Comments on: Why Build Your Brand On Property You Do Not Own?

By: Ayeen

Ayeen — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 02:47:38 +0000

Excellent position, Miles. Everybody needs a better way to acquire and retain customers and who wants to put that at risk simply by taking the easy path. The reality is that sociall media sites have transformed and inspite fo that we must each own our main web site and control our own data. Fortunately social sites and web sites today make connecting sites and flowing data between them easy. Post on your blog and it can replicate to your social site, web site and Twitter – all of it automatically. http://bit.ly/ayeen

By: Miles Austin

Miles Austin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:56:44 +0000

Seems like most of you agree with the concept. I ran across a blog post that shares how to DELETE or close out accounts from the major social sites. Informative and a good idea to file it away for future reference. I especially enjoyed one of the comments about wanting to get rid of an old Friendster account.

Here is the link to the post on Smashing Magazine by Cameron Chapman: http://budurl.com/ytgb

By: Janine Gregor

Janine Gregor — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 01:55:03 +0000

Hi Miles,

Good post. Thank you for sharing. Just to be clarify, “…one wouldn’t buy the hosted site and import into WordPress.org.site…” You would buy the keyword-rich domain and purchase a host package from any number of hosts (email me if you want a list). Then you can upload the WP folders from WP.org onto your hosted site. [Most hosts offer the upload directly within the control panel of the host so you don't even need to go to WP.org to upload using your favorite FTP program.]

@Evan, I am often asked as a virtual assistant what the difference is between wordpress.org and wordpress.com. Here’s a link to my February newsletter in my ‘Abradcadabra for Bloggers’ column where I answer that question in more detail.

@Bob In defense of some of the small companies or start ups I work with; some do use their blog or their social networking site to jumpstart their business. I don’t recommend doing that but until their website is up and running, a blog or a social networking site can get the ball rolling.

In fact I recommend starting an email subscriber list from Day 1 of opening the business doors. This can be done through apps on the Facebook Fan page at no charge. So a social networking site can be quite helpful for upstarts.

Janine Gregor
Virtual Assistant
http://www.YourVirtualWizard.com

By: Howard Howell

Howard Howell — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 14:47:53 +0000

Miles… Valuable information that should be shared with everyone that is building a brand (business). And, don’t forget to mention, for those that actually “get it” to support the Data Portability Project.

A good friend of mine tells a story about sharecroppers, serfs, and bloggers. American history explains why you don’t want to be a sharecropper. If we ignore history we are bound to repeat it.

Cyber-space is the new real-estate. When you post on cyber-property you do not own, you are bestowing a gift of your digital asset (creativity and originality). The property owner can now exploit you and prosper from your efforts. What is really ironic is when you pay them for the privilege to enhance their digital net-worth. …Howard

By: Evan Milton

Evan Milton — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 20:25:49 +0000

Great information. As a small business owner with very little ‘big picture’ knowledge of what it truly means to have a wordpress.com site vs. a wordpress.org site I appreciate this distinction.

By: Bob Dunn

Bob Dunn — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:02:52 +0000

Thanks for this post Miles, it is so right on. I see this happening everywhere. I can’t say how many times I have clicked on a link thinking it’s their website, and instead takes me to their fan page on Facebook. And finding out that is what they use for their branding and website. Scary stuff. These social platforms, as you stated, are tools to help build your brand, and you shouldn’t be dependent on them.

I hope more people read this post and give second thoughts to depending on “other” platforms to build their brand. Well done!

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