SmallBusinessOwner Archives - Jennifer Cooper Time Saver

SmallBusinessOwner

Why Instagram Is Harder for Growing Your Business in 2024
- August 30, 2024
Instagram has never been a walk in the park. Let’s be honest, how many of us truly love posting on Instagram? For most, it feels like a chore. But if you’re using Instagram to grow your business, you’ll have noticed that it’s even tougher in 2024 than it was during the golden era of 2019-2021. Posts that once garnered engagement now seem to disappear into the void, leaving you wondering if anyone is out there at all.
So, why is Instagram so much harder these days, and more importantly, what can you do that actually works?
Why Instagram Has Become a Tougher Nut to Crack
1. The Dreaded Tumbleweed Effect
We’ve all been there. You put out a post, and… nothing. Absolute silence. This isn’t just you—many people are finding that static posts, especially those with non-impactful graphics, simply aren’t getting the love they used to. These posts might have worked once, but now, they often sit there with no likes, no comments, just gathering digital dust. It’s time to stop creating these and focus on what’s working.
2. Saturation: A Needle in a Haystack
Instagram isn’t the small, cozy platform it once was. With over 200 million businesses now competing for attention, your content is just one tiny needle in a massive haystack. Standing out in this crowd is no small feat. The sheer volume of posts means that even your most well-thought-out content can get lost in the noise.
3. Algorithm Aggravation
Ah, the algorithm. That ever-changing, ever-confounding puzzle. It’s tempting to try to figure it out, but let’s be real—it’s not worth the effort. Just when you think you’ve cracked the code, it shifts again. Your best bet is to follow accounts that provide regular updates on these changes*, but don’t waste your energy chasing the algorithm. Instead, focus on consistency and quality.
*Pink Storm Social
4. The Rise of New Platforms
Instagram’s dominance isn’t what it used to be. Platforms like TikTok and BeReal are capturing users’ attention, especially among younger audiences. I spend more time on TikTok than Instagram these days when browsing for myself. This shift means fewer people are actively engaging with content on Instagram, making it even harder to grow your presence organically.
5. The Pay-to-Play Reality
Meta, Instagram’s owner, has made it clear that if you want to reach your audience, you need to pay for it. Organic reach has taken a nosedive as they push businesses towards sponsored posts and ads. Have a scroll through the first 10 posts on your feed – I guarantee 2-3 of them will be sponsored posts. That makes it blinking hard for the rest of us, who aren’t going to pour thousands into ads.
OK – Now I have explained why it is hard I don’t want you totally to lose heart. It is still worth being on Instagram, and a platform that brings joy to a lot of us.
What Does Work on Instagram in 2024?
Despite the challenges, some strategies are still effective—if you’re smart about how you use them.
1. Reels: The Consistency Conundrum
Reels are where it’s at if you want to grow your audience. But let me be clear: it’s not about throwing up any old video and hoping for the best. Consistency is key. I know a business owner who challenged herself to post daily reels at the end of 2023. Five months in, her page exploded with 15,000 new followers. But beware—chasing the dopamine hit of a viral reel can lead you off-brand. Yes, a well-performing reel can increase your clout, but will it bring in clients? That’s another question entirely.
The trick? Keep it simple and post regularly. If creating reels isn’t something you enjoy, or it feels like a slog, don’t force it. No point in doing something that makes you miserable.
2. Engagement: The Right Way
One of the best ways to grow your following organically is by engaging with the right users. Here’s a simple, step-by-step strategy:
Identify Active Followers: Start by finding accounts in your niche with active followers. The easiest way is to Google keywords related to your industry and check out the top results. These accounts are likely getting plenty of real traffic.
Engage Strategically: Once you’ve found a relevant account, go through their followers list. Look for accounts with active stories (you’ll see a purple ring around their profile picture) or recent posts. This ensures they’re currently active.
Interact with Their Content: View and like their stories, and then like 1-3 of their posts. This will trigger notifications, prompting them to check out your profile. If they like what they see, they’ll follow you back.
Repeat: Consistency is key here. Regularly engaging with these users will help you build a following that’s genuinely interested in what you offer.
IMPORTANT: Avoid those “follow trains” like the plague
You know the ones – “Follow these accounts and magically gain X followers!” They masquerade as supporting small businesses. Don’t fall for it. Trust your instinct – it it’s “too good to be true,” it is.
Why steer clear? Simple. Those new followers? Many of them won’t be genuinely interested in your business. But here’s the real kicker – I’ve seen countless accounts get slapped with the spam label by Instagram after jumping on these trains. Next stop? Account suspension or total wipeout. Trust me, you don’t want that headache.
3. Your Online Rolodex
Instagram is still a fantastic tool for keeping in touch with people you meet at events and when out and about. Follow up with new connections by connecting with them on Instagram. This simple act helps maintain relationships and keeps you top of mind. Plus, by engaging with their content, you learn more about them, and start to build a relationship.
4. Declutter Your Account
One of the challenges with engaging with other businesses is that it is hard to see the content you want to. Declutter your account. I went through everyone I was following and got rid of a lot of accounts that were no longer active, accounts where people hadn’t posted for 1-2 years, or who are no longer of interest to me. The result is I am seeing much more posts from people I am genuinely interested in and want to connect with.
5. Borrow Audiences
One of the most effective ways to expand your reach is by tagging other accounts in your posts and stories. For example, if you visit a local coffee shop or hotel, tag them in your content. You’re essentially creating free content for them to share, which is an easy way for them to amplify your reach by sharing it with their audience. This approach not only helps you, but it’s also a generous way to support other businesses.
5. Value Your Existing Audience
Don’t forget to look after the audience you do have on Instagram. In the chase of the new and shiny it is all too easy to forget the loyal connections, your raving fans who are on there. These people are likely to be your best marketing as they will be the ones sending referrals your way, recommending you and already love what you do. Give them some love. Reply to them and make sure that you check in on their posts and see what they are up to.
6. See Instagram As Your Portfolio
Rather than building your entire growth strategy around Instagram, see it as a great online portfolio of what you do, that gives people a flavour of what working with you is like. A lot of people will check your Instagram before deciding to work with you, even if they found you via another method first. If you run a visual business like interior design, art or photography, Instagram works as a great free online portfolio of your work.
Beyond Instagram: Diversifying Your Digital Strategy
Instagram is still a valuable tool, but it shouldn’t be the only platform in your digital strategy. Here are a few other platforms worth considering:
1. YouTube
Unlike Instagram, where content often has a short lifespan, YouTube videos can continue to attract views for months or even years. This makes YouTube an excellent platform for building a library of content that keeps working for you long after it’s posted. Plus there is always the carrot of eventually being able to monetise your channel…
2. LinkedIn
LinkedIn continues to grow in popularity – mainly because the darn algorithm doesn’t change as much. You know where you are with LinkedIn. Don’t automatically discount it, there is a place for all of us on LinkedIn, and it could be a good place for connections for Press and PR. We have a guide to getting started on LinkedIn here.
3. Google My Business
If you are not on Google My Business, get on there right now! It helps you appear in local web search results and climb those all important seo rankings. Find out more here.
Final Thoughts
Instagram may be a tougher landscape to navigate in 2024, but still has a value to small business owners. Focus on what’s effective—reels, engagement, & connections, and view it as just one part of your online digital presence
As a small business owner or solopreneur, we have to stay adaptable. Social media trends will continue to evolve. The key thing is not to lose heart, and instead, get curious, experiment and find out what works for you.
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What’s the difference between a VA and OBM?
- June 26, 2024
As a business owner, you may not be familiar with the difference between a VA and an OBM. It’s likely you already have a Virtual Assistant that’s an integral part of the day-to-day running of your business, but is it time to take things further and move towards having an Online Business Manager?
In this post, I’ll be sharing just what the difference between the two roles is, and how an OBM can have many positive benefits for your business.
The difference between a VA and an OBM
For me, an Online Business Manager is a next-level Virtual Assistant – imagine Iron Man to Tony Stark if you will. All the brains you’ve grown to love in a VA but with a few more nifty gadgets and ideas up their sleeves.
Both a VA and an OBM have important roles in your business, but an OBM can swoop in with that strategic element you might have been missing.
Whereas a VA is mainly task-orientated, an Online Business Manager brings custom strategies, and project manages everything from start to finish.
Imagine your business growth is a bit like a car journey. Before you set off, you want to be sure that a) you know where you’re going and b) your ‘car’ is up to the journey ahead. Your OBM takes on two significant roles here. One is the role of navigator – i.e. listening to your business goals and suggesting strategies and ‘routes’ to achieve them. They can help you look for any potential diversions too, so you’re not stuck in a jam on the business growth motorway due to roadworks.
But they also adopt the role of a mechanic, tinkering around under the bonnet to make sure everything is working as it should be, looking at the numbers and the processes you already have in place. Are these helping or hindering your business growth? Could you be doing anything differently that could yield better results? Here at Jennifer Cooper Timesaver, I look for ways to help you save time too.
Once your OBM has supported you to identify the best journey ahead, they’ll create the task list needed to help you move forwards and grow.
Your VA will then complete those tasks under the OBM’s supervision, which means you can continue to focus on providing the best service or products for your customers.
What are the benefits of an OBM?
So now you know the difference between a VA and an OBM, let’s look at the benefits of working with an OBM.
Running a business can feel frustrating, overwhelming, and brilliant all at the same time. Often, you know there are things you need to do, but there are so many other bits you feel you have to do first. It often feels chaotic and you might be at a point where you’re struggling to do it on your own.
You need someone who knows exactly how it feels – someone who’s been where you are and understands how challenging and overwhelming things can be.
An Online Business Manager can be that person – supporting you to bring your vision to life and being an integral cog in the wheels of your business. They become an essential part of your big-picture thinking, offering a different perspective. They’re also directly involved in your business growth and can help you look for opportunities to scale in a way that feels right for you.
So if you’re at the stage where you feel you need this kind of support, why not get in touch and see how I can help you? You don’t have to feel overwhelmed anymore – we can work together to make your business just what you always hoped it would be.
And maybe even a little bit more.
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Getting started on LinkedIn as a small business owner
- May 17, 2022
Getting started on LinkedIn as a small business owner can feel a little daunting. After all, it’s not got that cuddly vibe of Instagram or the opinionated, soap-box feel of Twitter. Is it worth investing your time in yet another social media channel?
Well, first and foremost LinkedIn isn’t a social media channel – it’s easy to think it is, but it sees itself a ‘professional network on the internet’ and this is what it is geared towards.
The great thing about LinkedIn being a little different is there’s no algorithm to try and negotiate. You’re not jumping through the usual hoops in order to get noticed. It’s just a great way to connect with other like-minded people and grow your network of contacts – which often leads to enquiries and leads along the way.
In this post, you’ll learn a few easy steps to get started on LinkedIn so you’re no longer facing the overwhelm of where to even begin.
What is LinkedIn?
Essentially LinkedIn is a marketing tool – to help you promote yourself and your business to a wider network of business-to-business (B2B) professionals. Now, this can seem quite daunting, especially if you’re just starting out on your self-employed journey and you thought B2B was a Star Wars character.
After all, a whole new platform means you’re probably not quite sure who’ll be reading about you or your product/service; maybe it feels outside your ‘safe and established network.’
You may have also heard that LinkedIn is a serious place, for serious people – no sharing funny GIFS or last night’s dinner on your feed unless you wish to be cast out as an imposter, albeit one wearing a business suit and kitten heels to try and fit in around the metaphorical water cooler.
But LinkedIn has moved on from the stuffy, boardroom type feel it had a few years ago. It’s actually a fantastic platform to be part of and can provide many benefits for small business owners like you. But before we delve into exactly what you need to have on your LinkedIn profile to gain these benefits, let’s turn the clock back to those heady days at the start of your business journey and get intentional about your LinkedIn usage.
Your LinkedIn account and your business goals
Now we’ve travelled back in time, let’s settle in, shall we? It’s time to get a little honest with yourself. Why did you start your business? What did you want to achieve? What were your goals?
If you can’t remember, take a look at your business plan and remind yourself. No doubt it was because you had a great idea or you were filling a gap in the marketplace. Maybe the lure of being your own boss was terribly tempting and you were keen to be as successful and profitable as possible.
You probably created your LinkedIn account at the point of starting out – one of those ‘must dos’ you were given by a well-meaning biz buddy to help get yourself established. Equally, you may have thought LinkedIn wasn’t for you – you were a small one-person business and LinkedIn was for big corporate groups – therefore it didn’t fit your business profile. You’d also thrown away your kitten heels…
Whatever the case, I would guess that, right now, your LinkedIn account is either non-existent or sits in the background, ticking over but not really working for you. Unlike your social media channels, it lies dormant – apart from the occasional connection requests from someone you vaguely remember from school or one of those ‘coaches’ who can definitely help you make £3million an hour.
But fear not, we’ve all been there – it’s so easy to get caught up in the ‘now’ of running a business that some things slip. So let’s look at a couple of things you can do right now to get more active on LinkedIn and start connecting with people who will enhance your business and generate more leads.
Your LinkedIn Profile
This is the first thing people will read about you on LinkedIn, so it’s really important to keep it up-to-date. Your profile is all about your story – i.e. who you are and what you do. Here’s a look at mine.
Before you begin composing, or if you already have a profile, take a good look at it and ask yourself these questions:
• Does your profile reflect what you want it to?
• Is it specific and clear about what it is you do?
You probably think I’m stating the obvious but it’s surprising how many people get caught up in the ‘writing’ they go off-point and these two key questions aren’t addressed.
Now let’s move on to some other points you’ll need to look at:
• Profile image – it’s so important to have a picture on your LinkedIn profile – ideally a professional headshot of you. Stats show that a lack of a photo means you miss out on people connecting with you.
• Cover Image – this sits at the top of your profile – acting as a header to your page. This needs to reflect your brand, so you could incorporate your company logo or any graphics that show you in a work setting or ‘in action’ at work – now’s your chance to pull on those kitten heels…
So there you have it – a few easy steps to start using LinkedIn to grow your business. As with all marketing, try not to overwhelm yourself with too many things to do otherwise, it’s tempting to do none of them at all. Even just doing the few suggestions in this post will get you off on the right foot.
If you’d like any help with your LinkedIn account, saving you time to get on with the ‘business side of your business,’ then do get in contact. We’re here to help you expand and grow – you don’t have to do this alone.
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