Many businesses are starting to get interested in TikTok, which means you might be scrambling to download the app and get started yourself. If you haven't yet, then download the app.

​I was pleasantly surprised at how much I really liked TikTok! I find myself on that app more than Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Finding talented folks and inspiration is much easier than other social platforms. The more you heart and follow others, the more content you'll see in the same category. 

All other social platforms I'm on are filled with years and years of connections ... and honestly doesn't give me much joy to interact with. TikTok feels so fresh and new. I love it! 

Below are a few accounts I follow because they inspire me, educate me, or just make me laugh so hard other family members run over to see what I'm looking at. 

Comment below with your handle so I can follow you and let me know who you like following! I'm always looking for more people to follow. 

Good. Lord. WHY is a selling tactic for most agencies to point out how stupid others are? I honestly think I've only met one other agency who chose to go the higher road and not trash talk everyone and everything. Competitors do really cool things - it's ok. You can admit that. Former employees, managers, and consultants can have great ideas before you came around - it's ok. You can admit that. 

• If you need to have a pre-call with someone else to get yourself worked up regarding your own opinions before you call someone else ... then leave me out of it. 
• If you're going to rant about how something doesn't make sense - only because it's new to you and doesn't yet make sense to you ... then leave me out of it. 
• If you're going to trash the hard work of others to make yourself look better ... then leave me out of it.

PSA: I'm here to help build businesses and people up. Not tear them down. 

Supporting Others is Good for YOUR Business

First of all, no one wants to work with negative people. Well ... that's not true. However, I can assure you that if they LOVE negative people who speak ill of others, then your turn is coming and they are going to EAT YOU A LIVE and enjoy every minute of it. True story.

Second, supporting competitors and others will actually help you succeed. Why? Because you need for your industry to succeed in order for your business to succeed. You need an environment that your business can grow in. You and your competitors can either work together to create awareness and  opportunity ... or you can squash it and end up hurting each other. Your choice!  

You Will Be Better and Will Do Better

What excellent motivation! Instead of tearing down everyone, you can use them for motivation. There are plenty of businesses I come across where I KNOW I can do better than them. However, I also know there's SOMETHING they do differently and better than me. Instead of spending time looking for faults, I look closer to see what I'm missing. I guarantee you're missing something. We all are. 

So, How to Support Others? 

Keep your damn mouth shut. Too harsh? Sorry! Let me try again ... if you don't have anything nice to say then keep your damn mouth shut. Try things like this instead ... 

• "Yes, I've heard of ABC Firm. I'm sorry about your experience with them - let's see what we can do to fix your situation and set you up for success." 
• "I probably wouldn't have gone in that direction, but I can see what they were trying to achieve. Their objective wasn't wrong but the tactics weren't right for the audience. With these changes we can put you back on track."
• "I don't know a lot about ABC Firm. I know they do things a bit differently, which I usually enjoy learning from, but I can see how they might not have been a fit for you. Let's do this instead."
• "Your team members have done an excellent job starting the project, here's how I would build on what they've started." 

If your competitor, or someone you work with that you view as a competitor, has a win, simply congratulate them. Then move on. 

If you're working on a project and someone from left-field shows up with an idea and you're feeling a little insecure about your position and value ... don't take it out on them. They're just trying to make it, too. By offering collaboration and your expertise you'll prove your worth. 

In the last couple of years there's been a shift in how businesses and people regard "competitors"  ... many of us have come to realize that people we've viewed as competitors were never actually competitors. And in fact those very people would make great colleagues and peers. We're so used to society pitting people against each other and hating on the ones who are successful that we didn't realize we were playing into the toxic behavior. But times are a changing and our views of collaboration and success are changing, too. Don't get stuck hating on others like the dinosaurs of the past. 

Creating a social calendar can be overwhelming. If you're also wondering where to start, use the ideas below. Make sure you have at least 3 posts scheduled for each week! Pick from the list below to get started.

Social media is about engaging with your audience and creating conversations, however you need to make sure your products and services are front and center as well! Use this list for weekly content ideas...

• ​Sales/Specials/Freebies/Recruiting 
• Product/Service Spotlight
• ​Tips/Tricks
• ​Blog post

Sprinkle these posts in throughout the month to switch things up and offer new ways of engagement...

• Live video
• Testimonial
• ​Inspirational/Fun Quote
• ​Poll
• ​Employee/Staff Spotlight
• Brand new blog post

Need help? Fill out our contact form so we can talk about your goals/needs.