Are you truly in control of your audience? |

Oct 26, 2022

It's a lot of time and energy into growing your fan base. Why shouldn't this hard work pay off? The reason why you should be able to control your fans is essential to creator success.

Why shouldn't the effort be rewarded?

Having a following on a platform doesn't necessarily mean that you have a relationship with the crowd. And if you're not doing this have a relationship with them, you're missing one) people seeing all that you have to offer, as well as) the advantages of the potential for monetization, building community, and even growth having that audience in the first place.

Here's the definition of "owning your audience" signifies and the importance of it.

What exactly does it mean to be able to control your audience? (And what makes it crucial?)

Owning your audience means building relations with them in your own way. You know who they are as well as how they interact with your work, regardless of whether they're discovering your work in the first place or have long been loyal fans.

The way to establish these relationships is by deciding when and how you communicate with your followers. You communicate with them through a platform or channel that you control, like your email list, online community or your website. The direct channel of communication is flexible, meaning you can easily reach the right people at the right time whether that's an individual user or the entire list of email addresses.

There's a difference between posting on Instagram and trying to hope that the algorithm puts your content in front of your followers instead of. having confidence that your content gets to the right people.

Imagine you're hosting a dinner party for some new acquaintances. In order to ensure that they'll are having a blast, you need to learn a few facts about them before they arrive Are they averse to dietary restriction? What kind of music does they enjoy? Do they like wine, beer, or a mocktail?

Like asking your family and acquaintances for their opinions can help you plan a dinner party for your guests, getting to know your audience as more than just "likes" as well as "follows" aids in creating content and products that meet their requirements.

The result? Your business will grow with more sales and happier customers.

The consequences of not owning your audience

If you're not in control of your target audience, you lose the chance to create connections, and monetize your followers Make sure that your customers are aware of your posts, and grow your business.

Three ways social media platforms make difficult to control your followers:

Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok won't allow you to take the followers you've created together. It's not possible to message all your TikTok users at once, or create a list of their email addresses so that you can communicate with them according to your preferences.

The algorithms of social media platforms are designed to keep users engaged with social media applications for as long as they can and putting profits from platforms over the success of their creators. Ever-changing algorithms mean your followers could not view your work in the moment you share the content, or actually see it. These platforms also promote other creators' work to your followers and show your work under the platform's branding and not under your own.

We aren't saying that creators need to avoid social media altogether. It's an effective means to build your fan base and allow new users to discover your content -- however it shouldn't be the onlyway you communicate with your followers. Utilizing social media in conjunction with other channels (like email) will make a significant contribution to the success of your business as a creator.

Methods to intentionally build audience relationships according to your own preferences

A big part of owning your followers is having complete control over the way they experience your brand at all times no matter if they're a new fan or an old-timers.

There are a variety of ways to make that happen. Here are two we recommend to creators

Get your email list growing in the early days

Select a platform that is user-friendly and scalable.

1. Get your email list growing in the early days

Email is a tried-and-true marketing method for a reason: It's cost-effective and easy to get started in the process. Creating your email lists early will be a huge benefit.

Your workshop's performance is in the fate of the algorithm *.

(*The Instagram algorithm changes frequently and with no prior notice, therefore the info in this graphic is subject to changes. That's one of the biggest reason why people are tired with Instagram and have shifted to channels they own including email, and even private community sites.)

Where you host those digital items -- as well as run the rest of your business -- can have a a big difference, too.

2. Select platforms and tools that are user-friendly for creators.

Many platforms treat creators like they exist in a vacuum that they only create posts and connect with users on this platform instead of being real people who are working to build brands and business. They don't understand the importance of starting and grow a creator business.

Also, they aren't creator-friendly.

A Creator-friendly platform allows you to manage your audiences relationships and controlling the user experience easier.

Portrait of Spencer
"Creators strive to develop their own audiences as well as long-lasting connections -- and that shouldn't be a reason to become entangled in one particular platform. The best thing you can do is enjoy the benefits of your efforts and time to wherever you go."

"That is the capability to take your data such as customers, earnings, and data with you to a different platform, or , at minimum, export from the platform you are currently using quickly and in a simple way."

These platforms help you reach every person -- clients, students, community members who are free as well as paid subscribers to your mailing list in the way you'd like. You can send a note to every person on your list or contact a particular student within a class cohort using the same screen.

Platforms like Facebook do not send data to the email service you use. (They do not even allow you to export email addresses.) This means that you cannot make use of audience information to segment your list, and you have to do more work on multiple platforms for communication with all of them.

"I must pay for an entire virtual assistant admit members, welcome members, moderate them, etc. We use Google Sheets and separate Facebook Messenger software that costs $30/month, plus Facebook's algorithm and distractions. This is a complete mess."

This is especially crucial if you are looking to do more than just provide free content. If you want to start making money through digital products and communities You need the appropriate equipment.

Make a place for them to communicate updates to their supporters

It's the bottom line: the software you utilize should view your holistically and assist you as a creator of something extraordinary -- not just as an avenue to generate more revenue. Platforms that are supportive of creators understand how crucial that creators take control of their relationships and communicate with their audiences. When you're able to take control of these things and have control over them, you can begin to create a truly amazing creative business that is your own.

Are you ready to start on a platform which is focused on your success? Register for a free account today . We're excited to watch your progress.