There is a right way and and wrong way to use social media for digital branding and business. Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and TikTok are all used in different ways. Many times, it’s the wrong way.

DIGITAL BRANDING WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

On this episode, we talk with Dr. Dumont Owen about Digital Branding with LinkedIn and social media.

Download Dumont’s Lucrative LinkinIn Roadmap HERE.

THE WRONG WAY TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA

I recently went through my Facebook friend requests to decide which I would accept. There were the usual fake profiles. Plenty of coaches and podcasters. And as I always discover, many marketers disguised as a potential friends.

As soon as I accepted these friend requests, eight of them sent me a DM.

APPOINTMENT SETTER

The first said, “Hey, Hope you’re doing well! Do you need a trained and experienced appointment setter who will book 5-10 sales calls every day on your calendar and increase your sales up to 2X ROI & Results?”

There wasn’t even small talk. This guy just went straight for the pitch.

I usually unfriend these people and then block them.

When I use social media, I enjoy partnerships and collaboration.

This guy would have made more progress with me had he said, “We offer trained and experienced appointment setters. Would you be interested in collaborating?”

With a question like this, I might put them in front of my audience.

He could have even asked, “Who do you know?” If I needed it, I would have said, “Me.”

Much less spammy.

IGNORING THE QUESTION

The next DM flat out ignored my question.

He said, “Hey Erik! Great to connect…I see you’re a coach.”

After I confirmed that I am a coach, I asked who he likes to connect with.

He ignored my question and pasted this response: “Hello Erik..nice to meet you!I actually work for a coach who runs a free fb group he allows his members to promote for free in front of 27,000+ active members! It’s great place for you to get leads but also be a part of a really supportive community. Happy to send you the free link to join if you feel it could be valuable for you.”

He ignored my question and appears to only be interested in pitching.

Time to unfriend.

LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

The next was a way I appreciate.

She said, “Thank you Erik, for accepting my invitation to connect here on FB. Looking forward to seeing more of your posts and getting to know you.”

After an exchange about who she connects with, she told me she is just looking to connect with like-minded people. She then asked about me.

I replied with a bit about my interest in partnerships. It was a conversation to see how we might build a relationship.

This is the way to use social media. Relationships. I love it.

COMMON SOCIAL MEDIA FRIENDS

The next guy did something similar.

He said, “Hey Erik, thanks for accepting my friend request. It appears we have quite a few friends in common.”

We had a good chat about the people we know and how we might connect with others.

This again was about relationships. Great work here.

JUST HEY

Another just said “Hey”. We know each other, because I was on her summit.

This is a perfectly acceptable way to use social media. Connect and build relationships with people you met elsewhere.

All good here.

MY MASTERCLASS

Next was another pitch.

He said, “Great to connect with you here Erik. Hope you’re having a good day so far!”

I replied with, “Thanks. I love to connect people. What type of people do you like to connect with?”

His response was, “Mostly entrepreneurs, coaches and consultants. Actually, I don’t know if you’re interested but on the 1st of August, I’ll host a Masterclass called… Cool if I send you more info here?”

Uh, no thanks. I’m not interested in another masterclass. Learn a bit more about me.

BLAH BLAH BLAH

The next message looked oddly like an earlier message. But, it was from a different person.

I don’t know if this is an agency who has hired a bunch of people to scrape Facebook or a coach who has a bunch of minions.

The message started with, “Hey Erik, it’s great to connect with you.”

My typical response is, “Thanks. I love connecting people. What type of people do you like to connect with?”

She said, “You’re welcome. I see you’re a coach as well. I actually work for a coach who has a free FB group for coaches & course creators like yourself. Blah Blah Blah. Happy to send over the link to join if you feel this would be valuable for you.”

No. I don’t need another Facebook group. I’m in too many right now.

THE SOCIAL MEDIA FRIEND PITCH

Another previously ran a company in the podcast space. I thought we were already friends on Facebook. My bad.

After a quick exchange, he says, “Finally got back into the podcast space. I’m basically doing freelance marketing.” Then came the question about his product.

I’ll give him some slack. I actually know him.

His question may be a way we can collaborate. We’ll see what happens here.

NO FRIEND REQUEST

One final DM didn’t even send me a friend request.

This message was just a DM that said, “I hope you are staying well and healthy. I am Rosey, a virtual assistant who loves doing any repetitive administrative and marketing tasks you may have.”

It continued on with the pitch. I didn’t respond. I just blocked.

Facebook isn’t a place where I’m looking for solicitation. I wish I had one of those “no solicitation” signs people put on their front doors.

RELATIONSHIPS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Using social media to build relationship and increase your brand is a much better approach.

Granted, this takes a lot longer than spamming people trying to get someone to take your offer.

However, it is much better in the long run. Your business will be much healthier.

DIGITAL BRANDING

Dr. Dumont Owen leverages her extensive knowledge of personal and digital branding to help coaches, consultants and subject matter experts get clients in record time using LinkedIn.

A storyteller at heart, she weaves magnetic brand narratives that distinguish her clients from their competitors and position them as the go-to experts in their field.

Dumont is the creator of the Lucrative LinkedIn System, a 5-step system for attracting, engaging, and converting contacts to clients on LinkedIn.

Download Dumont’s Lucrative LinkinIn Roadmap HERE.

17:56 Started on LinkedIn, quickly found success.

22:17 LinkedIn connections should be meaningful, not numerous.

25:29 LinkedIn’s tool measures social selling performance.

28:31 Audio on LinkedIn is recent and beneficial.

29:34 Create content to engage and build trust.

33:58 Digital branding application: tools, resources, strategies, ownership.

36:42 Authenticity means owning your story and being bold.

42:06 Clarify goals, know niche, promote brand, update profile.

43:47 Step by step guide to LinkedIn success.

If you don’t have a mentor who can take your hand and walk you every step of the way, go to www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/apply, click the button and apply to have a chat with me. We will develop your plan and see how I can help and support you to achieve your podcast goals.