Everybody needs to get their name out there on the social web. For entrepreneurs, however, it's an even more critical aspect of the job. A social presence gives you the credibility to attract clients, partners and investors by making yourself available and demonstrating your personality and experience.
Building your online brand in a meaningful way is no easy task, and there are many tools available to get you on the right path. Below, we’ve picked 10 tested methods and highlighted some of the best web tools to help your brand gain momentum in a crowded online marketplace.
1. Media Requests
Being quoted in news articles is an excellent way to demonstrate your authority. It's a free way to promot e yourself and demonstrate thought leadership. There are a few excellent tools out there that connect reporters with people looking to get quoted.
- HARO is an email digest that connects reporters and sources.
- NewsBasis allows you to pitch stories to journalists.
- FlackList is a Rolodex to help the media meet and maintain relationships with experts.
- Media Kitty is a network that connects journalists with sources.
2. Custom Short URL
Having your own custom URL shortener is a great way to get your name out there. If you often share links on Twitter, Facebook and other social networks, it's very useful. Eric Ries is a prime example. When he distributes a link, he uses his own shortened URL: ericri.es.
Here's an informative tutorial on how to set up your own shortened URL.
3. Q&A
Sharing your knowledge on Q&A sites...
