Alright, let's move into the vast world of Social Media. In our fully digitized era, social media isn’t just a passing trend—it's part of our lives and part of our businesses. Today is going to be your introduction to "social" and how it can have an early stage impact on your business and your overall reach within your niche.

Tasks for this Lesson:

• Learn how to use social media as an amplification tool
• Choosing platforms aligned with your audience
• Basic "social" strategies for organic growth

Billions of users are active on social platforms daily, from tweeting (or X'ing now) their mind to posting reels, pinning inspirations, or sharing posts on Facebook. It's an endless whirl of activity, but within this whirl, there lies significant opportunity within our online businesses.

But the question is: how do you appropriately use it, without being totally consumed by the "time wasting" nature of social media. That's precisely what we're going to be looking at, how to leverage social while retaining your productivity in your business.

So, buckle up and get ready. It’s time to amplify your digital voice and magnify your presence. Up next? Unveiling the 'why' behind social media as a versatile and potent amplification tool. Full steam ahead!

Social Media: Your Amplification Tool.

Now, let's look at the raw power of social media. When we say social media is an amplification tool, what do we really mean?

Imagine a world where you can reach out and interact on a personal level with not hundreds, not thousands, but billions of people? Doesn't that sound incredible?

To give you perspective on just how many people are using social media, let's look at some stats from 2017...and then look at where it is estimated in terms of overall users in 2027.

You can see that it is estimated that in 2024 social media usage will cross over the 5 BILLION user mark, and by 2027 we will be nearing 6 BILLION social media users.

Where there are people, there is opportunity. There is reach and traffic in your niche. And there is opportunity.

Think about it. Surely you've heard the term "brand awareness", and this is something that we are going to continue to discuss as you immerse yourself in the training here at Wealthy Affiliate.

Through regular posting on social platforms, you reinforce and expand your brand’s image, and you open your doors up to relevant traffic at the same time.

It also serves at a platform for enabling direct communication with your audience. You can listen to their feedback, react to their comments, answer their questions, celebrate their participation, and most importantly - let them know that behind your brand, there is a real person who cares (or several as your company grows).

Now let's navigate the various social media platforms in the next section. After all, why use a megaphone in an empty room, right..and why use a megaphone within a platform that is less likely to help your brand or generate revenue to your business?

Choosing The RIGHT Platforms for Your Audience.

The social media landscape is crazy... and vast. It can be tempting to cast a wide net and establish your brand on every platform out there. But, remember, effective social media marketing isn't about being everywhere—it's about being where it matters. Picking the right platforms requires knowing your audience.

First, demographics. Different platforms cater to different audience types. Instagram and Snapchat are teeming with younger users, while LinkedIn attracts a more professional crowd. So, the key question is... where does your audience prefer to hang out?

Not every platform suits every type of content either. Have a lot of thought-provoking or insights that are specific to a particular industry? You might find a home on X or Medium. More visually inclined? Instagram or Pinterest could be where you get your footing.

Next, popularity. Here is a breakdown of the top platforms in 2023. This will of course increase every year, but it will give you an idea as to how BIG these platforms are in terms of user base.

Finally, consider your actual "time" resources. From creating content to engaging with followers, social media can be incredibly time-consuming. It's worth focusing your energy where you can make the most meaningful impact. Remember, the goal there isn't merely to exist, but to engage and to build out your social following over time (which is an asset to yoru brand).

With these factors in mind, you'll be better equipped to choose the right platforms for your brand. Prioritize a few that you can focus on...and remember, less can be more in the social media world. Truly.

Basic Strategies for Organic Growth

Alright, are you ready to grow organically? Let's focus on "social" principles that you might want to keep to.

(1) Consistency. It's as simple (and as challenging lol), as that. Posting regularly keeps your brand in your audience's feed and their minds and can lead to ongoing traffic and reach. It also signals to those algorithmic gatekeepers that these social media engines are built around that you're playing the long game. Twice a-week? Daily? Find a rhythm that works for you, but once you do, stick to it.

(2) Socialize. Social media isn't a soapbox; it's a conversation. People that are looking to just shout messaging in a one-way manner never do well in social. Engage with followers, partake in relevant dialogues, and remember to listen more than you speak. Your brand should add value to the conversation, not just noise.

(3) Quality. It trumps quantity, every SINGLE time. Yes, be consistent, but it's better to share one insightful post that resonates with your audience than bombarding them with forgettable filler content. Make every post matter.

Done right, organic social media growth may seem slow initially, but its cumulative impact is powerful. It's about genuine, ongoing connections with your audience.

Tasks for this Lesson:

• Learn how to use social media as an amplification tool
• Choosing platforms aligned with your audience
• Basic "social" strategies for organic growth