What I am seeing more and more is it no is longer necessary to self-promote in the traditional sense. In fact self-promotion is a turn-off to most. Push strategies of marketing are long gone. Online, it’s now about creating good content that people will listen to.
By contributing good advice you are able to demonstrate your expertise in your area. Links to your profile, free content (such as articles) and a backlink to your website give the reader the opportunity to get to know you more fully and make a decision themselves on whether they wish to stay in touch or inquire about your work.
Readers can then choose to follow you (through twitter), join your facebook fan page or subscribe to your blog RSS or ezine. This is why the quality of your posts, profile and website should all be representational of the quality of your work. Social media features should be added to your website to provide ways for your clients to connect and share easily (i.e., bookmarking, follow us icons, send to a friend, blog with threaded comments & RSS, twitter feeds etc).
It all comes down to 3 simple steps:
- Brand yourself through your online outreach program
- Encourage people to visit your site and connect easily
- Stay in touch with your fans
and…
remember to be authentic, stand out and look for ways to help
and…
don’t forget to keep your brand consistent in everything you do, say and show.
