Do you really own your audience? |

You put so much time and effort into growing your following. Shouldn't that hard work pay off? This is why capturing your followers is crucial for creators' success.

Doesn't that all the hard work make a difference?

Being popular on one platform doesn't mean you own your relationship to that particular audience. And if you're not doing this, you're missing out on one) the people who are seeing everything you're offering, and 2)) the advantages -- monetization, community building, and even growth getting that audience initial place.

Here's the definition of "owning your market" is and why it matters.

What does it mean being a leader in your field? (And what makes it vital?)

Owning your audience means building relationships with people on your own terms. You know who they are, and what they do with your content, whether they're introducing your brand for the first time or have long been loyal fans.

It is important to build relationships with your customers by owning when and how you interact with your customers. You communicate with them through a platform or channel which you manage, such as the email lists you manage, online community, or even your site. The direct channel of communication can be scalable so that you can easily reach those who are in the right moment regardless of whether it's one individual client or the entire list of email addresses.

The difference is posting on Instagram and trying to hope that algorithms will place your post in front of your fans as opposed to. being confident that your post will reach the people you want to.

Imagine you're hosting a dinner party for some new friends. To ensure they'll are having a blast You must know some details about them prior to the event: Do they have any food limitations? What sort of music do they prefer? Are they a fan of alcohol, wine or mocktails?

Similar to asking your friends for their preferences can help you plan a dinner party to your guests, getting to understand your customers as more than just "likes" as well as "follows" helps you create content and products that meet their needs.

The result? growing your business as a creator through more sales and happy customers.

It is a risk not to own your audience

If you're not in control of your audience, you miss the chance to create relationshipswith your customers, increase the value of your content Make sure that your customers see your content, and also grow your business.

There are three different ways social media platforms make it difficult for you to establish your followers:

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok don't let you take your audience that you've built up by bringing them along. You can't message all of your TikTok fans at the same time or make a list of all their email addresses to communicate with them according to your preferences.

Social platforms' algorithms are created to keep users on social media apps for as long as possible and putting profits from platforms over users' successes. Changes in algorithms means your users could not view your work at the time you publish it , if they even see it. These platforms also promote other creators' work for your fans and showcase your work under the platform's branding that is not the same as the one you own.

There's no reason to suggest that content creators shouldn't avoid social media entirely. It's a powerful method to increase your followers and let new audiences find your work -- however it shouldn't be the the onlyway to communicate with your fans. Making use of social media along with other avenues (like email) can make a major contribution to the success of your business as a creator.

Methods to intentionally build audiences on your own terms

A big part of owning your customers is being in the ability to control their experience at every stage no matter if they're a new follower or a long-time customer.

There are many options to accomplish this. Here are two we recommend to creators:

Start growing your email list early on

Pick a user-friendly, all-in-one platform for creators.

1. Start growing your email list as early as possible

Email is a tried and true marketing tool because it's easy and affordable to begin as well as building an email list early can be a huge benefit.

Your workshop's performance is in the fate of the algorithm *.

(*The Instagram algorithm changes frequently and with no prior notice, therefore the data in this graph is subject to change. That's one of the biggest reasons why creators are bored with Instagram and have shifted into channels that they control, like email and private groups.)

The location where you host your digital items -- as well as control your other company -- could make a an enormous difference.

2. Make sure you use platforms and tools designed for the creator.

A lot of platforms treat creators as though they are in the same place -- only to produce content and interact with followers on the platform and not as actual people who work to create brands and build business. They don't understand what it means to start and develop a successful business as a creator.

Also these aren't a good fit for creators.

A Creator-friendly platform allows you to manage your audiences interactions and managing the user experience simpler.

"Creators work to build their own audience -- and long-lasting relationships -- and that should not be the reason to become entangled in an individual platform. The best thing you can do is take the fruits of your efforts and time on your next travel."

"That means the ability to transfer your information, customers, and earnings with you to a different platform, or , at most, export it off the platform you are currently using quickly and in a simple method."

Creator-friendly platforms also make it easier to reach every person -- clients, students, members of the community who are free, paid subscribers, your email list -- at the scale you want. It is possible to send an email to all your subscribers or reach a specific pupil in a cohort of students using the same dashboard.

Platforms such as Facebook don't send information to the email service you use. (They don't even let you export emails.) This means that you cannot make use of audience information to segment your list, and you need to than one platform to communicate with everyone.

"I have to pay an assistant who is full-time to accept members, greet them, moderate, and so on. We use Google Sheets and separate Facebook Messenger software that costs $30/month along with Facebook's algorithm as well as distracting features. This is a complete mess."

This becomes especially important if you want to do more than provide content for free. If you want to start making money through digital products and communities it is essential to have the proper equipment.

Create a space for them to communicate updates to those who are their advocates

Bottom line: The tools that you choose to use must see and help you in a holistic way in your work as an artist -- not just as an avenue to make more money. Platforms that are supportive of creators understand how crucial that creators take control of their relationships and communicate with their audience. And when you're empowered to take control of these things then you're able to create a truly amazing company for creators on your terms.

Ready to get started with a creator platform which is focused on your success? Sign up to get a free account now . We can't wait to watch you grow.