Struggling to show up for your audience? It seems like it has been an eternity, but over the last several weeks, the majority of us have had to make several shifts in our personal and professional lives. The new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 quickly became a global pandemic and changed our entire way of living seemingly in an instant.
For those of us with obligations to our audience across social media, there’s an added level of concern because we feel a duty to show up for our people. That sense of duty, coupled with the immense emotion, stress, and anxiety that many of us are feeling, can leave us in a sense of paralysis.
Often, we’re unable to move forward continuously to ensure we’re there for the people who expect content from us on a regular basis. We may work in spurts, engaging with our audience for days at a time, and then fall into a hole for a span of time and go quiet. There’s no reason to feel ashamed. It’s the natural ebb and flow that comes with this new normal we’re living. The only thing we can do is move forward as best we can and do what we can with what we have, with whatever bandwidth we’re working with on a given day. Here are some easy ways to help you show up for your audience during difficult times.
3 Easy Ways to Show up For Your Audience
Focus on What You Can Provide
If you’re a travel or Disney blogger, you may not be able to write about the opening of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction. You can, however, provide your readers with ideas to help bring Disney home for their family, especially if they’re missing out on a family vacation during this time.
Try Something New
It’s official, all the kids are getting off Tik-Tok because ‘the moms’ have found it. Measuring success on Tik-Tok is vastly different from the type of success we’re accustomed to. We really can’t monetize it, but bloggers are seeing success on the platform. Reevaluate your idea of what success in this new normal means. For many of us, just finding a distraction that gives us something to do, watch or laugh along with, is all kinds of winning right now. So, show up for your audience with a fun dance challenge on Tik-Tok. What do you have to lose?
Reach Out Through Video
Sometimes its easier to just switch on a camera and start talking. Consider regular Facebook live videos or recorded videos to connect with your audience and let them know what you’re up to. Tell them your fears, what you’re doing with your family while in isolation; just the everyday things. You could also start a YouTube channel. If writing a long, drawn-out blog post doesn’t appeal to you, consider sharing regular quarantine video updates with your audience.
Honesty is a powerful tool. When you’re honest with your audience in letting them know you’re struggling, you become less ‘public figure’ and more ‘real person.’ People want to connect with you and all of your nuances. Let’s be real, we’re all technically in the same boat here. Your audience doesn’t expect perfection, they just want to know the real you. Because right now, realness and true connection matter.
