How To Reach Your Audience That Will Make You Think Twice About Social Media
My sons are no longer little boys. They have grown into three young men. On top of endless groceries, the noise level gets a bit loud sometimes, especially during football season. Most of the time, I enjoy being in the presence of the noise and sometimes, I even join in. But there are times when I want to retreat to my quiet space (my bedroom) for a little R&R.
During these loud moments, the person who feels unheard the most is the one who raises their voice a bit louder until everyone else is drowned out.
Social media sometimes feels like that for me.
There’s community and positive rapport. But then there’s loud, boisterous, and downright rude that pushes us to join in or retreat.
You might be a blogger or operate a small business that counts on customers to pay the bills. Yes, marketing our work is hard. But there is another way to get the word out without all the noise of social media.
We talk about sharing, liking, and connecting on social media and that’s cool. If social media works for you and your work, keep doing the thing. If it ain’t broke…
Below are the lifespan of social media posts - prepare for your mind to be blown 😊
TikTok: 0–2 minutes (seriously - you’ve gotta go viral for your audience to see your content)
X (formerly known as Twitter): 15–18 minutes
Facebook: 5–6 hours
LinkedIn: 24 hours
Instagram: 48 hours
YouTube: 20 days
Pinterest: 4 months
Blog posts: 2 years
Take a look at the content with the longest lifespan: Pinterest and blog posts. To me, that’s pretty telling because they are the marketing efforts that require “quiet” work but have the most online stamina. Interesting.
Amy Porterfield and guest Kate Kordsmeier chatted it up about how to ditch social media in favor of more strategic methods. Honestly, Amy didn’t sound too convinced but I think the guest got her thinking in the end. You can listen to the entire podcast episode below.
So friend, if it’s less noise you want and more bang for your online work, let’s dive into five ways to reach your audience that will make you think twice about social media. Let’s go!
1. Email Marketing
Email remains one of the most powerful tools for direct communication. Building a targeted email list allows you to send personalized content directly to your audience’s inbox. Here’s how to make the most of email marketing:
- Segment Your List: Categorize your audience based on their interests and behaviors for more tailored messaging.
- Provide Value: Share exclusive content, special offers, or insightful newsletters to keep your audience engaged.
- Consistent Communication: Establish a regular schedule for sending emails to maintain engagement.
Email marketing resources
How to create a lead magnet in 4 easy steps
ConvertKit - Free plan
2. Host Webinars and Workshops
Webinars and workshops offer an interactive platform to connect with your audience, giving you the opportunity to share valuable knowledge and insights while building a sense of community. Consider these tips:
-Choose Relevant Topics: Focus on subjects that address your audience’s pain points or interests.
-Encourage Participation: Include Q&A sessions to create dialogue and make attendees feel heard.
-Follow Up: After the event, send a recap and additional resources to keep the conversation going.
Webinar resources
Equipment you need to host a webinar
3. Create Valuable Blog Content
Folks may say blogging is dead. Blogging is not dead but some of those back-in-the-day strategies are (keyword stuffing, anyone?). A well-crafted blog can establish you as an authority in your niche while providing value to your audience. Here are some strategies to enhance your blog’s impact:
- Identify Audience Pain Points: Write posts that solve specific problems or answer common questions within your niche.
- Invite Guest Contributors: Collaborate with industry experts to bring fresh perspectives and expand your reach.
- Encourage Comments: Ask questions at the end of your posts to invite discussion and feedback.
Blog resources
How to write your very first blog post
4. Utilize Online Communities and Forums
I’m a member of a writing group and I can’t tell you how many online friends I’ve made just by engaging and encouraging. And the encouragement I’ve received is priceless. Participating in online communities and forums can help you connect with your audience on a more personal level. Here’s how to leverage these platforms:
- Join Relevant Groups: Engage in discussions within niche-specific forums or platforms like Reddit. Or create your own community on a platform like Slack.
- Offer Help and Expertise: Provide genuine advice and insights, which will position you as a valuable resource.
- Share Your Content: When appropriate, share your blog posts or resources that could benefit the community.
Community resources
A membership group for Christian writers - I highly recommend
How to create a Slack community
3 templates to help you plan and grow your online community
5. Leverage Your Website for Engagement
Let me share this with you: in addition to my web design business, I also own and operate a catering business and after asking my catering customers how they heard about the business, they all said either by Google search or referral. Not one person said social media. Yep.
Your website is a powerful tool for building connections with your audience. Here are some ways to enhance engagement on your site:
- Interactive Features: Incorporate quizzes, polls, or surveys to encourage visitor interaction.
- Customer Testimonials: Showcase positive feedback and success stories to build trust and credibility.
- Clear Calls to Action: Make it easy for visitors to subscribe to newsletters, download resources, or get in touch.
Website resources
If you know me, I’m a Squarespace gal because it’s so easy to design and launch. But for the Wordpress fans, I’ll include some resources for you too 😊
Sign up for a free Squarespace webinar
Learn how to launch a website on WordPress with this step-by-step guide and checklist.
Elementor is a popular WordPress website builder but it can be a bit confusing if you’re just starting out. Here’s a free Elementor course to walk you through setup and beyond.
Whew! I know that’s a lot to take in so thanks for sticking to the end. I’m not anti-social media but I am pro-working strategically. You’ve probably got lots of things going on like I do and if the time spent on socials just isn’t matching up with the return on investment, it might be time to try something different.
Let me know which strategy you’ll try and how it works for you. Thanks for reading!
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Regina is a writer, homeschooling mom, and owner of a soul food catering business. She is the host of the Pray to Play podcast, where she shares practical tips and heartfelt advice for parents navigating the busy world of athletics. A contributor to several publications, including Tracie Miles' Living Unbroken book study, she is also an advocate for young adults with developmental disabilities and serves on the Compel Pro volunteer leadership team. Living in Ohio with her family, she designs Squarespace websites for fellow creatives and spends her free time cheering her sons from the sidelines or sipping tea while chatting about God’s goodness with women.
