I love the romantic comedies about the powerhouse businesswoman who is fashionably put together yet is still struggling to find Mr. Right. She always has the best career and the best shoes! Her life seems so glamorous filled with an ambitious work ethic and trendy happy hours after work. Of course, at the end of the movie, she finds Prince Charming and they live happily ever after in their dual-income household in an affluent suburb to a bustling metropolitan area.
Some of us want to know her while others want to be her but this character simply isn’t real. What is real is a woman struggling to grow her business, have a personal life and not wind up in the hospital due to work-stress. These days people want to know and see the real us. Authenticity is what gets people hooked. It is what gets people to know, like and trust us enough to become our customers.
If you want to grow your business online using various social media platforms, take on the following practices for better success and longevity.
Be your most authentic self. The struggle of building a business and balancing our personal life is all too real for many of us. Showing that you are human is the best way for your audience to relate to you. They want to know you share the same obstacles yet you have solutions to overcome them or manage them. This is a way of them feeling like they belong and are understood even if you don’t know them personally. When showing this vulnerable side, be sure not to overshare information that would come across negative or needy. Your transparency will draw the right people to you and will repel the time-wasters.
Be genuinely helpful. They say that when servant leaders put others first, they reap many benefits beyond monetary fulfillment. Whether you are returned good karma from the person you help or through lessons and opportunities, your kindness and generosity will not go unreciprocated. The simple gesture of introducing a shy person to the people you know at a networking event can go a long way. This will spark a loyal business relationship if nurtured correctly.
Exude kindness and positivity. I joke that my network is too large and intermingled for me to gossip about someone but in reality, I don’t care to speak negatively of someone behind their back. When you couple authenticity with kindness and positivity, you will draw more people to you. People will want to be around you because you make them feel safe and confident about themselves. Then guess what happens after that? They want others to know you too; therefore, they will gladly tell others about you and your business. People may never remember what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel.
Do not give your unsolicited advice. Giving someone your advice when they do not ask for it can come across as critical or judgemental. People may even see this as a put-down or that you think you are better than them. Instead, offer them sincere praise and compliments. This will uplift them. They will eventually trust that when they do go to you for advice, you won’t put them down to make yourself feel better. Why would you want people to go to you for advice? Because if they trust your opinion in one situation, you can win their trust in other areas.
Have consistency online and in person. There is nothing more disappointing than realizing that the person you follow on social media is a completely different person in the flesh. If you are following the practice of being authentic on a daily then this shouldn’t be an issue. Any successful entrepreneurs that I have met in person has been just as down-to-earth in person as they appear on social media. When they have reached “celebrity” status, this is even more refreshing and inspiring for me as an entrepreneur.
Whether you’re an online entrepreneur or run a local business, be the type of woman that your younger self aspired to be. People are always watching even if they don’t engage so being consistently authentic is the best practice. It will attract loyal customers, supportive relationships and a more fulfilling, successful business.
The WeWe Network 