Finding Your Voice: Leveraging Social Audio and Building Your Email List

Whether you're just stepping into content creation or looking to deepen your connection with your audience, finding your unique voice and establishing a dedicated community are foundational steps. In a recent Creator Elevation Camp social audio session, we aimed to guide new content creators toward discovering their Unique Value Proposition (UVP) and understanding the essential steps to build an engaged email list. Here’s a breakdown of the strategies and insights we shared to help emerging creators develop their unique voice and harness the power of email lists for lasting engagement.

Step 1: Embrace Your UVP — Finding Your Content Niche and Style

Finding your unique content voice means identifying your UVP. Here are steps to get there:

1. Identify What Feels Natural: Start by exploring what you're naturally drawn to. Do you enjoy sharing short-form videos, blogging, or in-depth discussions? Understanding your preferences is key to sustainable content creation. Try to align your content with platforms that feel the most comfortable and accessible.

2. Set Goals Based on Long-Term Vision: Knowing what you want to achieve will help you define the type of content you should be focusing on. If you want to launch a service or sell a product, think about how your content can educate or engage potential clients in the coming months.

3. Experiment with Existing Engagement Patterns: Reflect on the types of content you already share on social platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube. If you post primarily grid posts or enjoy story updates, use these insights to determine which format will likely resonate best with your audience on platforms like Fanbase.

4. Experiment with Content Types and Repurpose as Needed: As you refine your niche, consider creating different formats, including stories, live sessions, and pre-recorded videos. Once you find a rhythm, you can repurpose these creations across various platforms to expand your reach.

Step 2: Content Formats to Start With

To further ease the process of content creation, here’s a breakdown of some foundational content types to consider:

1. Post Grids and Templates: If you’re new to content creation, start with simple post grids. Canva offers customizable templates to design five basic formats you can recycle weekly. Rotate between quotes, visuals, wellness videos, or weekly recaps to keep content fresh.

2. Stories and Shared Content: Stories are a great way to experiment if you're not ready to produce original content. Use them to reshare content that aligns with your message or theme. For example, educators can share inspirational quotes, teaching tips, or resources from other creators to keep followers engaged without the pressure of constant original content.

3. Reaction Videos and Overlays: Reaction videos can be a low-effort but high-engagement way to interact with trending content. For instance, if you’re a fitness enthusiast, consider sharing reaction videos on trending health advice or wellness challenges. Tools like CapCut allow you to overlay your commentary on another video, giving you an easy way to add your unique perspective.

4. Live Content and Social Audio Rooms: Live sessions offer a unique chance to connect deeply with your audience. Use these opportunities to engage with a consistent weekly audience, perhaps discussing a specific topic. To add structure, prepare three key points and stick to a defined agenda.

5. Exclusive Content and Paywalled Insights: Reserve in-depth tutorials, classes, or series behind exclusive content paywalls. A community-driven platform like Fanbase can allow you to share specialized knowledge and gather a loyal following willing to invest in exclusive insights.

Step 3: Building an Email List from Day One

An email list is an essential tool for building and maintaining your audience beyond social media. Starting this early ensures you’ll have an engaged audience when it’s time to launch a new product or service. Here’s how to kickstart an email list:

1. Capture Audience Attention with a Clear Offer: Identify what value you can offer to entice people to join your email list. It could be early access to a product, a free guide, or exclusive content. Highlight this offer on your profile bio and in all your content with a clear call-to-action (CTA).

2. Use Accessible Tools for List Building: If you're working with a budget, start with free tools like Google Forms to collect emails. This tool is simple to set up and provides basic data collection for contact info, interests, and feedback.

3. Create an Opt-In Form on Your Bio: Link the Google Form in your bio or social media profiles. Each time you go live or post content, encourage your audience to join your email list for updates, exclusive content, or special offers.

4. Survey Your Audience for Tailored Content: Include a question in your form that asks what topics they’re most interested in. This feedback will help you create content that directly speaks to their interests and pain points, increasing the likelihood they’ll engage with your material.

5. Craft a CTA Strategy for List Building: Integrate CTAs in every content piece to guide your audience towards signing up. For example, after a live session, you could say, "If you found today’s tips valuable, sign up for my email list to receive weekly insights." This consistent reminder strengthens the habit of clicking and following through.

Step 4: Repurpose Social Audio Conversations into Email Content

Social audio rooms offer a wealth of content ideas and engagement opportunities, and repurposing them can provide great value to your audience while promoting your email list. Here’s how:

1. Record and Clip Key Moments: Many social audio platforms allow recording; make use of this to capture valuable discussions. These recordings can be shared in snippets as teasers on social media with an invitation for users to join your email list for full access.

2. Share Summaries and Takeaways: After each social audio session, email your list with a summary of the discussion, main takeaways, and links to related resources. This can keep them engaged and encourage those who missed the live session to catch up and participate in future events.

3. Provide Early Access or Bonus Content: Consider offering email subscribers early access to recordings or a few extra insights exclusive to your email list. This strategy builds anticipation and a sense of exclusivity around your list.

Step 5: Developing a Content Cadence with Weekly Content Themes

As you continue to produce content and grow your audience, establishing a rhythm can create consistency for both you and your followers:

1. Establish Weekly Themes: Rotate through specific types of posts each week, such as Mondays for motivation, Tuesdays for tips, and Fridays for flashbacks. This approach simplifies planning and sets expectations for your audience.

2. Create a Mix of Media Types: Keep your content dynamic by including carousels, short-form videos, and long-form live sessions. Variety helps attract and retain different audience types with diverse engagement preferences.

3. Repurpose Older Content: With new followers joining your list over time, don’t hesitate to reintroduce older, high-performing content. Repurpose it with a fresh angle or updated insight for new and existing subscribers.

Closing Thoughts

Navigating the world of social audio and email list building as a beginner content creator can be both exciting and challenging. Focus on what feels natural, experiment with formats, and lean into consistent engagement with your audience. With clear CTAs, repurposed social audio, and a tailored email list, you’ll create a stronger, lasting bond with your audience while showcasing your unique voice.