E78: Being Real on Social Media with Guest Shane Shaps

On this episode of the NerdBrand podcast, we’ve got Shane Shaps from 520 East Brands and we’re talking about how to keep your brand "real" on social media.

What is a brand voice?

Brand voice is the distinct personality a brand takes on in its communications. Imagine you went to a dinner party and you're chatting with all the guests. One person stands out because they're great at storytelling in a distinctive, unique way.

It is to be noted that this is not the same as brand tone. The tone is informal vs. formal or educational vs. inspiring, for example. Always be as clear as you can, depending on the audience you are trying to engage.

Some facts:

Authenticity on social media can be a game-changer for any brand. According to the 2017 Cohn & Wolfe Authentic Brands Study shows that in 2017 91% of people “are willing to reward a brand for its authenticity via purchase, investment, endorsement or similar action”.

Link to the study:

https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/309112/amazon-paypal-burt s-bees-top-in-authenticity.html 

Talks center around these topics...

Define“authentic” or “real” and how that may sound or look on social channelsHow can you do this on specific platforms, like Twitter?Why is it important to be clear about what you are using social media for? Use REAL imagery, not stock or unclear artwork. Let’s think Canva vs. a professionally created piece by a designer. A professional will consider the channel’s limitations and attention spans and will adhere to brand guidelines.