Writing words is better than "smashing" buttons

If you’re looking to truly engage potential clients and partners through social media…

…writing words is better than “smashing” buttons.

Back in 2018, I made one comment on a post, and it changed the course of my business. 

During that time, I spent a ton of time rifling through social profiles of people I knew, didn’t know, and certainly wanted to know. 

But rather than simply hit the like button, I made the conscious decision to mostly engage their content through comments. 

I figured that since I get more excited over genuine comments than likes, I’m sure that other people would appreciate the effort more, as well. (And since that time, I’ve seen countess pieces of content from marketing experts that agree).

So that’s what I did - day after week after month. 

One day, I saw a post from a podcast that I was on earlier in the year. The host also was a lifestyle portrait client of mine, as well. 

I took a peek at the guest for that episode, and saw that she was someone who worked in a space that I thought aligned well with the types of folks that I’m looking to serve. 

I listened to the first 3 minutes of the conversation, got an interesting take away from it, went back to the post and shared my excitement at listening to the rest of it in the comment section.

Within 10 minutes of posting the comment, I noticed the guest DM’ed me to set up a call. 

How bout them apples, huh? 

I responded, we set up a call, and the next thing I knew, I became a photographer sponsor for the NYC chapter of the National Speakers Association.

In exchange for my time and effort capturing board member headshots and each meeting, I would have the opportunity to be in a room of potential clients every single month. 

Sounded fair to me. 

I’d go in, snap some event shots, have some conversations, maybe pick up a couple local event gig here and there, book some portrait sessions - It could turn into nice supplemental income.

It turned out to be that and way more than that.

What I didn’t take into account is that these local NYC speakers have colleagues in other NSA Chapters all across the country - and they see the image content that they’re posting daily.

Which meant they would all see the photos that were created with me. 

Rather than simply having a presence in the city, I now had a chance to be discovered on a national scale.

As a result, my business has grown and evolved over that time in ways that I didn’t even realize was possible. 

Working with this organization was one of the best decisions I’ve made as a business owner.

All because I took a couple minutes to write one comment on a post about a podcast. 

Crazy, right? 

The next time you have a spare 10 minutes and a list of people that you want to engage for one reason or another, rather than smashing the like button, take an extra couple minutes to consume the content, generate a takeaway, opinion or additional thought, and share it. 

Could it lead to absolutely nothing?

Of course - and that often is the result.

But you never know unless you throw it out there and give it a shot. 

So just go for it :) 

For more visual storytelling strategies and insights for experts, I’ll talk your eyes off through my blog.Sign up to receive them directly in your inbox, and if you have any questions,set up a time to chat with me and then I’ll talk your ears off, too :)