We all have to start small…
April is a special month for Social Media Slant. Three years ago, I launched this blog with one idea in mind: Helping small business owners and solo-preneurs figure out the basics of social media.
Based on your emails, comments, and shares on social networks, I have achieved this goal. Needless to say that it makes me very happy.
However, it’s not the only reason for this celebratory message. On Monday, I found out that PR Newswire, a renowned news agency, had included my blog in the same list as Buffer’s and Ian Cleary’s!
As always, my community of friends and advocates did not waste time to celebrate on social networks.
(Thank you so much, Kelly!)
Now, why am I sharing all this? Certainly not to gloat.
I have worked with small business owners and solo-preneurs for years. Most of them feel small and invisible because their names have never appeared in articles on Forbes, Mashable, or Entrepreneur. So, they belittle their achievements and give up.
When I launched Social Media Slant, no prominent influencer in my field supported me. Actually, a few gave me the cold shoulder.
Did I care? For half a second maybe. Then, I realized that I had a group of supporters (and friends) who would be there, no matter what. I’m talking about people like Kelly Hungerford, Janine Beattie, Martin W Smith, Jan Gordon, John Thomas, Katrina Moody, Stevie Wilson, and Robert Caruso. They have shared my content, recommended my work regularly, and helped increase my visibility in the process. Their support means the world to me!
I also dedicate many weekly hours to creating and curating content, and interacting with people on social networks.
In 2014, my hard work and dedication got noticed by B2B News Network. I have been a paid contributor for the site since then. My blog and name have also been featured in other blogs and publications.
The moral of the story? You don’t need Forbes, Mashable, or Entrepreneur to make your mark in this world. You don’t need to have Guy Kawasaki or Richard Branson in your corner to consider yourself successful.
Stop comparing yourself to the big names in your industry. Your story and message are different.
Stop looking for new followers. Embrace and nurture the ones you already have first. They will get others on board naturally as a result.
Stop following the advice of self-professed gurus or “6-figure” business coaches. The only thing they care about is their wallets.
And please, stop chasing likes. Occasional quotes and pictures of puppies are great, but they won’t do anything for your ROI if they are irrelevant to what you sell. Quality and relevancy trump quantity at every level.
We all have to start somewhere. Ask J.K. Rowling, the author of Harry Potter, for example. The numerous rejections she received did not prevent her from becoming one of the most successful writers in recent years.
We all have to start small. There is no shame in that.
The rest of the story depends on your mindset.
