Presentation given at DFW Social Media Marketing Meetup 5/18/09 by Mike D. Merrill, Chief Bacon Maker and Marketing Strategist at Bacon Marketing. We Put the Sizzle into your Marketing Strategy.

1. Leveraging Social Media to Build Your Personal Brand
Chief Bacon Maker and Marketing Strategist
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2. #dfwsm
Let’s Follow Each Other
@mikedmerrill
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3. The New Reality
“Your Resume Is No Longer a Piece of Paper
It’s the Google Search Results of Your Name”
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4. The New New Reality
“It’s Not What You Know
Or Who you Know
Or Who Knows You
But Who Feels Like they know you”
‐ Carrie Wilkerson
The Barefoot Exec
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5. Agenda
What is Personal Branding?
Why is Personal Branding So Popular?
Brand Analysis
Brand Tenets
10 Steps to start building your brand
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6. What is Personal Branding
How We Market Ourselves to Others
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7. What is Personal Branding – A Process
Long Dan Schawbel Wiki Definition:
“Personal Branding describes the process by which
individuals and entrepreneurs differentiate themselves
and stand out from a crowd by identifying and
articulating their unique value proposition, whether
professional or personal, and then leverage it across
platforms with a consistent message and image to
achieve a specific goal. In this way, individuals can
enhance their recognition as experts in their field,
establish reputation and credibility, advance their
careers, and build self‐confidence.”
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8. Why is Personal Branding So Popular
Growth of Social Media
Massive Career Transition
Demographics
Success Stories
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9. Brand Analysis – A Refresher
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10. Your Brand Tenets – Be Authentic
1. Give to Receive: I give first with no expectation of
return.
2. Provide Value: I share value first.
3. Instill Trust: I honor my commitments and
manage expectations.
4. Be Positive: I have sincere gratitude for what I have
so that I can start each day with hope.
5. Strive for Excellence: I do everything in my power
to deliver my best work.
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11. Now we’re Makin’ Bacon
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12. 1. Benchmark Current State – Search
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13. 1. Benchmark Current State – Alerts
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14. 1. Benchmark Current State – Analytics
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15. 2. Create Profiles and Engage
PROFILE
1. Engage and start conversations. Offer help and answer questions
2. Publish useful content such as articles, etc that your target market
would value
3. Become a student of each platform
4. Add all of your existing friends and contacts to start
5. Join groups
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16. 3. Start Writing – Drive Google
LinkedIn Questions and Answers
Yahoo Answers
Comment on Blogs
Facebook Notes
Amazon Reviews
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17. 4. Purchase Your Own Domain
Best Way to Brand Yourself is to have your own
URL
.com
.me
.tv
.net
.info
Personal Email name@yourfullname.com
Point to your LinkedIn Profile
Secure it now
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18. 5. Network and Build Elevator Pitch
How to find Networking Events?
Church, Meetup.com, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twtvite,
Trade Associations, Alumni Groups, Upcoming,
Expect success and “be in the moment”
Real power in the network of your network
Elevator Pitch
Name, value, example customer
Memorize it
Make it unique
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19. 5. Plano Tweetup – 5/19/09
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20. 6. Start Blogging
Why Blog
Demonstrate expertise and commitment to an
industry
Develop your personal voice
Searchable forever within Google
Multiple touchpoints: RSS, email, and onsite
Content is King!
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21. 7. Update Your Status Regularly
• Update your status with unique ways that will induce interaction.
• Promote your blog, let folks know you started a new job or you are
traveling, ask questions.
• Try to do something every day so your name shows up in folks home
page.
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22. 8. Post Video
Video is the easiest way to convey authenticity
Research shows that average person will complete a
video vs. read a blog or eNewsletter
Click through rate for videos in blogs, newsletters is
2‐3 times higher
Create profile on YouTube
FlipVideo revolutionized ease of uploading to
YouTube
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23. 9. Speak
Define your signature speech
Start speaking for free to service groups,
meetups, etc.
Facilitate a group at church
Join Toastmasters
National Speakers Association
Certified Speaking Professional
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24. 10. Productivity Applications ‐ Desktop
TweetDeck Desktop App
•Supports multiple accts
•URL shortener built‐in
•View profiles
•Save searches and #hashtags
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25. 10. Productivity Applications ‐ Browser
Ping.FM
•Update Twitter, LinkedIn,
Facebook and other networks all
from one internet browser
application
•Ability to update status, blog, or
micro‐blog or just update one by
itself
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26. 10. Productivity Applications ‐ Mobile
Pingle for iPhone Tweetie for iPhone
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27. Final Thoughts
Own your own brand
Perfection is the enemy of the good
The smallest action is far greater than the best
intention
Slides will be posted on slideshare.com
Subscribe to my blog via email and I will send
you the link when posted
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28. About Bacon Marketing
We provide a range of marketing and sales
strategy consulting services to include:
Marketing planning and strategy
Solutions marketing
Product marketing and management
Value proposition, positioning statement, and
feature/benefit creation
Social Media Marketing
Individual coaching – position yourself as an
expert
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29. Let’s Connect and Follow Each Other
@mikedmerrill
http://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemerrill
http://profile.to/mikemerrill
mike@mikemerrill.com
http://www.mikemerrill.com
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