I’m hearing more and more that people are struggling to get returns on social media marketing. I’m hearing things like, no one is buying, reach is down, I’ve had my lowest earning month for a long time and social media isn’t working for me.
I’m feeling people on the edge of throwing in the towel.
If that’s you, this is the advice I give my clients who want cash in the bank today (or at least soonish)
The problem – you’re relying on social media for 99.9% of your income, You’re posting but you feel like nothing is happening, or it’s not happening fast enough.
What you really want – is enough clients to take the pressure off, to know you have work in the pipeline and can pay the bills this month and next.
What you secretly want – about £5k a month or more would be lovely and give you financial freedom and security.
The problem you think you’ve got – your posts aren’t good enough, you’re not posting in the right place, you’re not doing enough reels, you’re not good enough.
What the problem actually is – you’re spending all your time marketing to strangers. If you spend all your time hoping that a stranger on the internet will see your post today and part with a couple of grand by the end of next week, while it may happen, there are even faster ways to make that money (that don’t rely on hope).
How I think you solve that problem……….here’s a handy infographic:
Step 1: Start with your current clients
Start with the people closest to you and work your way out………..
Start with your current clients – these people already know, like and trust you. What else do they need? As you solve one problem you’ve created another. How can you further support them to achieve their goals? The fastest way to get cash in the bank is to look at your current roster of clients and make them an offer. Might feel uncomfortable, but you’re offering more help. To help them get what they want, but faster.
Step 2: Speak to your previous clients
Look at the list of people who worked with you 3 months ago, 6 months, a year ago. How are they getting on? Has their problem come back, do they need a refresh, do they need helping solve a new problem or getting back on track? Again, these people already know, like and trust you. Make them an offer. The worst they can say is no.
Step 3: Approach your warm leads
Warm leads are the people who enquired but for whatever reason didn’t go on to buy. What’s going on for them? They were interested at one point. Maybe it was the wrong offer or the wrong time. See where they are now. Again, ask the question “what can I help you with?” or “Did you ever solve that problem or is it still something I can help you with?”
Step 4: Your subscribers
Look to your Email list/ newsletter – these people get your offers delivered directly to their inbox. They have already raised their hand and said “I have the problem you solve and I am interested in what you do” . They said this when they downloaded your freebie or joined your mailing list. Make these people an offer
Step 5 – Real life human beings
Networking – I hate it. With a passion. I go to formal networking about once every 12 months. The events I like going to are more social events and that’s where I do my networking. Real human beings who know your name and what you do will suggest you (refer) to people they meet who have the problem you solve. If you went to a networking event and spoke to ten people, ten people would hear what you said. The social media equivalent is posting and one out of the same ten people seeing your post. Having said that, I still hate networking – make it work for you.
Step 6 – Social media
Social media is part of your marketing strategy not the whole of it. Show up, often. More often than you think you should. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Be unapologetic and clear (I can help you with this)
Step 7 – Blog & SEO
This is how randoms find you in a google search. They type in keywords, you’re using keywords, hey presto; Harry Met Sally.
How fast and effective any marketing is depends on how well you know your ideal client, how clear and compelling your content is and how much money and time you have to invest. My clients usually have no/ little marketing budget so when they’re looking for sales and leads this is the sequence of marketing activities I suggest. My advice is start with the people who already know you and work your way out.
It makes sense to me that if you’re short on time and short on marketing budget it’s the smartest way to invest your time and your money. When you’ve taken the pressure off financially, you free up your creative brain to write content that makes sense and does its job.
Nobody gets good ideas when there’s a boot on their neck.
If you’re a coach, therapist, consultant or freelancer who would like some support growing or keeping their business going I have flexible mentoring solutions to help you gain the skills and the confidence you need to do your own best marketing.
“You’ve been the backbone of my business for the last 6 months” that’s what Natalie, my previous 1:1 mentoring client said when we finished working together this year. If you’d like to talk to me and find out how we could work together, book a call and we can have a chat over a brew.
Book a free discovery call here
In the meantime – go and make someone an offer