I have avoided using the coach/consultant word about what I do, because there are gazillions of them, and they are all “making six figures and have lots of high-powered clients”, according to their posts. I hope they are. I suspect, however, that much of their boasts are marketing ploys: “I’m really busy with all of my high-paying clients, but I still make time to invite you to a free infomercial/webinar/conference call.” How many of us have, on a particularly lonely day in business, taken the bait? “I give up! I’ve registered. Now send me the free e-book, training session or whatever it is that will make me great.” Once we download the book/training session/whatever it is, we are disappointed because (drum roll please) WE ALREADY KNEW THE INFORMATION WE GOT. And now there’s someone else stalking you on e-mail…nice.
I mean no offense to the myriad of six-figure earning moguls on social media; please carry on. I’m talking to the people who desperately follow them hoping to find the answers to the questions they’ve been asking for years. Questions like: “Why am I here?” “Am I valuable?” “What’s in me that makes me a winner?” “How can I become successful too?”
I am pretty sure by now you’ve done the research to know what you are supposed to be doing. You may not have the number of clients or the sales or the business plan, but you spend a lot of time on social media talking about what you’re doing.
Is it helping?
The time you spend on social media should be productive from a business standpoint, and fun. Social media allows you to connect with friends and family that you don’t see or talk with on a regular basis. You can hear the latest celebrity news (real or fake) if that interests you, learn of events or projects that you care about, and even share your opinion on everything from the mundane to the momentous. Social media provides a way to gain exposure for your clients and your business. I want you to ask, however, if the work you do on social media is helping your business, or simply making you look busy.
Social media can also be a major distraction to getting your goals accomplished. This is me, shaking you to make sure awake, halfway through the year. Make sure you aren’t using social media to avoid doing the other things your business needs: like calling on potential customers. We hit those times when progress seems slow, the phone isn’t ringing, or the vacation season disrupts your cash flow. Don’t give in to the temptation to play solitaire or get into the latest relationship argument on Facebook (unless that’s your business – then by all means, jump in!).
Use what some consider down-time to plan a marketing campaign, re-evaluate direction, listen to educational and inspirational podcasts (Conversations with Ken Cheatham is a good one), or find opportunities to be inspired and hone your networking skills. The BOLD Move Event is a worthwhile way to connect with other business owners in an empowering, safe setting. If you can’t make the BOLD Move Event, find a way to connect with business owners where you live. Whatever you do, deal truthfully with yourself. Invest in activities that contribute to your bottom line and not just the appearance of success.
And as for those four questions, click here:
Are You Working Hard to Look Really Busy
(While Accomplishing
Very Little)?
Michele Aikens