Most things of value are built slowly and steadily, over time. From investment portfolios and businesses to sporting fitness and strong family ties.
Many of us know that compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world (Albert Einstein). We use quotes about planting a tree 20 years ago, and time in the markets vs timing the markets… all in an effort to encourage a sustained effort.
But – when it comes to other areas of life, do we ever apply the same approach?
If you want a happy marriage, you need to ‘put in the work’. If you want a weighty financial portfolio, you need to ‘put in the work’. If you want your business to succeed, you have to ‘put in the work’.
If you see the trend, then you know what I’m going to write next… if you want your online brand to be attractive and engaging, then you need to ‘put in the work’.
There’s no overnight success – even those who ‘win the lottery’ and have a post go viral, generally revert to seventy views and three clicks on their next post.
Putting in the work is all about sitting confidently in the fact that compounding interest will slowly begin to work in your favour – and showing up every day. Possibly, the biggest challenge that so many face is that they want to see results to their social media strategy within a few months – but it takes years.
In the same way that investments only enjoy the serious gains of compound interest after 20 years, the compound interest of your online brand may take years – and that’s okay. Keep showing up.
When you prioritise building meaningful and transformational relationships, you need to see this as a long game, not an overnight win. Just as building your fitness, flexibility and strength take months, and building relationships that are intimate and vulnerable takes years, building an online brand takes time.
If you feel like you are losing traction, check that you’re doing the basics:
- Stay relatable.
- Stay real.
- Stay regular.
Authenticity is attractive. Adding value is essential. And, showing up regularly is comforting.
I hope that helps!
