Know Your Goals
Quiz: What Goal is Best for My Account Right Now?
Not sure which direction you should head in with your account right now? Here’s a quick quiz to help you decide! It isn’t a hard-and-fast guide, but it could provide some clarity if you’re torn.
You will need:
Pen & paper
Instructions:
For each question below, write down the corresponding LETTER that best matches your situation/answer. At the end we will tally your results and make some predictions about what might be best for you!
No. 1: Are you a freelancer or maker who can only take on (or produce) so many projects per month?
A) Yes
B) No, my capacity is high
No. 2: Are you currently aspiring to partnerships with brands bigger than your own/seeking sponsored posts?
A) No—maybe someday, but not now
B) Yes, currently that’s what I’m working on!
No. 3: Are you a local business that relies on “regulars” and local word of mouth, such as retainer service provider, restaurant or boutique?
A) Yes
B) No
No. 4: Do you have a big goal right now such as publishing your first book, booking your first big speaking gig, or attracting a sponsor for your online channel?
A) No—maybe someday, but not in the next 6 months
B) I do!
No. 5: Does a single transaction in your business produce 10% or more of the monthly revenue you need for your business to be sustainable?
A) Yes
B) No
No. 6: Is Instagram the primary or sole place you currently generate leads (an audience to sell to)?
A) No, I also use email and/or other platforms
B) Yes, I count on Instagram to be THE place I can market what I sell
No. 7: Do you have a product or service to sell right now?
A) Yes
B) Not currently* (see “Quick Note” at the end of this page)
Time to Tally Your Results!
For every “A” you selected, give yourself 5 points.
For every “B” you selected, give yourself 10 points.
35-55 Points: Focus on Revenue & Selling
It sounds like you have a small business, whether that’s a one-woman freelance company, an online store comprised of items you make one at a time by hand, or a local brick-and-mortar shop. For you, the primary reason you’re on social media is likely that you view it as a way to generate more sales; it’s not about shaping your industry, becoming a thought leader, or growing a list of contacts that you can market to other companies. Too much growth too quickly could actually lead to your business being overwhelmed and stressful, burning you out. Therefore steady growth and consistent sales would make you happiest.
If this sounds like you, then your goal will be to generate content that excites people to have what you offer—because what you offer helps them on the way to an outcome they want. We will talk about how to do this in a later Strategy lesson, so stay tuned!
60-70 Points: Focus on Growing Your Audience
Sounds like you’re an exception to the rule and your bigger focus right now might really be audience growth. In order to get the bigger opportunities you strive for, you really do want to have a platform more than a profile.
This means your approach to social media will be more that it’s your job than your marketing plan. You’ll not only want to be thinking ahead to a full-calendar content plan, but also getting nerdy with your Instagram Insights, which we will talk about in a later Strategy lesson, so stay tuned!
If you don’t have time in your business to make Instagram your full-time job, you may consider outsourcing or bringing on some help in order to grow your audience while you work on what you do best. For example, if you’re trying to find a publisher for your first-ever book on vegan cooking, and need the social proof to get there… but you currently make your income as a nutrition coach… you likely won’t have the energy to work your job full time and be working another full-time job trying to grow your audience. This is a situation where getting some help with growth could be beneficial for you!
*Quick Note:
If you do not have any offers you’re actively working to sell right now, I want to check in with you.
If your goal right now is to secure brand partnerships, or reach more people with, say, a podcast so you can secure commercial sponsors, then you’re exempt from this sidebar and you’re good to move on to the next lesson.
However, if you’re growing an audience while you figure out what you want your business to be, you may be putting the cart before the horse. If you don’t know what your offer is yet, how do you know you’re targeting the right people for it? You may end up building an audience that you can never monetize.
Related Content:
REELS, PART ONE
QUALITY CONTENT IDEAS