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The secret to blogging, branding, and your success.
Posted On: August 12, 2008Posted In: Blogging Tips, IMwithJoe.com, Video Blogging
Comments: 36 Responses
How to brand your blog for success
What is branding and why do you need it? Branding is basically how you “stamp” yourself and your presence online. But why does it matter?
It matters because you want people to indentify with you and your presence in a specific way. A brand is sort of a “theme” to your online happenings.
Some people go with the “jerk” branding, meaning, they present themselves as a jerk and this is how they operate. Thing is, they may not really be a jerk, but now, they have to keep up that act because it’s their brand.
Others brand themselves as the reporter, the celebrity, or whatever else. The bottom line is, everyone has a brand, even if you don’t actively pursue one, you’re making one.
How should you brand yourself and your blog
Honestly, I think the best way to brand yourself is to be yourself. People will identify with you, and it will 
come more natural. So I guess if you’re a jerk in real life…well….hahaha…just be yourself online. When people come to your site over another, it’s because of your brand.
There is something in your brand they like and identify with. Branding is what will get you that affiliate sale over the next person, even though the next person is offering a huge super bonus.
What is the brand for IMwithJoe.com
Branding allows people to connect with you and build trust. I decided from the beggining to brand myself as myself.
I’ve read books and tutorials where people say to come up with an “angle” or a “gimmick” and use that for your online presence.
There was a time when creating an online “character” was the thing to do. However, I think now, people are looking for something more authentic. They want to connect with you when they visit your site.
As you can see, my brand is “normal joe”. Everything I do is related to this. It’s not a stretch for me and it’s not a character, I simply branded myself. I want people to indentify with me…not some “persona”. Is it as exciting? Maybe not, but at least I know that the people that follow and network with me do it for me and not some character I’m pretending to be.
What is your brand. Do you feel it’s important?
Do you have a brand? Have you thought about it? If you do, what is it? If you don’t have one why not? Even if you think you don’t you will find that you do among your readers. This is something you want to think about. So, what’s your brand? Share your thoughts 
Yes, that means I want some comments!
August 12th, 2008 at 9:52 am
LOL! Joe, you are a nut and I love it!
The showcase of Bling Bling Blogger was too much. LOL!
Great point and demonstration on how NOT to be yourself with the Bling Bling Blogger. You are right. That is not what I want to see. I have come to like you for you and the information that you are providing to your readers. Again, great demonstration.
As for my branding, I am just being me. On my main site, it is a conglomeration of writers of which I rarely participate. I more manage the website and community as a team member.
However, the branding of that site, my main site, is professionalism as an online magazine. We had a physical magazine that we moved to the Internet about a month ago, so we already had a brand for professionalism and am taking that over to the blog.
The contributing writers to the blog are active real estate investors and the professionals that service that industry like lawyers, Realtors, home inspectors, and financial planners.
Therefore, I have to ensure that we present their material and our blog in a professional manner to continue building not only their branding, but ours as well.
Good video and stay with your HONEST BLOGGER BRAND and you are going to go far.
By the way, I prefer the “I’m with Joe” logo that has the red circle background as opposed to the one in this video.
1. It is just cleaner and looks better.
2. It fits the theme of your site better with the color scheme.
3. It continues to build your brand!
I’m with Joe!
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Normal Joe (2055 comments) Reply:
August 12th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Great comment Freddie. I checked out your blog either yesterday or early this morning and I liked it. Very professional indeed. I think the brand you have is perfect and having a physical magazine to stand off of is a huge plus.
I’d love to interview you for the new site, I think you can bring a different outlook than most bloggers, being mainly into the “management” side of the blog and keeping it running.
So you are pretty much the mastermind behind coordinating all these different content providers for the blog. That’s cool man…again, I know you have lots to share. And as you know…if you presented yourself in any other way…it wouldn’t work properly for the blog, especially with the professional overtone of the content.
As for the logo…I thought it was the same? I usually start with the same intro logo, do you think I should use that one throughout the entire thing? I try to mix up the titles to match the parts of the video…and I usually end with the same one. So start and end are usually the same and the ones in the middle change. Which one are you referring to? Thanks for the feedback…that’s what I want from you guys.
Checkout Normal Joes last blog post..The secret to blogging, branding, and your success.
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August 12th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Great post Joe, put a very important subject very simply and succinctly. I think a lot of people could apply this a lot more than they do, and very easily. You certainly do well at it! Me, I guess I’m kind of the poet/photographer/laptop entrepreneur kind of person.
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Normal Joe (2055 comments) Reply:
August 12th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Thanks Anna, and I agree. I think too many folks are afraid of showing the real them…for whatever reason. It’s not just online though, some don’t like to let people see them for who they are or they feel the need to “put on a show” for others.
I’ve always been one to be myself, sometimes to a fault hahaha, I mean, I know how to handle myself in different situations, but I won’t pretend to be something I’m not.
I think in the long run, those who let people connect with “them” will actually see more success because it will be an overflow of their connection to their audience. They then move from feeling like fans to feeling like friends, and that’s when you are making a major impact. That’s what I aim to do! (you still didn’t setup your sezwho? lol)
Checkout Normal Joes last blog post..The secret to blogging, branding, and your success.
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Anna (89 comments) Reply:
August 12th, 2008 at 11:50 am
I set it up but it is giving me trouble. My avatar (Blue Sun) shows on your front page under the commenter section but not on my comments! And had a hard time entering URLs in my account. Maybe SezWho is having a bad day.
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Normal Joe (2055 comments) Reply:
August 12th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
SezWho definitely has some issues at times….but it’s a great service. Sometimes their avatars take a while to update and stuff, and setting up your profile you have to make sure you set them up with all the email/names you use…to keep it consistent.
Ahh well…I was just messing with ya anyway
August 12th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Man Joe, I would be honored to do an interview for your new blog. That would be awesome! I guess I do have a different perspective managing and masterminding the blog. Never really thought of it that way, but it is true.
Yes, I started and was the publisher for our physical magazine, so that just carried over to the website. My partner is very instrumental, but I got the upper hand at web development (but am still a rookie) on her. We work very well together and have built a nice community of contributing writers that are eager to share their information with the public.
Thanks for stopping by the site and be sure to read the E-Myth, you will love it. In fact, that may be a good blog for you one day after your read the book: How to E-Myth your blog.
As for the logo, I love the first one in this video. It is different from the one you ended with. Yes, you should definitely keep it consistent in the videos for your branding.
Checkout Freddies last blog post..MY 1ST REHAB: Cheron Williams
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Normal Joe (2055 comments) Reply:
August 12th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Cool! Yeah, it will be fun man, if you know me…it’s a laid back environment
As for the logo…I thought the starting logo worked well, and have been using it to start all my videos. I have been changing the middle titles to match the theme of the video segment it is introducing…and I’ve been using the same logo to end the videos. I may need to use the same one for the start and ending….but I am not sure they would fit throughout…maybe I need to pick only one to use for the titles during the video.
If you watch yesterday’s again, you’ll see what I mean by trying to match, but maybe it’s too much and I need to be more consistent. I’ll look into standardizing. Thanks Freddie.
Checkout Normal Joes last blog post..The secret to blogging, branding, and your success.
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August 12th, 2008 at 11:40 am
the only step i have made so for to brand the blog was creating a nice logo for it.
YOu are using a good strategy to brand your blog. The normal joe presence is getting recognized
Checkout Hugo Santoss last blog post..Get More With Less
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Normal Joe (2055 comments) Reply:
August 12th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Thank you sir. I’m just trying to leave my small mark you know?
Checkout Normal Joes last blog post..The secret to blogging, branding, and your success.
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Hugo Santos (6 comments) Reply:
August 12th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
well, you sure are leaving a mark
Checkout Hugo Santoss last blog post..Get More With Less
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August 12th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
ICY HOT STUNNA IN DA HOUZE!
lol I love it, absolutely right Joe the best way to make people think your a joke and to not take you seriously. Try to be yourself and get comfortable with the camera and your blog. I find that the more I put myself out there the more people relate. I like my blog to be personal like a conversation and have had great results since I started just being me.
Although I am sure many would have enjoyed me dressed up as the big ben clock yelling and screaming and being crazy about stuff, this way has a lasting effect, and one theme I try to instill into every reader of my blog is that most people will never remember what you say, but rather how you made them feel. This in itself is a defining factor of whether or not someone is coming back to read your blog again, or if you just clenched the deal on that affiliate sale.
I 100% agree be yourself.
Checkout Big Ben Pattons last blog post..PepperJam Network – Blog Monetization Unleashed
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August 12th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Oh man! So glad I saw this before I wore MY grill this week! Whew- close one!
Great article today. Really hit home since I’m an experienced web publisher but a rather new face on the blogosphere- finding and expressing who you are through your blog is an experience to say the least and particularly when you’re both “new, but experienced.” In the meantime, I’m dragging my feet on my logo, and holding back on my brilliant, but ditzy writing style while I decide on my personal brand and the direction I want it to take. Thanks for the tips and I’ll be sure and pick up some pita the next time I’m out!
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August 12th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
@Big Ben Patton –
Yeah man, it’s very important. Not to say you can’t do some crazy stuff, like…the Big Ben Clock…but you’ll only be able to pull it off if it fits your character. If not, people will be able to tell you are forcing it. Be yourself and grow your blog organically like my buddy Piss Biscuit always says.
@Bri Jeni -
I’m glad you liked it today! See, if you woulda worn your grill we would have been the blog bling ballers! Ohhhh yeah….I can see it now! I say just keep doing what you are and keep being yourself, that’s the thing…when you brand yourself as yourself there really isn’t much “technically” to do to make that happen.
It will all come naturally and will just be an extension of what you already do on a daily basis. Thanks for stopping by.
Checkout Normal Joes last blog post..The secret to blogging, branding, and your success.
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August 12th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
That’s exactly what I’m talkin’ about! Your “realness” is the reason 83.5 of your current 85 subscribers stick around. (I’m still helping you hunt down that .5 visitor you lost last week. I know they’re short, but that’s all I have to go on right now.).
I don’t have a problem with people talking about how much $$ they make if it’s relevant to their post as an example to their methods, etc. but I know what you’re talkin’ about in the viddy regarding over the top blingin’ bloggers. Even if you’re makin’ a milli a month, you should be able to chat about something other than the fact you’re rakin it in.
Being yourself is excellent advice. People will “root for you” and trust you more if they can tell you’re genuine. Imagine how empty it would feel to be successul based on “faking who you really are”!
As Usual, I’m With Joe,
Cheers!
Jay
Checkout Jays last blog post..New Site Layout And Other Tidbits
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August 12th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Great video Joe! But I already have the flu! I’ve been on the couch for almost a week! Must be because I didn’t have those anti-flu wipes.
I love your bling blang blogger with platinum teeth and a diamond-plated keyboard!!! You made me laugh! I made a poll on one of my lenses to see how much people were making per month online and it was funny because most people voted around the same amount.
But anyway, I like very much what you say about being yourself and letting your personality shine through. You are right, it’s such an underrated and valued commodity! I applied it recently, I even put a poem on my IM blog!
Checkout Annas last blog post..New Free E-Book Added
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August 12th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
@Anna –
No doubt yo! I can get you that keyboard if you want! Lol…gotta have the wipes man…..
See, you putting up poems on your blog makes sense…that’s who you are so let the people see you! You’ll always have my support…not that that means much…but…hahaha….I like your style! I support all my visitors….but, I know you outside of here, through Holly’s blog, so…..it’s all good!
see ya….
I had assumed you watched the video earlier when you commented? Ahh well. You are pretty smart with your linking as well
Checkout Normal Joes last blog post..The secret to blogging, branding, and your success.
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August 12th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Yeah – I got confused before, forgot which videos I had and hadn’t seen. Blame the flu and multi-tasking!
I just added your video to my lens!
It’s linked from my name on this comment. 
Yeah I want that keyboard. A diamond on every key. OUCH!
Checkout Annas last blog post..New Free E-Book Added
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Normal Joe (2055 comments) Reply:
August 13th, 2008 at 7:16 am
Yes, I understand…happens to all of us, especially with all the IM course study going on.
Glad you linked me on the squiddy! Keep up the good work.
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August 13th, 2008 at 12:48 am
I donno man… I kinda like the Bling Bling Blogger a bit better than you… maybe you should reconsider your approach here.
haha, great video and great lesson!
Checkout The Net Fools last blog post..The Net Fool’s Promo Video on BlogGears
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Normal Joe (2055 comments) Reply:
August 13th, 2008 at 7:15 am
And I knew you would! Hahahaha….that’s just how you roll! Glad you liked it…
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August 13th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
I think the trouble with branding yourself as yourself is that it’s fine when you are promoting your flagship blog or a blog or site which fits in with your character. But once you move into a wider area and go after sales in products or services your research tell you could be big, but have very little to do with you as a person, then it could come unstuck.
For instance, I make my best sales in a particular adult niche, but everything about it is opposite to who I am as a person. In fact, if surfers realised they were reading an enticing blurb written by a woman (rather than a man), I reckon it could turn them off (or perhaps not…)!
Nevertheless, my blogs on this particular subject get thousands of readers and good sales.
But yeah, if you are setting yourself up as an internet marketer who people can trust, then you do need a brand which works long term and in this case it would be hard to keep the BS going if you pretended to be someone else.
Another great video by the way
Checkout zanias last blog post..What Really Makes Money Online
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Normal Joe (2055 comments) Reply:
August 13th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Oh indeed Zania, and for the most part, I’m speaking of the branding which you will use in public view. Many marketers have pen names and such that they use for niche marketing, which makes sense.
For one, you don’t want everyone knowing every single thing you do online. And two, if you operate in various niches you don’t really want or need them to mix.
But, for your flagship or personal blogs, or anything that has to do with you as a brand, you should be yourself. Because if you create a character and present that as yourself, you will need to keep that up.
As in your case, there is no need to divulge all details in your niche sites, but on your blog where you are talking about making money, being yourself would be appropriate. I think you do a good job by not hiding the fact that you operate many successful adult sites, that is part of your online business and on that blog it works to talk about it.
But on the actual niche sites, like you said…it’s probably not a good idea to talk about your make money blog
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August 13th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Thanks Joe,
(to the comment on my MMO blog)
Yeah, I am being myself there (and on one of my other blogs you have visited…) and it seems to work ok. Glad you like the mix, lol!
The annoying thing is (and something I have made no secret about), those particular blogs take up a lot of my time but hardly make me any money at all.
So I am moving on a bit from one of them, lol!
Checkout zanias last blog post..What Really Makes Money Online
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Normal Joe (2055 comments) Reply:
August 13th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Indeed and I love both of those blogs. Don’t know which one you are planning on moving a bit from…I would think the mmo one? Though I love it…it seems you like to help a lot of people with your other blog. Either way, you’ll have my support!
I know they don’t make you money….but you do provide tremendous value!
Checkout Normal Joes last blog post..The secret to blogging, branding, and your success.
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August 13th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Thanks Joe, again, lol!
)
And I’m staying with the blog in this signature.
(But as PB said, you may need Xanax to read it though…
Checkout zanias last blog post..How To Cope When Your Loved One Is Depressed
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Normal Joe (2055 comments) Reply:
August 13th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Cool! That’s the one I was thinking of! I like it and think it is very different and helpful.
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August 13th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Dude! Awesome clip!
Talk to me about branding, buddy! That’s exactly what I’m pushing with MeAndMyDrum, and using the drum theme (“Back Beats”, “Drum Corps”, “The beat of a different blogger.”) Listen to me bang my drum, blogosphere! LOL
The “jerk” style of blogging really turns my stomach. Why would someone choose that strategy when you could get just as much across to readers by being nice, professional, mysterious…whatever?
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I gotta get me my grill and bling.
Checkout Mark Sierra at MeAndMyDrum.coms last blog post..Earn More Points To Help You Win A Prize
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Normal Joe (2055 comments) Reply:
August 14th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Exactly Mark!
I don’t get the “jerk style” but it’s worked for some. I think people see something that works for others and try to duplicate it…that’s the problem, not enough people wiling to step out and be themselves and take whatever comes as a result.
I’d rather succeed or fail based on being myself, than succeed based on being or portraying something that isn’t a true representation of me.
I may be slangin them platinum grills good sir!
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August 19th, 2008 at 2:17 am
EXCELLENT post JK. It was a topic I wasn’t overly aware of until I already became branded online.
I shared my real story with people who visited my sites, and somehow and somewhere along this journey someone called me Honest Holly. Then, someone purchased my hollymann.com domain name and I went into the direction of HonestHolly – and continued with that. I am happy to be branded as Honest Holly instead of a rich jerk or something like that. I’d rather just be me. I’m glad you created this site JK – just being you – normal JOE. I LOVE IT!
Checkout Hollys last blog post..$71,526.66 in Sales – Update with Screenshots
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Normal Joe (2055 comments) Reply:
August 19th, 2008 at 3:10 am
It’s funny how these things work out huh? I think by being yourself you create a brand, so, whatever yourself is, that’s what people will associate you with.
Folks found you to be honest, and it’s true…so…your brand fits and I LOVE it. Again, one of the factors of me even pursuing this blog and presenting myself “as is”.
I could have tried to present myself as some sort of guru…who knows all…but well…there’s enough of those already
Just being a regular guy, who is growing in success in front of the people, will encourage and allow a lot more to pursue their own goals I think, so I just rolled with it. I looked at the qualities I like to see in people, or that would make me comfortable working or learning from someone, and it’s just people that are themselves. So, I ditched the lessons telling me to create an online “character” and let myself become that character….
See ya later…Holls for pres! I’ll be looking for a signed copy of that new book!
Checkout Normal Joes last blog post..IMwithJoe weekly review and updates
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August 26th, 2008 at 4:15 am
Hi Joe
Thanks for this wonderful post. I agree to that branding is important. And making the branding of your blog as your persona is the best. Because many people love your blog. Good luck
Checkout healthy family mom – lauras last blog post..14 Reasons to Rush Your Pet to Vet Emergency
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Normal Joe (2055 comments) Reply:
August 26th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Welcome Laura! Glad you liked the post. Yeah, I figured if people don’t like me for me…then at least they left for that reason. No point in pretending…at least I don’t see the point, some do
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September 11th, 2009 at 7:42 am
Very well put video. I feel it doesn’t get any simpler than that. I also came across your bling bling video on Anna’s Residual income page. Just from the few days that I’ve been looking through related sites that your readers host and what you have in video form is phenomenal. Everyone seems very welcoming and offers a feeling of true knowledge and not just trying to sell you a product just to make money. Never knew such blogs existed that actually explained things in detail and such as most of the ebooks that I’ve come across on affiliate sites and such. I’ve had my blog for a little over a year or less and I must admit, just recently I actually feel like i’m getting some where with the abundance of available resources and now a community that is thriving with networking relationships. Currently working on a paid theme for my blog. My current free theme I feel is not a good reputation of myself, but slowly but surely things will develop.
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Normal Joe (2055 comments) Reply:
September 20th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Whas good P? I feel ya man lol, we try to have a community round here man…everyone helping everyone. I want my visitors to feel comfortable enough to share their expertise, I think everyone can learn from everyone man. You’ll get the perfect theme man, trust me, I tried many lol.
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August 12th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
[...] Joe from ImWithJoe talks about branding and its a major topic that I have mentioned several times in the past. Its about how people view [...]