“Social Media: Don’t use it to impress people, use it to impact people”.
Everything you post on social media impacts your personal brand. How do you want to be known?
Social media platforms were created primarily as a way to connect with people. However, with the increased popularity of social media and the ways you can promote your business, it’s easy to forget about the ‘social’ part of social media and use it as a free advertising platform.
It’s been proven by experts that people will spend their money with businesses they know, like, and trust. But if your social media strategy only consists of posting photos of your product or hyping your service or your signature program, you’re not allowing anyone to know you or your brand. If your audience can’t make a connection with you, it will be impossible for them to genuinely like you and you’re simultaneously hindering the trust factor.
So, show off your personality with your social media posts. Let the real you shine through and you will naturally attract your tribe of followers. Here are 3 ways to #ShowUpAndServe and spice up your social media posts with your personality:
- Act like you’re the hostess and your followers are at your party. When hosting a party, you want everyone to be happy and having a good time, right? The same is true on social media platforms. Don’t just hang out on your page; visit other pages and leave comments. Ask your followers questions. Really listen to their answers. Respond to questions or comments that are asked of you. Be compassionate and friendly. Offer friendly advice when asked.
- Let your personality show and be entertaining. Search other social platforms for content that you find funny and you think your audience would like. Better yet, use Live video to showcase your personality. This doesn’t mean acting fake because you want people to be entertained; rather, be yourself and tell the funny thing your kid said or relay something comical that happened during your day. Everybody can use a laugh and posting videos or funny photos is a way to lighten the online atmosphere.
- Provide value and inspiration. Talk about your business and let your passion shine but let it be more than, “Buy my services!” Your audience wants to know what’s in it for them; how will your services benefit or help them. Do you have the solution to their problem? It’s not about you making sales; it’s about helping them find solutions. Share your favorite inspirational quotes, especially around the holidays, which can be a tough time of year for some folks.
Here are 5 steps to building an engaged audience on social media:
- Know Your Ideal Client – To make the most of your interaction with your ideal client on social media, you need to know as much about them as possible: their habits, goals, dreams, challenges, preferences, past, and what they will spend money on. (In fact, what they will spend money on is more important than how much they make).
- Be True To Your Brand and To Yourself – Your tribe will love you for who you are, so there’s no need to fall into the trap of thinking you’ve got to follow the latest trend. If you’re just starting to build your audience, spend some time truthfully deciding who you are and how you are going to #ShowUp, then stick to it.
- Don’t Invest Time In What Isn’t Working – You could spend all day on social media—and in creating resources for each different platform. Don’t. Instead, focus on those one to three platforms where your ideal clients are most active and engaged.
- Be a Great Host – Help, answer questions, make suggestions, give feedback, give support, share resources, comment, and post enjoyable, interesting content. It’s all about how you make them feel. And if you want to make them feel appreciated, liked and valued.
- Show Off Your Clients – Another way to engage with your community in a highly effective way: Give them credit and acknowledgment. Social proof is more than a few testimonials on a hidden page of your website. Encourage your clients to engage with your community as well.
Finding that perfect balance between business and personal on social media can be tough and strategizing how to best use social media is beneficial to all coaches, consultants and business owners.