With the development of the Social Networking world or Web 2.0, we've seen a change that has brought the power to brand down to the individual's level of capability. It is possible to brand and market ourselves and our businesses effectively in a new and powerful way. The playing field has been leveled and that in my humble opinion is a good thing.
Who needs to pay mega bucks to advertising and promotional companies to develop a brand. Years ago we couldn't and so we didn't. All that has now changed. It's really rather exciting to realize just how much power we have in the world of social networking. Let's look as some very strongly carved out brands that have been created by the individuals themselves.
"The Lovely Wife" (Broker Bryant's Wife) The One And Only TLW. (President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc.)--One brand that comes to mind is a strong one. It is a brand like no other and the owner is very well known here in ActiveRain. It is all about a Lady that walks the talk. She's indelible and a woman of true spirit. She possess major smarts and will never hesitate to take you, the membership or the world, for that matter to task.
She encourages and inspires us all on many levels. Now the evolution of this brand goes back a long time and continues to evolve. It will require an investment on your part to learn about TLW and it will be well worth your time. I remember, thinking who is TLW and why would anyone want to call themselves "The Lovely Wife...ROAR". I'm not sure that even to this day, I can explain it. She has an affinity for cat behavior...hence the ROAR. There's the black leather, the whip and the hat. Well, I think you are beginning to get the idea. It will take some time on your part to decipher this Lady and it will be well worth the investment. She's a one-of-a-kind and they don't come any better. She'll make you laugh and cry all at the same time. The brand...well it works like no other! She's bigger than life and she's played a great part in making ActiveRain a great place.
This is a footer at the bottom of each post and it rather puts in perspective the above description of TLW. She really does "walk the talk". Giving full credit here to TLW Productions for ownership of her photo! Send me a bill, TLW. I will pay it. Here's the footer...
Content, Images and Video: Property of TLW and Roar Productions. All rights reserved.
TLW's Blog Disclosure: If you don't like this Blog, or have nothing nice to say, scroll on. ActiveRain is huge. Neither I, or my Subscriber's, need your negative attitude. Go pollute some other Rain Pond and leave mine alone.
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Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman is another Lady who knows how to brand. Known for her gracious ways and beautiful writing, she always takes us to levels of inspiration, collaboration and caring attitudes. She's lead the way in helping ActiveRain maintain the highest level of standards on conduct and content.
Sally's ActiveRain brand is beautiful and takes us to beautiful places. She gives the tangible beauty of her local area and the inner beauty of her soul. A powerful writer, she has truly been a "thought leader" in the world of social networking and in making AR what it is today. It's hard work but we are grateful for all that she has done.
She lives in beautiful Hawaii and shares with us great photography, blogging content and supportive knowledge and skills. You'll want to subscribe to her blog and stay tuned for great things. She is also a founder for one of the largest groups here in ActiveRain. Positive Attitude for the Weary Soul. If you don't yet belong to the group, click that button. Thanks Sally for all you do! We appreciate the hard work that has gone into making this beautiful and inspirational ideal something real that we can touch and experience. It is a brand that will stand the test of time.
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Paul Slaybaugh is another excellent blogger who's brand is unique. I will be honest that it is hard to adequately speak to your about the brand that Paul has built. It is not a contrived or market brand that we normally see. It's not that brand where someone contemplates what their brand is. For Paul, unlike many of us, his brand has evolved over time and become that of the highly developed level of perfection in writing abilities. Paul possesses the ability to take us out to a new place and to entertain us with his thoughts. He engages us in a world presented to us through such elegant detail. His work is beyond description and I can only encourage all to subscribe and read on a regular basis. Just the contemplation of Paul's thoughts open up the possibilities of changing how you see the world.
He shares with us the world of his private revelations and the beauty of his personal life. It's does not really seem right to call this level of genius a brand and so we won't. We'll just be content to say that we admire this beautiful work. It has changed who we are.
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We have all of these fine bloggers to inspire us daily. Through their dedicated work, we are made different. We awaken to new ideas and inspiration that take us to new and better places and our work improves. The power of ActiveRain is amazing and just as these people are so largely responsible for what potential lives here within the RAIN, they are also a product of their hard work and the application of their inner selves. The one thing we can see in common here is work that came about because who these people were and not the other way 'round.
I hope that I've inspired you and that as you examine the question "How's Your Brand", you will find that something special emerges. Your brand can be as creative as you can imagine!
I am Jeanean Gendron, your Redding and Shasta County Specialist. You can reach me at 530 276-7417. I answer my phone.
Jeanean - This is the best thing about the Rain - you can craft a brand from nothing but ideas and presence. We've done the same thing with our Great Nevada Homes brand. All it takes is a little effort - and it's so much fun interacting with everyone! I suggested you for a feature. Hope you get it!
What a thought-provoking post. I thank you for introducing me to some new folks to check in on. Any chance to learn and grow my business is one I'll take every day!
Christianne, thanks for the nice comment. It is fun to build a brand. I've always love to see people excel at it. It's a celebration of good work and life connection. Thanks for the stop by and read!
Tish, thanks for the visit and read. I'm glad you found it worthwhile.
Jeanean
The level we can achieve now truly is right in front of us; all mentioned in your post are very talented and gifted individuals.
Isn't it amazing what Active Rain has done for some people? When we all first landed here back in 2006 and early 2007, no one knew the power this social platform would have on us all. I'm assuming of course that these three did not have a brand prior to Active Rain. Their work has paid off.
Great article Jeanean!
MJ
Tom, thanks for the visit. I so agree with you. We have been given a gift of power to excel.
Maria, it's pretty much startling. These three people are so strong in who they are...that I am most certain they had a brand prior to social networking. Social networking has provided a venue for their talents and skills.
The point of this post is how drastically five years of change has given us the power to brand for ourselves. It's a very amazing observation.
Of course, they had a presence and an awareness of who they were as people...but possible not the power to promote it and benefit from it. Wherever they are and whatever they do...you have a brand of excellence. Thanks for the visit, Maria. Always nice to hear from you. I'm still so grateful for your tutelage!
Jeanean...very creative title! I am subscribed to all three and like their writing as well.
Jeanean, It's nice to see you blogging so much and letting others know about the "greats" here at AR! Active Rain has changed many peoples lives in many different ways.
Rebecca, thanks for the visit. We have some great bloggers here in the AR and they always lead us forward. I like the things you do in hyper local marketing. You inspire me also.
Karen, I sort of come and go based on work, health and balance. I find that I start to get addicted to AR and then it's time to back off a bit. My life is all about balance now and putting my health first. I just also love blogging. I respect those that contribute on the highest level on a constant basis. Thanks for the visit!