Episode 42: Building Authentic Connections

Prefer to read instead of listen? Here's what we discussed:

In this episode of Marketing Moves, we interview Natalie Bell, a Cleveland-based content creator with over 150,000 Instagram followers and 200,000 TikTok followers and founder of The City Social. Natalie discusses her journey from nursing to becoming a successful influencer and entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and vulnerability in building a loyal social media following. This episode explores her journey, tips for building a brand through social media, and insights into her singles event business, The City Social.

Building a Personal Brand Through Authenticity

Natalie's story underscores the effectiveness of authenticity in social media. By treating her platforms as personal journals, she fostered a strong sense of community among her followers. Here are some key strategies she used:

1. Vulnerability: Sharing personal experiences, even challenging ones, resonated with her audience and built trust.
2. Consistency: Regularly posting content that reflects her true self helped maintain engagement.
3. Engagement: Responding to comments and messages created a two-way communication channel, strengthening her community.

The City Social: Fostering Real-Life Connections

Natalie's entrepreneurial venture, The City Social, aims to bring people together through singles events. Celebrating its first anniversary, The City Social has expanded beyond Cleveland to cities like Chicago and New York. Here’s how Natalie leverages social media to promote her events:

1. Cross-Promotion: Using her personal social media presence to promote The City Social events.
2. Content Planning: For The City Social, Natalie uses a content calendar to plan posts, ensuring a mix of promotional and value-adding content.
3. Community Building: Creating events that foster genuine connections and a sense of belonging.

Insights on Influencer Marketing

Natalie's approach offers valuable lessons for aspiring influencers and brands:

1. Authenticity is Key: People connect with real, relatable stories. Authenticity builds trust and loyalty.
2. Engage with Your Audience: Building a community requires active engagement. Respond to comments, ask for feedback, and involve your audience in your journey.
3. Leverage Multiple Platforms: While TikTok and Instagram have different dynamics, cross-posting can maximize reach and engagement.
4. Balance Personal and Business Content: For business accounts, blend promotional content with value-adding posts to keep the audience engaged.

Conclusion