INSIDE THE EPISODE:

Building a Personal Brand Without Social Media

Melanie opens the discussion by acknowledging the mixed feelings many have towards social media. While it has been a powerful tool for building brands and generating income, it can also be exhausting to navigate. She shares her own experiences, highlighting how she has built her businesses primarily through platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram, but also expresses the fatigue that comes with constantly trying to keep up with algorithms and trends.

Danni agrees, noting that social media has shifted from a straightforward platform to a complex business model focused on advertising revenue. She emphasizes that while many have found success on social media, the pressure to stay relevant and visible can be overwhelming, especially for small business owners who wear multiple hats.

Exploring Alternatives to Social Media

Email Marketing

Danni suggests that email marketing is one of the most effective strategies for building visibility outside of social media. Email allows for direct communication with an audience and can be more impactful than social media posts.

Creating lead magnets such as eBooks, checklists, or exclusive content can encourage people to sign up for your email list. Attending industry events, workshops, or conferences where you can connect with potential clients and collect their email addresses is another effective strategy. Hosting online events that require registration, ensuring your website has clear and accessible sign-up forms, partnering with other businesses or influencers, and encouraging existing subscribers to refer friends or colleagues in exchange for incentives are all excellent ways to build your email list.

Blogging and SEO

Dannyi emphasizes the importance of having a website with a blog. By writing regular blog posts and optimizing them for search engines, individuals can attract visitors to their site. At the end of each blog post, include a call to action encouraging readers to sign up for an email list.

Optimize your blog posts for SEO by using relevant keywords to improve search engine rankings. Track engagement using tools like Google Analytics to understand audience engagement, and always include a call to action to encourage email sign-ups.

Webinars and Speaking Engagements

Webinars are an effective strategy for building an email list. By promoting a webinar in advance, individuals can collect email addresses from registrants, which can then be added to their email list. Speaking at events, whether local or virtual, can also provide opportunities to connect with potential clients and encourage them to sign up for newsletters or other resources.

Promote your webinars in advance using various channels, engage with attendees to build relationships, and leverage speaking engagements to showcase your expertise and collect email addresses.

Video Content and YouTube

Danni encourages individuals to convert their podcasts into video format and upload them to YouTube, which is the second-largest search engine. This approach can help reach a different audience and increase visibility.

Repurpose existing content into videos to reach a wider audience, optimize your videos for YouTube by using relevant keywords and tags, and engage with your audience by responding to comments.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Forming partnerships and collaborations can help expand visibility and introduce brands to new audiences. Danni acknowledges that while building these relationships may take time, the long-term benefits can be significant.

Seek out local events to connect with others in your industry, collaborate with influencers to reach new audiences, and focus on building meaningful, long-term relationships.

Writing for Established Publications

Writing content for established publications is another way to gain visibility. Platforms like Forbes Council and Entrepreneur Leadership Network allow individuals to pitch their ideas and contribute articles.

Approach established publications with well-crafted pitches, focus on providing informative, educational, or inspirational content, and use these platforms to enhance your credibility and reach wider audiences.

Understanding Your Target Audience

Danni emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s target audience. Many people struggle with this aspect, leading them to feel the need to be present on every platform. By focusing on the right audience, individuals can tailor their strategies to be more effective.

Clearly define who your target audience is, concentrate on platforms where your audience is most likely to engage, and create content that resonates with your target audience.

Authenticity in Personal Branding

Melanie shares her own experience of shifting her target audience from executives to women of color seeking to build personal brands. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity and being true to oneself when building a brand.

Embrace your identity and experiences, share your unique perspective and be genuine, and focus on providing value to your audience through authentic content.

For more in-depth discussions and branding advice, tune into the Empowered Presence™ podcast and explore the wealth of knowledge shared by Melanie and her esteemed guests.