They will find you when you're memorable
If you’re worried + frustrated about algorithms, social media updates and your content not getting seen… this post (+ reminder) is for you!
How often do you find yourself getting frustrated with algorithm and social media updates?
(I’m lookin’ at YOU, Instagram!)
Unfortunately, thrown in with all these updates is the “this is the ONE AND ONLY way to do it” advice that you find on countless pages of Google search results.
Creating content in an online world ruled by algorithms also happens to have a lot of other rules too. (If you believe everything you read + see online.) So much so, that reading about all these rules, not to mention actually following them all, is exhausting. Not to mention confusing.
And while I agree that it makes sense to play by the “best practice” rules when you’re just getting started (to reduce confusion + time wasted), once you figure out what business rules you can break, tweak and bend… then there’s no one size fits all.
Take this Facebook post from Derek Halpern (posted waaay back in 2017) (that’s like, almost the dark ages of the internet) where he talks about how worried he is about content on the internet. (Especially as social media networks like Facebook, Instagram and YouTube increasingly focus on engagement over value.) Derek’s thoughts were super interesting and it sparked some fascinating discussion.
Example: as soon as you talk about politics, or something divisive, funny or entertaining, people respond – cue likes, loves, comments and tags. And the algorithm goes, “Oh yep, cool. This post is getting a lot of engagement! People love it! It must be good content!”
But is it really good content?
THAT, right there, is the real question. Much (if not all) of the business-type content that you typically produce falls under the “self-help” category. The problem? People don’t always engage with this type of content, even if they find it valuable. And that has the ripple effect of telling the algorithm that it’s no good.
But is that true?
So what’s the solution? Is the only option to feed the algorithm what it wants in the language of likes + comments that it understands?
— Do you add politics, divisive messages, humour and/or entertainment for the sole purpose of getting your content seen?
— Do you build the habit of double tapping + leaving a comment when you read or watch something of value?
— Do you shout “I HATE YOU FACEBOOK. YOU’VE RUINED EVERYTHING” whilst slamming your laptop shut + spilling your coffee in the process?
Here’s my take…
If your focus is solely about conversions and not people, you’ll pay.
If your focus is on doing a post + run, and not interacting with your community, you’ll pay.
And if you waste time changing what you do every two weeks because of the algorithm, social media updates and/or current trends, you’ll pay.
“If you remember it’s all about people and take steps to actually interact with them (and I mean, *really* interact with them in genuine conversation), you’ll win in the long run.”
So if you’re worried about algorithms, social media updates and your content not getting seen, get back to basics, friend.
Connect with your people.
Send them snail mail or personalised audio/video DMs on Instagram.
Give them genuine + heartfelt shout outs.
Answer their questions when they comment on your posts + DM you.
Be of service.
Provide value.
It sounds simple, but that’s on purpose.
you remember people who care about you. You search them out. You don’t let the algorithm hide them.
So, create the content that best fits you + that’s of value to your audience. Then tell them about it. (Simple on purpose, remember?)
Because, friend, they will always find you when you’re memorable.
Want to add more simplicity and fun to your business by doing content your way? Check out my planners and workbooks and say hello to content that’s simple, fun and actually does something for you.