The social media streets are getting LOUDER daily (you've felt it already!). The Ads, DM
messages, reels, emails ... It's non-stop.
How is any of this good news for you?
A combination of factors has created the perfect storm of opportunity for small business owners, aspiring influencers, and established entrepreneurs.
● As the world's economies get tougher, people are more cautious about how they spend
their hard-earned money -- they're not betting on a stranger with a glossy ad. If they
don't know you, SCROLL, they're not waiting around for your well-crafted sales pitch.
● Other business owners are looking for business leaders with the expertise to get them to
the next level - and they are ready to pay to play .
The fantastic news is the demand is growing for niche small businesses, experts, influencers,
and thought leaders; here's the caveat -- for those who can put in the time to get great at
content marketing!
All marketing is not created equal, but great marketing isn’t about the pizzazz.
Fall in love marketing your business! –Great energy converts.
Become obsessed with getting your people results –Celebrate them publicly.
Get comfortable making your offer repeatedly- ask for their business.
These three decisions will separate you from the crowd.
The challenge with content marketing for most entrepreneurs is that it feels slow, you need to make that sale like yesterday. I know, I've camped out in that park before, and it's a tough place to be -- but trust the process.
Ask yourself this: Am I selling something my target client desperately needs?
If the answer is a bold YES, you will make the sales.
Keep marketing yourself and asking for the sale.
Do your people know you have what they desperately need?
Ditch the transactional efforts and start building relationships. While other businesses are
sending out automated emails, do the opposite.
Talk to more of your ideal clients.
Every day, have a conversation ( a real convo) with XX number of people. Put it on your calendar. Right now, block out that time.
Business is about relationships. Be memorable.
Create some thought leadership around what you do. What's your opinion? What makes you
different?
Ditch the vanity metrics race.
I know checking likes and shares is an addictive habit, but shrug it off because being
metrics-driven ironically leads to wasting time stacking up metrics of no real value. What do I mean by that?
Consider this: You're talking to your friend about what they need to do to get the results they're after. Perhaps this friend is looking to lose some weight, and you're in the fitness biz. And, because you're talking to this 1 person, you can tailor your words to their unique
situation. You have considered that they have a dog, which means they have to take a walk every morning and evening. It's to their benefit to persuade them to turn that daily dog walking into a power walk, let's say, by adding some dumbbells and leg weights (just go with the flow I'm on) that you have available for them to purchase with ease right away. You've provided a custom solution.
Now, let's say you meet 50 people who also want to achieve their fitness goals. Some may have a dog, some may not, some may love to walk, others may not. The larger the crowd you're speaking to, the more ... and more general your advice gets (to accommodate everyone, right?)
Who is paying for general knowledge? No one (in their right mind)! But, people will happily exchange their hard-earned money for the insights, wisdom, and expertise they need from someone they have developed an affinity for. They like your personality, you know your stuff, you pass the unknown scammer test, and you've made an offer they can't resist.
As more people jump at the opportunity for content marketing, it's got to feel less like
"marketing" and more like a conversation with a friend (at scale).
2025 is set to be an exciting time for digital marketing—lean in, connect with your audience, and make it a year of growth.
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About the Author: Priscilla Shumba, MBA, is a business communications strategist, author, and podcaster. Check out her free training: Elevate & Leverage Small Business Media
Learn more and connect with her on LinkedIn.
P.S. If you’re drowning in those business nuggets, I’d suggest you listen to this interview with tech & innovation expert on The Lessons of Entrepreneurship Podcast, West Stringfellow on the process of collecting ideas to ignite innovation.
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