I probably couldn’t plan it this way if I tried, but there always seems to be a common theme that emerges with Slow & Steady clients at the same time.
Which is to say, you’re probably not the only having those thoughts or feelings about your business.
This week, it was all about building authority.
The conversation started with social media – and the belief that in order to be successful, they had to use Instagram even though they didn’t really want to.
“If I could just get back to posting consistently, I’d finally start seeing results.”
When I see a solo business owner getting hooked into a specific platform or tactic (especially when it’s Instagram which truly has us biz owners in a chokehold), my spidey sense is that maaaaybe there’s something else lurking under the surface.
Sure enough once we started to pull at the threads it became clear it wasn’t about Instagram or social media or any specific channel at all.
What they really wanted is to establish themselves as an authority in their space - to their ideas and their unique point of view to be seen and heard and trusted.
And there are countless ways to do that – social media is just one of them.
Pitch a session at an industry conference.
Write an article or a blog post.
Produce a podcast or guest on someone else’s.
Host an event or stack a panel.
Participate in relevant communities and be generous about sharing your expertise.
Posting on Instagram might have felt productive this week. It’s faster, easier and requires a lot less vulnerability than most of the options above.
But it wouldn’t have met the real objective – not fully – and it likely would’ve kept them right where they are.
To be clear, being platform agnostic doesn’t mean I’m anti-social media.
If it supports your business goals and aligns with your preferences values, I’m all for it. I even dabble in social media myself!
The key is understanding how it – or any other tactic – serves your objectives.
Because platforms will come and go, but marketing principles are forever.
Until next time, go slow and stay steady.
Amanda Laird
Growth Marketing Strategist
Founder, Slow & Steady Studio