GaryVee - Are Followers Actually Important For Social Media Growth Anymore? | Tea With GaryVee ep. 73
The discussion highlights that over 90% of follows come from the feed, indicating that followers are less important as content now comes to users. The focus should be on creating valuable content with good thumbnails, engaging in comments, and building a community. The speaker advises against worrying about a perfect grid on social media, emphasizing that being smart and engaging is more important. Practical advice includes answering all DMs and focusing on community building.
The conversation also touches on personal growth and decision-making. One participant is encouraged to pursue their passion for food content despite fears of being pigeonholed. Another is advised to consider the value of college and whether it aligns with their personal goals, especially in light of financial considerations and personal fulfillment. The speaker stresses the importance of taking calculated risks and fostering innovation by leading through example. The impact of AI on search traffic and the necessity of brand building are also discussed, with a focus on adapting to technological changes and leveraging personal branding for business growth.
Key Points:
- Focus on creating valuable content with engaging thumbnails and community interaction.
- Don't stress about perfect social media grids; prioritize smart content strategies.
- Consider personal goals and financial implications when deciding on education or career paths.
- Embrace innovation and calculated risks by leading through example.
- Adapt to technological changes like AI and focus on brand building for business growth.
Details:
1. 📈 The Evolution of Social Media Engagement
- Over 90% of follows come from the feed, indicating the importance of optimizing content for feed visibility.
- More than 50% of people do not follow accounts at all, suggesting a shift in how users engage with content.
- Followers are becoming less relevant as content delivery is prioritized, emphasizing the need to focus on content quality and relevance.
- There is no longer a necessity for a visually perfect grid, as user engagement is driven by dynamic content delivery.
2. 🎯 Crafting Effective Content Strategies
2.1. Content Creation Tips
2.2. Engagement Techniques
3. 🍳 Navigating Passions and Content Creation
- The individual struggles with deciding how to pursue their passion for cooking and eating through content creation.
- They feel uncertain about posting content and worry that focusing on one type of content might limit exploration of other interests like skiing and V friends cards.
- The speaker's experience with making a thousand wine videos and becoming known as the 'wine' person highlights that focusing on one niche can build a recognizable personal brand.
- To balance passions, consider integrating multiple interests into a cohesive content strategy or creating separate content streams for each passion to maintain flexibility and personal enjoyment.
4. ☕️ Bold Moves in Entrepreneurship
- Entrepreneurs are encouraged to redefine their identities, as exemplified by moving from being labeled a 'wine guy' to becoming a marketing expert.
- Pursue unique entrepreneurial ventures like starting a coffee cart or cultivating gourmet mushrooms without overanalyzing initial strategies.
- Immediate action in content creation is critical; start sharing content without delay to engage audiences effectively.
- The metaphor of 'getting Russian hackers' underscores the urgency and necessity of rapid action and direct engagement in entrepreneurship.
5. 📸 The Myth of the Perfect Grid
- The concept of a 'perfect' Instagram grid is a myth; perfection is as fictitious as the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and the Tooth Fairy.
- Followers prioritize smart content over a visually perfect grid. It is more beneficial to focus on engaging and intelligent content rather than striving for a perfect grid.
- The emphasis should be on content that attracts followers rather than maintaining a supposedly perfect visual layout.
6. 🎓 Rethinking Education and Career Choices
6.1. Engagement and Community Building
6.2. Reevaluating College Education
7. 🤖 AI: The Future of Innovation and Work
- The speaker evaluates the pros and cons of finishing college, noting its value in family satisfaction but emphasizing that real-world challenges will require more effort and less leisure time.
- Local marketing strategies are highlighted, specifically converting successful video content into targeted ads within a 10-mile radius, illustrating actionable tactics enhanced by AI.
- The importance of combining personal cognitive skills with AI is stressed to prevent negative impacts, demonstrating the need for active engagement in creative and critical thinking.
- An example of an employee named Pablo is used to show the effectiveness of combining personal insights with AI tools in running ads, underscoring the importance of personal initiative alongside AI technology.
8. 🔍 The Shift from Traditional Search to AI
8.1. User Shift to AI-Based Search Tools
8.2. Business Implications of AI Search Adoption
9. ❤️ Resilience in Personal and Professional Life
9.1. Personal Resilience and Challenges
9.2. Professional Resilience and Networking
10. 🏠 Balancing Security with Entrepreneurial Dreams
- The individual faces a decision between investing their last $100k in a pizza shop or purchasing a house, weighing financial security against pursuing their business passion.
- With experience as a top general manager at Papa John's, they possess strong skills in managing food and labor costs, essential for running a successful pizza shop.
- Owning an apartment bought for $85k provides some financial security, yet the desire to open a pizza shop remains strong, highlighting the pull of entrepreneurial dreams.
- The target area boasts a population of 450,000, indicating a substantial potential market for the pizza shop business.
- A local Papa John's generates $60k weekly; even achieving half of that revenue would be considered successful, outlining clear financial targets.
- They considered starting with a pizza truck for lower risk and mobility but prefer a fixed location to establish a stable business presence.
- The dedication to work 50-70 hours a week reflects their commitment and readiness for the challenges of entrepreneurship.
- Family support is present, with the mother preferring the safer option of buying a house, adding a layer of personal influence to the decision-making process.
- Potential risks include the financial instability of investing in a new business versus the guaranteed security of homeownership.
11. 💼 Scaling Businesses and Overcoming Fear
- Entrepreneurs should prioritize growth ('offense') rather than merely maintaining their current position ('defense'). This mindset encourages actively seeking new opportunities instead of just safeguarding existing assets.
- The fear of regret can be a powerful motivator. Choosing a safe investment like a house over a potentially lucrative but risky business venture can lead to long-term regret, highlighting the need for calculated risk-taking.
- Innovation should start at the top. Leaders must be proactive in launching innovative projects (e.g., NFTs, live shopping) to set an example and encourage a culture of innovation within their teams.
- Building a strong personal brand is essential for business leaders. It enables them to expand their influence exponentially, illustrated by the goal of achieving 40,000 posts a day through enhanced tools, instead of just four.
- The future of work is evolving, potentially allowing individuals to manage tasks through a network of agents and advanced tools, effectively creating teams without traditional structures.
- Business leaders need to shift from defensive to offensive roles, akin to transitioning from a middle linebacker to a quarterback, to drive growth and capitalize on opportunities.
12. 🦸♂️ Courage in the Face of Personal Challenges
- Scaling a business effectively requires nurturing and developing employees, even at the risk of them leaving or underperforming initially. This approach emphasizes long-term growth through mentorship.
- Vayner Media's success was achieved by deeply involving leadership in the early stages, which helped instill company values and train employees, demonstrating a strategic approach to scaling.
- To promote a book and expand reach, leveraging organic social media strategies is essential. Consistent engagement on platforms such as TikTok can significantly enhance visibility and audience connection.
- During personal hardships, like family illnesses, focusing on resilience and maximizing quality time with loved ones is crucial, even if it means temporarily setting aside professional advancement.
- A personal story exemplifies resilience through financial and emotional challenges, highlighting the journey of earning $130,000-$140,000 annually while supporting a family through illness.
- Career setbacks like imposter syndrome should be countered with persistence in job applications, as perseverance usually leads to success despite initial rejections.
- An anecdote shared involves working hard in a family business with no savings at 27, eventually achieving financial success, underscoring the importance of hard work and patience.
- Flexible work arrangements, such as remote work, are recommended to maintain family connections during difficult times without compromising career goals, offering a balanced approach to personal and professional life.
13. 🎁 Community Engagement and Adaptability
- The KSwiss sneaker giveaway aims to attract community attention and engagement, expecting at least 712 entries from 715 viewers.
- Subtle branding can enhance product appeal without overwhelming the consumer, focusing on consumer preferences rather than overt branding.
- Customer perspective is crucial, emphasizing the importance of thinking like a consumer to create appealing products.
- Soft skills are undervalued in the corporate environment, with only 1 to 3% of companies truly prioritizing a positive work culture.
- Networking and word of mouth are critical strategies for finding companies that value soft skills and positive environments.
- Personal branding and social media presence are essential for business growth, as businesses relying solely on outdated methods like Google AdWords risk obsolescence.
- A $400 giveaway aims to drive sales of $15 sticker packs, demonstrating strategic use of promotions to boost product interest and sales.
- The giveaway's exclusivity, with only 80 entries, is designed to increase perceived value and urgency.