If you’re a blogger, a business owner or just someone who wants to grow their online presence, you’ll probably have spent some time looking at how you can do this. There are approximately one million, billion, trillion articles out there telling you how to “grow your audience” all spouting various advice.
Some of this advice involves sales funnels, others simply tell you to sign up to their overpriced e-course. Some can be incredibly helpful… but, in my experience, most are pretty unhelpful. Today, I really don’t want to add to this pile, so instead I want to look at one really important thing to focus on that may increase your following, or it may simply distill it. Creating value in your work.
When your work is valuable to people, they will keep coming back. When your work is valuable to people, they will tell others about it.
This builds trust. It builds respect. And better than all that - it builds connections, and isn’t that what we want to do in this industry? Reach other people?
To start with, let’s break down exactly what ‘value’ looks like, because it means different things to different people. Value is basically all about what your audience get out of your work.
For me, providing value means writing content that is helpful and makes a connection. I want you, dear reader, to finish reading a blog and come away with something actionable. I want you to see you’re not the only one struggling with something. I want you to gain insight and come away with a new perspective.
For others providing value may involve recommending beauty, fashion or travel advice. It may mean entertaining your audience, making them laugh. It could even mean offering your reader a cosy space to escape to and catch up with you once a week.
Whatever it is, if you’re keen to grow your audience, you have to consider what value you offer in each blog post.
This doesn’t mean you should stop writing about certain topics, it just means thinking about what your reader will take away from the topic.
Talking about the topics you’re passionate about will draw in your ‘right’ people. They will see your passion and will come to see this. They might then read your passionate post, think ‘yeah, good for him/her!’ then close the window, never to return.
If you offer value in your content (this could be through your blog or social media channels) they’ll still be drawn in by your passion, but this time they’ll gain something from reading it. They’ll want to come back and see what else they can gain. They’ll trust your opinion, care what you have to say and eventually will just come back because it’s you.
If down the line you decide to launch a business or have products to sell, your audience will be captive and more receptive. This is what trust and value does.
How to create more value in your work
- Be generous with your knowledge and share your expertise through your writing.
- Offer take-away tips in your posts if appropriate (*cough* like right here *cough*).
- Offer advice and tips through Instagram stories.
- Share articles you know your audience will enjoy on Twitter.
- Start discussions on your Facebook page.
- Create free downloadables.
- Start a podcast and create some value there!
Value is a wonderful and versatile thing, so don’t feel constrained. If you’re looking to grow your creative business/blog, I would highly recommend the following:
- What She Said podcast
- Simple and Season’s ‘simple marketing’ blogs
- Hashtag Authentic podcast
Now, tell me, how are you going to create value?
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