You Betta Werk: Let's Get Personal

Today I’m scrolling through Instagram and I grow confused as I see everyone using the hashtag, #turnmeon. Immediately I’m thinking “What kind of freaky social media promotion is this?”. Well it turns out everyone was in a frenzy due to Instagram’s new algorithm. Instead of displaying posts in chronological order, the new update will make it so that only the most popular posts will be displayed on your feed. I know, this is pretty effed up because there are so many new, up-and-coming, growing creatives that use Instagram as a platform to introduce people to their work.

As I saw everyone practically begging for their followers to turn their notifications on, in fear that their posts would get lost amongst the more popular accounts, I grew a bit disappointed. Since I’ve turned social media into something that not only gives people a peek into my everyday life, style and personality in addition to a promotional platform for my blog; I absolutely love it! I love how you can display visuals that ultimately create this collage and in some way communicates to followers your bigger purpose. I enjoy finding other people and learning of other’s passions via images that capture me in a matter of seconds. I love creating movements, being apart of movements and seeing movements as they grow and trend via social media; I love seeing the societal change and unity that can come from the touch of a screen.

Social media is certainly evolving into a force that can ultimately change the world we live in through creativity, but it also hinders us from making those personal connections. If you are a business owner, blogger, musician, artists, photographer, etc. I want you to work on creating an in-person following. Yes, I’m sure you’ve connected with many in cyberspace, but the personal connections you make can last a lifetime. If Instagram, Twitter, etc. were to crash tomorrow; would your business/brand still flourish? Would your clientele/audience miss your presence?

Last summer I published an issue of DeVoe magazine titled, “Melanin Is Magic,” celebrating and uplifting black women of all shades. To promote this issue and connect with my audience I asked followers to post a selfie using #melaninismagic as a hashtag. At first, the only people participating in my social media campaign were friends and family...of course. One of my friends, Edward, better known as Prohaize, suggested that I approach young women in person, exchange social media information, etc. I took his advice and approached young black women of all shades in the city. I took their photos, had conversations with them about what I was doing and why, even chatted about hair, fashion and school with some of them. I not only gained followers but supporters. When my magazine went live on paypal I noticed that a few of the people who purchased names looked familiar, a few of the girls I featured on my Instagram not only followed me but they bought a copy of the magazine. I’ve ran into them on my alma mater's campus a few times and they’ll remember me, ask how I’m doing and when another issue will come out. And that is all the difference a connection makes. They know the editor connects and relates to them, it’s not just some out-of-touch person trying to make a come up via the internet and they know I’m reachable. I love talking to supporters face-to-face to get their opinions on what my next issue should be, images they want to see, stories they want to read,etc.

So I challenge you guys to take your brand and business to the streets. Create a promotional method that will connect you to your clientele/audience personally. Invest in some business cards or flyers, place all of your handles on them and as you promote yourself face-to-face with potential supporters, hand them your marketing materials and in exchange ask for their social media handles. Remember, this is not a one-sided exchange; ask people what they want to see more of, what they need, what they like, etc. Ask them their passions, what they do, if they have a website, blog, business, etc. You never know what type of connections or partnerships can grow from a simple, face-to-face chat.

This can help you in so many ways because eventually, you can go straight to the source, your audience, to figure out what exactly they NEED from your business/brand. You may even gain life long business connections, collab partners and friendships. Don’t just do it for the gram y’all! I know it’s discouraging to know that your beautiful images may not be seen by the masses, but there are so many tangible people out there that want to hear your story, are curious as to why you’re doing what you’re doing and they’re ready to be inspired by you. So eff IG and their algorithms, you got dis!

YOU BETTA WERK BOO!

-XoXo

Mani