Jacinta, I am getting all the comments. I think it is because of the plugin I have that automatically directs them to some resources when they try to leave the site. Using the submit comment button seems to trigger it and they think it’s not working. May have to deactivate it.
Sandy
Hi Sandy,
Just be yourself is great advice to anyone working online. It is very important that your personality comes through.
I like the vanilla analogy Sandy, there is nothing worse than a bland website to drive your visitors away.
Good luck with the challenge Sandy, I look forward to visiting your blog again soon.
Kindest,
Brian
A fantastic article Sandy and great advice! You’ve picked an excellent topic and one that always draws my attention. If someone does something different or unique then I take a little more notice. I especially like it when someone has created a profile that is clear and concise. That’s often a difficult task for folks starting out who haven’t defined their market or their mission in that market. Most know what a brand is but not how to go about creating one. Your article is a great place to start. Good luck in the challenge ahead and be well, Steve D
That was a great post. Good advice!
Though one of my main personality traits is shyness. How do you make that shine? How do I overcome that and give more details in my profiles?
Hi Deb, I visited your blog yesterday. I remember it because of the great header you have.
Your shyness is not apparent on you blog. You have already given a little information about yourself away on your About Page. I didn’t feel that you are hiding. Maybe you could flesh it out bit by bit.
Some people go too far I think and give a blow by blow account of the entire life. You have to strike a happy balance.
Make sure you give your website URL’s, Twitter and Facebook links if you have them, a short bio and a few of your main interests helps.
Sandy
Sandy
Great post highlighting the importance of differentiating yourself in the marketplace. By doing so you create your own USP – your brand or personality – which builds trust and loyalty from your followers and subscribers. All very important in a crowded, often faceless, marketplace. Some useful tips here, keep up the good work.
Tom
Sandy:
Great post!
I appreciate your 3 tips on branding ourselves.
You come across as a very trustworthy person and someone that cares about the people you come in contact with.
I like to think I am a funny person but I can sometimes have a dry sense of humor and that may not always translate well in print.
Good luck to you!
– Rick
Hey Sandy. This is possibly the most useful and value packed post I’ve read in the Challenge. It is *critical* to be your big, bold, beautiful self! I see new examples every day of how every arena of life becomes more successful & fulfilling when expressing the authentic self.
These are awesome tips and I encourage everyone who comes across this page to put them into practice now. Your unique perspective and personality are what this world needs most.
Peace,
Lauren
Hi Sandy, I agree with all you and others have said. My main aim on the marketing side is to bring value for money without all the hype, this may cost me a few sales but the reputation you make is far more important than the hype and bull that many use. Great post, glad you are in the challenge.
Keith
Great Post. I so agree with you. You have to be you and brand yourself. Alot of ppl are out there just blasting what they do and sure they might get a few sales here and there but it wont last because no one knows them.
Hi Sandy,
Nice post.
Whilst I agree with what you are saying I sometimes think that
some people, who are just starting off, keep a low profile and try to fly beneath the radar.
It is easy to think that “who wants to listen to me when I am just starting and know very little”.
I think this is where coaching forums where you are all in it together have a distinct advantage.
Good post – something to think about.
Regards,
Dave
You are so right Dave, it takes time to find your feet and your blogging voice. Coaching and mentoring
and of course experience helps.
Sandy
Hi, Sandy,
Your post is very interesting. As I am new to blogging I am learning so much from all the different blogs and personalities. I would have to agree with Dave. I think he has been where I am. I will do better!
Thanks for sharing. Good to meet you,
Fran T
Hi Fran, It’s certainly a good exercise to take time to visit a lot of other blogs when you start to see what you like and what you don’t like. It’s useful to look at the top blogs of top bloggers in your niche. It took time for Darren Rowse to become as successful as he is today.
Sandy
Hi Sandy
Great post with good advice. Personality is very important because the ones who stand out from the crowd are the ones you remember.
I don’t know about using the trait that got us into trouble at school though – mine was daydreaming and I’m not sure I could successfully transfer that to a blog 🙂
Well done on completing the 100 Blog Comment Challenge, I still have some way to go so I’d better get on with it!
Warm Regards
Lynn
Hi Lynne, thanks for stopping by. You could use perhaps your daydreams for inspiration for blog posts.
Sandy
Hi Sandy,
Excellent post most people tend to get so wrapped up in learning what they have to do technically i.e setting up blogs, websites, autoresponders etc they forget that personality plays an all important role in success.
Enjoy the challenge
Michelle
Hey Sandy,
Thanks for a great post. I can really understand the 3 points you made. I’m working on branding right now, although I do find myself holding back some in my business.
I’ve read before how important it is to fill out the profiles so I always try to do that.
Nice to meet you in the 100 Blog Challenge.
Cheers,
Kat
Sandy –
I just can tell you how many boring blogs I have visited! The owners just seem to be so formal and like you said – bland. I love it when the blogger injects some of his or her own personality in their posts!! This should be true of products, sales pages, emails! Thanks for putting the personality bit out there for all to see.
Gwen
via 100 Comment Challenge
Hi Sandy,
Wonderful post! I totally agree with you. You must have personality to maximize your profits on the internet. People are naturally skeptical. They are even more skeptical on the internet. If they grow to like you, it makes conducting business with you that much easier! Thanks for sharing!
Much Success,
Lorina Noble
Miss Mindset Makeover
Millionaire Mindset
Sandy, point # 3 really hits home for me. Making a name for yourself is really important. There are so many distractions online competing for the attention of our visitors. When they see us participating in forums, blogs and other online venues it’s important to make an impression that is consistent with the image we hope to develop. Michael.
Hi Sandy
Yup, personality shining thru in the post is a big hit with me. I must learn how to do it sometime 🙂
Good luck with the challenge
Best wishes
Mike
Hi Sally,
Great post and great insights.
I guess we all have to find out how to be ourselves on line.
As soon as we try to be something that we’re not (like sitting behind someone else’s copy) we come across as fake, whether we like it or not.
I remember someone advising me once to copy and then make it your own. Immitation is a good way to learn, but not creative until you understand well enough to put your own stamp on something.
Thank you
John
Author of ‘Sticky Memory’
http://johnedler.com/blog/sticky-memory-have-i-coined-a-new-term-/?/html
Hi Sandy
very sound advice, not sure about the school thing I think I got into trouble for everthing I did :). It is so important to have individuallity I think in all business but as you say perhaps even more so online, as the initial meeting is far more distant, in gerneral even with video.But it has to be natural and not forced, perhaps that comes with confidence, which comes with experience
We all learn by copying and then adapting and then creating
I can see your point regarding profiles.
Vince
Hi Sandy!
This is a great reminder of how important it is to be YOURSELF online (or MYSELF). 😉 It’s so easy to just copy someone else, or to water down who I really am to try and appeal to everyone. But the truth is, people are attracted to other people who are real, quirky, and personal! So why not let it all hang out and really be myself?
Thanks for the reminder on this! 🙂
Hi Sandy,
You make very good points but the bland flavour is something else for different people.
I do like vanilla and after trying all kinds of different revolutionary tasting ice creams I tend to go back to it and chocolate much more than to the chic flavours.
Going back to what got me into trouble at school might actually work well. I made people laugh and the teacher didn’t like that one bit.
Filling out all the info in the forums is something I rarely do. I’ll consider changing that after reading your post.
Vance
Yes, you never know who is going to look at your profile. You can also see who has visited your profile on forums.
Sandy
Hi Sandy,
I’ve been hopping my heart out trying to get to all these blogs to honor my commitment to this challenge. I still have a lot of ground to cover so I can leave a comment.
Have a good one.
Enjoy the Challenge.
Mike
It certainly takes some commitment that’s for sure Mike. Thanks for stopping by.
Hope you get there in the end!
Sandy
Hi Sandy,
Great post. I agree with the other comment’s, you have to have your personality show through on your posts. If there is no personality showing through people will just suspect that your posts are just ‘articles’ that you have uploaded because you couldn’t be bothered to put any effort into your blog. Make your blog/website as unique as yourself, let your life shine through your blog.
I look forward to visiting our site again soon.
Take care.
Robyn
Hi Sandy,
Great post! I find that the most important element out of all three is your voice. It’s tree, you can sound just like everyone else online but as you said, it’s your ‘personality’ which shines through. When readers hear your voice and they can hear you, you’ve sold to them a thought, idea or dream. This is the beauty of marketing yourself online. I find it the best place to also leverage your knowledge as there are so much wisdom as well.
Thanks for sharing these thoughts of yours on personality. I love posts like these.
See you on the 100th comment!
Thu