Do You Need Social Media
To Grow Your Online Business?
This week I released a podcast episode reflecting on this question. In reflecting back on building and growing my very online facing brand I noticed a few things that surprised me.
Most of my brand growth has been organic
Despite not paying (regularly) for traffic, my projects experienced growth
The size of the audience you need to change your life is probably smaller than you think.
I’m not the only person who is rethinking the role of social media in building their brand. That’s why I focus so much on building my list(s) whether they be a newsletter/email list or both. The lists just change what I can do with my brand.
In fact, this year my goal is to grow Creators Getting Paid to 10,000 supporters. Could you do me a favor and share this project to help me get closer to this goal? There’s a share button below the picture.
I truly appreciate it!
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Listen to the Podcast Episode
Episode Show Notes
How YOU Can Grow Your Brand
Without Heavily Relying on Social Media
While there are a number of aspects related to social media that I appreciate, when you’re building a business I just think you have to look at it (social media) differently.
Some Questions To Ask Yourself
Before you kick social media to the curb or pivot your process. I have a few questions for you to reflect on. Grab a pen and paper (so old-fashioned) and work through the following questions.
How much time are you spending on your favorite social media platforms?
Does the amount of time your spending make sense for the results that you’re getting?
Are you seeing people interact with your affiliates, unique products or free resources that you’re sharing on these platforms?
Have you run short surveys asking your audience how they initially connected with you?
Are the community members/customers/clients that you’re connecting with through social media matching the ideal person that you would like to serve?
Have you sat down and worked through who your idea client avatar is?
Client avatar profile would include, but not limited, to the following attributes
Specific area of interest
Age ranges
A set of problems that they need solved, that you SOLVE
Income range
Is the person that you’re serving a beginner, intermediate or advanced level in terms of knowledge?
Growing Your Brand
Social Media Light
I have a social media “light” approach to sharing the work that I’m designing to support my brand. I thought it would be helpful to share some additional tips to how I market my brand that are addressed in the podcast episode.
Tip #1-Content Design MATTERS. I talk about this often but I have a strategy around the type of content that I create for my podcast and websites. I actually allocate days for working on and attracting ideas. These days are fun days. I go hiking, take yoga, hang out at a coffee shop, go for a walk and the ideas come to me. You can use a notebook to keep track of the ideas or use an audio app on your phone. Then sit down and think about the best time of year to share specific pieces of content. Ultimately, content design is about intention.
Tip #2-Understand “Intent” I spend a lot of time talking about it and I think that once people understand how intent impacts the actions that people take when interacting with your content. Intent, put simply, is the result that people are hoping to get from a piece of content.
To be entertained
To learn something new
The steps to solving a problem
Once you understand intent, I would literally work through the intent of each piece of content at the beginning stages of designing it.
Tip #3-Learn the Fundamentals of SEO! Search Engine Optimization is understanding the ins and outs of organic search. How are people organically finding content? Where to optimize organic search.
The topics that you’re covering in your content. This could also include fiction based creative content.
Podcast titles-I regularly type topics into podcast apps to find specific episodes related to the content I would like to listen to.
Website posts-Are people looking for the topic you’re writing about?
Vlog posts-Same as podcast titles
Tip #4-Know Your Audience. I’m working on a huge personal finance podcast season about policy and women’s money. My audience LOVES this type of slightly subversive personal finance content. Before I decided to record it I started sharing the season concept with my ideal audience to get a feel for their reaction to it. They loved it! I also paid attention to any questions they asked or anything that they found to be confusing.
Tip #5-Think About Timing. Is the timing right for the content that you’re putting out. This could be the right timing for you personally or for your audience.
Shout Out to This Podcast
Off The Grid is focused on building a business and brand that is off of social media. I LOVE this podcast and I think you will love it too. By the way, they have no idea that I’m shouting them out.
February 2024 Upcoming Creators Getting Paid Workshops
How to Design and Create Your First Product-FREE
Hosted-via Zoom (I will share details with everyone the day before the workshop)
When: Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 6:00 pm MTN/8:00 pm EST
What: Thinking about designing your first product and aren’t sure how to begin? Join this informal and casual conversation about where to start first, what to consider and how to figure out what to charge.
How to Get Brand Partnerships-PAID
Hosted-Via Zoom
When: Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 1:00 pm MTN/3:00 pm EST
What: Michelle has worked with numerous brand partners in paid collaborations. This workshop will work with attendees on the strategies she uses to attract high paying brand partnerships and unique collaborations. Set aside 2 hours for this workshop (content and time for Q & A specific to your project)
How to Create a Newsletter that Pays-PAID
Hosted-Via Zoom
When: Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 6:00 pm MTN/8:00 pm EST
What: Are you wanting to start a newsletter and aren’t sure how to start? Are you looking to monetize your newsletter and need help wrapping your mind around the strategy? This workshop walks participants through what to consider, what to watch out for and more.
How to Crowdfund Your Next Business Project (Paying Subscribers Only)
Hosted-Via Zoom
When-Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 6:00 pm MTN/8:00 pm EST
What: Have you thought about crowdfunding your next business related project but aren’t sure where to start? I raised just under $10,000 dollars to host my in-person event “Money on the Mountain” in 2019 and am currently crowdfunding my 2024 personal finance podcast season. You’ll leave with the following tips and knowledge.
How to craft a compelling pitch
Active crowdfunding vs. Passive
Tools to process the contributions
Additional Tips
For paid subscribers I’ve recorded some additional tips to help you reframe how you could market your brand outside of social media. Monthly access to this content is $5 a month which is the equivalent of one cup of coffee or bougie tea a month.