Creating a successful business is all about connecting with people.
Iβve said this before, if you donβt like the word marketing, simply replace it with the word connecting.
At the most foundational level, all youβre really doing with your marketing, no matter how youβre doing it, is attempting to connect with people.
This core concept doesnβt change. And what continues to develop and expand are the possibilities, the channels and formats, to make connections.
Youβre busy, I get it. You donβt need more to do, more to learn.
And at the same time, itβs crucial to continue to evolve in your business.
Maybe itβs time to let something go that doesnβt work anymore. Doing this will create space for something new.
Learning something new and trying a new way of connecting could possibly even make your life easier. Think about that for a second.
A new channel may help you leverage your content which saves you time and amplifies your message.
Trying a new platform or format may allow you to reach a new group of people that you wouldnβt have otherwise been able to connect with.
And perhaps an alternative approach will help you increase your visibility which could open a door to a channel that it is difficult to enter.
Iβve collected a bunch of ideas here and by no means am I suggesting that you try them all. Please donβt.
Have a quick look through them all and then choose a couple to examine further.
And donβt forget that you can also combine ideas to create your own fresh and unique offer for your community.
What youβll notice is that there is a theme, using your voice to connect. And some video if youβre up for it.
Asynchronous Connection
If you have a chaotic or unpredictable schedule (think small children, homeschooling, partner at home, etc), or your clients or prospect have one, or youβre both in this situation, then working asynchronously may be the perfect solution youβve been dreaming of.
And including your voice (and/or video) makes it much more personal than only text.
Loom
You can use Loom to give feedback to clients using voice (or video of you), your screen, or a combination of both. Listen to this podcast to find get some ideas about how this could work for you.Β
Voxer
You could also consider offering asynchronous voice coaching or consulting using Voxer. Here is an example of a business owner who is doing just that. She also teaches her clients how to do this, here are more examples of what that kind of offer can look like.
VideoAsk
Adding a new way to connect online can also help you pre-qualify potential clients, which saves both of you time and energy.
One way to do this is with VideoAsk (from the folks at Typeform) where you post a video to your website and people can reply with a video, text, or audio message.Β
Additional Voice Messaging Platforms
Voxer, WhatsApp voice message, Facebook Messenger voice, Instagram voice message, LinkedIn voice message (app only) are all asynchronous ways to connect with people.Β
Podcasting
Podcasting is an intimate way to connect on a one-to-many basis using your voice. One of the easiest ways to get started is with Spotify for Podcasters (formerly Anchor).Β
Real-Time Connection
Thereβs nothing like connecting with someone in person.Β Video is the next best thing to being together in real life but it requires preparation and a lot of energy.
A warm and cosy alternative to video is voice only. Voice only creates a different kind of experience and itβs simple.
Clubhouse
Iβm sure youβve heard about Clubhouse. Itβs voice only and can be live and recorded.Β
Discord
If Clubhouse isnβt an option for you right now, check out Discord. You can gather your people and have a chat using this platform.Β
Twitter Spaces
Another voice-only option is Twitter Spaces.Β
Zoom Voice Only
We all know Zoom for video gatherings but can create a gathering and choose to make it audio-only. Simply ask everyone to turn their video off. And if you use the Zoom app, you also can meet on the go.
If you’re interested in even more audio platforms where you can connect, check out this post that has an interesting list for you.
Take some time to analyze the best options for you and then take action.
Marketing is all about experimenting, donβt be afraid to try out your ideas to see what works.
Β© Stephanie Ward
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this information with it: Stephanie Ward is the Marketing Coach for Entrepreneurs who want to create meaningful and prosperous businesses. Grab your FREE copy of the special report β7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Timeβ plus business building tips, at:Β https://www.fireflycoaching.com.
Which of these ideas resonates with you?
Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.
I respond to every single comment.
What a great idea, Steph!
Thank you so much, Johan!