brand marketing blog

I suspect there are many of you out there that are finding the incredible information overload of social media is making your head hurt. I've been spending more and more time immersing myself in this intriguing world, learning from the leading edge online marketers (mostly seem to be in the States) about how companies and organisation are using social media.

I'm quite fortunate in that I've narrowed my online social networking efforts to a few subjects close to my heart - brand marketing, online marketing, search engine optimisation and the use of social media as a marketing tool.

At first I thought this would be a neat 'little niche' to follow, but as I subscribe to more blogs and follow more Tweeters in my field, I just don't seem to have enough time in the day. I think we're all starting to face the reality that social media could take control of our lives, at least intellectually (and probably time-wise as well).

If you see a bit of yourself here, you need to set a strategy that prioritizes the value of social media tools. Some tools may be very valuable generically, but they may not share the same value to you. For example, if I have to choose between blogging, tweeting, working my LinkedIn network or developing articles for syndication, I would run with my blogging programme.

Not that the other tools aren't valuable, but blogging is the primary vehicle that I use to generate keyword targeted content. The other tools are subsidiary to my blogging and are there to support it. The best return per drop of 'social media sweat' for me is definitely blogging.

Sure I'd love to spend all day on social media, but there are bills to be paid. By being faithful to my strategy it alleviates the tension that develops within when I find myself spread too thin. At least when you neglect something you then understand the purpose (don't try this with your better half!).

Have a plan, work it, play the 80/20 game and you may just emerge sane.