Do you really own your followers? |
You've put a lot of time and energy into growing your fan base. Why shouldn't this hard work pay off? Here's why owning your followers is crucial to the success of your creator.
Shouldn't all that hard work be rewarded?
A following on a social media platform does not suggest that you are in a position to manage your relationships with the group of people. If you're not, you're missing out on 1.) the people who are seeing everything you're offering, and 2) the benefits such as the potential for monetization, building community, and growth -- of getting that audience beginning.
Let's look at what "owning your market" means and the reason why it's important.
What exactly does it mean to be able to control your audience? (And what makes it vital?)
Building your brand's reputation by establishing connections with your audience in your own way. You know who they are and how they interact in relation to your material, whether they're discovering your work for the first time , or have long been loyal fans.
It is important to build relationships with your customers by owning when and how you talk to your audience. They communicate through a platform or channel that you are in control of, for instance, your email list, your online community or your website. The direct channel of communication is flexible, meaning you are able to easily contact those who are in the appropriate time regardless of whether it's an individual customer or your entire email list.
There's a difference between posting on Instagram and hoping algorithms will place your posts in front the people who follow you instead of. knowing that your message will reach the people you want to.
Imagine you're hosting a dinner party for some new acquaintances. To ensure they'll are having a blast it is important to know a few details about them prior to the event: Do they have any specific dietary limitations? What sort of music do they prefer? Are they a fan of wine, beer, or mocktails?
Similar to asking your acquaintances for their opinions helps you cater a party to your guests. Getting to know your target audience much more than "likes" and "follows" aids in creating content and products that meet the needs of your audience.
What does this mean? growing your business as a creator by increasing sales, and happier customers.
It is a risk not to own your audience
If you're not able to control your audience, you miss the chance to create relationships, monetize your audience ensure that your fans are aware of your posts, and also grow your business.
Three ways social media platforms make it harder to own your target audience.
Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok don't let you take the audience you built together. You can't message all of your TikTok followers at once or export a list of their email addresses so that you can communicate with them on your terms.
The algorithms of social media platforms are designed to keep users engaged with social media applications to the maximum extent possible, putting platform profits above users' successes. Changes in algorithms means your users might not see your work at the time you publish it , if they even see it. They also showcase the work of other creators to your followers and show your work under the platform's branding and not under the one you own.
There's no reason to suggest that content creators shouldn't avoid social media altogether. It's a powerful method to increase your followers and allow new users to discover your content -- however it shouldn't be the soleway you interact with your fans. Making use of social media along with other avenues (like email) will make a significant impact in boosting the growth of your business as a creator.
Methods to intentionally build connections with your audience on your own terms
A big part of owning your followers is having complete control over the experience they have at each stage, whether they're a brand-new subscriber or a regular.
There are many ways to achieve this. We have two suggestions to creators
Start growing your email list early on
Pick a user-friendly, all-in-one platform for creators.
1. Begin to build your email database early on
Email is a tried-and-true marketing method for a reason: It's cost-effective and easy to start as well as building an mailing list before the deadline can yield a wealth of benefits.
Your workshop's success is at the decision-making process *.
(*The Instagram algorithm changes frequently and at no notice, which means the info in this graphic can changes. This is one of the main reasons why creators are bored with Instagram and have shifted to their own channels including email, and even private community sites.)
Where you host those digital goods -- and run the rest of your business -- can make an enormous difference.
2. Select platforms and tools that are user-friendly for creators.
Some platforms view creators as if they exist in a vacuum that they only create posts and connect with users on that platform -- rather than being real people who are working to create brands and build companies. These companies don't acknowledge what it takes to begin and expand a business of creators.
That is to say these aren't a good fit for creators.
A Creator-friendly platform makes owning your audience connections and directing the user experience easier.
"Creators work to build their own audiences as well as long-lasting connections which should not be the reason to become entangled in one particular platform. The best thing you can do is carry the results of your work and effort on your next travel."
"That implies the capacity to transfer your information clients, data, and profits along to a new platform, or at the very least, export off your current platform in an easy, quick way."
The platforms that are creator-friendly help you reach all of your customers -- students, free community members and paid subscribers on your mailing list to the extent you need. It is possible to send an email to every person on your list or contact a particular pupil in a cohort of students from the same dashboard.
Platforms such as Facebook aren't sending info to the email service you use. (They don't even let you export email addresses.) This means that you cannot utilize audience data to separate your list, and you need to work on multiple platforms to connect with everybody.
"I must pay for an assistant who is full-time to accept members, greet them, moderate, and so on. There's Google Sheets and separate Facebook Messenger software which is $30/month, plus Facebook's algorithm and distracting features. It's such a mess."
This becomes especially important if you are looking to do more than offer free content. If you want to start making money with digital content and communities, you need the right devices.
Create a space where they can share their updates with those who are their advocates
In the end, the tools you use should see and help you in a holistic way in your work as an artist rather than just an avenue to make more money. The platforms that support creators know how vital it is for creators to be in control of the relationship and communications with their audiences. And when you're empowered to take control of these things, you have the opportunity to create a truly amazing creative business that is your own.
Are you ready to start by using a platform for creators which puts your success at the forefront? Join us for your free account today . We can't wait to watch you grow.