Why I Don't Want You to Hire Me to "Do" Social Media

"Already know you that which you need." - Yoda

I love entrepreneurs. I love solopreneurs. Of course, I love 'em. I am both.

Frequently these creative small business owners ask me if I will "do" their social media for them. "You're a natural at connecting with and engaging your audience," some say.

Yep. I am.

"Can you do my Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. for me?" they ask.

Nope. I won't.

Here's why.

I've worked hard for many years at developing a social media presence and persona. Since before anyone had even heard of Facebook, I was blogging and networking on Ryze (anyone remember Ryze?). Some of my best customers from the dark age are still my best customers.

Yeah, I know the dark age of social media was only about a decade ago, but one social media year is like seven dog years. Or 100 human years. Or something like that. (Clearly math was not my major as it just took me about 30 human minutes to write those last two sentences and they still make no mathematical sense to me, but that's not the point.)

You Don't Need Me To Do Your Social Media - You Need Me To Show You What You Already Know

I've done social media for many small companies and solopreneurs and it wasn't bad, but it wasn't what small business social media should be according to my personal values. When I am not writing in my own voice, some of the magic dies. What's the point of being an entrepreneur of there's no magic in it? It's pointless for me. So I decided to teach others to find their own social media answers rather than to do it for them.

There are many great content writers and marketers out there who will be happy to let you pay them to write your LinkedIn profile, interact with your Facebook audience, or tweet for you. I'm not one of them.

I'd rather show you how to find your own voice.

Not mine, YOURS. My social media persona is quirky, right-brained with strong left-brained tendencies, grammar-obsessed, sometimes snarky, sometimes sophomoric. Yours may be conservative, analytical, serious, controversial, hate writing...whatever. All of it is good if it engages your potential customers and makes them want to choose a relationship with you over your competitors.

To Convert Fans Into Paying Customers You Must Be Authentic

Everyone knows that good social media is about authentic engagement. There's nothing wrong with hiring a writer, marketer, or community manager to do that for you, but you definitely should not hire me if you want someone to do it for you.

I prefer to help my clients discover how to assess what is realistic in terms of time, strengths, platforms, and audience needs. And that's different for every business and for every personal brand.

I'd rather empower you than do it for you. Teach you what I've learned from my 70+ dog years of social media DIY. Teach you to build the kinds of long-term business relationships that will stand the test of fickle and ever-changing social media platforms across time.

Do you need a community manager who grows, manages, and moderates your online community?

Or do you need a patient teacher, coach, and mentor who will hold you accountable and give you the tools and help you find the voice that will last for many years to come? (Human years, not dog years.)

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About Ann

Ann Zuccardy is a two-time TEDx presenter and keynote speaker who challenges conventional ideas about what makes us smart.  A brain injury survivor, she uses her TBI story and neurological research she discovered during her recovery as a platform to train others to think about how they think - resulting in improved innovation, creativity, and productivity. 

Watch Ann's first TEDx talk - How a Brain Injury Made Me Smarter.

Book Ann to speak at your next event:  [email protected]

Follow Ann on Twitter:  @annzuccardy