Are your social media posts crushing your business?
Strange question, right? How could posting on social media possibly be crushing your business, when every time you update your status, you’re making
When you scroll through your social media feeds, you’ve probably noticed that some of the updates aren’t very good. They use low-quality images, there are more than a few spelling mistakes, or you click on a video featuring an uninspiring presenter.
You know some of these businesses, and in spite of these lacklustre updates, you also know they’re very good at what they do. They've been encouraged to build and grow an audience on social media – so they’re valiantly doing everything they can to achieve just that.
But social media isn’t a magic marketing potion.
It can be easy to think that simply posting regularly is all you need to do in order to get attention. But have you thought about what those posts are actually telling casual observers about you and your business?
Case in point: the image I’ve used here, which I created myself on Canva in an attempt to post something a bit ‘different’ on social media.
I’m not a designer, and I’m not blessed with a designer’s creative eye – two things that are immediately apparent upon looking at that image!
I spent ages creating that picture (yes, I know), and though I wasn’t happy I posted it anyway, because, well…I had to post something that day, or people might have forgotten I exist.
I regretted it almost immediately. I’m a writer who prides myself on producing high quality, personalised content. Do you get that impression from my hastily-created Canva image? I certainly don’t, and it’s my business!
My advice? Stick with all the things you’re actually good at – if you want to branch out with something you’re not, ask someone who is to do it for you instead.
Are you doing your business a disservice with your social media updates? If you’re bravely using skills you don’t have to promote the ones you do have – then yes, you probably are.
Remember that more ‘Likes’ and views might make you feel good, but they don’t automatically mean more business. Unless people tell you exactly why they’ve clicked on your content, you won’t know – and it could be for many reasons other than wanting to do business with you.
Example: I’ve got a morbid fascination with badly written content, so I actively seek it out (maybe it’s just so I can reassure myself that I'm able to do better!) Unfortunately, the careless impression I have of businesses that use badly written content means I’m unlikely to work with them. I just want to revel in their badness over a nice coffee and a biscuit.
And so the moral of this story is: when it comes to social media - or anything else for that matter - stick with what you know you’re good at, and ignore or outsource the rest.
We’re approaching a brand new year! It’s a great time to create some inspirational content that showcases you and your business at their very best. If you’re short on time, or your way with words is on a par with my skills on Canva, then… well, you know where I am.
Related Articles
When Schedules, Goals, and Rituals Don’t Work
Why failing to plan could be just what you need to succeed.
Read moreHow Dare They Criticise Me! How To Make Good Use Of Feedback
How not to drown in other people's opinions.
Read moreWhy ‘Explain Your Obvious’ is the Secret of Persuasive Writing
Explaining what’s blatantly obvious to you, could turn out to be advertising gold.
Read moreThree Reasons Why Online Meetings Are Better than Face to Face
"For online gatherings, your personal catering choices are king."
Read moreBlogging, and the Importance of Bodacious Self-Expression
...they were learning how to express their true feelings in words, and the results were honest, uplifting, and totally magnetic.
Read moreHow to Learn from People Who Aren’t Like You
No matter how scary it seems, learning from difference will benefit you much, much more than the comfy mediocrity that similarity brings.
Read moreSecret Sauce to Give Your Blog Posts Added Spice
"If you want to grab readers’ attention, you have to start with the heart."
Read moreHow I Got Better At Public Speaking
My journey from terrified mumbler to casual speaker, in easy-to-follow steps.
Read moreHow to Transform Your Blog Into a Book
If you have trouble motivating yourself to write that next blog post, whisper a little reminder: this could be a book one day.
Read moreWriting to Sell? Weird Words and Crazy Phrases To Avoid
This is a blog post unlike any other.
Read moreThe Trials and Tribulations of the Freelance Holiday
As a freelance writer, taking a break is always a challenge. But I push on through the guilt, and here's why.
Read moreThe Magic of Kismet Marketing
Has your marketing strategy got room for some unexpected magic?
Read moreSEO Copywriting (and Other Ways to Make Your Business Sound Boring)
Don't write for search engines, write for people.
Read moreOK, so you got a six-figure business. That don't impress me much
Where's the value in empty business gurus?
Read moreIs your business preaching to the converted?
How to sell your amazing ideas to a brand-new audience.
Read moreThe foolproof formula for blogging success
How regular blogging will boost your business - as if by magic!
Read moreTop profile clichés – are you guilty?
Are you an easy-going enabler of success who thrives in a fast-paced environment?
Read moreThe Art of the Written Compliment
If you're too embarrassed to give (or receive!) compliments, writing it all down can work wonders
Read moreLooking for a way to beat the January blues? Start with a letter
It's Universal Letter Writing Week - how will you celebrate?
Read more
Five Fantastic New Year's Resolutions for Freelancers
Five easy resolutions to help your freelancing career thrive in 2019 - promise!
Read moreStuck in a career rut? Get someone else to write your CV – and thrive!
"The right person will help you come across as yourself, but in a prouder, more polished, 'look what I’ve achieved' kind of way"
Read moreHow to choose the right coach or training course – at the right time
"If you like someone, you might be tempted to look for excuses to work with them, even if their particular skills aren’t what you need."
Read moreWhy giving up on social media is a mistake...
Easy tips to help you fit social media nicely into your life - no mindfulness seminars required.
Read moreBeware of the flowers: why customers don't care about your business
Focus on telling interesting business stories that reflect your ideal customers’ lives back to them.
Read moreIf you can’t take criticism, don’t be a writer!*
You can always learn from other people's insights - good or bad
Read moreRamp up your summer content to reap winter rewards
Keep your summer content fresh and updated to be remembered all year long.
Read more
Appreciate your freelancers, and be rewarded with their best work
How to become every freelancer's favourite client!
Read moreWhy a degree doesn't equal real-world competence
Sometimes, just putting the work in is enough.
Read moreRelax: a “no” for a freelance job can be a good thing!
Know what you're good at, and rejection won't seem so bad!
Read more
Talk confidently about something you love: set a speaking challenge!
How setting a speaking challenge forced me to talk confidently about the work I love.
Read moreFreelance reflections in the snow
Just like building the perfect snowman, carving out your freelance identity can be tough!
Read moreWhy spelling and grammar don't matter
Don't let bad spelling put you off writing the next bestseller!
Read moreWhat's in a name? Captivate and connect with simple business stories
Finding the 'what's', 'whys' and 'hows' of your business will help people connect with you.
Read moreFive New Year's Resolutions for Freelancers
Are your social media posts crushing your business?
How to write interesting content for any business (even yours)
What are your customers really saying about you?
You're writing great content. So why aren't people reading it?
It takes time to craft compelling
Got a book or blog to write? Beat the block and get it done!
November means #NaNoWriMo - so whatever you're working on, it's time to get it done!
Read moreHow will I sound like me, when you're doing the writing?
Ironically, it's when you're writing about yourself that you will sound least like you. Hiring a writer to do it for you can bring a whole host of benefits.
Read moreHow coffee and cake can change your career!
How involving others will help expand your career horizons.
Read moreDecoding the mystery of SEO
"SEO" is an often confusing term for those not well-versed in website maintenance. In reality, it's not quite as confusing as you might think!
Read moreWhy you definitely shouldn't write a book in a weekend!
Writing books is big business - or at least it can be, if you get it right. For starters, this means not rushing the process!
Read moreThe Ultimate Guide to... the Ultimate Guide!
A how-to guide for writing the ultimate downloadable guide for your business.
Read moreTry this simple formula to create a killer profile headline!
Headlines are always difficult to write, so here's an easy way to craft something original for your personal and professional profiles.
Read moreWhat do successful entrepreneurs and guests on the Jeremy Kyle Show have in common?
There's a lot of vague career advice out there, so if you're looking for insight that goes beyond "be yourself and follow your passion" you may have to leap before you look!
Read moreCreate a schedule you can stick to (it's not as hard as you think!)
Creating a schedule can be a difficult task, especially when you're planning for work you're not being paid for - or that nobody is expecting! Here's how to get started on crafting a time plan that will work for you.
Read moreOn creating a writer's life
This week I'm responding to the questions people have asked since my Careershifters' Success Story was published recently - all about creating a writer's life.
Read moreDiscovering your unique writer's voice is easier than you think
You don't have to be a professional writer to discover a unique writing voice that speaks to its readers. Finding your own voice is often easier than you might think, and it all starts when you write from the heart.
Read moreNo job for life? How a tailored approach to job-hopping can win your next career move
Did you know that so-called 'job-hopping' can be an asset to your career search? Whether you prefer stability or excitement in your career, planning your next move is all about packaging your skills and making the right kind of approach.
Read moreWhy it's sometimes OK to turn down freelance work
Going freelance doesn't mean you have to accept every piece of work that comes your way. Being discerning with your time and effort will help you reap the rewards of being your own boss...and you'll get to work with some great people too!
Read more‘CV Greatest Hits’ Countdown – 10 ultimate CV tips to prepare you for the Great 2017 Job Hunt!
'Greatest Hits' countdowns are rife at this time of year - so now, here's one featuring the best CV advice. This list will give you the ultimate steer if you're looking to get your CV on track for the new year job hunt. Wishing you a very happy 2017!
Read moreHow to pinpoint useful e-information for your business…without going crazy in the crowd!
Are you often left with the feeling that you don't quite know enough about all the online tools you can use to promote your business? How about website analytics...shouldn't you be checking them every five minutes just like the experts say? Relax - here's how to take advantage of all the advice available online, by defining exactly what YOU want to know.
Read moreGhost stories…how shadowy script can light up your life and work
BOO! Like a ripe pumpkin Hallowe'en has rolled around yet again, so what better time to extol the benefits of ghostwriting, definitely not just the province of bargain-bin bound celebrities.
Read moreBlogging - not just for hipsters and sicksters*
Regular blog posts - especially if you run a business - can drastically increase your following, as well as helping you beat the competition by describing how you do things your way. Read on for a few more great reasons why you should join the blogging revolution!
Read moreMaking meaningful business connections…in writing
Speaking up in networking groups used to bring me out in a cold sweat. So I sought out the people I really wanted to talk to and introduced myself in the way I'm best at - in writing.
Read more
