Three Tips to Standing Out in a Crowded Market
Staying relevant in today's lightning-fast world of social media can be quite the challenge, especially for business owners looking to make a lasting impact. The ever-changing trends and social dynamics demand constant adaptation. Social platforms continuously evolve, algorithms shift like the wind, and the creator economy is booming, with a staggering estimated 200 million people identifying as “content creators”.
These constant changes can be overwhelming, even causing doubt about where you fit in this ever-expanding content marketing landscape. If you've ever questioned your relevance, you're not alone. A recent survey revealed that 46% of business owners find "staying relevant" to be one of their toughest challenges.
So, what does it mean to "stay relevant"?
For us, it's a flexible concept. Staying relevant involves keeping the attention on you, which, in turn, grows engagement and attracts more opportunities. It's about consistently crafting valuable content that aligns with your purpose while also being entertaining, inspirational, and motivational to your audience.
Why should you, as a business owner, care about staying relevant on social media?
Consumers today have limited attention spans, and they are bombarded with content and ads. In 2023, it is safe to say that the average person can see between 6,000 and 10,000 ads a day from billboards to TV to radio to paid influencers. To put this into perspective, in the 70’s the average person saw between 500 and 1,600 ads daily. Back in the day, before the digital age took over, you'd spot advertisements on billboards, within newspapers, or on the TV promoting the latest products. The beauty was, you could simply walk away, put it down, or switch it off. Fast forward to today, and we no longer have that luxury. It seems like we're being bombarded with marketing messages in nearly every nook and cranny of our lives.
Staying relevant is paramount. Your content should resonate with your audience, make an impact, and cultivate a sense of engagement. In today’s crowded market, it is more important than ever for you to stand out.
So, how can you, as a business owner, stay relevant on social media?
Here are three strategies to stay relevant in a crowded market:
#1 Consistency Is Key
Consistency is crucial. Disappearing from your followers' radar is a recipe for disaster. Regularly share engaging content and interact with your audience through comments and DMs. The more active and responsive you are, the more followers you'll keep.
Building authentic connections is vital. Craft meaningful comments, messages, and replies. Growing an audience involves more than just accumulating followers; it's about forming real connections. After all, they follow you for a reason.
#2 Cater to Your Audience's Needs
Remember, it's about your audience, not just you. They follow you for your content, so create what they want to see. Ensure your content resonates with your followers and keeps you at the forefront of their minds.
Know your purpose, write it down, and refer to it when you need direction. Ask your followers what they'd like to see from you, using tools like Instagram's Question sticker. Gather content ideas from comments and DMs. Not only will this boost engagement, but it will also keep your content fresh in your audience's minds.
#3 Embrace Your Authentic Self
Authenticity is priceless. In an era where social users and brands emphasize transparency and genuineness, staying true to yourself is the ultimate path to relevance.
Be unapologetically you. While there may always be creators with more style, talent, or charisma, there's only one you. Embrace your uniqueness, and your relevance will soar, both for your followers and potential brand partners.
Connect with your audience by being open and honest about yourself. Use platform features to your advantage to enable more authentic interactions that resonate with your followers on a personal level.
Stay relevant and true to your unique brand style, and the social media world will take note, bringing you more opportunities than ever. Social media can aid in crafting a brand experience that helps you stand out in a crowded market.
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