Building An Audience with Love: Consistency, Authenticity & Growth
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Every year on Thanksgiving, my mother will always answer the phone “gobble, gobble!”…and I fully expect that when I call her this year, this is exactly what she will say. It’s a goofy Thanksgiving tradition that I never really knew I loved until I really started to think about it. And somehow I’ve made a connection between this fun tradition and building an audience. Stick with me, it will all make sense soon!
There’s a lot to be said for being consistent. Mostly, there is comfort in knowing what to expect, and then delight in having those expectations met!
I have been shouting from the rooftops the importance of nurturing and engaging your audience. Most of us handmade business owners are used to doing most of our sales at craft shows and the like.
Messy, imperfect action is 100% the BEST way to get started building an audience. Do you know why?
Because it’s REAL.
If anyone tells you they came out of the gate with perfect execution…well, they are lying (or have very very low expectations).
Do you know what the best part about that realness is?
People, mainly YOUR people, L-O-V-E it!
Yes, your customers, your audience, your fans..they absolutely adore you and how you are doing things. They want to see it, hear about it, read about it, and watch you grow.
How do I know that?
Because I’ve lived it.
…ok, I’m STILL living it.
I’ve had my own handmade jewelry business for over 10 years now, and I routinely make mistakes, learn new things, and evolve. And my audience is 100% THERE FOR IT.
They are like my online family. I go to them to share my joys, my sorrows, my challenges, my wins, and my losses. There they are, without fail, because that’s how it has always been with us. I started out by showing up consistently, sharing with them, and inviting them to share with me.
I started and continued authentic conversations…and boy, did my business grow. Building an audience came from being ME, not trying to be something I thought my customers wanted to see.
So why am I telling you all of this now?
Because, my fellow creative entrepreneur, THIS is the perfect time for you to get out there and get connected to your people. This week, in particular, is a time for you to open up to your audience and give thanks to them for being in your world.
If you have 10 followers on Facebook, you have the chance to connect with those 10 people like they are your 10 best friends in the world. Dig into their profiles, see what kinds of things they like, and find a way that you can connect with them through your posts.
Start and continue authentic conversations, and see your business grow.
If you have 4 people on your email list, send those 4 people an email with warm wishes and feel-good content. Send a picture of your family, your turkey, your messy workspace…whatever you wish to share.
Let them know that you are thinking of them, that you are thankful for them, and invite them to respond and share a story or a moment with you.
Start and continue authentic conversations, and see your business grow.
This is a time to give thanks and share grace.
It’s easy to find pain, hurt, and sorrow…sometimes we have to dig in a bit to find joy.
Today I challenge you to go out, find that joy, and share it with your world.
Start and continue authentic conversations, and see your business grow.
Today and every day, I am thankful for YOU.
I love hearing about your successes, helping you with your challenges, and seeing your discoveries.
I love these relationships I’m building, and I love seeing all of our businesses grow.
