Do you let people ‘in’ on social media? Behind the scenes and related content can make a huge difference to your social media. Not only is it a limitless source of unique content gold, but it’s also a great way to connect with your fans and followers in a really relatable way.

Do you share your behind the scenes?

When I was working on my social media course for riders, behind the scenes was always going to be a key part.

Why? Because it’s THE place to create unique content. And more than that, you don’t need to stage it or plan it – it just happens while you’re going on with your life. Which means that behind the scenes is the most perfect way to implement Gary Vaynerchuk’s amazing mantra of ‘document, don’t create’.

I’m amazed at how many people don’t use this really simple idea, especially when many struggle to create content for their social media. But when these things happen you need to dig a tiny bit and find out why, don’t you? And the answer was really interesting…

Because people don’t think they’re that interesting… and that their followers won’t care.

But they’re wrong…

Behind the scenes shows the real you, makes you more relatable, and allows you to share so much.

There’s a massive drive on social media towards authenticity – I mean people have been talking about being authentic for years – but luckily REAL authenticity seems to be on the increase. And if behind the scenes isn’t authentic, I’m not sure what is. As a rider, this might be getting ready for a show. Being SO hot after a training session that you’re the colour of a strawberry and look like you’ve been under the hosepipe. It’s your dog ‘helping’ you do the feeds by running off with feed buckets. It’s the music you sing along to at the top of your lungs when you’re on the way to a show. It’s the nerves before cross country. It’s how you remember a dressage test. It’s the stuff that no one sees.

For brands, it might be all of these too (if you’re horsey and that’s a key part of your brand), but it could also be getting ready for an event and trying to tetris everything into the trailer? Building the stand, designing new products, going to shows, packing orders, speaking to customers, finding inspiration when you’re walking the dog, getting excited about a new delivery, opening a parcel containing all your new packaging, your excitement when you see yourself in print. This is behind the scenes.

What if people don’t care?

What if they don’t? Your true fans – the ones who will support you and want to be part of your journey will lap it up. And I mean LAP IT UP. And the others? They might. They might not. It doesn’t actually matter because you’re not worried about the others. You’re serving your true fans. The people who will enhance and enrich your life as much as you enhance and enrich theirs. Don’t worry about everyone. You can’t please everyone all the time and neither should you try. The ones who are firmly on your side will love this new insight into your life/day/world.