Every one has their own style. No two people are exactly the same. (Except for maybe the Olsen twins. They are eerily similar). There are different styles of writers, bloggers, marketers, advertisers, teachers, bosses, CEO’s, standup comedians, and improvisers.

Sure, to someone who isn’t familiar with the church of Improvisation, it might seem like improv is all the same. It’s a bunch of people on a stage getting strange suggestions and hamming it up to an audience. I assure you, this is not the case… most of the time. Styles of improv even vary from city to city and theater to theater. One theater might support an “organic” style of improv where you start slow and gradually find the crux of the scene, or figure out what the scene is out. Whereas another theater might be all about playing the game of improv – fast-paced, quick edits, an absurd world. and big bold characters. The latter is my world. And I love it. I’ve only been doing improv for a little over three years, but I know what is fun for me and what gets my adrenaline pumping. And that is no nonsense, take-your-breath-away improv. But each style is tied together with a few (or single) philosophical or abstract threads – make people laugh… now.

Similarly, in the world of marketing and media, there are completely different styles of how people want to connect and engage with their audience. Some companies are going to be way more in your face with product placement or “YOU MUST BUY/ACT NOW” deals. Others are going to use more passive marketing techniques – warming you up with nice words and pretty images, and THEN proposing their deal. And again, each style is tied together with a single (or few) similar philosophical threads – make money… now.

Whether we are talking about the world of improvisation or the world of marketing, the truth is, the big, bold choices tend to be more successful than the passive, laissez-faire, approaches. If I want into an improv scene hesitant, coy, and non-chalant, the audience is going to not trust me and check-out pretty quickly. But if I walk into that scene playing to the top of my intelligence, making a bold, strong choice, the audience is immediately going to be engaged with everything that I am doing.

If you try to market your brand, your idea, or your business by just resting on your laurels, you are bound to fail… eventually. But if you make a strong, bold, choice – differentiating your brand within your niche, making it stand out, and engaging with your audience, you have immediately set yourself up to succeed.

When I perform, I want to make people laugh. I’m not going to do that by just standing off to the side letting things “happen.” I make them happen. I play the game. I go in strong.

When you own a business or you are promoting a brand, ultimately it’s about money and recognition. Make things happen. Play the game. Go in strong.

Question: What experiences have YOU had with a successful brand? How were they successful? How did they engage you? How did they stand out? Do you agree or disagree with my thoughts?

Word.

photo credit: peterastn

http://www.molly-buckley.com
http://www.thinkhausdesign.com
http://twitter.com/mollybuckley
http://twitter.com/thinkhaus

Haustalk Facebook EVENT:http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid…
BEsocial Facebook EVENT:http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid…

Email: BEsocialworkshop [at] gmail [dot] com

The BEsocial workshop, presented by Thinkhaus and Molly Buckley, is geared towards taking away that uneasiness which is associated with the unfamiliar realm of social media and branding by presenting new, exciting, and innovative techniques in a fun and interactive way. Participants will learn better communication, unconditional positivity, and the interconnectivity between good branding and social media practices, more specifically the Triumvirate of social media: Twitter, Facebook, and the blogosphere. By seeing, hearing, and doing what works, participants will walk away with a concrete knowledge of how to implement good branding and social media techniques into their own businesses and lives to ultimately gain credibility, visibility, and sustainability among the global community.

It’s here. Oh man, am I excited or what?! I am honored to be teaming up with John O’Neill from Thinkhaus design for this seminar. It’s going to be awesome. John and I have been working on ironing out the details of this event to make it as incredible, informative, and fun as possible for the past two months and we are pumped to finally roll it out. If you have questions, feel free to email me ANYTIME or let me know. (mollybuckley [at] yahoo [dot] com -or- BEsocialworkshop [at] gmail [dot] com)

Also, if you are thinking about the workshop, but you’re saying to yourself, “I don’t know, I’m not sure if it’s going to be worth my time.” Then you NEED to come to the FREE haustalk event sponsored by Thinkhaus on Wednesday, July 29th at 7pm at Gallery5 in Richmond, Va. Check the Facebook event for that HERE. I will be presenting at this event talking about my experiences and giving a “preview” into what the workshop is going to feature. It’s also going to be a great opportunity for people to meet and network with other individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations.  Tell your friends. Tell your enemies. Tell everyone. See you there!

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The besocial, bemarketable, bebranded seminar, presented by Thinkhaus and Molly Buckley, is geared towards taking away that uneasiness which is associated with the unfamiliar realm of social media and branding by presenting new, exciting, and innovative techniques in a fun and interactive way.

Participants will learn better communication, unconditional positivity, and the interconnectivity between good branding and social media practices, more specifically the “Triumvirate” of social media: Twitter, Facebook, and the blogosphere. By seeing, hearing, and doing what works, participants will walk away with a concrete knowledge of how to implement good branding and social media techniques into their own businesses and lives to ultimately gain credibility, visibility, and sustainability among the global community.

Seminar Pricing (PRICES REDUCED!!!!)
BEFORE August 5th:

• $50 for ALL Non-Profit Organizations
• $75 for ALL individuals/businesses

AFTER August 5th:

• $75 for ALL Non-Profit Organizations
• $100 for ALL individuals/businesses

The three-hour workshop will highlight a variety of topics.

Topics covered include:

• Good branding (presented by Thinkhaus)
• How to incorporate socially conscious practices into your organization or business (presented by Thinkhaus)
• The “Triumvirate” of Social Media (presented by Molly Buckley) 

Facebook
• What exactly is Facebook?
• How to set your Facebook up to succeed at the highest level
• Advantages and benefits
• Drawbacks
• Do’s and Don’t’s

Twitter
• What exactly is Twitter?
• How to set Twitter up to succeed at the highest level
• Advantages and benefits
• Drawbacks
• Do’s and Don’ts

The blogosphere
• What exactly is blogging?
• Benefits of blogging
• “How often should I blog?”
• “What should I blog about?”
• “How long should my blog posts be?”
• How to promote and sustain your blog with solid readership
• Social networks that may benefit you!
• How ALL of these things work together.

Each participant will also walk away with a tangible packet of information that highlights all the information discussed on each of the topics covered in the workshop.

If you would like to register for the course, please email us at BEsocialworkshop@gmail.com with the FOLLOWING information:

• Name:
• Email:
• Contact Number:
• Company:
• Type of business:
• Are you a non-profit?:
• Experience with social media:

After we have received your email for pre-registration, you will receive an invoice via PayPalto pay for the workshop and to hold your place. Questions? Let us know. Email us at BEsocialworkshop@gmail.com.

On behalf of Thinkhaus and Molly Buckley, we thank you and we can’t wait to work with you!

Oh, and check out the new WORKSHOPS link right here on my webpage! http://mollybuckley.wordpress.com/socialmediaworkshops/

Need a job? Looking to network? Interested in branding? Love social & new media? You should come to the HausTalk forum THIS WEDNESDAY the 29th in Richmond, Virginia.

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haustalk is a design forum that enables all citizens of Richmond to have an open dialog to discuss how design can be used to strengthen and improve the greater Richmond community. All business professionals, community leaders, students and teachers, activist, artist, and designers are encouraged to learn from each other. The discussion is a platform to persuade citizens to become more socially conscious and to take action to help Richmond move forward into the future.

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DATE: Wednesday, April 29th, 2009
WHEN: 7pm
WHERE: Gallery 5, Richmond, Virginia
WHAT: ThinkHaus branding exhibit, networking event, and forum
WHO: Anyone in and around Richmond, Virginia who is excited about social media, branding, personal branding, business, or just loves to network.

The VCU Graphic Design students will be displaying their re-branding of Richmond and discussing ways to brand your company or organization. This event is also a great opportunity to meet with local and regional business owners, new and social media people, and of course, those who are “in the know” about all-things marketing!

I’m going to be there. Really, anyone who’s anyone is going to be there. Are you?

Email me for more info: mollybuckley [at] yahoo [dot] com

Check out ThinkHaus designs here. Oh, and they’re on Twitter, too: @thinkhaus.