6 WAYS TO BE MORE CONSISTENT
Consistency is key to success in anything and definitely in running a business.
You asked and I’m answering. Being consistent came 2nd to top when I asked you what you struggle with in your business.
So, I wanted to share my top tips for being consistent.
TIP #1: BE REALISTIC
Before you jump in headfirst into a social media plan or sending your newsletters, I want you to be realistic with how much time you actually have.
You know I hate the word REALISTIC. So let's change it to FAIR. Be FAIR on yourself.
Don't do what - we all do! - when you want to start a new workout routine and we tell ourselves we're going to go to the gym 1hr every day and cut back on calories. We all know that trying to go from 0 to 100 won't work or last.
It's the same with being consistent. Consistent = acting in the same way over time.
Consistency does NOT have to mean posting 4 times a day, 7 days a week on every social media platform, blogging 5 days a week and saying you'll send 3 emails a week to your list. In fact, that's setting yourself up to fail.
Consistent just means doing the SAME thing. It means showing up in the same way.
Look at your week and ask yourself what's realistic/fair for you. Is trying to blog 5 times a week going to send you into a spin? Then aim for once a week but be CONSISTENT. Choose a day and stick to it!
Will you be posting every day on social media? Which platforms? Or will you post just 3 times a week. Will you be posting Saturday and Sunday or just during the week?
I run my business full-time so I show up a lot more than I did when I was teaching 4 days a week.
The trick is making a plan and sticking to it.
If you're trying to go from occasional posting to every day then ease yourself into it. Just like you would a new workout routine. Set goals that excite you not scare and overwhelm you.
TIP #2: LET YOUR TRIBE KNOW WHEN TO EXPECT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Once you've decided on your plan make sure you stick to it.
Building a business is about building a relationship and people like to know where they stand.
That's why it's better to aim for 2 times a week than say 7 and only manage 3.
Don't be that person who bombards your Facebook feed with 17 posts in quick succession because you've found some great content and then drops off the face of the planet for a bit.
If you say you'll blog every Thursday and send an email out every Tuesday then make sure you do. If you want to post at least once a day on social media then set yourself an alarm to remind yourself.
Consistency is about habit building for you AND your audience. Let them get into the habit of looking out for your content because they know they can trust it will be there.
SHOW your community with your actions WHAT they can expect from you and WHEN to expect it.
TIP #3: GET RIDICULOUSLY EXCITED ABOUT THE RESULTS YOU WANT
Oftentimes, where we aren't being consistent, it’s because we're aren’t excited enough about the results.
I did a juice diet last January and it felt tough. I felt sorry for myself pretty much 24/7 for those 3 weeks. I kept thinking about everything I was missing out on (bread, pasta and even chewing!!)
I did one again in July and it was sooooo much easier and actually fun.
What was the difference?
I had a photoshoot booked in August so I was very clear about WHY I was doing the juice diet. It was no longer about the 5 juices a day, it was about the results I wanted to see in the photos.
(Here are some behind the scene shots)
I kept dreaming about how I would feel getting the shots back from my photographer. This spurred me on and made sticking to my juice diet much easier.
This is the same in business.
If you aren’t being consistent then it could be because you aren’t exciting yourself enough with the results you want.
Go back to your WHY. It’s not JUST to make a difference to your clients. There will be a deeper reason. Is it for your family – to build a different lifestyle? What does that look like? Is it to be a leader in your industry and make an impact? What does that look like?
Why are you doing this? Why did you start this business? Paint that picture very clearly in your mind. Add it to your vision board.
EXCITE YOURSELF EVERY DAY WITH THE RESULTS YOU WANT TO HAVE.
This will fuel your motivation and help keep you consistently consistent.
TIP #4: SHOW UP WHERE YOU SHINE
In other words: Choose your favourite platform and medium.
You do NOT have to be everywhere and 'do all the things'.
Don't like Twitter? Then scrap it and focus on Instagram.
Hate writing? Then do videos or start a podcast.
One of the biggest mistake I see entrepreneurs making is trying to be everything and everywhere.
Now don't get me wrong, as your business grows I think it's good to be seen on more platforms.
But to begin with pick 2 social media platforms you love (and know your Ideal Clients will actually be on) and focus your effort on those.
And it's not just important to be seen on social media. After all, Mark Zuckerberg owns your followers’ details, not you! If he decides to pull the plug then your followers would disappear in a puff of smoke...so get collecting people's email addresses pronto!
We want to bring your personality out and so if you shine on camera rather than through writing - show up on there. Get yourself on YouTube, go live on Facebook, do Vlogs, send videos out as your newsletter.
If you've loved writing since you were 12 years old then spend your time building up a bank of amazing articles for your blog. Get yourself featured on large publications, magazines and newspapers. Go and find other people who work with the same target audience (but offer different services to you!) to guest blog for.
One of the greatest consistency killers is having to do things that just don't come naturally to us.
Remind yourself of what does come naturally to you (and you enjoy!) and do that over and over again. Allow yourself to shine.
TIP #5: MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR YOURSELF
So you've created a plan and you're excited to stick to it. Yay!
Make life easier for yourself - batch your work.
Batching = focus on one task until it’s completed, and everything related to it is also completed.
Meaning turn off all distractions and write out the content for your social media posts for the next week.
Or book a day (or an afternoon) where you write your next few of emails so you're not staring at a blank screen. Yes, you'll need to proofread them before you hit send but the bulk of the work will be done.
Trust me, it's a lot easier to be consistent when you're not scratching your head with what to write about each day.
Use a scheduler like Buffer or Hootsuite if you have a 9-5 and want to make sure you're still posting throughout the day.
Not sure where to start with content planning? Click below to listen to my podcast:
TIP #6: SHOW YOURSELF COMPASSION
I'm a bit of a workaholic (okay, a lot of one!) so I have to remind myself of this one too!!
Don't be a crappy boss...to yourself.
You started this business to create more freedom, excitement and to love what you do.
I want you to be strict with yourself and set clear goals but don't be a jerk about it.
Don't beat yourself up. If you get ill, miss a post or you aren't ready to hit publish then show yourself some grace.
Your business isn't going to end. Your followers are not going to unsubscribe because you miss the odd deadline.
Be kind to yourself. If you're on a diet and eat a packet of biscuits the worst thing you can do it give up and order a pizza because you 'messed up'.
I want your business to fit around your life, not the other way around, so show yourself some compassion if (and when) life takes over.
And then get back on it tomorrow.
So there you have it - my top 6 tips on how to be more consistent.
We've covered so much in this post. I'd love to know more about YOU.
Tell me the answer to one (or all) of these questions:
- What is your #1 favourite social media platform?
- How often will you post? How often will you email your list?
- What's your reason for all of this? WHY did you start your business?
- What will you do to stick to your plan of content creation? Have you been fair on yourself? Have you set a realistic goal that excites you?
- How do you prefer to show up? Writing, videos or audio?
