Okay, the last one doesn’t exist (for now…) but there are more digital marketing channels out there than outfit changes in a Lady Gaga show. Keeping control of your brand online is getting a bit more difficult than it used to be, but don’t sweat it – we’ve got some top tips that’ll help you keep everything under wraps.
Claim early, claim often
If there’s even a possibility that you might use a new social network (remember Vero, anyone?), then claim that profile! When starting a new business, sign up for all the social networks you think you might need, and even those you don’t.
You don’t have to commit to all of them – in fact, unless you have a plan for each of them, we’d say you shouldn’t. But at this point, they’re claimed and ready for when you need them. All you need to do is log in periodically to make sure your claim is kept.
Never forget the brand guidelines
When many people think of brand guidelines, they often think that the guidelines only apply to print, and how to use a logo. They couldn’t be more wrong.
If you’ve opted for a full set of brand guidelines, this should include your brand values, tone of voice guidelines, and how to use the brand across a variety of digital channels. If you’re working with external agencies (like us, hello!), this should be one of the first things you send them once you’ve signed the contract. If you don’t, we have a particular set of skills – we will find your email address, and we will get you to send them to us.
Keep it consistent
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again – consistency is what makes you famous. Make sure your profile is consistent across all social networks, directories, partner sites and so on. If you’re embarking on digital PR, make sure you’re sending the right backlink each time – many people make the mistake of sending what they think is the same link, but might vary between http:// (no SSL certificate) and https:// (has an SSL certificate). That’s not great – just trust us on this one.
Stay cool in a crisis – be prepared
If you are unfortunate enough to face a PR crisis, then your digital channels all need to be handled well. Messaging should be consistent across all channels and everyone working on each channel should know what to say and when. While staying silent isn’t a great option, it may be time to switch off certain campaigns until things improve.
If your social media profiles are looking drier than the Sahara, let us give them a bit of love. We’re great at campaigns that make Mighty change for businesses like yours. Check out what we’ve done for our other lovely clients, and get in touch if you want to find out more.