You try to post your latest photo… your post failed
You try to upload some new stories… upload failed
You try to get your latest video on IGTV… video filed
This can be immensely frustrating, especially if you are in the midst of a launch or promotion. How are you going to get your audience to know about your offers if you cannot post about them?
Which begs an interesting question… WHAT IF IT NEVER COMES BACK?
What would you do? How would you connect with your audience?
This is why we vastly promote growing a list you own. What is a list you own? Your e-mail list. Your sms text list. Your phone list. Even your podcast subscribers are basically a list that you own. There is no algorithm that can keep you from reaching a list you own.
Meanwhile, social media – as useful as it is – is a list that you rent. You do not own the list and it can be taken from you at anytime. Or an algorithm can prevent you from being able to reach your audience.
Consider the Client Journey
Step 1) Awareness (getting them to know you exist – you can use social media for this)
Step 2) Value (delivering immense value to keep them tuned in and growing the trust they have with you)
Step 3) Subscription (moving them off social media and into a list you own)
How to do this? Offer a lead magnet.
A free resource, tool, guide, gift that you offer in exchange for someone to sign up for your e-mail list. It has to be valuable enough for people to take action on.
Commit to list building… because then when Instagram goes down… again – you will not have a problem reaching out to your audience.
James Patrick
jamespatrick.com
IG @jpatrickphoto
