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Christi Johnson: Welcome everyone back to the Freedom to Flourish podcast. Last week we talked about imposter syndrome and what would happen if we were just honest about how we were feeling in business, how we were feeling in life and what opportunities could that open. Today I'm going to continue the trend of getting honest and being real with you guys.

I tend to be the most fulfilled and Feel the most comfortable and confident when I am just sharing with you What's been on my heart and my mind related to business and just really getting honest You see so many people are selling us their products, which is great. I I buy products all the time that help me and I love them, but it can start to feel like when people are selling you their offers that there's only one way to do business and that's just not true.

There are a million ways to do business and it's important as business owners to find what feels good. One thing I do, uh, Semi regularly not as regularly regularly as I would like is I enjoy watching yoga with Adrienne on YouTube And she's always saying to find what feels good She will give us the main yoga pose and she's always telling us that you know If this pose is not working for you today, then that's okay.

You can change it up find what feels good and I wonder if We could possibly view business like that too. Can we find what feels good, or are we just stuck in one particular box that we need to fill? Is there only one way to do business? And I think there is not only one way to do business. I really think that you can find what feels good as a business owner.

Let me give you an example. And what kind of made me think about this in the first place. When you go on Instagram, it used to be a place where you would share photos. I mean, it used to be chronological and sharing photos, and it was easy, you know, because it was not a place really where people sold things or where people were really, you know, trying to compete for your attention.

It was just a fun place to share photos with your friends. Now, I understand why they shifted because you can get more people to stay on your app with the algorithm and when the posts are more tailored, you know, to what kinds of things that they're interacting with. So I totally get it. And I love that business owners are able to be creative and put their content out there and take control of their content and, and, and put it out there on, on, you know, in the world into social media.

But I was on there recently and realized that, like, 19 out of 20 of the posts that I scrolled past were videos because Instagram is promoting videos. I think we've all seen this and if you're not making videos and putting out that putting them out there on Instagram then you're doing it wrong. And that's just the way that it is right now.

So I really think that business owners should have control over their content, but it seems like Instagram is forcing us to go into the video world. And a lot of us may not want to do that. I don't want to do that. I don't have time to sit around and make reels. It's hard enough for me to sit around and write blog posts or record podcasts or, or, you know, share photos on Instagram like I used to do.

I do not have time to sit around and make reels. Some people love it. Some people love making reels and that's amazing. I'm really glad for those people. Great. You do you, but why have we told each other that you have to do reels and you have to be on Instagram and you have to do it this way? Are we just giving the social media companies control over our businesses when we go along with it?

Like, I wonder, these are things that I wonder. What I would suggest, and I would love to hear your thoughts on this, is that you do not have to do reels if you don't want to. You do not have to make videos of yourself dancing and pointing and looking happy go lucky if that is not you. I cannot imagine Myself dancing in front of the camera and pointing around to things on, on the screen because that is not me and I really want to stay true to me.

That's the whole reason that I'm in business is so that I can do what the heck I want. You know what I mean? So I just want to, I want to throw this out there. What if you don't have to do social media as a business owner, who says that we do? Or who says that we have to do Instagram. Now, I get it. It's because a lot of people are spending their time on Instagram and TikTok and Facebook and all those things.

But, if that's the client that you want to reach. Then post your videos on Instagram and post your videos on Tik Tok, but I'm I have to believe I have to believe that there's a world out there. That is not Just scrolling on your phone There are so many reasons that I do not like social media number one.

It's a waste of time for me. I I spend hours scrolling and sometimes it's helpful, but most of the time it's not. It's a wasted time. I would rather be out there creating my own content for the podcast, for example, or reading books or learning or spending time with people, but it sucks me in. Because it's addictive.

We all know that we get that little thrill when someone responds to our stories or when someone likes our post or whatever. Um, but it is addictive and it makes you keep coming back and it makes you really say, well, how many likes on this can I get? You know, whatever. And also, it's fake. I don't know how many times we need to say this.

Instagram is fake. Social media is fake. I think we are all aware and yet we continue to spend so much time on social media. I do it. I'm guilty. But I don't like that I do. So why should I spend my time making content for Instagram when I hate spending time on Instagram? Who says that I have to do that?

Is there another way? There has to be another way. I have to believe that there's another way. One thing that I love doing is being real and being authentic and being true to who I am and getting down into the nitty gritty and listening to people tell me that their life is hard, their business is hard, that, that they don't, They don't, they feel like they're, they're the only one that feels this way.

But I want to tell you that you are not alone. You are absolutely not alone in whatever it is that you're feeling. And yes, business is hard. It's hard that we have to be, you know. In control that the social media gods have to be in control of us, you know, the companies out there are telling us We're going to video and that's what you have to do too.

But I want to say no, I don't want to do that and You know You may see me posting videos out there on Instagram someday because there's still a small part of me that believes I have to do it In order to build a successful business. And I'm thinking right now that I'm probably going to make a video of this and share it on Instagram too, just for the people that, that are following me on Instagram, maybe I will, but I would much rather engage with someone on a podcast like this and have them hear my unfiltered thoughts about something than a 15 second curated bite sized, really teeny tiny.

You know, tidbit of information on Instagram. Now I understand that Instagram has its pluses. Um, apparently with the new subscriptions that they're doing, we're going to be able to promote, uh, we're going to be able to get customers off of Instagram and into our offers. And I'm excited to see how that is.

I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe it's going to be something really enjoyable, but I am tired of being forced into one box. Can we not find what feels good? I have to believe that we can find what feels good. So if you're not going to market your business on social media or on Instagram, let's just take Instagram.

For example, what are some ways that you can market your business? One way that I have really enjoyed interacting with people is in Facebook groups. Now you might be thinking, wait a minute, Christy, that is social media. Well, Facebook groups are a lot different than Instagram. What I mean by Facebook groups is when people go on there to share, Hey, I have this problem.

Can anyone help me? I absolutely love commenting on posts in Facebook groups because that's where people are getting real and saying, I need help with this. I don't know what I'm doing. And then, I love going in there and saying, You're not alone. Let's figure this out. Let's see if we can do something that, that helps you to make this easier.

One thing that I love to do, when people ask questions in Facebook groups, a lot of people will respond with a really vague answer that's not actually that helpful. I love to give really long and detailed responses and, and break it down step by step. So if someone says, in fact, I'll just share this recently I saw on one of my Facebook groups, someone said, Hey, I'm really thinking about starting a podcast.

You guys have any advice? I don't know anything about what gear to use or what, um, what apps to use to edit or anything like that. I'm really starting from square one. You know, what tips do you guys have for me now? There was a couple, there were a couple of people that posted and said, Hey, this is, you know, where I record and this is the tech that I use.

But most people just commented and said, Hey, I would love to talk with you further, which to me sounds like maybe they're selling an offer to them. I'm going to withhold judgment. Maybe they weren't. And then a lot of them said, Oh, check out this person's resource. And a lot of them responded with things that were, you know, I don't know if you've ever been on groups where people will respond to something that was not, that was clearly not what the original poster was asking about.

Like they may say, please do not comment with a photographer. I already have one. You know, I'm in a lot of wedding venue or wedding, uh, wedding. Industry groups and people will say, Hey, I'm looking for a venue. And they'll say in there, we have a photographer. Please do not comment with photographer recommendations.

And then all these photographers will say, I'm a photographer. And it's like, did you not read the post? So I love reading the posts, and I love getting detailed, and so I shared with them. I use the Rode PodMic right now, that's what I'm recording with, and I have the Scarlett Focusrite interface to connect it to my computer.

I record in Zincaster because it's free, I edit in Audacity because it's free, and I Host with anchor because it's free and like I love giving specific answers to questions and helping people step by step break it down So that's something that really resonates with me So that's one way that I can grow grow my business and i've had people come back to me afterwards and say oh my gosh I would love to work with you like you were so helpful in answering my question That happened to me when I was creating my editing course.

I had a lot of people ask me Um, hey, how do you get started with photo editing? And I was able to say, Hey, I have a blog post about this and also have a mini course. It really takes. You know takes you through it step by step. I wasn't salesy. I also said let's talk about this I really want to help you and I gave a lot more for free than most people probably be willing to do Because I just love helping people and and I don't see anything wrong with that for me personally if you don't want to do that Don't do that.

I'm trying to say, find what feels good for you. If you love spending time on Instagram, great. Do it. Spend your time on Instagram. I love it. I love it if you love it. I'm not saying that I love Instagram because I think we've already established that I don't love Instagram. But, you know, that's one way that you can engage with people.

Podcasting is another way that you can build your business. I, I said it already. I love podcasting because I can be real. I can get vulnerable. I can tell you my thoughts about something and be honest and authentic. And that's what I really value. I also love blogging and putting content on your website because that's a space, a space that you own.

You don't have to follow the rules that the Instagram And, uh, you know, that the social media companies have said, Oh, we're going to go to video. You can do that if you want, but you don't have to. This is an unpopular opinion. I get that. I, I, I know people that I respect and love who are out there telling people how to level up their video game.

And I absolutely love that. In fact, I would say, if you hate video, then outsource it. If you want to be on Instagram with videos, but you hate it and you feel like it feels so fake, then outsource that. For real, so go to those people who have those offers for how to level up your video and say hey I want you to help with this help me with this because I hate it.

So I love that more power to them Maybe i'll do that one day too because I know that I just don't like Instagram. So I would much rather outsource it to someone besides that. There's so many things that you can do personally. Check out my podcast episode on where to find clients. I give so many tips on where you can find clients outside of social media in person, connecting in networking groups, connecting with people in your circles that you're going to be interacting with.

There's so many options. So why do we feel like We're stuck. I feel like I'm stuck. I feel like I have to do what Instagram tells me to but why? I don't want to feel that anymore I want to be set free from feeling like I have to do what Instagram tells me so you know what I'm probably gonna post this on Instagram But I'm not gonna waste my time doing something that doesn't feel good And here's an example of how to make it feel good for me I know that I'm not gonna create a reel with dancing and pointing and all that kinds of things.

But I do know that what I can do is because I love connecting on podcasts, what I can do is take a video of this podcast, put it in a Canva template with a video in the background, and put this on Instagram. Where it's a video, but it feels good to me to post that. So if it feels good to you to post Reels, then do that.

Maybe think about, okay, if Instagram is promoting video, is there a way that I can make it feel good for me? For me, maybe it's going to be sitting here talking to the microphone with the camera going and, and putting that on Instagram for you, it might be something else. How can you take something that you enjoy doing and put it out there?

And you know what? If it's not Instagram, then I say. Don't worry about it. You don't need that burden on your plate There's enough that you have to deal with as a business owner. So stop making it harder for yourself Find what feels good for you and I want us to be relentless in our pursuit of authenticity And finding what feels good in our businesses and doing what we want to do So if you don't want to stand there in front of the camera and dance then don't It's as simple as that.

There are so many ways to market your business that don't have to be video. I just want you to know that it doesn't have to be Instagram and. If you want to do video, it doesn't have to be the dancing. If you love dancing, then do that. I'm just trying to say, make your own path. That's why you became a business owner in the first place.

So think about the things that you enjoy doing. What types of activities have you found that you really love in terms of marketing your business? And if there aren't any. Then why don't you talk with a marketing coach or a marketing specialist and get them to help you and talk with them and help them help you figure out a strategy that feels good to you and is authentic to you because, excuse me, because the clients that you want in your business I'm sure are the clients that resonate with you.

So if you find what feels good for yourself, you're going to attract clients that think the same way and resonate with that message to put it out there in the universe. I believe that it will attract those clients that you are meant to work with. I've been rambling for too long. I just wanted to get on here and share this.

Can we find what feels good for ourselves? Is that even, is that even possible? And I want to say the answer is a resounding yes. If you want to hash it out some more with me, you can follow me. Um, email me, Christy at Christy Johnson, creative. com. You can hang out. I do, I do spend a lot of time in Facebook groups.

I have a Facebook group, the freedom to flourish community. So go there. Um, I think it's. Let me just get the link real quick. Facebook dot com slash groups slash freedom to flourish. Just checking really quick. I love to, um, no, it is not freedom to flourish. I just gave you the wrong link. Okay, don't go to that one.

I love interacting with Facebook groups. Okay, so, I don't know what my Facebook group link is, but I will put it in the description of the video. I would love to hear from you there, because that is one place that I enjoy interacting. If you do message me on Instagram, I will answer you, because yes, I do have an addiction like most people.

I hate that I do but I'm there sometimes to message me I'm at Christy Johnson creative But the best place to interact with me is email or in my Facebook group and I want to hear from you Continue the conversation there in that group and I will give you a long reply Like I said, so hang out with me over there in the freedom to flourish community and I would love to see you there All right, guys, you got this you can do what you want in your business.

That's why you became a business owner So go get it.