Hustle & Heart column

BY TARYN JEREZ

When it comes to communicating with customers and clients – now more than ever – many of us ask the question, “How much is too much?” The truth is that the answer may be a little different for each of us, but the most important thing is to be showing up for your audience in a way that feels good and creates action.

So, how the heck do you do that exactly? I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve to not only communicate with your audience with confidence, but also create a real connection with your audience that, in turn, creates customers and clients in your business.

Rule #1: Communicate Authentically.  

It is far too easy nowadays to be bombarded with what the rest of the world is doing, and forget to put our blinders on and focus on who we really are, and how we project ourselves in our own businesses. Ignore that comparison trap when you are communicating with your audience! Instead, think about your brand as a whole. What does it look like and sound like? How does it make people feel when they interact with it? Hone into who you really are and who you aspire to be, and you will build real connection with the people who need you most. Whether it’s an email to your email marketing list or a video on Instagram, make sure you’re speaking as your authentic self, not a carbon copy of someone else.

Rule #2: Communicate Specifically.  

Every business owner has a mile-long list of things to do it seems. As you think about how you communicate as a business, make sure you aren’t simply checking something off that list. You need to be specific on the reason behind every social media post, email, graphic, video, marketing collateral, and more. Think about what you are trying to accomplish and make sure your communication supports that. If you are trying to build brand awareness or increase sales during a launch, the communication you create may be vastly different. Have a plan before you spend time putting things out into the world.

Rule #3: Communicate Consistently. 

Think about the relationships you have in your life. Isn’t it nice when we know we can count on people and know when and how they will show up for us? Your business is no different! You want to build consistency in how you show up and how often. The way you communicate is a perfect way to do this! Remember, the worst thing you can do is leave your customers in the dark with crickets chirping. You want them to know what’s going on and how you are there to serve them and what that looks like. Figure out a schedule and frequency that works for social media posts, newsletters, sales promotions, etc., and try to stick with it.

Rule #4: Communicate Efficiently. 

We constantly hear the saying, “Don’t reinvent the wheel,” but have you ever thought about how that applies to communication in your business? Once you create that perfect messaging, don’t have the ‘one and done’ mentality. Instead, think how you can be as efficient as possible with those efforts by reimagining it as different content across platforms. Do you have a few social media posts that did great? Repurpose the captions by writing a blog post or newsletter from it by adding more copy. Think how you can take the things you’ve already created and expand them to cover more bases. Also, challenge yourself on how long your content is and how long it takes you to create it. Are you being as efficient as possible with your efforts?

As you communicate with your audience, always make sure you are challenging yourself by asking the tough questions: Am I communicating authentically, consistently, specifically, and efficiently? Be sure to stay on brand and create connections that really matter!