Do you continuously scroll through article after article, getting more and more envious of those who seem to be up-to-date on all the new social media practices and protocols, all the while running out of time trying to do the bare minimum? If you do, you are not alone.
It is hard not be envious of those who seem to have it "all together." However, speaking from experience, it is hard to keep up with the ever-changing social universe, especially if you are a business of one. As a business owner with a family and home to run, I can tell you that it is hard for me to learn everything as it changes. So how do you combat these constant changes and keep up with the growing trends?
Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
First...STOP IT!! I'm sure that's not what you want to hear and it's not a popular thought, especially when you are bombarded with different information from different marketers. But, seriously...just stop it!! When you are working with a small budget and don't have a team of people at your disposal, learn to quit comparing yourself to those "influencers."
Learn Who Your Audience Is
Second, you are unique. What works for others may not work for you. Learn who your audience is. I can't stress this enough. If you are selling sports apparel for high schools, your audience would be different than if you were selling health insurance. I have a health care client who serves the medically vulnerable. Our target audience is both male and female but mainly women. Facebook is the platform of choice. Why? In most households, women take care of the health care needs of their home. The age of our audience shows that Facebook is the platform of choice as well as the data we have compiled. Instagram is also a good choice when sharing pictures. If I wanted to reach the younger generation, Snapchat would be the way to go.
Stick to What You Know
Third, stick to what you know. We have all heard the old adage, "If it's not broken, don't fix it." If something is working and the ROI is proving that, stick with it. Keep putting content out there that's getting your brand noticed. This doesn't mean you can't try something new. If posting on Facebook is getting you engagements but you want to add Instagram, do it!!
When babies are learning to walk, they start out crawling, then climbing up on furniture until, finally, one day their legs take off and you are running after them. There is a progression to everything, even in business. Learn to take the appropriate steps and not rush. Otherwise, you are setting yourself up for setbacks.
In conclusion, being a "social media misfit" isn't a bad thing. Once you learn to stop comparing yourself to others, learning who your audience is and working with what you know, you will feel more relaxed and confident in growing your business and helping others.