When posting on your business page, it’s tempting to post the first thing that comes to mind, a photo you took in passing, a funny meme or quote you found on someone else’s page …. and I get it.  You’re busy. You’re doing what has to be done to run your business, as well as this social media thing people say you should be doing.  So you’re doing it, with a shared quote that appeared in your newsfeed and tickled your fancy.

The thing is, you need a strategy around your posting. You need to plan and you need to develop a relationship with your clients and especially potential clients.  They need to get to know you, like and trust you before you go in for the kill.  You need to build this trust. And, you need to get to know your clients and page followers… and, most importantly, you need to know who your ideal audience is.

I’ve spent a bit of time explaining this lately, like this….”you have to get to know someone before you ask them to marry you.”  You’re not going to ask someone to marry you the day you meet them, and you can’t ask someone to buy your product or service the first time they see your post.  We think they will because we have fabulous products, but in reality, people are going to watch you for a while to see what you’re really like ‘before they even consider the first date’.

So, think of it like this…you see your potential mate across the room…. (or on an app, whatever works for you). You get together for coffee, chat a little about yourselves.. have a meal or 50, develop the relationship, trust and love even… then you pop the question.  The same goes for new and potential clients.

They see you… they watch you…they read your blogs, your tips and yes, even your funny quotes, and they find themselves starting to like you and trust you.  Eventually, when you post a buy now advert, they’ll jump on it if they’re looking for your product or service, because, they trust that your product or service is great.

Now to attract this customer in the first place… and ongoing, you need to speak to this person. (your ideal client). You need to introduce yourself, introduce your goods or services and post a series of posts that will not only get people’s attention but help them to like and trust you. Craft a headline that will attract them, enter the world in which they live, speak to them about how you’ll change their world, making a difference to their day, month, year or even life… and prove it.

An example, we’ll use the music industry.. we have a tribute band, and we have a pub band.  Both audiences are different and are there because they like you – your uniqueness, your music, your look and who you are.  I wouldn’t post/speak to the tribute audience the same as the pub audience. Then, to confuse matters a little, both bands also wish to attract corporate clients. Are event managers following the Facebook page? Perhaps or perhaps not. This is why 1) we speak to the audience we are trying to attract for each and every show, audience, and 2) we go to where this audience might be.  Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and Newsletters are a great way to reach the audience of both of these acts… different acts, difference audience, and in the case of corporate, same audience. How do we manage this?  Strategy. Think carefully about who and where you’re posting and how you’ll approach them. Draw up a plan.

We’ve already learnt about the perfect image… if you haven’t already, read my blog “A picture is worth a thousand words”.  Images are just as important as the copywriting.  I know what type of photo both of the above audiences like so I know they’ll stop scrolling to take a look. It would be a shame to waste it with inappropriate text.

So, in short;

1. Decide who your ideal ‘partner’ is.
2. Work out where they hang out.  Yes…. Stalk your audience (not a person in real life)
3. Make a plan to visit the different hangouts for each of your ‘ideal partners’ and how you’ll attract them (images, topics, specials, news, information).
4. Be attractive to them – always – make an effort and put a little love into each and every contact.
5. Allow them the time to get to know you.
6. Get to know them, and what works for them.
7. Then, when you’re all suitably comfortable and feeling the love, ask them to marry you!

Need help attracting your perfect partner? Call me… to help that is.