Alycia Yerves

Just have to say this to the small biz owners out there: you can also create content purely for your own enjoyment and self expression. Remember when you would paint, write, draw, crochet, bake, build, color, make videos, sing, cook, take photos, dance, design, knit, sketch, act, scrapbook, decoupage and doodle simply for fun? Just cuz it would bring you joy and feed your soul? Bring it back into your brand. Watch what happens when sprinkle this ✨soul stuff✨ into your story. You are your brand. Be yourself, and you will find your people! 💎 You are a multi-faceted masterpiece and people want to know your origin story and understand what lights you up. Here’s to more soul-feeding and less algorithm-feeding!

Keep your eyes and ears open to external news and events and see how you can thread them into your content. Maybe pop culture related, or a national conversation taking place that relates to your brand, and it opens up an opportunity to create content for something timely and in the spotlight. Engagement skyrockets on these posts. But because these situations pop up without warning and are often a very quick turnaround in terms of designing content or writing copy – it is important to be adept in your role and be able to seize the moment. For example, Oreo’s blackout ad during the 2013 Super Bowl. They were at-the-ready and paying attention for a cultural moment they could jump on. People still remember it.

Ask yourself what your ideal client needs to believe, understand, or be aware of before they take the step to buy your product or service. When you think of things that answer those questions, you organically create a treasure trove of content that truly connects. You’re also establishing yourself as an authority on the topic via persistent content creation, which allows you to grow your “know, like, trust” factor.

Unpopular opinion? You don't have to separate the business from the personal. If you ask me, business is so very personal. Especially, YOUR business. It needs your personal touch & personality. You are your brand. You are what makes your business what it is. So many of us fall victim to the idea that making your content general and “fine” will capture more people. But when you get specific with your content and messaging, you grab the attention of more of the right people you’re looking to connect with. Why be like everyone else? That’s so boring. You can go your own way, be yourself, and grow your brand. You don't have to abide by outdated business traditions and what you think you SHOULD be doing. Don't "should" all over yourself.

Unpopular opinion? You don't have to separate the business from the personal. If you ask me, business is so very personal. Especially, YOUR business. It needs your personal touch & personality. You are your brand. You are what makes your business what it is. So many of us fall victim to the idea that making your content general and “fine” will capture more people. But when you get specific with your content and messaging, you grab the attention of more of the right people you’re looking to connect with. Why be like everyone else? That’s so boring. You can go your own way, be yourself, and grow your brand. You don't have to abide by outdated business traditions and what you think you SHOULD be doing. Don't "should" all over yourself.

The content you publish will attract the right people, and repel the wrong people. When you try to speak to everyone, you're actually speaking to no one because you're not standing out. Because you're not for everyone, and that's a good thing. No one is an exact replica of you. Be yourself, and you will find your people.