Claire Northfield on LinkedIn: In the realm of social media and digital influence, I stand out as a… (2024)

There I was waiting for boarding group D to be called so I could get on my flight when I got a text from my boyfriend (who was obnoxiously a few boarding groups ahead of me)..."That Gary Vee guy is sitting in first class on our plane."Sayyy whattttt. After I passed Gary, had a mild "OMG" moment, and processed the situation,I started thinking about the power of personal branding and social media. (Fitting, right??)For the remainder of that 5 hour flight, here's was what was swirling around my head 👇 Thanks to platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn the levels of fame and recognition people can reach have massively transformed over the past decade.We no longer just have traditional "famous people" who cause a stir when they're spotted.Now, there are micro-influencers, personal brands, and business owners at every scale who inspire awe and recognition from their audiences.But the wild thing is, most of these personal brands are so niche that you could easily walk right by them without realizing they're noteworthy figures to someone else.Out of all the people on that plane, how many of us do you think noticed Gary Vee as we walked past him in the aisle and thought "Holy sh*t, Gary freaking V is on my plane. Do I say hi?!"If I'm being honest, I'm pretty oblivious and would have most likely missed him if it wasn't for that text from my boyfriend. 😅I KNOW who he is and still could have walked right past him.But that's also not saying much because I've crossed paths with the Jonas Brothers not once, but TWICE in NYC, and both times it took my brain far too long to process who they were and why they looked so familiar.At any given moment, you could be seated next to someone doing incredible work that others admire, completely unbeknownst to you.No matter how well-developed someone's personal brand is, you rarely know who's around you unless you're part of their individual sphere of influence.And at the same time, anyone could have a "Holy sh*t, it's YOU?!" moment when they unexpectedly spot you, thanks to the personal brand and online community you're beginning to cultivate.👉 When you develop a personal brand, you're building more than just a business.You're building emotional connections with an audience of strangers who have similar interests and believe in what you represent. People will do a double-take when they randomly spot you because you've inspired and motivated them through your content and the work you've put out into the world.We live in an era where literally anyone can build a brand by sharing their unique voice and perspective.So what's holding you back from building that brand right now?

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This post I had in mind for this week was “Why You Should Procrastinate," but I am just going to postpone it to some other time because it is always great to practice what you preach. So I am going to switch the focus of this post to “Comparison: The thief of brand's joy," (full disclosure: this post is inspired by the amazing content of my amazing Mentee Somto Anyikwa put out today - go check it)I have been in this business (content management, brand management, brand analysis and all in between) for over a decade, and I can't count the number of times clients come up to me and want to create something similar to a big or rival brand. While, it is okay to imitate or ape the content or brand strategy of another brand. More often than not, this strategy doesn't work out well for them, and that's because brands are different, work with different data, and are at different phases of their growth. The fact that Tesla doesn't spend ads doesn't mean you should do the same unless you have 44 billion to buy a social media platform to push your brand as its number one influencer!!There is also the cautionary tale of Pepsi's ill-fated Kendall Jenner ad to the triumphant ascent of Airbnb; each serves as a testament to the power of authenticity and strategic alignment.One brand can thrive on a minimalist marketing approach, while another leverages expansive ad campaigns to dominate the market. The essence of effective brand management lies not in blind replication but in a nuanced understanding of individuality and context.You could even operate in the same market with another brand and have access to the same data, but how the data is applied should be unique to your brand and the stage of your growth. When you understand where you are as a brand, it is easier to craft your business strategy, data usage, and analysis that would take you to the next level. It is absolutely okay to love and admire other brands, but always ensure that you know your stage and craft ideas that make sense for you in more ways than one. - https://bit.ly/3Tto801#Brandstrategy #businessanalysis #contentstrategy

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Your thoughts on Social Media Marketing Revolution?..Comment down below...#socialmediamarketing #viralposts #digitalmarketing #contentmarketing #engagementstrategy #socialmediamarketing #organicreach #trending #viralcontent #trendingnow #TweetOfTheDay #mustread #repost

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Deciding where to spend your marketing budget in 2024? 👀 For brands, investing in community building is your best bet. From engaging with loyal customers, to sourcing ideas for new product development, here's why you should invest in community building next year—especially if your brand is aimed at millennial & Gen Z consumers. 📈 https://lnkd.in/e2d8qAkp

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Redefining Traditional Norms: Unlocking New Worlds of Opportunities with the Creatorverse Exchange Forget everything you knew! The age-old brand association process is undergoing a titanic shift, shaking up the traditional model. No longer are we bound by the lengthy chains of comms teams and influencer agencies or boxed into direct communication. The Creatorverse Exchange is here, and it's bruising the boundaries. Drawing inspiration from the expansive universe, this new platform mirrors its endless possibilities. It's a space where creators can skyrocket towards unexplored opportunities, connect with brands in a dynamic landscape, and transform the way we perceive partnerships. Just imagine, no longer lurking behind screens, drafting endless emails. Instead, you're in a vibrant marketplace, pulsating with opportunities that were once hidden within the traditional framework. A creator can now build partnerships with brands, big or small, without the obligatory middlemen. We're dipping our toes into unfamiliar waters, pushing the envelope and stepping outside our comfort zones. So, are you ready to embrace this revolution? Take a leap, dive into the universe of opportunities the Creatorverse Exchange offers, and make the shift from traditional to transformational. Let's break the chains and start a rebellion against the norm! Open the door to endless possibilities. Start your revolution, today! https://lnkd.in/dDz54fXS

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💥 Initiative Paris newsletter #5 is out ! This month, we discuss a topic that is particularly close to our DNA : Unlocking communities and leveraging their power to grow brands' fame & flow. The time when families flocked to the couch to enjoy the best ads of the moment on Culture Pub is long gone. Nonetheless, the holy grail remains the same: making brands grow. To create togetherness and desire, brands have no choice but to accept this change of paradigm. To do so, it is mandatory to understand audiences, and to find common values and references in a transforming and polarized society. A process that unfolds through the deployment of community strategies which become a must, as they strongly participate in brands’ growth. They are a key component of Initiative’s growth model proposition: Fame & Flow. The combination of a strong notoriety and brand association to a defined audience (Brand Fame), linked to a relevant, engaging, and frictionless brand experience (Customer Flow).

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Everyone’s a sellout now.Last week, Thomas Power sent me an article (linked in the comments)It was written about the requirement for artists to build their ‘personal brand’And how out of alignment with their values this feels...‘It’s not that they want to be spending their time doing it, it’s that they feel they have to’“I think that millennials and Gen Xers really feel like sellouts’‘It’s not what they imagined their career to look like. It inherently feels wrong with their value system.”The article believes that the rise of social media has resulted in art getting worse...As artists focus more on becoming a marketer for their productThen on the product (music) its selfI find all opinions on personal branding really interestingAnd I love seeing these conversations, even if they're 'negative'For me, I truly believe, and have always believed that social media and personal brandingHave in fact democratised success, creating a meritocracy for people who do the work, to fly... without the requirement of management, being spotted or being in the right place at the right time Like water, which can save your life, or drown youI know that social media isn't all good, and I know the negative impacts it hasBut in this context, my opinion is quite clearIts survival of the fittestThose who want it most, will achieve the success they desireThose who complain about the way it is, will live their lives as a 'starving artist' Full of principles, but not living out their dreamsThe skill of marketing and content creation (a different kind of art, but still art)Is a powerful skill to learn, and if we start to see ourselves as mini businesses, Our autonomy and freedom over our own lives increases drasticallySocial media puts the opportunity for success in your hands, Rather than waiting for your big break from some white guy sat behind a desk at a record label (in this context)What I find interesting with personal branding, is the negative stance people so often takeThat we don’t see this as an INCREDIBLE opportunityFor anyone to share their message with the worldWith almost 5 billion people now on socialThe fact we have access to that level of distribution from our phones, in our bedroomsWill never cease to amaze and excite meI can’t help but think, why do we have to complain when it takes work to achieve our dreams?And why does building a brand on social have to go against your values? Yes, if you're following others and copying trendsBut if we take a longer term mindset and take time to find our voiceDoes it have to be 'selling out'?I’d love your thoughts on this, and am very open to all opinionsIs this an incredible time to be an artist?Is technology increasing the world of the survival of the fittest?Or maybe...Are we ALL sellouts?

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Healthgrades VP of Brand Strategy & Marketing Lindsey Viscomi breaks down what companies can take away from Taylor Swift’s marketing magic and Elon Musk’s mishaps.Both figures have illustrated two different paths that businesses in any given industry can take—one that keeps consumers a priority and another that treats them like a “Blank Space." 📄So how can businesses build magnetic and competitive brands? 🤔Check out the full article on Forbes Communication Council for more insight: https://bit.ly/4a4RMyL#InfluencerMarketing #DigitalMarketing #Forbes #Healthcare #Healthgrades

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Can the Creator Economy Drive Brand Loyalty and Trust? Are Tech-Savvy Consumers the Key to Building Brand Loyalty? Are Creatives the Key to Building Stronger Brand Connections? How does the Creator Economy Foster Brand Loyalty? Are Creators' Profits Driving Brand Devotion? Consumers increasingly value UGC created by creators and their peers when making purchase decisions, increasing brand loyalty and trust in the process. Consumption for Gen Z is an expression of individual identity and social responsibility; therefore, companies must reevaluate their value proposition accordingly. https://lnkd.in/gJVUSsau

Can the Creator Economy Drive Brand Loyalty and Trust? Are Tech-Savvy Consumers the Key to Building Brand Loyalty? Are Creatives the Key to Building Stronger Brand Connections? How does the Creator Economy Foster Brand Loyalty? Are Creators' Profits Driving Brand Devotion? Consumers increasingly value UGC created by creators and their peers when making purchase decisions, increasing brand loyalty and trust in the process. Consumption for Gen Z is an expression of individual identity and social responsibility; therefore, companies must reevaluate their value proposition accordingly. https://lnkd.in/gr4MGkbw