Season 4: Thriving in a changing world

Christine Lan Content Creator

Navigating social platforms for business success in a fast-evolving digital age is crucial

Let me introduce myself.

My name is Christine. I’m an actress and content creator who launched a fair trade, organic, and sustainable skincare line called “Olona Earth” during the pandemic.

While it may seem like an easy route, the truth is, I had actually planted the seed a few years before launching my skincare line.

Prior to selling any products, I cultivated an engaged audience through my social media channels under the name Eco-Amical.

I shared my values, DIY makeup, and skincare routines. This resonated with many followers who joined along and loved watching my experiments.

I grew my account slowly but steadily and received numerous questions about eco-friendly products, prompting me to share and document my discoveries.

While starting a business wasn’t initially at the forefront of my mind, it became a possibility as my audience grew. I began by making and selling my own products initially.

My handmade products were sold across four zero-waste stores in Canada, **and my social media accounts have grown to over 335 thousand followers across all my platforms.**

With the demand increasing and less time on my hands to meet demands, I now have my products manufactured.

With the power of social media, I have established myself not only in the eco-friendly skincare and makeup niche on the digital landscape but also as a leader in the sustainability world.

I have been invited to speak on panels such as “Hollywood’s Climate Summit,” as well as to speak at Montreal’s “Concordia University’s” marketing class about social media and how to use it to grow your business or personal brand.

Additionally, I have partnered with organizations such as the US State Department, TED Countdown, and Nature Conservancy, just to name a few. Here are some key points to help you grow your brand.

Nurturing your passion is the key to long term success

Passion and perseverance are crucial in any business endeavor. Selling something you’re passionate about and believe in makes the entire process easier.

Running a business is like caring for a baby; you’re working around the clock, so it should be a labor of love.

As a business owner I’m constantly learning to solve problems and trying to make the experience better for each customer.

How to harness the power of social media

As I became accustomed to creating video content through my social media channel Eco-Amical, I realized the power of this cost-effective marketing tool and the importance of repurposing content for multiple platforms.

Having a strong social media presence is essential for any business in today’s digital age.

Posting on social media and showing up as a consistent figure and voice helps your audience recognize and want to learn more from you.

It’s like a friend or big sister sharing and helping you along the way.

Don’t worry about perfection, this is not the place to be perfect.

Your customer and audience will like it when you are authentic, share your struggles, your victories and your journey as a brand.

Document the process. 

Utilize various types of content such as trends, music, dances, educational content, storytimes, and comedy to get the same message across, everyone learns in a different way.

Diversify platforms and establish brand identity

Avoiding platform dependency is crucial.

While social media platforms can be powerful tools, they’re not owned by us and can disappear at any time.

It’s essential to diversify and focus on growing multiple platforms while starting a mailing list to stay connected with your audience outside of social media.

Develop a mission statement and stand by your brand values.

With each video posted make sure this message is always conveyed.

Your community will start to grow with like-minded individuals.

Not everyone will like what you have to offer, but that’s ok because you only need to attract your people.

Resonating with Gen Z is key

Gen Z consumes more content on social media than on traditional media or even radio.

This is where their attention lies. If you can capture the love of Gen Z for your product, they will, in turn, inform other generations about its amazingness, potentially leading to widespread love for the product.

Word of mouth is the best form of advertising.

Embrace social media to build trust and relatability for your brand

In conclusion, don’t shy away from social media and its ever-growing landscape.

It can help build, scale, create trust, and establish relatability for your brand.

It provides a free platform to promote your products and convey your message effectively.

Remember, perfection is not necessary because nobody is perfect, and people prefer to buy from individuals they can relate to and who share their values.

While social media may seem daunting, it is also an enjoyable space to connect with your audience and gain insights into your customers’ needs.

Embrace the opportunity to cultivate your brand on social media; after all, it is here to stay, so leverage it to your advantage.