Footprints leave traces in the sand, while digital footprints leave traces on the internet. So what kind of imprint do you want to leave? This article will teach you why and how to tell your brand story.
What leverage have you given to others about your products? What is their perception of your business? Are you non-existent online or close to extinction? Control the narrative instead of letting the public have a negative or laid-back notion about your brand.
What Is Digital Footprint?
A digital footprint is how your company is represented on the internet outside of your website. You leave the trail of information about yourself when you use the internet.
Every time you go online, you leave a digital footprint in everything you share and post. What do you want people to read about you and your business? What will be your brand story?
Importance Of Having A Digital Footprint
When you are not found online, what happens to your business? People who don’t know how your business started will come up with their own story for you. Today, you could be ‘big girl small God’, tomorrow, you could be ‘He stole another company’s brand idea’.
When people search for you on google, and only your social media handles turn up, it is not enough to inform people.
Also, international organisations search on google to find out what people are saying about your business and when they do not find anything, they will pass you off. There are many ghost companies out there, and nobody wants to fall a victim.
So when you tell your brand story on a credible platform like entrepreneurs.ng, you increase your digital footprint, control the narrative and ensure that people are reading the right things about you.
Also, when people want to write about you, they are well-informed and can talk favourably about you. Take, for example a post on LinkedIn. A writer published a post on Florence Chikezie, the founder of ReDahlia and entrepreneurs.ng.
How did she know about her? She most likely saw her digital footprint and that of her companies online. Her remarks were favourable due to the kind of precedent set online by the company.
It is a foundation for people to build their pieces. When information about your business is unavailable, it adversely affects it.
See also: Telling ReDahlia Story; A Brand Preoccupied With Entrepreneurial Support.
Benefits Of Having Digital Footprints
Let’s dive right in and talk about why you need to have a digital footprint and the benefits that come with it.
1. It Helps You Tell Your Brand Story
How do you tell your brand story? By profiling your business on your website and other credible sites. You can get creative with it, going into your history and what motivated you to start. You also get to share the values it brings and how you want it to be perceived.
We run a service called ‘Tell Your Brand Story’ where for a token, we analyse your business, you tell us what you want people to know about your brand, and we write and publish on our platform. For just a token and your story is out there.
2. It Increases Your Visibility
It puts you and your business in the limelight. When people search for the products you offer online, you can appear on the first Google search page.
Your social media platforms also play a vital role in increasing your visibility. If you consistently invest in creating valuable content, you become the go-to for your target audience.
3. You Attract Investors
Investors and people seeking worthy partnerships do not only meet companies by referrals. There are other methods, such as pitches and an online presence. When your digital footprint is strong, they quickly find you online.
See also: Business Plan
4. Shapes Your Reputation
People begin to find you reliable when you take charge of your social media presence,. Hence, they refer you to others and help build your reputation.
5. Makes You Trustworthy
Your brand story posted on the different platforms can help control the narrative and how people see you. And just as it builds your reputation, it also makes you trustworthy.
Types Of Digital Footprints
There are two main types and they are Passive and Active Digital Footprint.
1. Passive Digital Footprint
A passive digital footprint is data that you unintentionally leave behind. Your IP address, for example, your approximate location or your browser history.
Another example is that when you accept a website’s cookies, you give them permission to track your online activity and target you with advertisements.
2. Active Digital Footprint
While passive is unintentional, an active digital footprint is deliberate and direct. It is created when you deliberately submit pieces of information online.
Examples Of Active Digital Footprint
The most popular examples of active digital footprints are:
Website
Leverage your Company Profile to tell your brand story. It is your company and page, so you can say what you like. If you do not have a website, it is about time you had one. You can start with a free version until you create your own.
See also: All You Need In A Perfect Company Profile
Social Media
Even if you are a private person and consider yourself a non-sociable person, it should have nothing to do with your brand. Your digital footprint relies heavily on these guys.
If you are not up to running a social media account, you can outsource this service to someone. That is why companies have social media managers among their teams, regardless of the business sector. The common platforms you can leverage are:
- Telegram
- Ratings
- Reviews
Other People’s Website
If you were a baker, for example, and on Quora (an online platform) you should answer a question about whether to use a tea or a tablespoon for the measurement of sugar.
With your account and profile visible for people to see, potential customers, investors and partners can see that you are knowledgeable in your field. Websites commonly used are:
- Quora
- Nairaland
- Medium
- Facebook group
See also: How To Write A Comprehensive Marketing Plan For Your Business
Profiling
This is more of a paid method. You pay companies or platforms to put out circulations of your choosing on their sites. They profile you and your brand, whichever way you like it. Profiling can be done through:
- Brand story publications (e.g., entrepreneurs.ng will help tell your brand story)
- Press releases and PR
- Through display ads, target ads, SEM, TV and radio ads, etc.
Would you like to tell your brand story on entrepreneurs.ng and increase your digital footprint? Then click here. You can also call or send a WhatsApp message to 08038874148. You may also want to send us an email at business@entrepreneurs.ng.
What comes up when your name or company is googled? Share your findings with us.
