30/03/2026
๐ข๐ช๐ก๐๐ ๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ฅ๐๐ก๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ฆ: _He Built on the Landlords piece of Land_
(Do you own a business with social media pages or own a brand build around social media? Donโt skip this.)
*Long Post Alert, But it will save you from a potential heart attack.*๐
Some months back I was contacted by the owner of a popular blog. They had spent years building a really strong blog with massive influence and followers on Facebook till all hell broke loose.
The worst had happened. When I picked up the call and she introduced herself I was delighted to finally meet her and was wondering what could have brought her to me.
So she said she got my number from a friend and that she had recently lost her page due to claims from Facebook that she had an infringed Facebook policy.
According to her she had received warning prior to this incident but could not understand what was going wrong as the issue was not clearly stated. So I knew I had to do whatever I could to help.
While digging into the issue I noticed she was sent an email which gave her some few days to appeal the issue but she was not aware of the emails and unfortunately the time had elapsed and so the decision was final, her 7 years work, followers and brand had just been painfully snatched from her by the โ landlordโ by that I mean Facebook.
There was very little I could do. It takes a lot of back and forth with facebook to get the page back and the chances are very slim,
You are wondering why I am taking my time to share this with you during my free time rather than going to watch pet videos on Facebook. I don't know why Iโm so attracted to those pet videos though.
๐ Back to why I am telling you this.
A sudden policy change or infringement on Facebook or Instagram or any other platform can lead to the abrupt shutdown of your pages.
In an instant, you can lose direct contact with the thousands of followers. Your village people would have finally gotten you.
๐For an online dependent business this will have devastating effects like drop in sales , customer engagement plummeted, and your visibility taking a massive hit. As they say, Don't build your house on another manโs land.
'S FROM HER WOES.
Her story isn't unique. Many companies rely heavily on social media to engage with their audience, often overlooking the fragility of these platforms. Social media is, after all, like rented land.
You don't own it, and the landlord can change the rules or even evict you at any moment. The consequences of such an event can be catastrophic for businesses that don't have alternative communication channels with their customers.
๐OWNING YOUR DIGITAL ESTATE.
This is what I advise especially big brands and businesses that are built around social platforms to do, While you maintain an active presence on social media, prioritize building your own databases and get your audience to a private platform you own.
You can do this by collecting email addresses through valuable content offerings, exclusive deals, and early access to new products etc. Create a controlled WhatsApp groups for direct communication with their clients or followers of your brand.
In the case of a social media shutdown you will continue to thrive, maintaining strong customer relationships and stable sales.
You Should Build Your Own Online Estate
1.Control and Ownership: When you have an email list or a WhatsApp group, you own that data. You control how and when you communicate with your audience. No sudden policy changes or platform outages can take that away from you.
2.Direct Communication: Emails and messages in WhatsApp groups are direct and personal. They have a higher chance of being seen and engaged with compared to social media posts, which can easily get lost in the noise.
3.Enhanced Customer Relationships: Direct communication channels allow for more personalized interactions, fostering stronger relationships with your customers. This personal touch can significantly boost customer loyalty and retention.
4.Better Analytics: With your own database, you can track customer engagement more effectively. This data provides valuable insights into your customers' preferences and behaviors, enabling you to tailor your marketing strategies more precisely.
๐Where to Start
1.Create Valuable Content: Offer content that your audience finds valuable. This could be in the form of newsletters, e-books, exclusive articles, or early access to new products. Make sure to capture email addresses in exchange for this content.
2.Engage Through Multiple Channels: Don't just rely on one method. Use a combination of email, SMS, and WhatsApp groups to reach your audience. This diversification ensures that you can communicate with your customers even if one channel faces issues.
3.Incentivize Sign-Ups: Offer incentives for joining your email list or WhatsApp group. This could be discounts, special offers, or exclusive content. Make it clear to your audience that they will receive valuable benefits by signing up.
4.Maintain Regular Contact: Once you have built your database, maintain regular contact with your audience. Send out newsletters, updates, and exclusive offers. Ensure that your communication is consistent but not overwhelming.
In the digital age, owning your customer data is more important than ever. Social media platforms are useful tools for engagement, but they should not be the ultimate of your customer relationship strategy.
By building and maintaining your own database, you ensure that you have a reliable and direct line of communication with your customers. This approach not only safeguards your business against the uncertainties of social media but also fosters stronger, more personalized relationships with your audience.
Social media is rented land. Your email list and WhatsApp groups etc are your own land, and that's where you should build your future."
Start building your database today, and secure your company's future against the unpredictability of the digital Landlords.
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