Do you really own your followers? |
You put so much effort and time into expanding your following. Shouldn't that hard work pay off? The reason why you should be able to control your followers is crucial to the success of your creator.
Shouldn't all that hard work be rewarded?
Being popular on one platform doesn't suggest that you are in a position to manage your relationships with the group of people. If you're not then you're not getting one) the people who are seeing everything you have to offer, and 2) the advantages -- community building, monetization and even growth being able to reach that audience in the beginning.
This is what "owning your audience" is and the importance of it.
What is it that you can do to own your audience? (And why is this vital?)
Being a part of your audience is about building relations with them according to your personal preferences. You are aware of who they are as well as how they interact with your work, regardless of whether they're introducing your brand for the first time , or already have been faithful fans for years.
It is important to build relationships with your customers by deciding when and how you interact with your customers. Your communication with them is via a channel or platform that you control, like your email list, an online community or your website. The direct channel of communication is scalable, so it is easy to reach those who are in the appropriate time regardless of whether it's one individual client or your entire email list.
There's a difference between posting content on Instagram and hoping that the algorithm will put your post in front of your followers instead of. knowing that your message gets to the right people.
Imagine that you're planning an evening party with new friends. To make sure they are having a blast, you need to learn a few facts about them before they arrive What are their food restrictions? What kind of music does they enjoy? Are they a fan of alcohol, wine or mocktails?
Just like asking your acquaintances for their opinions will help you prepare a meal for your guests, getting to know your target audience more than "likes" as well as "follows" helps you create products and content that satisfy their requirements.
The result? Your business will grow by increasing sales, and happier customers.
The consequences of not owning your target audience
When you don't own your target audience, you lose the chance to create relationships, monetize your audience Make sure that your customers see your content, and grow your business.
There are three different ways social media platforms make it difficult for you to establish your followers:
Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok don't let you take the followers you've created together. You aren't able to contact all your TikTok followers at once or export a list of their email addresses so that you can communicate with them in a way that is on your own terms.
Social platforms' algorithms are developed to keep people on social media apps for as long as they can and putting profits from platforms over the success of their creators. Changes in algorithms means your users could not view your work right when you post it , if they even see it. These platforms also promote works of others to your audience and display your work under the platform's branding, not the one you own.
There's no reason to suggest that content creators should swear off social media completely. It's a powerful way to grow your following and allow new users to get to know your work however it shouldn't be the the onlyway to communicate with your followers. Using social media alongside other platforms (like email) will make a significant impact in boosting the growth of your creator business.
Intentional ways to build audience relationships on your own terms
A big part of owning your followers is having complete control over the way they experience your brand at all times no matter if they're a new follower or a long-time customer.
There are a variety of ways to achieve this. Two of our suggestions to creators
Start growing your email list early on
Pick a user-friendly, all-in-one platform for creators.
1. Get your email list growing as early as possible
Email is an established and reliable marketing tool for a reason: It's cost-effective and easy to begin in the process. Creating your email list early can be a huge benefit.
Your workshop's performance is in the fate of the algorithm *.
(*The Instagram algorithm changes frequently and without notice, so the info in this graphic is subject to changes. This is one of the main reason why people are tired with Instagram -- and are moving to channels they own such as email or private groups.)
The location where you host your digital goods -- and control the other aspects of your business -- can have a a big difference, too.
2. Select platforms and tools that are user-friendly for creators.
A lot of platforms treat creators as though they exist in a vacuum and only produce posts and connect with users on that platform instead of as real people working to develop brands and create business. The companies do not understand the importance of starting and develop a successful business as a creator.
In other words that they're not creator-friendly.
A Creator-friendly platform allows you to manage your audiences interactions and managing the experience of your audience simpler.
"Creators are always working to create their own audience -- and long-lasting relationships which isn't a reason for you to get locked into one particular platform. The best thing you can do is enjoy the benefits of your time and labor on your next move."
"That implies the capacity to move your data clients, data, and profits along to a new platform or, at the most, export it off an existing platform, quickly and in a simple way."
The platforms that are creator-friendly help you reach every person -- clients, students, free community members and paid subscribers on your email list -- in the way you'd like. It is possible to send an email to every person on your list or even a certain student within a class cohort through the same platform.
Platforms like Facebook don't send information to email providers. (They don't even let you export email addresses.) So, you aren't able to make use of audience information to segment your audience, so you need to use of multiple platforms for communication with all of them.
"I must pay for an entire virtual assistant accept members, greet them, moderate, etc. There's Google Sheets and separate Facebook Messenger software which is $30/month in addition to Facebook's algorithm and distracting features. This is a complete mess."
This is especially crucial if you want to do more than offer free content. If you want to start making money by offering digital services and community, you need the right devices.
Create a space to share updates with their supporters
It's the bottom line: the software you utilize should view and support you holistically in your work as an artist and not only as a way for them to earn more cash. Platforms that are supportive of creators understand how crucial that creators be in control of the relationship and communications with their followers. And when you're empowered to control these aspects then you're able to create a truly amazing creator business on your terms.
Are you ready to start with a creator platform that puts your success first? Join us for your free account today . We can't wait to watch your progress.