People will buy from you if they trust you. And one excellent way to build trust with clients and prospects is to educate and entertain them through an informative, routinely updated blog. That’s just one of the many new-age marketing and sales strategies that Patrick Allmond shared at the ASI Show Dallas during his education session, “Your 24/7 Presence: Hot Digital & Mobile Branding Ideas.”

Creator of the popular “Own Your Empire” marketing system, Allmond told a packed room of industry pros that a blog replete with articles, videos and podcasts on topics like product trends can establish an online persona that presents you as a reliable expert, giving you an edge on competitors. “Strive to be the most educational company in your niche,” said Allmond, who frequently comments on FOX, NBC, ABC and CBS news affiliates.

Of course, Allmond’s session was about a lot more than blogging. He delivered an array of insights about how promotional product companies can establish a brand that suits them and attracts the kind of customers with whom they want to work. Part of this included explaining how colors are tied to certain emotions (blue equates to strength and dependability, for example) and how picking logo colors that convey the characteristics you want to emphasize is wise.

While having the right logo and graphic messaging is paramount, branding is about more than just those things, said Allmond: “A brand is everything you do that sets you apart – your products, services, your story – how you present yourself and your company” in person and online.

To build the right brand, Allmond advised distributors to create a “branding document” that spells out what makes them unique. Communicating this brand persona through everything from online videos and the “about us” section on a website to in-person elevator pitches, sales presentations and, of course, a logo and graphic messaging is a powerful way to stand out from the crowd and attract ideal customers. “Think about the kind of experience you want to offer clients and convey that through your brand,” said Allmond.