Often times we hear things like “money is in the list”, “Build a list” and so on about Audience building from various thought leaders, online/digital marketers like me
But most of the time when this topic is projected, lots of controversial questions are always going on in peoples mind that “must I build a list”
You can’t deny that
In fact, it also happens to me when I was just starting out in the online marketing game.
that’s why i know
But the truth of the matter is a capital “YES, YOU MUST BUILD A LIST IF YOU WANT SOME LEVEL OF SUCCESS IN YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING GAME”
Note that word, some level of success
Though you might make some little or many impact or sales (depending on your view) on social media without having an AUDIENCE, there is more to attain so, therefore, you need a list of targeted audience
Please read this next line with rapt attention on it because that’s the main part confusing a lot of people
You need to understand two different things at this junction
(1) Platform and (2) Audience
Don’t be confuse PLATFORM is different from an AUDIENCE
Platforms are place where your target audience congregate (e.g Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, forums e.t.c)
While
AUDIENCE ARE TARGETED SET OF PEOPLE ON YOUR
EMAIL LIST
FACEBOOK GROUP e.t.c
Now, does that mean there are no other targets audience there, different from your business target audience?
They are there
but it not ideal and that why you need to build a targeted audience of people who are interested and ready to listen to your brand message
If you are getting so much attention on a platform and you are not building an audience from it (hear this today:- You are losing a lot)
And where did I say so
Let’s say the owner of the social media platform you are using, wake up one day and decide that he wants to close down his platform or let me bring it down a little bit
Let say your account was just deleted (maybe you violate a law and he decides to bring down your account)
At this point, it doesn’t matter if you have lot’s of audiences
The question is:
where do you want to start from?
Will you create a new account, Start searching for the different names of your followers which I know you can’t even remember or what?
I believe you should be getting the main reason why “AUDIENCE BUILDING IS VERY ESSENTIAL IF YOU WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING GAME”
Now let’s get into the main part
Have you ever imagine why MTN, GLO, AIRTEL AND OTHER NETWORK PROVIDERS SEND YOU MESSAGE ABOUT THEIR LATEST OFFER OR PROMO
if no, then hear this
They send you messages every time because they have you on their audience database and they know there is no other best way to get in touch with you than that.
Although they do city and street advert but can all their user get their message at once
NO
Now learn from this
Although your platforms can be working wonders now, but do you want something better and easier I.e (reach your audience at once and get a quality result?
You need to build an AUDIENCE
And that’s what lead me to my first reason why you need to take audience building very important so as to have a sure and successful social media marketing game
(1) Attention on demand
If I may ask, that influencer, thought leader, coach or page you are following on Facebook or Instagram,
Any time you are online and they upload a content (Educate, offer or promo)
do you see their post at that particular hour/day
Am very sure you can’t.
(if you are not on their page at that particular time)
It will take some hour before you see it on your news feed depending on the position you fall to on Facebook or Instagram algorithm
In fact, it might take some day
Now let’s say you have an offer(that will only last for 24 or 48hours) you wanted to promote
Do you think your profile/page should be the best place to promote it?
Am sure you won’t deer go for it (and even if you use your profile, not everyone will see it at that speculated time, some will see it, an hour after you post it, some a day after, and some 5 days after
Now let’s analyze this together
those that didn’t see it at that speculated hour you gave (24 or 48hours) does it mean they are not interested or they won’t buy
No, they can be interested, in fact, they might need that offer more than those that first saw the post but because they saw it late(they lose the opportunity and you as well lose the sales)
That’s the disadvantage of not having an audience
And for you not to experience stuff like this
You need to build a list so as to get the attention of your audience anytime any day you need it.
Now to the second reason why you need to build an audience
(2) Audience building gives you the ability to only have Targeted set of people who are interested in your brand message
We have sheep, birds, wolfs, goat and so many other things on a platform. Who are not interested in what you offering.
Projecting your brand message, in front of these people is a waste of time and content
AUDIENCE BUILDING will give you the ability to have 90% of the target audience who is interested and ready to listen to your message
Imagine that there are ten young women in a house
5 are fat 2 are slim, 3 have a balanced shape
And These 5 fat women are so desperate to lose weight
Now let’s assume you are selling a weight loss product and you go to this house to pitch your product to them
Don’t forget they are 10 but 5 out of them needs your product (though they didn’t know you before)
Fortunately, you met the 10 of them in front of the house, and with your low gentle voice you walk up to them and start your pitching
Out of the 10 who do you think will carefully pay attention to you?
You get it ( the 5 fat desperate women right ?)
That’s how it works
Focus more on building an audience, because that’s the only thing that will give you a TARGETED SET OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE INTEREST AND ARE READY TO LISTEN TO YOUR MESSAGE
The third reason state
(3) There is 90% Assurance that they will value your content because they are your target customer and reciprocity (sales) will surely set in
Since 90% of people that will be on your audience list will be your target audience
There is 90% assurance that they will value what you are giving out and reciprocity will set in
What I mean by reciprocity is this:-
The value you give out to them will create a certain mindset in them
They will start seeing you as an expert
And they will surely see you as someone that cares for them (not other marketers who are doing chop and go)
And it is sure they reward you back by:-
Investing in your offer ( it doesn’t mean if they need it immediately or not)
All they will be after is reciprocity I.e ( to reward you back for your good work)
(4) Audience building Strengthens your relationship building strategy
People will be Very free to communicate with you
Since it a one-on-one thing
And ONE-ON-ONE Sales pitch is one of the best marketing strategies
so you get faster and quality result or response if you know the right words to use on them
(5) Audience building Increases your chance of getting the UNADVERTISED BENEFITS
At this point, I know you are very curious to know what I mean by that keyword “UNADVERTISED BENEFIT”
Yes! I believe you’ve gotten some business deals, opportunity and even the ones that are not business but beneficial from a brand, company or individual you haven’t seen nor met before, due to someone you know
Those are the unadvertised benefits, you get from building an audience, provided that you are a value giver
Most of your audience will go back and refer you to their family and friend’s as a way of appreciating you
Some might nominate you for an award, invite you for speaking events you might not be privileged to speak at if to follow the normal hierarchy
And lots more
There are other many, reason why you need to take audience building really serious but this are the main ones I have for you in this content
And I believe this would push you out in building your audience list
You can build it using
Email marketing
Messenger chatbot
Or
Facebook group
Currently, I use Messenger chatbot and Email marketing for my audience building
Talk to me using my contact details on this page” CONTACT” if you need help on building your audience using any of this 3 tools
And before you go (don’t be a silent follower drop a comment, let me know if you got value from the piece)
Commenting is just a way of appreciating the writers work
Hope to see you soon
