7 Ways to Build a Social Following

Build social following for business consulting

The ability to communicate, post, share, tweet, blog, and update our status are all ways we can create a social presence. A lack of online presence is, in fact, telling about a person or company. After establishing accounts with several social media platforms, it’s time to create a social following. Here are seven ways to do this:

Social Strategy

The first step of your social media strategy (and business strategy in general) is defining your target audience. Have your target end users established social media platforms, such as Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, for themselves? Each platform your company has should possess a distinct strategy. For example, your Twitter strategy may be to attract followers who will eventually visit your blog and download your whitepaper, ultimately leading to the capture a lead’s contact info. Many companies choose to post the exact same content on each social media platform with the same strategy. Hootsuite , in particular, is an online social media management tool that can help synchronize your online efforts.

The second step to your social media strategy is understanding (and delivering) the type of content that your target audience is interested in. You don’t need to tweet about the recent Miss Universe debacle unless your target audience would actually care about your take on it.

The third step is analyzing the numbers. Which articles are getting the most views, likes, comments, or click-throughs?

Deliver Consistency

Have you ever researched a company’s blog only to find their most recent post was from March of 2014? If you’re going to have a blog, dedicate the time to update it regularly; pick a day of the week and commit to update it every week or two. Don’t let a month go by without some type of post. Be consistent with your message and length of article so that your target audience can get used to reading your content.

Another way to deliver consistency is to use a template for your blogs and create a database of future blog topics. More details on creating a database below. Have you noticed that almost all the IA Business Advisors blogs have a similar outline? (Shhh, it’s a secret that our team uses a template.)

Have Originality

One social media method used time and time again is a constant reposting of other individual’s articles. Although this is certainly one strategy, and it could be used interspersed among your original thoughts, but being original on social media is a surefire way to build a social following.

During the first few cycles of posting, tweeting, or blogging, you may experience writers’ block. It’s okay to read other articles to get your creative juices flowing, but be sure not to plagiarize. Sometimes it helps to brain dump: spend an hour or so jotting down as many topics as you can. Then go back through the topics and create supporting points for each one. As you do this, more topics may come to mind; keep a spare notepad ready for the next surge of topics.

Bring Relevance

When communicating with your followers, or creating a following, you need to be relevant. If you’re a cutting edge IT firm, don’t post a “how-to” on fixing VCRs. When thinking about your target audience, what topics do you think they might find relevant? Would tips on correcting penguin population concerns be relevant to a target audience in Chicago? Would your target audience like to see pictures of your pets and food on your Facebook and Instagram account? Bring relevance to your specific target audience.

The best way to determine what is relevant to your target audience is to list out no more than ten key words for your business and ask a Social Media Expert (or a reliable social media consultant at IA Business Advisors) if they can run a keyword analysis. This report will provide you with factual data of what people are really searching for that relates to your business. This might be the best kept secret in social media.

Social Engagement

When providing great, fresh content to your target audience, be sure to engage with those who comment on, like, or retweet your posts. One strategy for social engagement is to end articles with a question and seek the opinion of the reader. The key to social engagement is timeliness. If someone leaves a comment on Tuesday at 10:04 AM, unless you absolutely have to, don’t wait until Saturday at 7:45 PM to reply.

There are many other ways to socially engage than asking questions of your audience. Surveys, contests, and giveaways are also great ways to interact with your target audience. Twitter and Instagram make this very easy. One example may be to ask your client base, social followers, and employees to post pictures to their Twitter/Instagram of their favorite “ugly sweater” with a hashtag pertaining to your survey/contest/giveaway, and the tweet with the most likes wins a prize.

Humility Sells

The whole point of creating a social following should be to close a sale. When you’re eloquently spouting off supporting detail after supporting detail about how you’re the best at XYZ Service, it gets a little dry. Instead of touting your own abilities, proficiencies, and expertise, try giving out advice with the purpose of educating your audience. Educating your audience is a great way to solidify your reputation as a thought leader without overtly broadcasting your extensive resume.

Don’t talk over your audience. Unless it’s a very commonly accepted or industry-wide used acronym, give readers the definitions of acronyms before assuming they will pick them up.

Be Real

In your profile or throughout your posts, give your audience the chance to get to know you. Be a real person who readers can relate to. What interests or hobbies do you have that may be relevant or interesting to your target audience? Can you succinctly describe them so your reader can paint a picture of you when they read your articles or posts? Do you and your family have a tradition of traveling somewhere unique that separates you from everyone else? These are great ways to build your online persona for your target audience to relate to you. It will help give them context for the reasons you are passionate about your industry.

One of my favorite bloggers begins almost every post with a setting of where he wrote the article. He could be sitting at a coffee shop in Hong Kong one week and the next be returning to his office from a long weekend skiing in Colorado. His one or two sentence introductions set the scene for the rest of his blog and make him very relatable

What are some other ways you can build a social following? We’d love to hear your insights and best-practices!

© Individual Advantages, LLC. 2015

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How to Mitigate Financial Risk Using the S.M.A.R.T. Management System

June 9, 2025

In an increasingly volatile economy, businesses cannot afford to be reactive when it comes to their finances. Whether you're a startup founder, a growing enterprise, or a seasoned business owner, the risk of financial instability is real—and growing. At IA Business Advisors, we help companies proactively navigate these risks using our comprehensive S.M.A.R.T. Management System . S.M.A.R.T. is more than just a goal-setting acronym. It is a decision-making and execution framework that brings clarity, structure, and alignment to every part of your business. From six-week action plans to one-year targets and long-term strategy, S.M.A.R.T. ensures your financial operations support healthy growth and resilience. Understanding Financial Risk in Today’s Business Climate Financial risk is multifaceted. It ranges from cash flow disruptions and market shifts to internal mismanagement and over-leveraged growth. As Brian Smith shared on a recent Daily Influence podcast episode, unchecked growth can drive a company into bankruptcy. Scaling without intention—chasing fast growth without aligning the internal team and financial resources—leads to diluted communication, quality issues, and operational chaos. Mitigating financial risk begins by understanding that more revenue doesn't always equal more stability. True sustainability comes from building systems that support intentional, well-paced growth. The S.M.A.R.T. Framework in Action: Reducing Financial Risk Our S.M.A.R.T. Management System guides businesses in creating resilient, financially stable operations through: 1. Specific: Build with Intentionality Clarity is power. One of our podcast guests, Mike Heatwole (CEO of The Dala Group), emphasized the importance of sitting down to define what matters most—whether that’s paying down debt, investing in growth, or launching a new venture. When your financial goals are specific, your strategy becomes targeted and less prone to reactive decision-making. “If we don’t know what the goal is, how do we get there?” — Mike Heatwole, CEO of The Dala Group 2. Measurable: Track What Matters Many companies are blindsided not by invisible risks, but by unmonitored ones. We help clients implement tools to track cash flow, margin fluctuations, and budget variances in real time. Visibility into your financial health gives you the power to respond early and course correct as needed. 3. Achievable: Assign Financial Stewardship Risk is reduced when financial responsibility is distributed. Through teamwide financial literacy and clear accountability, we empower organizations to make stronger daily decisions. No individual person should carry the entire burden—and no key area should go unmonitored. 4. Relevant: Make Risk Management a Habit Quarterly or biannual financial health check-ins create a sustainable rhythm. These don’t have to be complicated—they just need to be consistent. Regular reviews embed risk awareness into your company culture and decision-making process. 5. Timely: Foster Honest Dialogue Financial silence is a hidden threat. As Brian noted on the podcast, emotions like fear or shame can prevent businesses from facing financial realities. We encourage honest, blame-free communication around financial performance, creating space for solutions and collective action. Case in Point: Short-Term Action, Long-Term Impact One of our clients, a family-run distribution company, had strong revenue but was bleeding cash due to aging receivables. Together, we built a six-week S.M.A.R.T. Plan focused on accounts receivable recovery. We implemented weekly check-ins, assigned ownership, and used real-time tracking. Within 90 days, their outstanding A/R dropped by 22%, freeing up capital and restoring operational confidence. It’s Never Too Late to Get Financially Intentional Many leaders in their 40s, 50s, or 60s worry they’ve waited too long. But as Mike Heatwole wisely shared: “It’s never too late. Just get started. Do something.” Progress—not perfection—is the goal. Start small. Build momentum. Take the next best step. This mirrors a concept we love from The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan: measure progress based on how far you've come, not just how far you have to go. Final Thoughts: Make Financial Stability a Strategy Mitigating financial risk isn’t about a dramatic overhaul. It’s about consistent action, visibility, and intentional decision-making. With the S.M.A.R.T. Management System, IA Business Advisors helps businesses turn risk into clarity, fear into focus, and instability into opportunity. If you’re ready to start, we’re ready to help. Let’s have a conversation about what matters most to you—and build from there.

Enhancing Interpersonal Relationships for Toxic Workplace Recovery

May 29, 2025

Hello, team! Mary here, continuing our journey through the I in Team series, where we challenge and empower you to Find , Be , and Build Your Influence. One of the most common things we’re asked to help our clients with is toxic workplace recovery. This directly connects to the culture of the team, and while rebuilding that culture takes time and intention, it is absolutely possible. In fact, with the guidance of our I in Team approach and S.M.A.R.T. Management system, we’ve successfully helped more than 19,000 teams evolve into high-performing, values-based cultures. If you’re ready to take the lead and breathe life back into your team, we’re here and ready to support you. Practice Emotional Intelligence One of the most impactful steps you can take on your toxic workplace recovery journey is to practice emotional intelligence (the ability to recognize, understand, and manage both your own emotions and the emotions of those around you). Toxic environments are often the result of emotional disconnection, poor communication, unnecessary competition, and a culture that avoids constructive feedback. Begin by shifting your perspective: respond with empathy, ask thoughtful questions, and use “I” statements. These habits model two traits, emotional regulation and empathy, that influence how your team interacts and solves problems. Start small. For example, set a personal goal to give one piece of sincere praise or recognition per day. This is a S.M.A.R.T. goal, and it starts to reinforce positive emotional exchanges. Over time, this contributes to a psychologically safe environment where people feel seen and supported. Foster Open Communication Once emotional intelligence begins to take root, toxic workplace recovery is just around the corner. Open communication becomes more natural because when team members are aware of their own and others’ emotions, communication becomes seamless. The number one rule? Listen. Really listen. Without listening, communication is incomplete. Try implementing monthly influence partnerships—team pairings that rotate so members can get to know each other beyond surface-level roles. This creates connection and, when done with consistency (Timely), fosters trust across your team. Another way to build open communication is by creating a structured feedback loop. Clarify how and when feedback should be given—perhaps during weekly one-on-ones or monthly review meetings—and make sure all team members understand the difference between criticism and constructive feedback. S.M.A.R.T. feedback is Specific and Relevant, and when delivered with respect, it encourages team members to grow without fear. Lead by Example As we say throughout the I in Team series, everyone is a leader regardless of title. Whether you’re in the C-suite or just starting your first job, how you show up directly shapes the culture of your team. To begin, set some respectful boundaries rooted in your values. Let others know what you need to succeed and what behaviors support or disrupt your work. When disagreements arise, demonstrate what respectful disagreement looks like—calm, focused on solutions, and free from personal attacks. If your workplace has leaned into competition, shift the focus to collaboration. Collaborate on micro-goals, like shared tasks or cross-functional projects. Make the results Measurable and celebrate wins together (publicly, if possible). Consider S.M.A.R.T.-based team-building events (like problem-solving challenges or goal-setting workshops) to reinforce collaboration in a meaningful way. Final Thoughts Toxic workplace recovery starts with you. Every interaction, every word, every moment of listening is a chance to model what’s possible. Show up the way you want others to show up. If your team is struggling to rebuild or you need expert guidance, reach out . We’re here to help. Let’s keep influencing responsibly and positively together.