Content creator icon Mike Draper is better known for gaining a mass following on TikTok using what he calls his TikTok Business Blueprint. He’s an Air Force veteran, former SWAT team member, and real estate investor turned content creator. With an arsenal of technical training and an MBA, Draper is changing the social media game — showing businesses how to leverage social platforms to drive growth.
Along with co-founder Danielle Delgado, Draper formed Engage Training to show entrepreneurs and business leaders how to accelerate TikTok growth and engagement. Conservative forecasts show that TikTok will have 843.3 million monthly users worldwide by the end of 2023. It’s the third largest social platform behind Facebook and Instagram. Draper built the TikTok Business Blueprint based on research, study, and trial and error.
“I want to make virality accessible to everyone” are the words Draper tells his audience.
Draper built his signature systems based on tenacity and experience to help businesses and entrepreneurs accelerate their social media growth. With dedication and a lot of trial and error, he grew his personal brand to over one million followers across all his social channels. His biggest successes are on TikTok and Instagram, where several of his videos reached 10 million views and brought in thousands of new leads. The systems he used personally are embedded in the fabric he shares through Engage Training. He is an industry leader in leveraging social media to build authentic relationships that bring in business.
Here are five tips Draper shared to help you take your business to the next level using TikTok, Instagram, or other social platforms.
1. Nurture the relationship you build online. Successful businesses thrive on healthy relationships, whether that’s with customers, partners, or employees. But lasting connections take time and effort. So, cultivate trust, loyalty, and credibility. Be authentic and consistent with your brand. Also, Draper cautions against over-selling and over-advertising. He says businesses need to find a balance that works within their industry. And you know you’ve found it when engagement goes up. Engaged followers are what will bring in leads for your business.
2. Utilize proven systems. Successful businesses understand how important efficient operations and streamlined processes are to consistent outcomes. That’s the beauty of using systems. Implement effective strategies and establish robust systems to support those strategies to manage day-to-day operations, like social media marketing. Systems ensure predictability, foster accountability, and provide a means to measure success.
3. Build a strong foundation. Establishing a solid infrastructure takes time. But it’s worth it — the foundation ensures the vibrancy of your company. While shortcuts may shave some time or offer temporary gains, they often sacrifice integrity. Your foundation comes from using multiple social media platforms to ensure you reach your whole audience. Use this foundation to gain traction.
4. Evaluate metrics. A vital component of any business is testing. You need to know what works and what doesn’t. Draper recommends continuously trying different content forms and types to watch how those perform. Use analytic tools to evaluate their effectiveness. That’s exactly what he did with his business, and when building his personal brand — he experimented.
5. Leverage organic reach. Most social media platforms are searchable. That means social media platforms generate organic traffic. Organic reach or traffic is when someone finds your content using a search tool. Even search engines like Google or Bing direct viewers to social channels. Organic reach is unpaid. By using systems and being consistent, you can boost your reach. Another way to boost organic traffic is to utilize the different formats available within each platform. For example, use Instagram stories, create reels, and post images or graphics.
Draper took a winding road from veteran to influencer. And some of his biggest challenges came while balancing his full-time job on the SWAT squad while building his real estate business and pursuing his MBA. He’s also a full-time single dad. What helped was making daily progress toward achieving his goals. He emphasizes knowing your priorities — what you’re willing and unwilling to sacrifice to reach your goals. And then don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. His personality and authenticity shine in every post and video he makes.
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