After a whirlwind of social media conferences and events these past two weeks (including Convergence 2009 featuring David Plouffe – Obama’s campaign manager), I was asked to give a presentation today to UBC’s summer student staff on “Getting Your Word Out: Promoting Your Brand.”
We had some great discussions and, at the end of the session, the group concluded that:
- You need to be a true brand-ividual. And make it easy for others to be one too.
- Great units promote and market experiences, not a product or event.
- Connect your audience to a community, not just a program. Programs end. Communities endure.
- A helpful and positive first interaction will set the tone for future interactions. This could be a phone call. An e-mail. Or their first impression when they walk through the event doors. That is your chance to wow them and make them come back for more!
- Storytelling, information sharing, and connecting people are at the heart of great marketing. Regardless of online or offline medium.
- Make all your communication channels consistent and integrated. What you’re sending an e-mail out about should also be the topic of your next blog post, tweet, or status update. (Thanks Plouffe for that one!)
But, out of all the lessons, my favourite one was: “You got the job because you have personality. So don’t lose it once you start working.” Be authentically you. That geniality will help your brand (and your programs/events) more than anything your communications teams can come up with.
Thanks again for a great session everyone! And MAN am I excited to work with you all again in the coming months!
Pick of the post: Dave Matthews Band – Funny The Way It Is
