Elayna Fernandez - Marketing Expert - Naples FL

Photo taken by Elayna Fernandez on August 22, 2009 at Sunset at Laudermilk Park in Naples FL USA

Copyright Elisha and Elyssa - Reproduction Prohibited

Elisha Freitas Fernandez www.ExcellentPrettier.com

Elyssa Freitas Fernandez www.ThePrincessBlog.com

Of the six sea turtle species that are found in U.S. waters or that nest on U.S. beaches, all are designated as either threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Read more sea turtle information..

I’ve been using Yahoo! Messenger for years! I have over 8,000 contacts on my Yahoo! account (had over 6,000 when I moved to the U.S. almost 8 years ago), so it’s a free way to keep in touch with my friends and relatives back in the Dominican Republic, as well as connecting with the Yahoo! users I’ve befriended since I moved here.

Obviously, not all my connections are on Twitter or into social networking/bookmarking, plus, I don’t get online that often to chat with friends – if you know what I mean!

As usual, life gets easier! Now you can share your updates from a variety of social media sites (networking, blogging, bookmarking) with your Yahoo! friends, whether they “follow” you or not.

It’s still permission marketing because they befriended you on Yahoo! and you’ll keep in touch and be more visible, so you don’t neglect the non-twitterers and non social media-ists that have connected with you through IM.

NUFF SAID!

Go to your Yahoo! profile page and click on Share More. You’ll be asked to enter a username you use a lot. This is another way being consistent pays off.

After you select which updates you will share, you will go to Manage My Updates and select your privacy options.

I’d choose ANYONE because, why would you be doing this if you wanted to hide your updates, right?

Enjoy, luvs!

I thought reaching 100 subscribers to my ActiveRain blog was the highlight of the week…

Until I read about the new Automatic Signature feature on ActiveRain posts!

Thank you AR Guys! This sure makes life easier, whether you know HTML or not.

And thank you for the tips! I shortened mine, but added some more icons. So helpful!

Keep up the great work!

Here’s what mine looks like ( I couldn’t wait) :

Yes! … and Nooooo!

What is an Expert?

Copy-pasted from TheFreeDictionary.com

ex·pert n. A person with a high degree of skill in or knowledge of a certain subject.

Read more at Wikipedia.

It’s really NOT like being a rocket scientist! It shouldn’t be that intimidating.

Are you an Expert?

Be honest!

1. Are you more knowledgeable than many in your field?
2. Do you have more experience than many in your field?
3. Could many past and current clients attest of your skills?
4. Do other professionals in your field refer to you?
5. Have you “been there, done that”?
6. Do you find yourself giving advice to others in your profession?
7. Do you know your audience, market and market trends?
8. Do you know the answer to most problems that may arise in your field?
9. Are you innovative and resourceful?
10. Do you have credentials and a proven track of success?

Well, I think you will find out that, like Seth Godin says: “Everyone is an expert about something” and that you ARE an Expert whether you market yourself as such or not.

Isn’t that bragging?

I’m sure you’ve seen under qualified competitors get the job you deserve because they were boastful and not afraid of “tooting their own horn”. A little confidence goes a long way. When expressed, that is. If you don’t list your credentials and highlight your experience, no one will ever know. Your customers can’t read minds!

And yes, your awards and designations do communicate how committed you are to your profession.

Does it make sense?

Branding yourself as an expert is kind of nice! People trust experts, listen to experts and follow their advice. You create a name that sells for itself.

When does it work?

A brand is a promise and your prospects want to know that you are qualified to deliver what you promise. The question is…What do you promise? This is the defining element. This factor will determine why all the “bragging” will work for one and won’t for others. “It’s not what you can do, but how you can help them!”

It works when you establish how your competencies will work for your prospects and when you focus on benefits and not features.

It works when you tell them how your know-how will add value to their business, their lifestyle, their pocket...

It works when you translate everything into terms of “what this means to you is…”

Is it THAT simple?

‘Course not! After communicating your proficiency, you have to actually deliver. Backing up perception with action is what really pays the bills. It’s why you see many are number one on Google and number “where is their name?” on the sales reports. Poor follow up and poor performance.

Does it have to be “Expert”?

Some prefer “Leader” or “Specialist”. Some even call themselves “smart”. Some are "the best" or have an “Ask (insert name)” website. The truth about the word Expert is that is derived from Latin that means “Experienced”. You could have been the smartest in your class, gone to Medical School and specialized in a particular area…if you never practiced…would you be the Expert?

So…should I?

Yes! If you have what it takes and will continue to reinvent yourself to live up to the title.

No! If you are afraid you won’t be able to perform under Expert’s pressure.

But one thing I’m sure of, you should let your prospects (and even your competitors) know what you bring to the table and how your uniqueness works towards delivering your brand’s promise. If you are not able to tell others how wonderful you are at what you do, then, who is?

Best,

Your Branding Expert

For more information, connect with me:

My Website| Positive Mommies Network | E-mail | Facebook | Twitter

About the Author:

Elayna Fernandez is a proud mother, founder of the Positive Mommies Network, blogging/social media/web design instructor, and marketing/branding strategist. Her company, Designed 2 Impress, is dedicated to assisting individuals and small businesses in creating successful and consistent brand and achieve their marketing goals.

Thank you for taking the time to reading my post. Have a powerful day!

This article is intended to educate and it constitutes the sole intellectual property of Elayna Fernandez and Designed 2 Impress. Any full or partial reproduction or duplication without the author’s express written consent is strictly prohibited and will be considered copyright infringement.

Last January, I heard Scott Bedbury’s talk about his vision in creating the Starbucks brand: “We are not in the coffee business serving people; we’re in the people business serving coffee”.

I am a firm believer that if you create an experience around your charisma, personality and unique capabilities, you will be successful in any business, any market and any economy.

I always encourage my customers to brand themselves in a way that no matter what they decide to do (a.k.a. being in a brokerage firm vs. the other vs. opening their own), their customers will follow. It’s called being in the people business!

What business are you in?

Are you in the business of a pleasant sensory experience? (If your office looks messy, your car smells ‘weird’, the restaurant you take them to lunch serves horrible food, or you say something inappropriate – according to their judgment anyway – the experience you provide could be at stake).

Are you in the business of delivering excellence? If you promise quality, you simply have to deliver quality. Realtors take great pride in customers who buy “sight unseen”. When a customer trusts you to that extent, you know you’re doing something. Yes, YOU, it all comes down to you!

Are you in the business of improving yourself? Denial is a capital branding sin. No brand is perfect! However, those who are successful know to capitalize on their strengths and find the opportunity on their weaknesses. Reinvent yourself constantly, learn, improve your strategy, and be consistent in what you’re doing well!

Are you in the business of providing benefits? Let’s say you’re selling a house and the main features are “spacious bedrooms, prestigious neighborhood and competitive price”. What are the benefits? Could they be comfort, safety, status? Could it be that you’re saving them money through your unique ability to spot deals? Or most importantly, would this mean that one of their kids is finally getting their own room? Acknowledging the real benefits will show you listen and you care! It’s the old “I don’t care how much you know until I know how much you care!”

What unique experience comes with your product or service? I can’t wait to find out!

For more information, connect with me:

My Website| Positive Mommies Network | E-mail | Facebook | Twitter

About the Author:

Elayna Fernandez is a proud mother, founder of the Positive Mommies Network, blogging/social media/web design instructor, and marketing/branding strategist. Her company, Designed 2 Impress, is dedicated to assisting individuals and small businesses in creating successful and consistent brand and achieve their marketing goals.

Thank you for taking the time to reading my post. Have a powerful day!

This article is intended to educate and it constitutes the sole intellectual property of Elayna Fernandez and Designed 2 Impress. Any full or partial reproduction or duplication without the author’s express written consent is strictly prohibited and will be considered copyright infringement.