Welcome to episode 2 of the "I Hate Social Media" podcast, the podcast where we dive deep into the chaotic world of social media marketing with a twist of irony and a dash of humor. Whether you love or hate social media, join us on this journey as we uncover the secrets to making it work for you. We're particularly excited about this episode because, as I've mentioned before, we're bound to make mistakes along the way. We might not create disasters, but we'll probably get a few things wrong. And that's okay because that's business. You have to be quick, adapt, and move forward.
Today, I’m thrilled to introduce a very special guest: my son, Noah. He was supposed to be on episode four, but life happens, schedules change, and here we are. This flexibility is a core aspect of business—being able to adapt and keep moving is essential.
Noah’s Journey: From Concept to Execution
Noah is an online men’s transformation coach. He focuses on helping men in their thirties, forties, and fifties lose weight, gain muscle, and achieve their fitness goals—all through online coaching. He believes that online coaching is more effective than in-person training due to its flexibility and ability to provide more consistent support. The cost of in-person training, with its overheads, often doesn’t justify its effectiveness compared to what can be achieved online.
Noah’s journey started with the desire to combine entrepreneurship with the freedom of working online. Social media was the natural outlet for this aspiration. It provides the reach and accessibility needed to grow a business with minimal startup costs.
The Value of Social Media in Business
Social media offers accessibility and a low cost of entry. Noah primarily uses Instagram and LinkedIn. Instagram helps build a personal brand and showcases his services effectively. It allows potential clients to see what he’s about through his posts and stories, creating a mix of personal and professional content. LinkedIn, on the other hand, connects him with more affluent clients who are professionals and have the means to invest in his services.
Choosing the Right Platforms
Noah’s choice of platforms—Instagram and LinkedIn—was strategic. Instagram allows for personal branding, while LinkedIn connects him with professionals likely to afford his services. The key is to know your audience and where they spend their time online. For Noah, Instagram is perfect for showcasing his personality and day-to-day life, making him relatable to his audience. LinkedIn is crucial for connecting with professionals who are serious about investing in their health and fitness.
Balancing Content Creation and Business Management
One of the biggest challenges in business is balancing content creation with the actual work that brings in revenue. Noah highlights the importance of outsourcing. By delegating tasks that don’t require his direct involvement, he frees up time to focus on high-value activities that grow his business. This principle is crucial for any business owner: time is money. You can either spend your time to make money or leverage money to create more time.
The Social Media Marketing Process
Noah’s social media marketing process begins with identifying his ideal client. He initially made the mistake of targeting people his age, who often don’t have the financial means to invest in his services. By shifting his focus to an older demographic, he found a more profitable niche. Understanding your client’s pain points and needs is crucial. This knowledge allows you to create content that resonates with your audience and addresses their specific challenges.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
One common mistake businesses make on social media is not being active enough. A sporadic presence won’t help you build a following or engage your audience. Consistency is key. Additionally, it’s important to strike a balance between professionalism and a clean, modern look on your profiles. Your social media presence should be visually appealing and reflect your brand’s values.
Measuring Success and Dealing with Feedback
Success on social media shouldn’t be measured by likes or comments alone. For Noah, the real measure of success is the number of qualified leads. Engagement metrics can be misleading if they don’t translate into actual business. It’s also essential to handle negative feedback professionally. Constructive criticism can help improve your content and build a better relationship with your audience.
Emerging Trends in Social Media
Personal branding is becoming increasingly important. People prefer to follow and engage with individuals rather than faceless companies. This trend is especially relevant for businesses that deal directly with consumers (B2C). For B2B companies, it’s more challenging to create a personal brand, but not impossible. The key is to humanize your brand and make it relatable.
Advice for New Business Owners
Noah advises new business owners to observe what their successful competitors are doing. Learn from them, but also find ways to do it better. Speed is critical. Regular updates and consistent content creation are essential for staying relevant. Don’t just post and hope for the best. Be strategic, use paid ads if necessary, and always aim to improve with each post.
Books that Influence Business Growth
Noah recommends a few key books that have helped him in his business journey:
E-Myth Revisited - This book provides a solid foundation for understanding what it takes to run a successful business.
Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki - This book changes your perspective on money and business, emphasizing the importance of leveraging money to create wealth.
$100M Offers by Alex Hormozi - Provides valuable insights into creating compelling offers and scaling a business.
Conclusion
This episode was packed with insights on leveraging social media for business growth. Noah’s journey from starting out to building a successful online coaching business offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs at any stage. The key takeaways are to understand your audience, be consistent, and always look for ways to improve.
Join us next week for another exciting episode with new guests and more insights into the world of social media and business. We’ll continue to share our journey, including the mistakes we make and the lessons we learn along the way. Stay tuned!
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