True confessions, ya’ll…One of my all-time favorite movies is The Little Mermaid, and as soon as I was thinking of what I wanted to share, this song just seemed such a perfect fit! 

Ariel wanted so badly to be with the people but knew it wouldn’t be possible unless she found a way to meet them up on land where they lived. It would be hard, if not nearly impossible, for her to meet with humans and do the things she longed to do. Finally, by making a deal with Ursula, she was granted her wish of becoming a human and meeting them where they were.

Sounds kind of familiar, doesn’t it?

While we don’t have to sign a deal with the devil to make it happen, we do need to meet people where they already are. We may have wonderful ideas, questions to ask, and dreams to explore, but if we try to make people come to us, it’s a whole lot more work than meeting them in their element. It certainly makes it easier for them to listen, and they are more likely to interact with us, too.

If we try to make people come to us, it’s a whole lot more work than meeting them in their element.

Like Ariel, the sandy beach might be our preferred destination (haha!), but let’s explore a big place where people are hanging out: Facebook.

Everyone is scrolling through Facebook, so it makes sense to mix your message in with everything they are already reading. The key, however, is more than just posting on Facebook. Simply posting will not get your team members to STOP scrolling when they see your posts–they will inevitably keep scrolling by. Getting them to connect with your posts won’t happen overnight, but it can, over time, become a habit and mindset, and both take time and experience to build. For tips on engaging your team, check out our latest series where we address some of these tools.

Whether it be your team or your customers, it can be frustrating to feel like you're constantly asking people to show up somewhere they don't want to be and they never show up. I had an experience like this recently, in fact. I had asked someone to please call, and instead of calling, the information was sent in an email. Did I get the information I needed? Yes. Did I receive it late because I wasn’t looking there? Yes. Anyone else have experiences like this? In all honesty, it makes you feel like they don't care.

Communicating somewhere that your team isn't hanging out would be like putting a sign up on the beach when everyone else is hanging out on the boat.

Communicating somewhere that your team isn't hanging out would be like putting a sign up on your warm sandy beach when everyone else is hanging out on the boat. Grab yourself a speedboat, girlfriend, and get on over to the party boat with everyone else! They’re more likely to listen if you meet them halfway (or better yet, on the dance floor with them!).

This same idea applies to your customers, too. How do they best respond? Are they on Instagram? Facebook? Do they respond better to emails or texts? Be aware of your audience, and meet them where they are. This may mean you have to get out of your comfort zone. YOU might not be the biggest fan of Facebook, but if that is where your team is, then it’s your job to show up for them.

Trust me, you’ll thank me when you find you have a more engaged team and group of customers.

YOU might not be the biggest fan of Facebook, but if that is where your team is, then it’s your job to show up for them.

Dry land was certainly out of Ariel’s comfort zone, but she knew that once she got out of the comforts and familiarity of the sea, she could be with them, dance with the, ask them her questions, and get her answers. Sounds like we’re not so different from Ariel because, after all, don’t we just want to be part of their world? 

Ready to start getting results? Here’s how we can help!