Would you call you?

One of the best bits of wisdom I picked up in the early stages of my business is that people want to do business with people they know, like and trust. I have found this to be true and a little frustrating. Afterall, you can only meet so many people in a day. If you can’t meet them, how are they ever going to like and trust you? Fortunately, there is the internet, which gives us the capacity to meet people from all over the world with whom we could potentially do business.

The challenge, of course, is that you still need a way for these people to get get to know you so they can find out how likable you are and determine that they can, indeed, trust you. This is why your content matters so much. You’ve got just a few lines to hook people and make them want more. What does your content say about you? Have you looked at it lately from the view of someone who hasn’t met you and doesn’t yet know how wonderful you are? Now could be a good time to do some Spring Cleaning on your social media profiles.

Here is a quick checklist to make it easier:

• Are your profiles accurate?
• Are they up to date?
• Do they reflect what you are doing now and how you want your business to grow?
• Do they focus on what you offer to clients?
• Is there a call to action?
• Do they include contact information?

It’s a good idea to review these profiles every few months to make sure they reflect what you are doing now and where your business is headed. If the thought of it is overwhelming, break it down into smaller chunks. Just do one channel at a time. Or, schedule small blocks of time, 15 to 20 minutes. Keep coming back to it until it’s done.

As you review your profiles, think of trying to reach just one reader at a time. You are not talking to a big group. You are talking to one person who is making a decision about whether to follow you, look at your website, or maybe even give you a call.

To make your profiles better, pay attention to those you like. What is it about them that attracts you and what could you imitate or adapt? Have a friend or colleague read what you have and ask for an honest opinion. Look for strengths as well as potential improvements.

Once you’re done, make a note on your calendar to review everything again in six months.