I’m back with you today with lesson #5 from Content Live and this one is all about change.
One of the great things about Content Live was that the speakers didn’t just come and do their slot and then head off backstage immediately after (which has been the case at some events I’ve been at previously!). Here they sat on tables with us both days and all added huge amounts of value answering questions and sharing their knowledge and expertise. Honestly I got so much from the two days that if I could book for next year immediately then I would!
One of the speakers is a Facebook expert, Liz Melville, and she was in high demand! Obviously Facebook is very popular (and maybe also a bit complicated at times). One of the things Liz said when she spoke was that what was once working on Facebook is no longer working. Maybe you’ve heard of the dreaded algorithm? Essentially it means that what you post might not get in front of the people who want to see it. And funnily enough I’ve had a conversation with one of my friends tonight who has just been complaining that my Facebook lives no longer seem to come up on her feed. Amnd she wants to see them!
The point Liz made really well was that things change in business and you’ve got to be able to adapt and go with it. Roll with the punches if you like. Too true. But first of all, you’ve got to know your numbers.
Over the years the importance of metrics has been drummed into me and I’ve finally realised why it’s so important. Without knowing your numbers, things can change slowly and quietly and before you know, it it’s hit your bottom line. Nobody wants that! If you want to change something, measure it daily and it brings your focus to it which helps you achieve it. Research shows that if you want to lose weight, getting on the scales every day means you are more likely to. Knowledge is power as they say, and checking in regularly means you can react quickly and easily to course correct when you notice things going in the wrong direction.
Finances are the same. If you want more money, track it daily. Write down your account balances and spending every day. Where your focus goes, grows. Or words to that effect!
So, it’s the same in business, but arguably more important in the sense that when it’s your own business and you have limited and finite resources like time and money, you absolutely have to make sure you’re spending it right and getting the right returns. Whether it’s spending time blogging (good job I enjoy writing!) or money on Facebook ads, there are things you can measure. Not to freak you out but I know you’re reading this now. Well not you personally (lol) but that you landed on my blog post. I don’t know if you read it, or if you enjoyed it, but I know you were here.
Knowing how things are going, and spotting changes is the first point I’m making, but the second is being able to respond to it. And this was my takeaway from Liz’s talk. Things change, and it’s often outside of our control. Change can be a challenge because it tests us, often it means we need to learn something new, do something different (and scary) and get out of our comfort zone.
But if we want to be successful, in life as well as in business, we need to be prepared for things to change, and when they do we need to notice, and roll with the punches. That’s what will help us not just survive, but thrive.
Finally, a shout out to Liz. She took kindly to me picking her brains over lunch and taught me more in a few minutes by answering my specific questions than I’d been able to work out by myself in months. Hallelujah. I’m a couple of weeks down the line, I’ve implemented what she showed me and it’s working! She really does know her stuff in the world of Facebook and I would highly recommend based on the results I’ve had. Which of course, I’ve been measuring daily. Okay, hourly! I’m sure the novelty will wear off soon....!