Blogging Mommy: B is for Branding

Last week, we talked about building an Audience for your blog… today we talk about Branding.

Branding, Branding, Branding… you’ve heard about it a million times. If it’s done well, it’s seamless. You can’t really pinpoint what it is…but you know it when you see it.  You know the blog by it’s voice, the colors, the tone, the blog bling.

That’s good branding.

I first learned about branding at my first real job in television. I was fresh out of college when I worked for the largest brand in home shopping. There were brand standards, a look, a feel, a tone… these were all the things that made the channel recognizable to any viewer regardless of age, or how much shopping they did with the channel.

So how does this translate in the blogosphere? And, more importantly, how can you create a strong brand for you and your blog?

1. Decide who you are.

…or at least how you want to be perceived by those reading you. Are you smart as a whip, generous with tips and how-tos? Are you sweet and hilarious? Are you sarcastic and witty?

Find out who you are. Decide what you want to be and how you want to come across on your blog. Create a tagline to reflect who you are and your tone. Then…

2. Decide why you blog.

Do you do it for money? Because if you want to earn cash with your blog, chances are you are going to want to attract PR professionals…. professionals who are used to dealing with professionals. Look the part. Be clean. Be concise. Be easy to read and navigate.

If you blog for fun, keep it light and easy to read. Post photos and stories. Do whatever it is that makes your blog fun to write, and fun for others to read.

Whatever the reason you blog, one thing is important above all… be consistent about why you blog.

3.  Decide what you want to write about.

I admit it… I am kind of all over the place. I write about work, working out, not working out, social media and my daughter. But I brand myself as one thing: Fabulous.

I try to integrate the theme in everything I write or do with my blog. I try to include sunglasses when possible. I try to look clean and classy…. exactly the way I do in real like {a-hem….} And when I comment on other people’s blogs, I like to leave the comment with “Stay Fabulous!”

So whatever you write about, stay true to it. Write about what you know. Don’t force it and be authentic with your words and your style.

When I create a package of marketing materials for my professional job, they all need to look, sound and feel the same. Your blog should be no different. And, with a good eye, it’s easy to do.

4. Create a look and stick with it.

For me being “Fabulous” means wearing big sunglasses and lip gloss. Sunglasses looked best in the design, so I went with it. Choose a design, or a designer, that shares your vision and “gets it.” Create a look that echoes the content. Stick with it.

5. Be clear about you you are… everywhere.

Get your name out there and be consistent. I blog at Mommy’s Still Fabulous. I use that name for e-mail. I tweet at “Mommysstillfab” (my full name was too long). I comment on other blogs as Mommy’s Still Fabulous. My business cards have my logo on them – the same logo in the header of my blog.

Wherever you are in the social media or real-life realm, be consistent. Refer to your brand and your blog. Get your name on people’s minds wherever you go.

So, there you are… 5 tips about branding. There is a lot of info out there about branding, and I suggest you check out some other sites for yourself… but remember these 5 tips…

1. Create a tagline to reflect who you are and your tone.
2. Be consistent about why you blog.
3. Whatever you write about, stay true to it.
4. Create a look that echoes the content.
5. Refer to your brand and your blog everywhere you go online and in real life.

So…how fabulous is branding??? What has worked for you??? Who are your favorite bloggers who brand well?

Tagged as: Blogging, branding