Written by: Jo Gifford, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
So you've got a business, and you would love to increase your leads, sales and revenue.
Oh, and to do so in a way that feels aligned with your values and those of your clients? Awesome.
Often, we feel the need as business owners to have more numbers: more people, more leads, more likes, more engagement.
But – are you chasing the right outcomes, and how might you increase connection without spinning all the plates in search of MORE? One of the most cripplingly frustrating things you can do is to keep tying yourself in knots about how to keep up with the latest fads - how to do the best reels, how to get the most likes, how to increase engagement.
But think about this: when was the last time you considered how much of this brings you joy?
How much are you finding easy connection, and really delicious dialogue with the people you connect with?
In fact, it's likely you've stopped connecting in a meaningful way at all, in search of the mirage of impact and influence.
You could well be in the cycle of churning out post after post without considering the quality of it, the way that it connects with people, or how many conversations it might start.
Let’s remember that human connection is a basic thing that has been around since – well, since the dawn of humans.
Social media is still very much an infant in our world’s timeline, and yet we have gone to the extent of feeling that it rules every single piece of our ability to connect.
There are so many ways that you could create connection, conversations, and content for your clients and your audience, without constantly broadcasting, or feeling the pressure to be plugged in online 24/7.
Maybe sometimes it all just feels like a machine that's spinning out of your control. But let’s take a step back for a moment, and take a breath. Some of the most meaningful connections we can make are not necessarily through posting on social media. You could send someone a well thought out email, you could craft something really compelling and send it to a connection, or a friend. In fact, referrals are one of the most powerful ways to grow your business (just making sure that you do a brilliant job always comes way above becoming a churn machine for more noise out in the world). Remember that “content” is just a conversation. You could hold space with a group of people as a roundtable discussion that could add incredible depth and value.
You could create something of real value for someone who is really aligned as your best fit customer – and it's likely that time is best spent there rather than posting random memes just because you think that's what you should do.
But is social media all bad? No, not at all.
In fact, if you just take a step back from the frenzy and remember that this is a great place to have connection and conversation, you can view it in a completely different way.
Sharing something that is really meaningful to you as your truth, can reach so many people.
You can document a journey in public and spark a movement, you can create platforms for change, you can spark debate.
The tools we have today do offer us the opportunity for incredible reach – but don’t forget to consider it as being part of a conversation.
I think we forget the word “network” when it comes to our social networks.
We can loop in people to have a conversation and discussion; we can reference people, invite other voices for debate, quote your inspiration, cite your sources, and invite conversations.
So what do we do when it feels like the algorithm has run away with us and comparisonitis has set in? Taking a break and resetting your own habits is always a great place to start.
Take some space, away from being in constant reach. This is where you get to make some real connections in your own brain, and allow room for some creative thinking, for ideas to form and to drop in. Innovation comes from allowing ideas to connect, and we just can't do that when we are plugged in and scrolling all day. Learn to become mindful of when you are most inspired, and when you really feel like you have something to say’ those are the moments to sit down and note something or create from that space (this is a great moment to batch, to make the use of that time energy and aligned focus).
But don't beat yourself up. A simple enough strategy is being super clear on your talking points and what you offer to your clients, and begin sharing from there in a way that feels really aligned for you – whether that's a podcast, whether it's handwritten notes in the mail, whether it's by the medium of dance, you can get as creative as you like.
In fact, the more creative the better. Just remember that the lines can be blurred. The algorithms are not here to replace humans. Humans will always need a connection that means something. So think about that next time you get in a panic about your business and what to post on social media. Pause. Think about what's important to you, and how you can connect – even just one or two people with a thought that you might have. Now doesn't that feel easier?
Jo Gifford, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
"Jo Gifford is an author, podcaster, writer, wild swimmer, creative thinker and prolific human connector.
Her soul passion and purpose is to create connections and conversations with unboxed leaders that use their brilliance to create change.
Jo believes that human connection is where change happens; when we connect, create and grow, momentum and magic take their seat.
She believe in building legacies, movements and missions that are designed to make a difference, and that we can truly change the world one word, one thought, and one connection at a time."
