Not too long ago, I posted a guest article on a popular website. Shortly after it went live, I received an email from a reader telling me how much she enjoyed the blog. I responded, thanking her for reading and reaching out, and she wrote me back. This was the text of her email:
“Wow. Thanks for responding.”
All I did was offer a little bit of gratitude. Nothing more. And yet, she was surprised.
Though flattered, her reaction to my response served as a reminder of an all-too-common problem in today’s world: people are ignoring their audience.
One of the biggest mistakes that business owners, bloggers, politicians, community leaders, etc. can make is acting like their online presence is a one way street. By doing so, they’re missing a massive opportunity to build trust and value with the people that matter the most.
It makes no difference if you’re the world’s biggest movie star, the CEO of a major company, a small business owner, or a lowly content blogger from Alabama. If you’re broadcasting your message from a popular platform, if your name carries even the slightest hint of status, people automatically put you on a pedestal. Your attention becomes a valuable, highly sought commodity.
So do the smart thing and give it away.
I’ve said this a billion times, and I’m going to keep saying it until it sticks: Social media demolishes every barrier between you and your audience. The only thing separating you from your followers is your own imagination. Because of this, interacting with your audience is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself, your brand, your company, or whatever it is that you do.
At WideNet, we push this to every single one of our clients. Engage. Communicate. When someone tweets you, comments on your Facebook post, sends you a message, or shoots you an email, respond. Take the time and let them know you’re thankful. Answer a question. Provide some additional insight. Just let them know you’re listening.
And don’t say you “don’t have the time.” Not only is it not true, it’s a bit insulting to your audience. At some point in your day, you’re going sit on the toilet, grab a bite to eat, or take a break, and when you do, you’ll have a phone with full online capabilities in your hand. Use it.
It’s a simple gesture that takes hardly any effort. But it builds stupid ridiculous value with your audience. I promise you, every person you respond to will remember it, and they will tell their friends. They’ll preach your gospel to everyone who will listen, and that kind of word of mouth is huge. The worst possible thing you can do is let yourself believe that someone in your audience doesn’t matter.
