Use Twitterfeed to tie your blog to Twitter.  Saves time and helps drive traffic to your website.

I started two new groups on LinkedIn (Social Networking Etiquette) and FaceBook (Etiquette 2.0) because socnet can be confusing and at times awkward.  (ex. What do you do when you get a LinkedIn request from a competitor?  What if a client wants to join your FaceBook page?)  Please feel free to check them out and join in with comments, questions and advice.

Using Twitter can help you create a following. Why create a following? Because followers are self selected individuals who are interested in what you have to say. Create a following by linking your comments on Twitter to your website and/or blog to: 1) put more eye balls on your site, 2) promote an idea, speaking engagement or event, 3) establish yourself as a thought leader, and ideally, 4) generate qualified leads, referrals and other client opportunities. Doing this without appearing too salesy and self serving is the trick “people don’t like to be sold.” What do you think?

As we move more and more towards social media and social networking, companies - as well as individuals - need to manage their online brand.  If you don’t, Google, ZoomInfo and other public networking domains will manage it for you.  Check out your professional brand (aka profile) online periodically (ex. Google yourself, visit ZoomInfo, etc.).  If it is not impressive or accurate, or does not reflect positively on you - change it.

The December 2008 cover story of Mergers and Acquisitions focuses on the need for companies to define a niche in order to succeed in today’s marketplace.  Defining a niche is essential for developing a strong brand identity, and is a key pillar for business success.  This is particularly true in a crowded marketplace where multiple small to mid sized companies are sometimes seen as providing commodity services.  In the middle market space for example, there are a lot of very smart accountants, lawyers, investment bankers, private investors and other business advisors that can finance a deal or execute a transaction, perhaps some better than others.  But the point is, how can one firm differentiate itself from another so when the right deal comes along, they will be invited to the dance?

People like to put people in pockets, so putting a stake in the ground to claim your space is essential for positioning your company’s expertise in a crowded market.  Identifying your particular focus, area of expertise, value add or proprietary process is only part of the equation.  Communicating your niche (or in a broader sense your brand identity) to the marketplace in a clear, concise way is equally as important.  This is most effectively done through multi-level marketing campaigns in which multiple programs work together to deliver compelling content and consistent messages to key audiences simultaneously.  A traditional multi-level marketing campaign might include: public or investor relations, speaking engagements, email campaigns, trade shows, sponsorships, etc.  Other more unique multi-level programs can be developed based upon your specific niche.  In today’s challenging business environment, standing out from the crowd and claiming your space is more essential than ever.  Companies that define their niche and broadcast it to the marketplace are more likely to improve their sales process by increasing their visibility and awareness in their marketplace and generating qualified leads.