5 Low-Pressure Things To Do to Grow Your Audience
Are you looking to take your Austin small business to the next level? Whether you're an online service provider, a seller of physical products, or a content creator, growing your online audience is key to any successful business.
A strong online presence can help you stay ahead of the game and bring your target audience straight to your – virtual or physical – door. When it comes to how to do that, the answers may surprise you.
In this article, we'll explore some of the 5, low-pressure ways you can attract a loyal following and grow your online audience – in Austin and beyond.
1. Simply show up.
Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn offer endless opportunities to engage with your target audience and showcase your content or products in a perfectly curated way. No pressure.
Seriously, though, that can feel pretty fucking overwhelming.
Many of us put far too much pressure on ourselves to show up perfectly or in a certain way. But when it comes to social media, consistency is key.
If you're simply showing up, you're already winning. Showing up is enough to remind people that you're here. You don’t have to be good at it yet— just do it anyway. You stay top of mind with your audience and increase your chances of being seen. And, not for nothing, it also helps you build credibility and trust.
Truly, showing up is more than half the battle. So consider this permission to quit “shoulding” all over yourself with the pressure of creating a perfectly-designed content calendar.
Instead, simply log in.
When you show up, you can:
Offer a tip or piece of advice someone recently gave you
Offer a tip or piece of advice that you recently gave someone privately
Share some entertaining content that made you laugh
Share an aha moment you had today
Respond to comments
Answer questions
Start a conversation
By simply showing up, you’re cultivating a loyal following, whether you see it immediately or not. But before long, you’ll realize you’re well on your way to growing your online audience, both locally in Austin and globally.
2. Shoot the shit.
Covid changed us in a lot of ways. Before Covid, perfecting filters and curated feeds dominated social media, Now, we crave realness and genuine connection. We’re sick of pretense.
People want REAL more than perfection. Business-wise, it’s also a smart decision. Authenticity is a powerful tool for establishing a genuine connection with your audience.
Authenticity builds trust. Trust leads to loyalty.
So let’s quit pretending to be these polished and perfect versions of entrepreneurship. People appreciate transparency. They’re more likely to engage with content that feels real and relatable.
When we see other people shooting the shit the way they would if we were actually friends (instead of trying so hard to keep up appearances), it just makes us all feel a little better.
Some ideas for “keeping it real” with your audience:
Share your story, your struggles, and your successes.
Be vulnerable and honest about your journey.
Embrace imperfections and let your personality shine through.
Show the behind-the-scenes moments.
Share the less glamorous aspects of your business or life.
Express genuine appreciation for the support you receive.
Embracing authenticity and showing your true self will make your audience feel connected to you and more likely to stick around.
3. Try new shit.
Lately, I’ve been trying all kinds of crazy shit with Instagram Reels. For years, I’ve been intimidated by them, but I reached a point where I decided, “It’s time to dive in and try some things out.”
Sometimes, it’s a hit, and sometimes it comes across as a little silly, but every reel I’ve created has helped me learn and grow. I’m either growing my audience or I’m learning what doesn’t work. For me, there’s no downside to this.
Here’s the thing: The world of marketing is ever-changing. To stay relevant and grow your online audience, you need to be willing to change with it. What worked yesterday may not work today, and what works today may not work tomorrow.
But SO many people make the mistake of remaining stuck in their old ways. If you do that – as I did for so long with IG reels – I can guarantee you you’ll miss out on valuable opportunities.
Sure, it sucks to constantly be learning and adapting – while also having to manage your business – but you do have to learn and do everything all at once. Take baby steps.
Experiment with different marketing channels, tactics, and formats to see what resonates with your audience. Try out different headlines, visuals, and calls to action.
If something isn't working, pivot. Try a new approach. Just don't keep doing the same thing if you're not seeing results.
Analyze the results and learn from them. What worked? What didn't? Use this data to refine your approach and make informed decisions moving forward.
Lean on the experts you hire and give their strategies a try.
Innovation can keep you ahead of the curve. By trying new things and being adaptable, you'll be able to reach new audiences, stay relevant, and grow your online presence.
4. Find your people.
Austin, TX is known for its vibrant and supportive creative community. By joining local communities and engaging with business influencers in Austin, you can tap into a network of like-minded individuals who can help you grow your online audience.
Here are 3 of our favorite ways to find your people:
Join Facebook groups, LinkedIn groups, or online forums where your target audience hangs out – and participate actively. Ask questions, start conversations, and build relationships.
Collaborate with other business owners or local influencers. It could be a guest blog post, a joint webinar, or a social media takeover. By partnering with Austin-area entrepreneurs and influencers, you'll gain access to their audiences and increase your brand visibility.
Connect with fellow professionals at workshops and networking events held locally. Face-to-face and virtual interactions cannot only help you establish yourself as an authority but also expose your brand to a wider audience.
5. Work from a cool AF space.
As an online creator or a small Austin business owner, having a clean, dedicated space you can come to work, connect, and create can be a game-changer.
A good coworking space not only offers a professional work environment but also provides opportunities for networking and collaboration. When you spend a day working alongside other like-minded individuals, you get to exchange ideas, learn from each other, and potentially find new partners or clients.
Our Pflugerville / North Austin studio space also provides the ideal environment for content creation. Access to a well-equipped studio means elevating the quality of your content and enabling your brand to stand out in online spaces.
Whether you want to use it for photography, videography, podcasting, or any other creative way, our dedicated studio space provides the tools and resources you need to create professional and engaging content that attracts and retains your online audience.
So, take advantage of a coworking space and studio space near you. It will likely be the ideal environment to work, connect, and create – helping you grow your online audience both locally and globally.
Remember: Growing Your Online Audience is a Continuous Process.
It’s a journey – one that requires dedication, experimentation, and a willingness to adapt.
With the right strategies (and a touch of Austin inspiration), your digital presence will shine, and your audience will grow.
Ready to take a step right now?
Join our growing community of creatives and entrepreneurs just like you, by following along on Instagram.
And if you’re looking for the perfect space to host your event, workshop, or clients — our rentable Austin Studio location may be perfect for you! Our North Austin photography studio is fully furnished, beautifully decorated, clean, fully stocked, and full of natural light. Learn how you can book the space here.