Top Ranked Career Acceleration Expert Offers Five Fresh Tips to Harness Social Media Branding Power

Dec. 6, 2011 - PRLog -- After recently being named on Huffington Post as “One of the 42 Women to Follow on Twitter,” career expert Sarah Hathorn agreed to share her top five social media tips for better branding.

Hathorn, who was described on Huffington Post as a “Twitter powerhouse,” is an internationally acclaimed brand and image strategist with an extraordinary mastery of social media networking. A former Fortune 100 senior executive, she founded her own thriving firm, Illustra Consulting, and has devoted her career to helping others accelerate their brands and careers. But Hathorn believes that everyone can and should leverage the persuasive power of social media as she has done. “Corporations and entrepreneurs need to jump aboard the social networking phenomenon before they get left behind,” says Hathorn – whose business and branding advice has been cited in publications including Forbes, Money Magazine, and the New York Times. “Unfortunately many people are either intimidated by social media technology or they fail to recognize its critical value. But I am proof that it is a vital key to success that anyone can use to their benefit.”

She offers these five tips for going from what she refers to as “invisible to influential” via networks like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

1.   Take Social Media Seriously

All of the top companies and brands are investing heavily in social media, Hathorn says, so it is here to stay and is not just a teenage trend. “Get serious about it,” she warns, “or your brand will soon be in serious trouble.”

2.   Perception is Reality

Don’t forget that how you are viewed by others is your brand and image reality. “One mistake with digital media can instantly sink a lifelong reputation,” Hathorn cautions. “If you don’t want to see it in the headlines tomorrow don’t tweet it or post it or upload it.”

3.   Going Solo is a No-No

Rely on leading edge experts, advises Hathorn. “I didn’t know anything about social media when I got started and I do not have a technical background,” she admits. “But those qualifications aren’t necessary if you have a talented and supportive team.”

4.   Consistency is the Key

“Brands must resonate consistently across all media, both offline and online,” Hathorn emphasizes. “Use the same language, style, voice, and core messages in all your social media networking to ensure a congruent brand and image.”

5.   Be a Giver, Not a Taker

“I have always understood the importance of networking, communication, and people power,” says Hathorn. “But I also know you have to give more than you get. Don’t be selfish. Freely offer people genuine value-adding benefits through social media. They will repay you with lucrative business loyalty.”

Hathorn is convinced that anyone who gets on the social media bandwagon as she has done can immediately use it to enhance their professional brand for faster promotions or to sell more products and services. “It’s easy, it’s effective, and it’s affordable,” says Hathorn, “and if you do it the way I do it is also highly rewarding and lots of fun.”

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