Authenticity in Action: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Influential Impact

Like it or not… you’re an influencer now. You might be thinking to yourself, "Me? An influencer?" Yes, you! (Or at least you should pretend you are one.) Adopting the mindset of one could be the secret you need whether you’re selling unique crafts online or running a storefront.

The real power of influencers lies in their capacity to create authentic relationships with their audience. Emulating them means diving deep into their playbook—understanding your audience, delivering value, and being authentically you—and elevating your brand in ways traditional marketing cannot.

In a world buzzing with brands big and small, studies have shown a fascinating trend: people are leaning more towards trusting influencers over traditional big-name brands. A study by Matter found that a whopping 69% of consumers trust influencers, friends, and family more than direct brand messages. Another eye-opener? About 37% of folks trust social media influencers over brands, with 28% discovering new products through these influencers.

Why is this happening? Influencers have mastered the art of building trust with their audience by being genuine, engaging, and passionate about what they do. They know their niche, offer tons of value, and share their expertise and personality in a way that resonates with people.

Knowing Your Niche and Offering Value

Understand your audience inside out.

• What do they love?

• What problems can you solve for them?

• Where are they gathering online?

By offering valuable solutions and content, you not only establish your expertise but also create a community of loyal followers.

Authenticity is Key

Don’t try to be something you’re not.

People are seeking real, authentic connections. Share your journey, the good and the bad, and let your genuine passion shine through. This kind of authenticity builds a deeper, more meaningful relationship with your audience.

Delivering Quality and Seeking Feedback

Quality should never be a compromise. 

Whether it’s your products or the content you share, make sure it’s the best you can offer. Also, be open to feedback. It shows you value your audience’s opinion and are committed to improvement.

Transparency and Ethical Conduct

Be clear and honest in all your dealings.

Transparency in how you conduct your business, handle mistakes, and communicate changes builds trust. Ethical conduct should be the backbone of your operations, ensuring customers feel secure in their choice to support you.

Embracing the influencer mindset isn’t just about gaining followers; it’s about building genuine connections and trust with your audience. It’s about showing up, being authentic, and demonstrating your value every single day.

Keep shining.

Keep sharing.

And, let’s build those trust-filled relationships with every post, product, and interaction. Here’s to your success! Share your thoughts with me by joining our community and making a post!

Your main quest this week is to establish a content calendar!

Yes. This sounds super boring, but trust me. A good content calendar will help make your content better, AND it will help save you time.

A content calendar will ensure that you have consistent communication with your audience. This strategic tool will guide you in scheduling regular updates about your business operations, sharing behind-the-scenes insights, highlighting customer stories, and openly discussing both challenges and successes.

A calendar can help make sure that coordinate your content across all communication channels like:

• social media

• Your website

• email newsletters

• video platforms

This will help make sure everything is considered, and nothing is forgotten.

Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Content Calendar

Set Clear Goals

Begin by pinpointing what you want to accomplish through your content, such as enhancing brand visibility, increasing engagement, or driving sales.

Create Content Pillars

Content pillars are, essentially, themes of content that you will create and publish. Things like #MotivationMonday or #ScreenshotSaturday are content themes that exist in the market today, but you could create your own. For example, one of my clients posts a funny pun or word-based joke every Friday.

Having these pillars in mind will make it easier to create content in batches because you know what types of content you need to think about. It is almost always easier to create a few pieces of content than it is to create those pieces of content separately (especially if you struggle with impaired task initiation like so many people do.)

Select Your Tools

Digital Platforms: Platforms like Trello, or Google Sheets are perfect for people who look to technology for the answers to their problems.

Traditional Methods: If you prefer a hands-on approach or are just starting, a physical planner or notebook is just as good. . Use it to map out your content strategy, noting important dates, themes, and details.

Distribute Your Content Across Channels

Identify Channels: Determine which channels (e.g., social media platforms, blogs, email newsletters) you'll use and the posting frequency for each.

Vary Your Content: Incorporate a mix of content types, such as blog posts, videos, infographics, and podcasts, tailored to each channel to keep your audience engaged.

Organize and Schedule Your Posts

Map Out Content: Utilize your chosen tool to plot your content on the calendar, integrating important dates and planning around them.

Regular Updates: Allocate time slots for consistent updates and insights into your business, ensuring a steady stream of transparent communication.

Maintain a Content Repository

Create a treasure trove of content ideas and drafts that you can tap into when you need inspiration or have gaps to fill in your calendar. Don’t overthink this. I use a Google document that I call a “Scratch Pad” to paste ideas, thoughts, complete text, etc. (You can even use the Notes app on your iPhone.)

Iterate Based on Feedback

Refine Your Calendar: Regularly revisit your calendar to make adjustments based on analytics insights, audience feedback, and shifts in your business direction.

This is a perfect step for ensuring consistent engagement with your customers. Start with manageable goals, remain dedicated, and observe as your content calendar becomes a cornerstone of your communication efforts.

Once you’ve completed your Content Calender share your thoughts with our community! Post in the Side Quest Solutions Facebook Group with the hashtag #MainQuestComplete!

Are you seeking a supportive space to share experiences, gain insights, and tackle challenges together?

Look no further! Our Side Quest Solutions Community on Facebook is your go-to hub.

It's more than just a group; it's a vibrant community where you can share struggles, exchange expertise, and seek answers to your burning questions.

Connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, engage in meaningful conversations, and grow together. Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of a community that's as passionate about business success as you are. Join us now! 💼🚀🤝 

Your Side Quest this week is to use the Meta Business Suite to schedule at least one post. (Or more. Go wild!) The steps are below:

1. Access Meta Business Suite

Sign In: Go to the Meta Business Suite homepage or download the app. Log in using your business account credentials.

Navigate: Once logged in, you'll be directed to your dashboard. This is your central hub for managing your business's presence on Facebook and Instagram.

2. Navigate to the Content & Posts Section

Find Content & Posts: In the left-hand menu, click on “Posts & Stories.” Here, you’ll see options to create, manage, and schedule your content across both platforms.

3. Create Your Post

Choose Platform: Select whether you want to post to Facebook, Instagram, or both. You can toggle between tabs to customize the post for each platform.

Compose Your Post: Enter your text, and add images or videos. Use the tools provided to enhance your post, such as adding filters, captions, or location tags.

4. Schedule Your Post

Click on 'Publish': After composing your post, instead of clicking "Publish" immediately, click on the arrow next to it to reveal more options.

Select 'Schedule Post': Choose "Schedule Post" from the dropdown menu. A calendar and clock will appear, allowing you to select the exact date and time you want your post to go live.

Set Date and Time: Pick the date and time that align with your content calendar. Consider the best times to post based on when your audience is most active.

This is a fantastic way to save time when publishing your content. Take your time and learn. Every minute you spend learning how to use this tool will save you hours of time in the long term.

When I mentioned the idea of thinking like an influencer, I could almost hear the collective sighs and groans through the screen. I get it. The term 'influencer' makes people think about social media “celebrities,” endless selfies, and promotional content. That image doesn’t jive with everyone. And that content can come off terribly if it is unnatural.

My message isn't about transforming you from a business person into a social media celebrity. Far from it. What I'm advocating for is thinking like they do and mirroring their strategies - not their content.

Influencers, at their core, are master storytellers and community builders. They understand their audience intimately, know how to engage them, and create content that resonates on a personal level. They're great at leveraging platforms to amplify their message and build a loyal following.

Start thinking like them and you’ll be on the way to success!

The Super Bowl is next weekend! Here are some great Football-themed posts you could use for your feeds this week!

Details

The Super Bowl is the annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL). It is the most-watched sporting event in the United States and is second only to the Olympic Games worldwide. The Super Bowl is held on the first Sunday in February, and it is preceded by a week of festivities known as Super Bowl week.

The first Super Bowl was held in 1967, and it has been held every year since then. The game is played between the champions of the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The winning team is awarded the Vince Lombardi Trophy, named after the legendary NFL coach.

The Super Bowl in 2024 will be held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, February 11, 2024. It features the San Fransisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs. (Taylor Swift’s boyfriend is Travis Kelce (#87 )plays for the Chiefs.

I posted a whole bunch of relevant “Tayvis” stuff in an earlier newsletter.

Content Ideas

Invite Engagement: “Who have you got winning the big game? Or are you just here for Usher’s Halftime show? (Maybe just for a quick glimpse of Taylor Swift?

Product/Service Highlight: "Ready to tackle your shopping list? 🏈 Our deals this week are a total touchdown. Score big savings before the clock runs out!"

Contest/Giveaway: "Want to win big? Enter our 'Fantasy Football' contest! 🌟 Predict the winning team and score for a chance to win [prize]. It's a game plan that can't lose!"

Interactive Poll or Question: "What's your game plan for the Super Bowl? 🍕 Hosting a party, joining a friend, or touchdown dancing in your living room? Vote below!"

Customer Appreciation Post: "Big shoutout to our MVPs (Most Valuable Patrons)! Thanks for always supporting our team. You deserve a Gatorade shower of deals this week! 🚿💙" (Post this with a picture of the NFL MVP for some added engagement.)

Behind-the-Scenes Post: "Here's a sneak peek at our team huddling up to bring you the best for Super Bowl Sunday. We're in formation and ready to execute our game-winning strategy! 📈"

Themed Tips or Advice: "Hosting a Super Bowl party? Make sure your game plan includes plenty of snacks and our [product/service]. Avoid a fumble and stock up early!"

Humorous Reflection Post: "Remember, in the game of life, as in football, you won't go far unless you know where the goalposts are. And our goal is to bring you the best [product/service] in the league!"