The Reason I Share My Social Life on Social Media
If you follow me on Instagram, you probably know me better than some of my family members. Seriously, there’s not much I won’t share.
Everything from the last Bumble date I went on, to what I think about Instagram removing likes, to what I’m wearing to dinner this Friday night—is all out there for people to see.
If you go back in my feed a few years, you’ll see some pretty personal things tucked away behind gorgeous photos of my travels.
Why do I do it? Some people really don’t understand.
They tell me, “Anna, you’re a professional! Why would you share such personal details from your life? Don’t you want people to take you seriously?”
And this is how I reply:
There are three things people need from you in order to buy from you. They need to like you, they need to know you, and they need to trust you.
Some people like you and know you, but they don’t trust you.
Some people know you and trust you, but they don’t really like you.
Some people can like you and trust you, but they don’t really know you.
You need all three in order to make a qualified sale—especially if you’re the face of your company, AKA if you’re a service-based entrepreneur, AKA you’re building a profitable personal brand (which most of you reading this probably are).
Your Audience Needs to Know You
If someone has found me through Instagram and has decided to apply to work with me, they usually know me through the app before they decide to make a move and reach out. This means that the lead is already half qualified. Why? Because unlike someone who does not share their personal life on social media, my prospects have a very clear understanding of who I am before they even schedule a clarity call with me. They know that I am a terrible driver, enjoy moody weather, and am a member at The Wing, a female-focused co-working space in San Francisco.
Why is it so important for my audience to know these personal details? Because I want my audience to know me as an individual before we do business together. The nature of my job is personal, intimate, vulnerable, and self-searching. It’s important that my clients feel comfortable with me so we can “go there” and break through the barriers to build a successful personal brand.
This brings me to the next point that...
Your Audience Needs to Like You
Just because someone knows you, doesn’t necessarily mean they like you, right? If you’re building a successful personal brand, it means that you are putting yourself out there and showing up authentically online. It means that you are polarizing, opinionated, and oozing with personality. Do you know why this is so powerful? Because it will either hyper-attract your ideal client OR it will hyper-repel the clients who would be a poor fit for you.
Everyone is always so concerned with identifying their target audience, and here’s the secret…. When it comes to personal branding, if you can show up as your REAL authentic self online, you’ll work with qualified (dream) clients every time. I promise. It’s really that simple.
When you share your personal life on social media, your audience has a chance to know you, like you, and even begin to...
Your Audience Needs to Trust You
There’s an important piece of the puzzle that we mustn’t forget. Your audience has to trust you. They have to believe that you say what you mean, and they have to trust in you as a professional who can provide a solution to their problem.
What are some of the ways you can build trust with your audience?
Be consistent. Follow through with your weekly newsletters, IGTVs, LinkedIn articles, and Instagram stories. Don’t say you’re going to do something and forget about it next month.
Build relationships with your audience through DMs and the comments section. Start a conversation, care about people, and answer questions through all of your social media channels. Quora is great for this.
Give away free value like it’s your job. Give, give, five! Come from a place of service, and not a place of lack, want, or need.
Deliver a sensational experience to your clients and customers. Every touchpoint of communication that you have with your audience should be thoughtful and personal. How can you tailor the experience that you provide so its a reflection of your brand values?
Never before have we been able to connect with our audiences on such a personal level. The barrier to entry is close to zero, so take advantage of the power of social media. Go the extra mile for your future clients. People have a desire to be connected to one another, it’s human nature. Building your personal brand gives you an opportunity to reach your audience in a way that was never possible before.
Do you share your social life on social media? If no, why? If yes, how personal do you get?
