Are you truly in control of your audience? |
You put so much effort and time into expanding your fan base. Why shouldn't the hard work be rewarded? Here's why owning your followers is crucial to creator success.
Why shouldn't the effort be rewarded?
Having a following on a social media platform does not suggest that you are in a position to manage your relationships to that particular group of people. And if you're not doing this, you're missing out on 1.) the people who are seeing everything you have to offer, and 2)) the advantages such as the potential for monetization, building community, and even growth having that audience in the beginning.
Let's look at what "owning your market" means and the importance of it.
What exactly does it mean to be able to control your audience? (And why is this so important?)
Owning your audience means building relationships with people on your own terms. You are aware of who they are as well as how they interact with your work, regardless of regardless of whether they're discovering your content in the first place or are long-time fans.
The way to establish these relationships is by owning when and how you interact with your customers. You communicate with them via a channel or platform which you manage, such as your email list, your online community, or website. This direct communication channel is flexible, meaning it is easy to reach individuals at the right moment regardless of whether it's an individual user or your entire email list.
There's a difference between posting on Instagram and waiting to see if algorithms will place your content in front of the people who follow you vs. knowing that your message gets to the right people.
Imagine you're hosting an evening party with new acquaintances. To make sure they have a great time it is important to know a few facts about them before they arrive: Do they have any specific dietary limitations? What type of music do they like? Do they like beers, wine, or a mocktail?
Just like asking your friends for their preferences can help you plan a dinner party to your guests. Getting to know your audience as much more than "likes" as well as "follows" can help you develop items and contents that will meet the needs of your audience.
What does this mean? Growing your creator business through more sales and happy customers.
The consequences of not owning your audience
If you're not in control of your target audience, you lose chances to develop relationships, monetize your audience, make sure your followers are aware of your posts, and help grow your business.
Here are three ways that social media platforms make it harder to own your audience:
Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok do not let you share your audience that you've built up by bringing them along. You can't message all of your TikTok fans at the same time or export a list of the email addresses of your followers to be able to interact with them in a way that is on your own terms.
Social platforms' algorithms are created to keep users on social media apps for as long as they can, putting platform profits above the success of their creators. Ever-changing algorithms mean your followers may not be able to see your content right when you post it , if they actually see it. The platforms will also highlight the work of other creators to your followers and show your work under the platform's branding and not under your own.
We aren't saying that creators shouldn't avoid social media altogether. It's an effective method to increase your followers and let new audiences discover your content -- but it shouldn't be the soleway you communicate with your fans. Utilizing social media in conjunction with other avenues (like email) can make a major impact in boosting the growth of your business as a creator.
Strategies to create audience relationships on your own terms
The most significant aspect of governing your followers is having complete the control of 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 accomplish this. Here are two we recommend for creators:
Start growing your email list early on
Pick a user-friendly, all-in-one platform for creators.
1. Start growing your email list as early as possible
Email is a tried-and-true marketing tool because it's simple and inexpensive to start in the process. Creating your email list early can be a huge benefit.
The success of your workshop is in the fate of the algorithm *.
(*The Instagram algorithm changes frequently and at no notice, which means the information in this graphic is subject to changes. This is one of the main reasons creators are fed up with Instagram -- and moving to channels they own such as email or private groups.)
The location where you host your digital items -- as well as control the other aspects of your business -- can have a an enormous difference.
2. Select platforms and tools that are user-friendly for creators.
Some platforms view creators as if they exist in a vacuum that they only create posts and connect with users on the platform and not as real people working to create brands and build businesses. The companies do not understand the importance of starting and grow a creator business.
Also that they're not creator-friendly.
A Creator-friendly platform lets you manage your audience interactions and managing their experience a whole lot simpler.
"Creators are always working to create their own audiences as well as long-lasting connections -- and that isn't a reason for you to get locked into an individual platform. It's your right to carry the results of your work and effort to wherever you move."
"That implies the capacity to transfer your information, customers, and earnings with you to a different platform, or , at very least, export off the platform you are currently using with ease and speed in a quick, easy way."
These platforms help you reach everyone -- customers, students, members of the community who are free and paid subscribers on your mailing list to the extent you need. Send a message to everyone on your list or even a certain student within a class cohort through the same dashboard.
Platforms like Facebook do not send data to the email service you use. (They don't even let you export emails.) That means you can't make use of audience information to segment your audience, so you need to work on multiple platforms to connect with everybody.
"I have to pay an assistant who is full-time to accept members, greet them, moderate, etc. We have Google Sheets and separate Facebook Messenger software, which costs $30 per month in addition to Facebook's algorithm and distractions. It's such a mess."
This is especially crucial if you plan to go further than offer free content. To start monetizing your business with digital content and communities, you need the right devices.
Make a place to share updates with those who are their advocates
Bottom line: The tools you utilize should view and support you holistically in your work as an artist rather than just an opportunity to make more money. Platforms that are supportive of creators understand how crucial that creators be in control of the relationship and communications with their audience. If you're given the power to control these aspects then you're able to establish an amazing creator business on your terms.
Do you want to begin with a creator platform that puts your success first? Register to get a free account now . We're excited to watch you grow.