Dream Systems Media Blog

Not sure if some of you missed this or not yet today, but I had an opportunity to guest post on Search Engine Journal today, and will be doing more in the future.  Those guys are awesome over there and you should put them on your list of people to read and follow on Twitter.  The post today was about creating an online brand and ties in with search – so please go check it out if you have not yet!

Creating a Brand

image via Justice Solutions

Branding Branding, online branding

When building a new website, or rebuilding an old website, you’ll want to try and establish your brand so that you can be identified as unique in your market.  Doing this is not always easy, and depending on your market it can be very difficult.  Whenever I’m involved in a build or brand project I try to follow these points below to help me along the way to hopefully building a great brand that can be conveyed through the web design, functionality, etc.

Branding Tips

1. Domain Name – Choosing a great domain name can be difficult to do, especially when so many are taken already.  This domain name will most likely be your company name so that adds to the importance of this name.  I suggest keeping it short and simple and don’t be afraid to using something that plainly describes what you do.  Example: www.bestballroomshoes.com.

Branding, Web Design Branding, Web Design

Who is Michael Andrew you ask? The self proclaimed “maven” has a passion for passing his expertise on to others, and Michael has a lot of areas of expertise. Michael’s resume snapshot looks something like this:

College football player
MBA
A discertation short from a PhD in Genetics
Renowned wedding photographer
Video professor

The reason I am blogging about Michael today is that he has taught me something about business that I would like to pass on to our readers. Michael finds ways to monetize his hobbies and his knowledge. This is a unique skill as many of the most knowledgeable people I know (shout out to my Uncle Jeff who owns many degrees and not much else ;) are also some of the most broke people I know.

Branding, David Mink Branding, michael andrew photography

As I wrapped up what I feel was a very successful vacation (especially taking into count that I have 3 kids) to Disneyland I can’t help but think back to how everything went down. I have learned a few valuable lessons that I want to share with everyone, and there is a lot we can learn from the Disney marketing masters.

1. How Much I Love Valet Service – After a 7 hour trip with the kids in the car, I will pay what ever it costs for valet service, and then tip them even more for taking care of my bags, and then tip even more when they bring them up to my room. At this point, I don’t care, I am tired and just glad to be there and feeling the magic! Did I forget to mention that self parking (included in my fees) would mean a hike up a hill across half the park. hmmm, planned?

Branding Branding, disney, disneyland