Lessons From A Potential TikTok Ban In The U.S.

This Week’s Highlights:

Core Article: Lessons From A Potential TikTok Ban In The U.S.

Cool Stuff: Does the UK Really Have More Redwoods Than California?

AI Info & Resources: Getting AI to Sound Human…

Lessons From A Potential TikTok Ban In The U.S.

The possible ban of TikTok in the U.S. has been at the top of the news lately. The funny thing is that a colleague was just coaching me on how to use the platform and gave me some interesting templates. I even created my profile.

Right after that, this potential platform ban was in the news, so I halted my plans.

I was already a bit uncomfortable being on TikTok as an all-video platform; I’m just not as savvy with video as I am with photography.

It was going to be a bit of a learning curve for me. I wasn’t sure I wanted to dedicate the time to it. The timing just isn’t right to start now.

Yet, my colleague was having some terrific engagement and building her business with it.

Hmmmm…..

This dilemma is something I coach and teach entrepreneurs about. How do you build your business?

There are actually over 50 promotional ways to do so. If you want the list, reply, and I will share it with you.

Yet, it’s not about the tactics that will make the difference; it’s only a piece of the marketing puzzle, and it’s just a vehicle, social media, website, etc.

Marketing boils down to three things, as I’ve shared before:

Message (or Core Messaging or Copywriting)
Market (or Dream Client or Customer)
Media ( or Marketing Path)

If one or more of these is off, you won’t have the success you deserve in your business.

So, what media (or marketing path) do you use to build your business?

The real honest answer you’re not gonna like is—

It depends… 🙂

The reason is that the marketing path you choose depends on your expertise, skill level, and comfortability with that marketing path.

If you don’t like video, it will be a learning curve, and if you just aren’t comfortable, then don’t do it!

You will be successful with the path you choose WHEN you make the decision that you’re committed to being on it consistently and are comfortable with it.

It’s honestly that simple.

No, you don’t even have to be on social media to build your business. Sure it helps, it’s free, and loads of people are on it.

AND, I built my business BEFORE social media was even around. (Yep, I’m feeling my age a bit. 🙂

How did I build my business before social media?

Connecting with people in person (or Online): Going to conferences collecting business cards, setting up calls.
Joining a mastermind or group of likeminded people (Paid and Free).
Working with an Executive Coach.
Writing a monthly print and snail mail newsletter for 4 years.

Don’t be pressured to be on a certain platform to be successful; it’s just not true.

The Best Takeaways Are:

Go where your dream clients or customers are. Social media platform, live in-person or online events, masterminds, masterclasses, direct mail, podcasts, and more.
Choose the strategy that best fits with your mission and values. For example I refuse to be on X because I don’t want to support Elon Musk’s business. We don’t share the same values.
Commit to a schedule for your marketing path. Don’t do what I used to do, be on social media every couple of months. You have to be consistent. Why? Because THAT IS what builds trust with your dream clients or customers. (I committed to sending this eNewesletter out once a week for 4 years now and haven’t missed one yet. 🙂
Have more than just one way that you’re using to build your business of dream clients or customers. (I have four ways, Instagram/FB, mastermind groups, attending events where my dream clients are, and referrals.)

Don’t be pressured to use a marketing path that doesn’t feel comfortable with you. You get to decide.

Promise me if a colleague or business ever does that, stand your ground. They aren’t the folks you ought to be working with. You get to decide what feels right for your business.

One other important lesson I learned from working with Dan Kennedy, and amazing marketer, he said “Remember, “one” truly is the loneliest number.”

The importance of his quote is that when it comes to your marketing, don’t just have ONE WAY that you get new clients, and build your business. The reason is if or when that one way goes out of business, or they change their terms, or in the case of TikTok, it might be banned from the US, your whole business will crumble.

And what I know to be true is that’s not going to be you because you’re an incredibly smart marketer, and you have me in your back pocket if you ever need some guidance.

Remember, we’re in this together!

Quick Reminder

Happy Almost April – things are blooming. And a quick reminder: Alice and I are in the UK for the next two weeks and will be sharing some of our adventures on Instagram and Facebook, as well as in this eNewsletter, on Thursday, April 11.

Paragraph I’m Pondering:

‘When you’re thinking of how to make your business bigger, it’s tempting to try to think all the big thoughts and come up with world-changing massive action plans. But please know that it’s often the tiny details that really thrill people enough to make them tell all their friends about you.

‘Derek Sivers, Founder of CD Baby.

Powerful Affirmations to Inspire:

“I now release my masterpiece to my higher self knowing that she will make any necessary adjustments to improve the picture so that I may receive all the good of the universe has for me now. Since I am assured that my desires will be fulfilled according to the love and wisdom of my super mind, my heart overflows with love and gratitude. The feeling of thankfulness pulsates throughout my entire being, and I am filled and thrilled with the joy of life. And it is so!” ~ Shannon McC

Book Review:

The Obstacle Is The Way: The Ancient Art of Turning Adversity to Advantage by Ryan
The study of the mind and its intricacies, from our emotions, logic, and rationality to self-discipline, has always been a fascination and curiosity of mine. If you’re curious, check out this book.

Cool Stuff:

Eclipse chasing from airplanes is now a thing – check out this interesting video

Does the UK really have more redwoods than in CA? What?

Terrific article on 8 techniques for evaluating someone’s character

AI Info & Resources:

How to Get ChatGPT to Sound Human

10 Prompt Frameworks You Need to Know

The 9 Books Sam Altman, CEO of Chat GPT, Says Everyone Ought to Read