When we create any kind of content for our websites, or our social media accounts, we want to be HEARD! We want to be able to help people - teach them little secrets that will make their lives easier! We want to bless them! But we can only do that if people will listen to us, right?
Do you want to know the secret to being listened to? The secret to being able to make a difference (and even change the world?!)?
LISTEN! That’s right. WE need to listen to those around us. What’s going on right now? What is our audience saying on their own social media accounts? What do they need? What do they want? What are they talking about?
Think about it this way: if we are ALWAYS the one talking when we’re out with friends, our friends won’t end up wanting to hang out with us anymore. Our friends want to be listened to and empathized with - they need to feel understood! And then they’ll be more than happy to listen to us, empathize with us, and understand US!
Everyone needs to be listened to. Everyone needs to be understood. Think about it. When we are dating, who do we end up falling in love with? At their essence, we fall in love with someone who is truthful, good, kind, fun, funny, and UNDERSTANDING. I mean, when a guy really listens to us, and lets us know through active listening that he truly hears us - isn’t that the sexiest thing ever?!
So, how can we truly, actively listen to our audiences (or anyone!) online? After all, it’s not as if we are in a face-to-face discussion where we can use body language or ask for clarification. So how can we truly listen and make our audiences feel heard and understood? Here are 5 tips to help:
1. Click over to your audience’s profiles and spend some time reading their posts.
This will help you get a sense of how they are feeling, what they are thinking, and how you might be able to help them.
2. Watch your audience’s stories!
People are usually more real and casual in their stories than in their instagram (or facebook!) feeds. They will get a little more personal. Or at least share something that shows where their thoughts are. Plus, you can pop into their DMs easily when you want to comment “good job!” or “how exciting!” on one of the stories.
3. Post it!
Actually just ask them how they are doing in one of your posts!
4. DMs!
DM your audience members that have already DMed you over one of your own stories or with a question and just ask them how they are doing!
5. Your posts!
Which posts are getting the most comments, shares, and saves? These are the ones that are resonating with your audience! These are the kinds of posts they are wanting from you right now.
So, how are you going to actively listen online today? There are a lot of important things to listen to right now, including our own audiences - they are always important!
It’s all about accountability! So just exactly which ways you are going to actively listen on social media today? Pop over to your audience’s profiles? Engage in their stories? Ask your audience in a post? DM them with some encouragement and love? Observe what posts your audience is loving? And please leave a review below if you loved this episode!