3 Ingredients of An Awesome Social Post
“We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be.” May Sarton
Here is the audio version of this post. Thank you for listening.
Whether it’s an Instagram shot, a Facebook post, a YouTube video or a blog, there are a few key ingredients to making whatever story you are telling awesome!
1. Make it Relevant
When people choose to follow us, it is because they have decided there is something of value we have that they want. We must take those follows seriously, and stay focused on delivering the value they came for. That means keeping our content and stories relevant. Focus on value. How are you delivering value?
Example: As Passion Squared, people do not come to me for technical cutting skills or workouts (lol) no, they come to me for information on business, career, personal development and empowerment. Thus, my storytelling and content remain relevant to that which my community desires.
2. Make it Human
This is probably where most get stuck, and in working with my clients and A School coaching groups, it is by far the biggest obstacle. “I don’t know what to post” is what I hear most often. This is a symptom of two things… One is you are not yet clear on your brand story, thus you have no clear content plan. So always start there. What does your community value? What is your brand story? Connect those two dots and you are on your way. Number two is, you are trying WAY too hard. Social means just that, social, so be social. Be human. Keep it real. Keep it authentic. Keep it conversational. Keep it consistent. People will respond. I promise.
Example: I post pics of my dogs all the time; they are part of my brand story. However, one day, I chose to not only post a pic of my rescue Faith, but also tell the very personal and human story as to why I named her Faith. It was the most liked dog pic I have ever posted. Get it? Good!
3. Make it Visual
And by visual, I mean awesome visuals. Graphics. Clean. Clear. Awesome. As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. If you don’t know how to make things visually awesome, practice. Take 10 photos for every post, make sure the lighting is good, background clean, subject awesome. Practice. Practice. Practice. If you are making word graphics, there are a ton of apps and tools to make that happen. I love Canva.com and WordSwag, just to name a couple.
Example: I wrote a blog post a few weeks back about 5 lessons I learned from my beauty school experience. It was recently shared on a major beauty industry distributor Facebook page, and went NUTS! And by nuts I mean over 1000 clicks. Why? It was relevant, #1, it was visual, it featured a picture from 1987 of me, in beauty school, lol. And once people clicked, it was most definitely human.
So now it’s your turn. Take a look at your social content, and use this list as a way to measure your current content. It is stacking up? Are you getting the engagement you wish? This is a good place to start.
Love + Awesomeness-
Nina
#QandAwesome Episode 15 What Motivates + Inspires Me?
In this weeks episode of #QandAwesome I answer a question I believe we all need to answer from time to time. For me, motivation and inspiration come from the inside. It’s the only kind that lasts. Of course there is a ton of inspiration to be found all around us, but at the end of the day, each of us is different, and so only we can answer this very important question. Thanks so much for watching.
Passion Profile: Amber Elizabeth Dodzweit
“Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of all kinds because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it’s work so that we may be complete.” James 1:2
While pro beauty makes up most of my business at Passion Squared, I also have the honor of working in the pro fitness and wellness worlds. Is the Universe trying to tell me something? Lol. I digress. I first met Amber through my awesome friend and former client Ashley Conrad, CEO of Clutch Bodyshop, and it was love at first sight. Amber is the real deal. Passion. Purpose. Bad Ass. Megababe and one of the most inspiring humans I know. Whether you are in beauty or fitness, there is so much we can all learn from Amber.
N. What does passion look & feel like to you?
A. Passion to me is anything you do that removes you from life’s pressure. That thing that you go to that sometimes is the only solace you have in finding peace- mindlessness even. To me, passion is finding a “therapist” without actually having to sit on a couch; it’s your release, your outlet. Your non-negotiable.
N. Why did you become an athlete & fitness coach?
A. Training and physical exercise saved my life. In my early 20’s I experienced a time that caused me to think that I would never be able to make it out of my circumstances. What pushing my body beyond its limits taught me was that pain was temporary and in fact, it was necessary for growth. It was this outlook that allowed me to keep going and ultimately grab a hold of everything I wanted for my life.
N.What is the biggest challenge you have had and how did you overcome it?
A. The biggest challenge specifically I’ve had has been against my own mindset. I think we all doubt ourselves and wonder if we truly have what it takes. There are daily battles I face so to identify one is hard…I would say that returning back to the fitness industry after I walked away was one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever faced. The tendency to shrink back in the face of expectation is so real- and coming back to the table to reclaim a career that I thought had ended was a huge leap of faith.
N.What is the greatest lesson you have learned?
A. The greatest lesson I’ve ever learned has to be “the shadow of our fear is always bigger than the actual thing.” Meaning, when you turn to face whatever might have you hiding…you realize how tiny and surmountable it is. Fear is like a projector casting a huge scary picture from a small concept.
N. What is one skill you believe all successful athletes + coaches need to have?
A. I think that successful athletes and coaches need to realize that succumbing to pain is optional. I think it’s important that we all experience what pain feels like- but the best athletes in the world feel it and continue on in spite of it.
N. Why that one?
A. I say that because it’s truly the subconscious mind that determines our reality. It translates to not only athletic but to life.
N. Why are you so focused on HIIT/Plyo?
A. I’ve been doing HIIT and Plyo workouts since the 5th grade. I was trained early on by an Olympic coach that happened to be on staff at my tiny high school. These workouts are how I was raised, I’ve tried all aspects of exercise and they always feel like home to me. This is beside the fact that daily studies are released supporting the fact that this form of exercise is superior in burning fat and building lean muscle. I recently read an article that stated that HIIT and bodyweight workouts are better than cardio, it just makes me so proud to share the truth with those that have battled the cardio machines their whole lives.
N. Favorite quote?
A. “Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of all kinds because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it’s work so that we may be complete.” -James 1:2
N. Starbucks or Coffee Bean?
A. Meh- Cabernet Sauvignon. :)
You can find out more about Amber and her new online training program at amberdodzweit.com.
You can also find her bad assery on Instagram @amberdodzweit and on Facebook.
Thank you Amber for sharing your awesomeness with us. I love you baby boo.
Love + Awesomeness-
Nina