Companies seeking to jumpstart aspects of their marketing and communications efforts have, in increasing numbers, been tapping Leapfrog Marketing, PR and Design to guide them through the process. Several firms with a local, regional or global focus recently have enlisted Leapfrog, including: 

·        ABCO Automation, a manufacturing services venture, for brand strategy and global public relations services;

·        Tradition Homes, a Triad residential developer, for branding, image and web site services;

·        Xpicor, a facilities management company, for corporate image, web site development and sales support;

·        Victoria Carlin, a renowned portrait artist, for the branding and development of a new consumer product extension;

·        I Am Now, a local nonprofit, to help develop a fundraising campaign highlighted by the raffle of a piece of real estate.  

In addition, Leapfrog recently was tapped to help develop new internal communications programs for Loews Corporation and its subsidiaries; as well as for global training firm Center for Creative Leadership.

Leapfrog is able to provide services for companies with such diverse interests by always starting with a fresh, customized approach that does not waver from the mission or needs of its clients.  

“One of our core beliefs is that every decision counts,” said Jordan Bressler, President of Leapfrog. “We know these companies have not taken the choice of a marketing firm lightly – so, too, do we approach the tasks at hand with a similar amount of care and attention to detail. The result for each of these clients will be a website, message or product that is custom created and truly reflective of their distinct image.”

The day I deactivated my Facebook account, I was filled with angst—I wondered how I would fare without being able to follow my friends’ every move with the click of a button. Slowly, I received messages from friends wondering why I deleted my page—my answer, in all its simplicity, got me thinking. 

I had temporarily closed myself off from social media in the hopes of finding employment, but one may ask, what does finding work have to do with my Facebook page? Everything. A study conducted by Harris Interactive in 2009 revealed that 45% of employers were using social media outlets to screen job candidates, and that number was up more than 22% from the previous year.  

I know you must be thinking…What did she have on her page that would be bad enough for her not to get hired? Truthfully, there was nothing special about my Facebook page, and that was the problem. The people I interact with on social websites are all people who know and understand my personality, but to an employer my interests are just like those of the next candidate. Individuals are not the only ones impacted by this, as more and more consumers are tuning out from marketing ploys because they are bombarded with the same messages whenever they turn on the radio, TV and computer. In a society driven by creativity and uniqueness, can an individual or company afford to present themselves just like their competitors?  

It is not only individuals who use social media outlets as windows to a world of high speed interactions -- most businesses are using these sites to strengthen their brand recognition within their market. However, a big problem organizations are facing is that they are not conveying their message properly and consumers easily become disinterested. Individuals and corporations both fall victim to the idea that any post, blast, tweet or update is positive for their image, but in reality it may just confuse people about the ideals and values that signify who they are and what they stand for.  

If companies want to successfully use social media to interact with their clients, and individuals like myself want to find a job that fits their personality and ideals, than maybe they should step away from the keyboard and come back once they know who they are and how they want to sell themselves. Professionals make the most of social media to promote themselves. The same rules apply to individuals who desire to promote their own personal brand. The lessons are universal. Remember, your expertise is just another commodity or product that a potential customer, i.e. your next employer, is looking to apply to help their bottom line. Understanding how to BEST market that personal brand message using new, more effective techniques like social media will put you ahead of the competition. 

It is impossible to make yourself heard if you have not found your voice.. Listen to the marketing experts. They can help demystify social networking for you and unlock new insights into how to promote your personal and professional brand using a variety of networking channels.  

Thrilled to received excellent coverage in Natural Triadmagazine for our client “Get Guilford Moving.”  http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1nu1u/NaturalTriadJune2010/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yudu.com%2Fitem%2Fdetails%2F166681%2FNatural-Triad---June-2010%3Fedit_mode%3Don