Your success as a business is often not down to whether you are better than your competitors. Successful businesses know how to spin their story and attract attention. We want to do business with likeable, successful people who share our values. By building the stories and background to your business, you can reinforce positive impressions, that will solidify into successful sales or new clients.
Often a customer chooses you for very basic reasons.
- Do they like you?
- A desire for what you do or sell.
- Need to keep up with competitors.
- Recommendations.
- Right time right place.
- Convenience.
- A combination of the above.
Use blogs, social media with a thought for your audience
It has never been easier to build the right kind of stories around your brand. Short features and blogs can be successfully spread through social media without breaking your marketing budget. Interact with your audience to build a two way relationship. Don’t treat social media as one way broadcast media. Take some time to get a feel for each channel, approaches that will work on Twitter will not necessarily work in the same way on Facebook. This is about your audience, as much as it is about you. Tap into what your audience will find interesting and you are more than half way there.
Create short videos
Video is a great way of breaking traditional barriers between business and prospective customers. While you don’t need the technical ability of a BBC cameraman, it is worth spending some time to ensure you understand how to get the best from the technology available.
- Try and use good lighting.
- Get a microphone so you don’t have to be right next to the camera to pick up sound.
- Try different locations.
- Be aware what is going on in the background.
- Remove inappropriate art work from walls.
- Tidy the area you are filming so it looks attractive.
Keep it real
Of course when I talk about telling stories, I’m not telling you to write a work of fiction. Prospective customers and clients are not stupid. Keep it real and honest. Nothing is more powerful than honest enthusiasm and passion for what you do.
Be spontaneous but not impulsive
While the DIY route has never been easier, spending a little time getting it right is important. Social media is about building relationships but don’t treat it like a chat in the pub. Anything put on-line whether social media, blogs or video should be treated as public publishing. If you have been reading my blog for a while, you will have heard me say that I never put anything on-line that I would not say in front of my grandmother. Take time to consider what is appropriate for your business or brand.
Take some time to proof your content
Plan so you don’t have to publish new content immediately. Depending on the media and deadlines, have a break and do something else. Proof or watch your content to be sure you have not missed anything that you will regret publishing later.
Most importantly have some fun and show the true passion you have for what you do!
To help you along the way, don’t forget to join our FREE ‘Blog writing challenge‘ for tricks and tips to keep you motivated.
