Why You’re Missing Out on Attention Your Business Deserves

If you’re relying exclusively on social networks to get the word out about your business, you’re only getting a fraction of the attention you deserve.

Think about it: When you post to a social network, you are only getting the eyeballs of the people paying attention at that time. And only if you’re the most interesting thing going on right then.

And that’s why you need a subscription option. A subscription is someone’s agreement to give you a certain portion of their attention on a regular basis.

Do you have a process established to convert a friend on a social network into a subscription? Here are some ways people can subscribe:

They can subscribe to your blog, using a service like Feedburner. (Subscribe to my blog here.)
They can subscribe to your newsletter, using the service your company provides, or an autoresponder program like Aweber (affiliate link – this is the service I use), Constant Contact, or MailChimp. (Subscribe to my newsletter here.)
You can provide something they can get for free, like a “makeup application tips” download, or a special report on eating healthier (choose a topic related to what you offer.) (Get my free social media 101 training call and handout here.)

The beauty of the subscription is that the moment of attention you get in the inbox is yours alone. You’re almost guaranteed that the recipient will at least glance at the subject line, and hopefully open the email. On social networks, you’re positioned against a whole host of interesting things going on at the same time. Are you the most interesting at the moment? And are the right people paying attention at the moment you post?

You need more than social networks if you want your message to reach the right people consistently.

How will you turn online friends into subscribers? Would love to read your thoughts in the comments below.

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Barbara Holm

January 12, 2011 | 9:41 am

I am missing this option in my efforts for social networking. My company does have an email newsletter that I could start offering and perhaps start a blog of my own….you are moving me in the right direction. thanks so much for all the practical, important tips you share. You are a great example!!

Have a wonderful day!!

Ryan Biddulph

January 11, 2011 | 3:57 pm

Hi Jen,

This is a post that any blogger needs to pay attention to for some are missing the boat when it comes to making it easy for your readers to receive frequent updates.

Some concentrate on publishing one post and forget about establishing lasting relationships with their reader. Business relationships begin with clarity. This is what I offer, and here’s a way to access my content on a continual basis. Make your RSS icon prominent. Give your readers the option of subscribing via email too. I made this mistake for a while until a kind blogger pointed it out to me.

I display an RSS feed at the top of my blog and other animated icon next to my social networking links. I’ve also made my Free Boot Camp opt-in box more prominent.

We seek to provide value on a consistent basis with out blogs. Make it easy for your readers to receive updates through your RSS or subscription tool. (aweber, mailchimp, etc)

I’m a Google Reader guy myself. I want to find an RSS feed quickly to plug into my GR. Unless the blog’s content is top shelf I simply move on if I can’t find the RSS with ease.

Thanks for sharing your insight Jen.

Kristie Wooten

January 11, 2011 | 3:01 pm