Bottom-Up Brands

There’s no doubt that social media is changing the landscape of how brands, and the businesses behind them, approach marketing. Strategies can no longer focus on “why we’re so great” and “why you need us” model of communication, as it doesn’t take long for the truth to be told. The internet, and more specifically “social media” has made sure of that.

This blog is dedicated to exploring what I like to call “conversational marketing” … the required skill of listening and learning that so many businesses and brands are having to learn (and re-learn). This new horizon of social dialogue is really not new at all, for even a child listens before they learn to talk. It’s the beginning of wanting to be part of the conversation, of wanting to contribute and find identity and purpose in meaningful relationships.

Starting a business, and more specifically launching your brand (your product, your service) is like the birth and care of a child. Any entrepeneur knows that there’s the process of romance, conception, birth and growth (and the excitement, pain and work that goes along with it). Any parent wants their child to be great, and find meaning and value in the world they live in. But before they can do this, there’s allot of nurturing and maturity that needs to take place. And if you really think about it, it all begins with listening and learning before we start to talk.

It’s only when we listen that we can really begin to express ourselves in a way worth being heard. And it’s in this two-sided dialogue that true friendships and relationships are established. There’s nothing worse than a person (a child) who never listens but always wants to be heard. The same is true of brands and business models that continue to use “one-sided” conversations (and the same old marketing tools) as a strategy for gaining worth.

Brand value is established through the meaningful dialogue and relationships, and social media is the new classroom and playground where lasting friendships begin. Don’t make the mistake of not listening and learning. If you have anything of value, there are those who are willing to hear, and more importantly, be a part of your brand’s conversation.

Social media is the new classroom and playground for every business to learn and grow up in.

“Let the conversation begin!”

"Is anybody out there, because I sure like to talk!"

There’s no doubt that social media is changing the landscape of how brands, and the businesses behind them, approach marketing. Strategies can no longer focus on a one sided “why we’re the best” and “why you need us” model of communication, as it doesn’t take long for the truth to be told. The internet, and more specifically “social media” has made sure of that.

This blog is dedicated to exploring what I like to call “conversational marketing” – the required skill of listening and learning that so many businesses and brands are having to learn (and re-learn). This new horizon of social dialogue is really not new at all, for every child must listen before they can learn to talk. It’s in listening that we can hear what’s being said, and it’s in hearing that we know how to contribute and respond to the conversation in a meaningful way.

Starting a business, and more specifically launching your brand (your product, your service) is like the birth and care of a child. Any entrepeneur knows that there’s the process of romance, conception and growth (and the joy, pain and work that goes along with it). Good parents want their children to be successful, to find meaning and value in the world they live in. But before they can do this, there’s allot of nurturing and maturity that needs to take place. And if you really think about it, this all begins with listening.

It’s only when we listen that we can really begin to express ourselves in a way worth being heard. And it’s in this two-sided dialogue that true friendships and lasting relationships are established. There’s nothing worse than a child who never listens but always wants to be heard. The same is true of brands and business models that continue to use one-sided conversations (and the same old marketing) as a strategy for success.

Brand value is established through meaningful dialogue, and social media is the new classroom and playground where lasting friendships begin. Don’t make the mistake of not listening and learning. If you have anything of value there’s always those willing to hear, and more importantly, be a part of your brand’s conversation.

“Let the conversation begin!”

A blog dedicated to successful brand stories, marketing insights, social media and tech/business news from the bottom up!

If you have any interesting stories or insights, we’d love to hear from you!

Darren D. @Brand Strategic / Google+