If you're like most small business owners, you started your business because there was a NEED for your product or service, and you felt a calling to fulfill that need. Something made you think, “I’ve got to do something about this!”
Next, you thought about the value you could bring to the table and spent time developing your products and services to match the needs you identified. Then you began sharing your new business with the world. (High-fives - that was a lot of work, my friend.)
Now that it's time to make some money (or boost what’s already coming in), the key is to connect your business, products, and services with the right people in the right place at the right time - when they're ready to buy!
Social media is about engagement and connection. Your social media channels are like a scrapbook for your business - they give your audiences a glimpse into your personality and values, and they give your business LIFE. Sharing content regularly on your social media channels will build your followers’ trust, deepening their connection with your brand and encouraging engagement.
So who is it you’re trying to connect with? Who are you creating social media and other marketing content FOR? Before you start using your channels to create your social media scrapbook, it’s important to take yourself through the process of really getting to know who your target audiences are so you understand how to give them more value, engage with them on their terms, and speak using a voice they will listen to.
One thing I hear all too often from business owners is that when they begin to target audiences, they feel like they’re “excluding” others. Let me reassure you - by completing this activity, you are not excluding anyone - you are simply telling the Universe who the BEST person is to send your way, and you must trust that the others who align with your brand will follow. (I’ve often said, “Start with the low-hanging fruit and the rest of the right nuts’ll follow.”)
When narrowing down one of your business’ target audiences, you must use your imagination to get into the mind of the person buying your product or service. You must imagine who your target customer is, what this person cares about, and base your marketing decisions and written content on the needs and desires you discover.
Download my free “Target Audiences Worksheet” to get into the mind of your customers and figure out what they want and need from you! (NOTE: I recommended that you complete this worksheet for each of your major products and services if they are targeted to different audiences.)
Have fun!
Ready to jump from the nest right now? Grab my book, Scrapbook Social Media, to learn how to overcome your marketing fears and start building your “social media scrapbook”, or sign up for a Social Media Guidance Session or Coaching Package today to get the one-on-one support you need.