We spend too much time on social media.
This is’nt breaking news — we are all well aware of it, and yet still we reach for our phones in a moment of dullness or while watching tv (or in the bathroom). We aimlessly scroll through a constant feed of fake inspirational stories, mental breakdowns, political incitement, and general verbal muck that we hurl at one another without any want for compromise or de-escalation.
Everyone is making a conscious effort to change our minds, to sell us their agenda and since we are in the attention economy, the more of your attention they grab the more potential to monetize.
Why Do We Follow?
The people who capitalize have realized that social media is a tool that if used well can be extremely beneficial and lucrative. We all have people we follow and that we look up to, or trust their advice — and eagerly await their posts.
But have you ever asked yourself, why? Why do I really follow this person and am somewhat invested in them?
There are many reasons, but one big reason that is inescapable is that for whatever reason we want to feel like we are part of their lives, and be taken along on their journey.
A Marketplace For Ideas
Well, you can be that for someone else. The internet is a marketplace of ideas. Don't undervalue what you can offer someone, as what may be common knowledge to you, or something you think no one will be interested in, can be a goldmine or “a-ha” moment for someone else.
We all know the hours of scrolling are not benefiting us but it's also not realistic to completely eliminate social media and our smartphones from the ever-growing digitally connected lives we lead.
Utilize the time that you already spend on social media wisely.
The phrase “growing a community” or an “audience” might be overused, but it is true.
I can list countless examples of content creators and/or entrepreneurs (not celebrities with a built-in audience) who worked on building an audience for years and when it came time to monetize, they did so in spectacular fashion bringing in 6 and even 7 figures annually.
Simply having a large following doesn't equal engagement.
Which is the keyword here — engagement.
You have to get your followers engaged in the content you release.
They have to be invested in you or at least believe in the things you say, enough so that when it's time to pre-order your book, subscribe to your newsletter or Youtube channel, or go check out your new website to buy merch - they will do so because they have already bought into your brand - into YOU!
Be one of the people that use social media to their advantage, rather than being a mindless scroller.
Take action!
Engage in relevant conversations
Do cross-promotions
Add value and comment on posts in your genre, create authority
Join relevant groups and chime in with suggestions & ideas
Post regularly about the things you are passionate about
Write guest posts
Try different channels and experiment with what works for you
Go on podcasts to discuss your channel
Inevitably, over time, you will create a following that will see value in the content you create.
If you think social media and/or content creators (which is potentially everyone) are going away anytime soon-you are dead wrong. YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Substack, Medium, etc., all of these behemoths are figuring out new ways to showcase creators on their platforms and allow them to monetize in a myriad of new ways.
So unless you intend on going rogue and eliminating all tech from your life, my suggestion is at least use it to your advantage.
Anyone Can Do It
There is a sweet Mexican grandma on YouTube with almost 4.5 million subs (more than Gordon Ramsay) that cooks authentic Mexican food from her region of Mexico. No fancy setup, just her and her granddaughter who I believe shoots everything on her iPhone. She just does what she loves and is very good at it and the world is embracing her by the millions.
No matter who you are and what you do, building a personal brand will only strengthen your business and attract more customers.
Create More, Consume Less.
Everybody has something they're good at or passionate about, or at the very least, interested in.
Build that into something interesting, give tips, share ideas, create images or videos, learn from other people in your space, see what channel works for you, and give your creative side an outlet. Industry agnostic, there is an audience for literally anything you are interested in.
Don't think for a second “no one is interested in preserving homemade pickles!”. Trust me when I tell you that worldwide, you will find millions of people who are very passionate about pickling things.
So, just change your point of view about social media. Instead of being a consumer of it, think of yourself as a creator of it (of sorts).
If you want to support my efforts while I build Wilder, check out my newly released ebook - Catchphrases 101 - The Ultimate Catchphrase eBook