Three Things to Do Instead of Making Videos
One thing can easily be said about creatives across the board - we don’t like being told what to do.
We also don’t like to be generalized. But that’s beside the point.
We don’t want to be boxed into one process, or forced to play by someone else’s rules. And yet, here we are… we’re being told to play by someone else’s rules. (We’re looking at you, Instagram)
Sure, Instagram has every right to decide how to use their own app, and they can snip-snap things on us left and right until the end of time. But just like they reserve the right to switch things up, we reserve the right to be irritated by it, don’t we?
Therein lies the question: at what point do we stop allowing the creators of these social platforms to determine our success and wellbeing?
So, we can look at the recent Instagram Algorithm update (i.e., the switch to video content), and react in one of two ways:
We can be irritated, and choose to shut down and quit. Many of us immediately and emotionally headed in this direction, because we don’t necessarily thrive while being forced to create video-based content.
OR
We can choose to focus on the things we can control, and move onward and upward.
I don’t know about you, but option 2 sounds a bit more pleasant. Don’t you think?
Now, if you’re a video creator, or someone who loves and lives by video content… this is your lucky day! Grab your best pair of jeans from the dry cleaner’s, and have a party.
That said, if you’re a lover of short-form video content, this blog isn’t for you. Today’s blog is a simple and sweet guide created to help my fellow creators who feel like they’ve been shoved between a rock and a hard place.
Today’s blog is for those of you who create still-life imagery, or maybe even written content. This little piece of literature is intended to help you look past the ever-changing algorithm, and achieve evergreen content that does *just* as good of a job (if not better) of connecting with your audience, and growing your presence and business.
Because you and I? We can absolutely still use video content, at our own discretion. We just prefer to have options and flexibility in our creative process - don’t we?
So, here are three things you can implement in your marketing strategy that have nothing to do with creating video content 👇
blogging
Blogs are the best. With blogs, you’re able to say whatever you want, however you want, in as many words as you’d like (within reason).
Blogs live on your site (owned content), and give you the flexibility to add, teach and share whatever you’d like… regardless of an algorithm. Additionally, by blogging, you’re boosting your site’s SEO, and creating content that can be repurposed across platforms both now, and in the future.
If you’re sitting here reading this blog and thinking, “I want to blog, but what do I even blog about?” I’ll share just a few simple yet timeless topics that anyone can cover, below.
Potential Blog Prompts
Behind the scenes of a recent project, with details on the process, what you did and used
Before/after of a recent project, with details on the process and resources you utilized
Tips & tricks on a specific skill, program or method
Education on a topic of your choice: this can be a bit of something that you offer as a service, or a topic that coincides with the products you sell
Book reviews
Resources you love and live by
See? Simple. Start that blog!
email marketing
By now, you probably know that we (Elle, Arabela and I) love a good email marketing strategy. Not only because sending an email is far more fun than writing a caption (hello, we get to include memes anytime we want?!), but because email builds a more personal connection.
And personal connections sell, my friend. They sell well. Think about it - would you rather give your money to someone you don’t know, or someone you do know?
If you’ve never before utilized or created an email marketing strategy, you’re going to need a few things:
*A freebie, or alternate reason for opting in (like: sign up to get exclusive monthly access to BTS images, and monthly tips and tricks!)
*An email marketing platform (I like Flodesk)
*An email strategy
As a starting point, I always recommend creating a plan that includes no more than 1-2 monthly emails. We overachieving creatives tend to want to do it all, right away. And then we wonder why we’re burnt out, after trying to churn out 1 blog, 1 email and 5 captions per week???
The audacity.
So, keep it simple. If you can commit to even just one email per month, that’s a whole lot better than none at all. Try to cycle through a mixture of emails that bring value, emails that share, and emails that sell.
Easy peasy lemon squeezy, or “yeppers,” as some might say.
pinning
If you’re a visual creator and you are not on Pinterest, stop what you’re doing RIGHT NOW and create an account, and a bunch of boards that pertain to whatever it is that you offer or sell.
RIGHT NOW.
Pinterest is still the #1 search engine. To give you perspective, we’ve got roughly 24.5k (and counting) followers on Instagram… and 10+ million monthly views on Pinterest. Those views bring us inquiries, and help us reach parts of the world that we otherwise might not have reached.
Pinterest sells. Pinterest is easy. Pinterest is visually satisfying. Pinterest pays off.
And while you’re at it, pin those blogs you’re planning to write, too 😌
it’s not all or nothing
You can still play by Instagram’s algorithmic game, and create reels that show off your work and expertise. However, it’s safe to say that Instagram has proven to us that they’ll change things when they want, how they want, and in whichever way they want.
So, my advice on how to protect yourself from the snip-snapping promoted by those in charge of our most popular platforms? Create your own evergreen marketing plan that withstands the test of time, and feeds your business.
And then get your fancy jeans on, because it’s time to party.
Is it the weekend yet?
Kirsten