We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alete’ Dotson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alete’, appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?

If I were to rebuild my business from the ground up, my first step would be a deep dive into market research to pinpoint a core pain point my target audience consistently faces. I’d focus on solving that one key challenge, crafting a tailored offer that addresses it directly. I would then establish two strategic content pillars centered around this topic and an additional one focused on my brand, creating a streamlined message that resonates with my ideal clients.

As a social media strategist, I would set up my Instagram account with content exclusively for my niche audience, steering clear of a “one-size-fits-all” approach. From the beginning, I’d actively test diverse content formats and styles, adjusting based on results to build a strategy that truly works. Once I refined this winning strategy, my next move would be to hire a team member to maintain execution, allowing me to scale efficiently and focus on expanding my business.

I’m a firm believer that everything happens as it’s supposed to. The lessons we learn are put in place to prepare us for what’s next but knowing what I know now – that’s what I would change.

Alete’, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Before my social media management business was birthed, I was Alete’ a frequent speaker at women empowerment and business events. I love quotes and find peace and living in my truth. I am also a published author. Being a speaker, author, and quotes lover allowed me to share that on my Instagram account and some social media tips as well as I was learning social media myself for my other business. So, I figured why not help other women get the knowledge they deserve too.

Fast forward to 2021, I had a young lady reach out to me to manage her social media account. Although I didn’t know what I was doing outside of sharing tips on my account, I was willing to give it a try and so was she. She later became my first client which grew to a two-marketing partnership.

Now fast-forward to 2024, I am Alete’, am the founder of a dynamic social media management agency with a proven track record of elevating female coaches, consultants, service providers, and e-commerce brands to success. My clients have achieved remarkable features, including CBS features, making $1500 in ten minutes, opening up a second brick and mortar fully staff salon, and substantial revenue gains, all through my organic marketing strategies.

At Media Mayhem 247, we thrive on navigating and adapting to the ever-evolving landscape of social media marketing, ensuring our clients not only survive but thrive by expanding their reach, generating qualified leads, enhancing brand awareness, and optimizing conversion rates.

Our services include social media management, one on one coaching, and one on one mentorship.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy I implemented to build my client base was to authentically show up as myself. While it might sound simple, the impact is profound. Many of the entrepreneurs who choose to work with me often mention that they felt an immediate connection, as if I were someone they had known and trusted for years. This trust and authenticity are invaluable in client relationships.

In the social media world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others, studying the methods of larger accounts, and unintentionally adopting their approaches. But by doing so, we risk losing our unique voice and disconnecting from our own audience. What works for others may not resonate with the specific needs of our community.

To avoid this, I intentionally block out the noise and focus on truly listening to my audience. I dedicate time to understanding their unique needs by asking thoughtful questions during discovery calls and actively engaging with my community. This allows me to gain deeper insights into what attracts clients to my business and what they value most.

Instead of relying solely on social media trends, I leverage these genuine interactions to tailor my content and services to what my clients genuinely need. This approach has helped me build a loyal, trusting client base and solidified my reputation as a social media strategist who prioritizes authenticity and client connection over superficial metrics.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

On social media, there’s a lot of emphasis on addressing your ideal client’s pain points and educating your audience, but that’s only part of the equation. While identifying pain points and providing education are important, they don’t necessarily communicate the core of what we offer or how we can truly make a difference. As social media managers, our expertise isn’t just in recognizing someone’s struggles, validating their feelings, or sharing information. Our real authority comes from developing and implementing a proven strategy that effectively guides clients to their desired outcomes.

I’ve put in the work to refine a method that empowers my clients to reach their next level. That’s the foundation of my expertise. When I shifted away from the habit of constantly talking about pain and instead focused on solutions and empowerment, I saw a transformation in my community’s engagement.

Think about it—if someone is already experiencing a challenge, do they want that pain continuously highlighted, or do they want a guide who can help them heal and move forward? Shifting your messaging to focus on solutions and guiding your audience towards growth and success is where the true impact lies. This approach creates an empowered community, one that’s inspired to take action, rather than just feel seen.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www..simplyalete.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplyalete
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aletedotson?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app