Build Something That Lasts

Last year, my personal Facebook account got disabled. I got accused of "human trafficking" as a result of helping a company run recruitment ads.

After wasting hours trying to recover the account, I gave up and started a new account.

The experience was frustrating, but it taught me a lesson: Social media platforms can shut you down anytime.

If you build your entire business on social media, you're playing on rented space. Someone can decide that they don't like you. You get a complaint. The landlord can decide to lock you out anytime, with no notice. The livelihood of your business can be taken away from you, just like that.

That's why the theme this year for me is about building an audience. Not in the way for me as a marketer to mindlessly sell to them. But to serve.

I suggest this is something you should do in your business too. Start with an audience of 50, 100, or just 5 people. Platforms like Enginemailer is free. If you want something more robust (integrates with e-commerce), MailerLite is a good pick. Or go with a full-fledged newsletter system like us.

Whatever it is. Just start.

Send a weekly email. Valuable emails doesn't have to be long.

But what do I send, you ask? Stories. In a world filled with too much information, your story will be your unique edge. Stories educate, inspire, and get information across. More importantly, people forget facts, but they remember stories.

I shared how to write stories, even if you think your life is boring, during the SIDEC Retail-X program last year. You can watch the full video below: