“You have to focus on building relationships. If you think of potential followers as friends you just haven’t met yet, then you will behave differently. You won’t start out by asking them to share a post or buy something from you. You will ask them how you can help them. You will read their posts and share their content. You will introduce them to your existing friends and encourage your current followers to introduce themselves to your new friend.

After a while, the follower will usually do the same. They will feel compelled to visit your site or check out some of your social media posts. They will share some of your content. They may even feature you in a round-up post, invite you to write a guest post, ask you to appear on their podcast, or invite you to participate in a virtual summit. You never know.

I’d like to give an example. When I was young people were more neighborly. If someone new moved into your community, you would take them some food or a plant. You would offer to help them move in or tell them where they could buy the best groceries. You might offer to watch their kids or run an errand. Then when you needed a favor you knew you could call them up and say hey I really need some help. So, stop thinking of your social media networks as faceless numbered followers and start thinking about them as new friends and neighbors who you can’t wait to meet.”