ONE FULL-PROOF WAY to protect yourself against algorithms...
Want to know the best way to future proof yourself against social media algorithms?
Focus on building real relationships.
My head spins every time I go online because I am flooded with messages from people that are selling me on the solutions to all of the social media and SEO algorithms that dictate who sees your content and website on a daily basis.
10 out of 10 times that I receive these DM’s, emails and comments on my post, I immediately delete or ignore them.
To me, playing exclusively in the algorithm sandbox is a losing game.
To be fair, having an understanding of how Google and social media ranks and features your work is important, but, it’s merely one piece of the puzzle.
It’s also a piece that changes every other day, which is really difficult with which to keep up.
So, how can you work around that?
It’s actually pretty simple - focus less on what the internet can do for you and focus more on what you can do for yourself by creating a strategy around having real conversations with real people.
I know, sounds crazy in this day and age of people unable to get their faces out of their phones for more than one minute straight, but, the old school, analog form of communication is quite simply, the most effective way to build a community of advocates for your services.
Sure, an algorithm can ensure that a post makes it’s way to your ideal clients social feed, but, does that mean that they’re going to read it? Does it mean that they’re going to be engaged by it?
Some cases, yes, and some cases, no.
But, what if you were to have an actual conversation, whether digitally or on the phone, where you discussed who you are, who you serve, and why you do what you do? You don’t think that conversation will spark interest from their end to learn more about you? Don’t think that that conversation will enlighten the other person to connect you with other people who are in desperate need to hear what you have to say?
I can tell you that most of my client bookings don’t come from SEO or having a highly ranked website on Google, it comes from having a running dialog with like-minded people who appreciate me for my work and for who I am as a person.
I think that this type of connection gets lost these days in a sea of automation, digital hacks, shortcuts and funnels. I don’t mean to besmirch these tools by any means, and I certainly would never say to skip the education lesson on the current algorithm trends, but, I will share a word of caution if you plan on betting all your chips on that visibility strategy.
Again, the most powerful way to get on the top of minds of others is to engage them where they are on social, comment on their posts, show genuine interest in what they do and who they are, and follow up with an offer to get them on the phone to chat.
That will move the needle in your business regardless of where your website is ranked on Google, or how many “followers” that you have on your social media platforms.
If you base your entire marketing strategy on hiring people to crack the algorithm code for you, you’re going to be chasing your own tail for many years to come.
Is it a lot of work to engage people on social organically? Yup, sure does add a lot of work to your plate...
But, you know what else it does? It introduces an amazing and eclectic group of like-minded people into your life, which, the last time I checked, is a pretty awesome thing, :)
What are your feelings on building relationships in order to build your community?
Please share your thoughts in the comment section below
PS - For those of you who aren’t in the know, I mail out these blogs 3x a week, and lemme tell you, they’re a real party, so, if you’d like to get in on this, sign up for it here and I’ll throw in a free gift for you, because I care, :)