If you wanting to brand yourself in any way then its important to always be aware of what is being said or written about you. Google Alerts is a free tool that is super easy to use and will help you keep up with what’s being said about you. Here is a list of things you should set up alerts for:

• your name
• your twitter id
• your company name
• your blogs name
• your product names
• your employees or clients names
• your clients companies
• your competitors
• your competitors’ company name
• your competitors’ products
• industry news
• industry blogs
• industry keywords

When tracking industry keywords think about using this content for future blog posts, articles or newsletters. It helps to use advanced search operators to help you narrow your searches.

For example if you were a commercial Realtor in Miami then you might want to create an alert for [Commercial Real Estate+Miami] so that you got information only about Commercial Real Estate in Miami. You’ll have to play with this feature a bit but after a few tweaks it can prove to be VERY powerful information.

Google Alerts is also great for learning that you’re NOT being talked about. While this can be painful to realize it is an important indicator of your online marketing efforts. One of the quickest and easiest ways to get people talking is through the use of social media like Twitter, Facebook or Blogs. On Thursday, March 25 I’ll be sharing the Secrets of Social Media Marketing that independent professionals, authors and coaches must utilize in 2010 to stay ahead of the competition. Will you be joining us?

To Your Online Success,

Mande White

Founder, FreeSocialMediaHelp.com

Social Media Advisor for Priority Living Systems

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