There is nothing more exciting than getting your business up and running. Let’s be honest; it has been a journey filled with ideas, plenty of action, your time, and many anxious moments. You have the perfect solution, ideal product, or even a combination; now you need customers!
Setting up your business is one thing, but getting your brand out there and finding customers is an entirely different story. We all want to wave a wand that will magically increase brand awareness, generate leads and sales, and drive traffic to our website. And if we’re honest, social media is our go-to option.
Social Media Can’t Stand Alone
Your social media posts may shout out to the digital world and be absolutely fabulous, but having an awesome online presence is not enough to guarantee success. Beneath that surface of likes, shares, and retweets lies an undeniable truth—your business’s success still relies heavily on face-to-face interactions, personal touches, dedication, and the relentless pursuit of going the extra mile.
I understand this blog may ruffle a few feathers, but we need to get real! When you think about it, social media pretty much runs the world. But social media….
Cannot replace hard work
Cannot replace going out and building in-person relationships
Cannot replace you hustling to get that first order
Cannot replace you driving through the night to deliver an order
Cannot replace a weekend market
Yes, I have many social media management clients, but I always emphasise that you can’t solely rely on social media. In other words, a few posts a month aren’t going to convert into sales magically.
When it comes to your business, you will always need to work behind the scenes. It’s key to remember that social media is merely one box to tick in the bigger picture of a successful business.
The Magical Combination
While social media is an invaluable tool for marketing and engagement, it is the tangible, behind-the-scenes effort that truly defines a business’s success. The personal connections, the hard work, the dedication to going the extra mile – these are what create trust, build lasting relationships, and drive a business forward.
Stories of businesses driving overnight to deliver an order, customizing their products/services to meet a customer’s unique needs, or just going the extra mile often don’t capture the attention of social media scrollers but resonate deeply with customers who have experienced them.
This type of hard work and dedication is often unseen in the digital world, but it is what differentiates a successful business from a mere online presence. It’s a reminder that behind every service and product lies hard work, sacrifice, and a commitment to excellence that cannot be encapsulated in a Facebook post or an Instagram story.
Nothing Comes Easy
Yes, we live in a digital world, and I am by no means discounting the value of social media. However, I believe it’s important not to forget that hard work, the willingness to work long hours, and the sacrifices we make ultimately drive our success.
Nothing comes easy—if it did, I would be sitting on a beach somewhere sipping margaritas while my business ran itself on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. Social media posts are amazing, but it’s your hard work, personal touch, and sacrifices that will build the foundations of a lasting, successful business.