EGO-SURFING
Have you ever Googled your own name? I’m willing to bet most of you have and the rest of you will as soon as you finish reading this article. Some people do it for fun. Most people search their own name for curiosity’s sake, but if you’re in business, it’s probably a good idea to see what’s out there on the Interweb on a semi-regular basis.
In fact, the word ego-surfing is now officially in the Oxford Dictionary. It is a verb meaning “search the Internet for instances of one’s own name or links to one’s own website.” The results you may find will be directly proportionate to the number of social media sites you are on and the amount of content you’ve written or have been written about you.
For a business person, who relies heavily on their personal brand, it is especially important to create content — posts, articles, photos, videos, memes, blogs, newsletters, interviews with local broadcast media, feature stories in newspapers or magazines, etc. Every time a piece of content is produced, it lives on the web permanently and Google indexes it and makes it searchable.
The uniqueness of your personal brand doesn’t necessarily require a unique name. One of my favorite Madison+Main-iacs and co-author of the Weekly Report is Jr. Communications Specialist Kennedy Heidel. If you Google Kennedy, you will find out that she is truly unique. The one and only.
On the other hand, the name David Saunders is pretty freakin’ average. According to HowManyOfMe.com, there are 987 David Saunders in the United States of America. My mom always said I was one in a million. She was wrong. It turns out I am only one in a thousand. Among the many, many David Saunders in North America, one of them is a famous photographer, another is a country music artist, and one is a pro soccer player. And David “MudCat” Saunders is a famous Democrat Party strategist who got Senator Mark Warner and Senator Jim Webb elected. MudCat from Roanoke, Virginia, and I are probably related somewhere along the line.
Yet, the not-so-famous David Saunders (me) from Lynchburg, Virginia, who writes this weekly email tops them all in Google search engine results. How did I do it? By writing blogs, actively engaging in public relations, investing in a top-ranking website, and amassing a social media following of more than 25,000 people. Yes, I am on TikTok too. Step one to increasing your personal brand? Make content. #BoldBrandsWin #NotChangingMyName
MONDAY:
GET IN THE SPIRIT(S)
Monday the team celebrated #NationalRumDay by clinking glasses over our latest creation — A. Smith Bowman Distillery’s new Cocktail Recipe Book. Sip tight people, this 82 glossy page, spiral-bound, bar cart-sized recipe book was perfectly mixed by the entire team at Madison+Main. You can get one on their website or in their gift shop in Fredericksburg.
TUESDAY:
LET’S GET SOCIAL
On #NationalNonprofitDay, we wanted to call certain attention to all the amazing efforts of our nonprofit clients — Virginia School of Nurses, Virginia Diabetes Council, Virginia – West Virginia MS Society, Lucy Corr Foundation, Hitting Cancer Below The Belt, Housing Families First, The Doorways, and DRIVE SMART Virginia. Thank you for all your hard work and efforts.
WEDNESDAY:
FAMILY HAPPY HOUR
Wednesday the Madison+Main-iacs met for another happy hoppy hour, this time with family members and significant others invited. The team had a blast at Steam Bell Beer Works and mingled with our loved ones.
On Wednesday morning we celebrated the launch of our new website! This sleek new design isn’t just pretty, it’s more user-friendly. Check it out and let me know what you think. Incredible work team, you knocked it out of the park.
THURSDAY:
WEEKEND ROAD TRIP
Looking for something to do this weekend? A. Smith Bowman Distillery was recently named one of the Top Seven Day Trips from Richmond by Lonely Planet! Hit the road, pack snacks, and visit Virginia’s oldest and most award-winning distillery. Psst, they even give complimentary tours and tastings. They will cut you off, however — I learned the hard way.
FRIDAY:
FORT MONROE EVENT
Last Friday I was on Richmond’s Morning News with John Reid, telling WRVA listeners about all of the cool events coming up in the Richmond area. ICYMI, you can hear my beautiful radio voice here.
This Friday, I’m happy to share that our client Fort Monroe is hosting a 1619 Commemoration of the First Enslaved African Landing tomorrow. Head down I64 for the 402nd anniversary of the landing of the first enslaved Africans in English North America. The featured keynote speaker is author, emcee, and producer KRS-One. The event will also feature an Evolution of Freedom concert with jazz musician Delfeayo Marsalis. Admission is free.
A FEW OF OUR CLIENT JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Lucy Corr
Chesterfield, Virginia
Join the Lucy Corr team! Their vibrant retirement community is searching for friendly and dedicated workers to fill a variety of roles.
- Concierge
- Dining Services
- Environmental Services
- Information Technology
- Nursing (Assisted Living)
- Nursing (Health Care Center)
The Doorways
Richmond, Virginia
Help support families in Richmond who are experiencing a medical crisis. As the second-largest hospitality house in the country, The Doorways is growing its team to make huge differences.
- Facilities Maintenance Technician
- Front Desk Agent
A. Smith Bowman Distillery
Fredericksburg, Virginia
As a small and privately-owned company, A. Smith Bowman Distillery continues the time-honored traditions on which it was founded. Considered a micro-distillery by today’s standards, A. Smith Bowman Distillery produces an assortment of hand-crafted spirits. Join their team today!
- Distillery Tour Guide
Got an upcoming event you want to share? Can we come? Send us the deets!
“When things are “Start by knowing what you want and who you are, build credibility around it, and deliver it online in a compelling way.” — Krista Neher