Apr 13, 2021
I know I’m usually here to offer up some hot takes or quick tips to
master social media for your small business, but today is a little
different.
Recently I received a DM on Instagram from a podcast
listener:
“Would you ever do an episode on taking time away from social
media? How to take time for yourself and tips and tricks when you
are feeling the time sucks of social media?”
While I’m not quite prepared to tackle that yet
(hello,
boundary problems, my name is Molly), I do think it’s important to
clarify that
your business doesn’t begin and end on
social.
Yes, social media can help you:
-
get more visibility
-
sell online
-
connect with a wider audience
-
reach people outside your immediate location
-
creatively spread your message
But social media cannot:
-
replace you
-
replace your family
-
replace your reputation
-
make you into something you are not
(especially
in a small town where everybody knows you)
Social media isn’t a magic wand. It’s a magnifying
glass.
So magnify what you’re doing well and how you are making a
difference in real life.
Growing your Business Goes Beyond the Internet
Here are a few ways I’ve grown Molly Knuth Media, a social media
marketing agency, with traditional marketing methods:
-
Saying yes to speaking events. I have spoken at our local high
school on career day, as an opening speaker at social media
summits, a breakout session leader at women’s empowerment
conferences, networked at small business social gatherings, and
lead workshops for other organizations. Some of these were paid
gigs, but most were not. I did them because I wanted to spread my
message to as many people as possible. And I knew that the people
in these rooms needed what I had to share. Look for events in your
area or industry where you have the opportunity to teach what you
do. Be sure to give your audience action steps so they can see your
expertise firsthand, and give them your contact info to follow up
for more.
-
Buying high-end business cards. When I started MKM, I knew I needed
business cards. That was the staple of saying
“I
am open for business.” And I am not exaggerating when I say that I
get complimented every time I hand out my business cards today. I
sprung for a square shape and a smooth finish on a high-end paper.
It cost a little more, but the impression they leave is
priceless.
-
Donating to local events and causes. I want to give back to the
community that has given so much to me and my family, and I do that
with my time and/or my money. I continue to volunteer in community
groups that align with my goals and beliefs, and I often use my
social media knowledge to aide their efforts. Similarly, I try to
donate to school functions and youth groups that are sustained by
the generosity of our citizens. The first time I saw my logo on a
sponsorship banner, I nearly cried. It was an
“I
made it” moment because I finally had enough cash flow to donate it
to causes bigger than myself. And people take notice of
that.
-
Apparel. I mean, do you live in a small town if you don’t have a
tee shirt, sweatshirt, or hat, with a local business emblazoned on
it? Or these days, and insulated tumbler? About two years into MKM,
I had established enough of a fanbase to place an order for tees
and hats, and I handed them out for free to loyal customers,
family, and friends. This was great for generating conversation and
getting my logo out and more visible in the community.
-
Just being nice. I feel like I’ve learned more about being a kind
person since being an entrepreneur. I don’t mean this in the way
that
“the
customer is always right” or in a kiss-ass way. I just mean that
I’ve learned to be more empathetic, more clear with my
communications, more resolved in what’s right and what’s wrong,
less gossipy, less quick to judge, and less apt to wear my emotions
on my sleeve. I’ve learned how to strike up conversations with
others I don’t know. I’ve learned how to be more inclusive. I’ve
learned more about my own personality quirks, habits, and
shortcomings, while paying more attention to the unique qualities
in others and how that makes our world more whole. In all, I’ve
just become more human by following this simple ideal from Dale
Carnegie,
“You
can
make more friends
in two months by becoming interested in
other
people than you can in two years by trying to
get other
people interested in you.”
As much of an advocate as I am for technology and the blessings it
affords us in 2021, tech and social media aren’t the end-all,
be-all for our lives and our businesses.
Businesses don’t only grow online.
A well-rounded business and marketing plan doubles-down on
real-life strategies and relationships.
When you’re building a business, it has to begin and end with the
people you help. The end.
Whether you have a brick-and-mortar warehouse or a Shopify
storefront, you have got to emphasize how you help people make
their lives better. You can share this message on Instagram Stories
or on the street corner. You can find your next client in the
grocery store line or via Facebook Ads.
I love social media, but what I love more is the people behind the
screens. So if you’re feeling a need to break away from the social
scene for a little bit, that’s just fine! Your business will
continue if you remember the people you are here to
help.