The 6 Secrets To Influencing In Business

In the digitally-driven, fast-moving world we all live and work in, delivering business success online is no longer just about having a large following or posting pretty pictures to Instagram. It has to go deeper than that.

In 2025, successful businesses know it’s all about building trust, creating authentic connections and delivering value to your audience.

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What Are The Secrets To Influencing Business in 2025?

Whether you’re an aspiring influencer, a seasoned content creator, or a business looking to leverage digital marketing, understanding the secrets to influencing business is crucial to your success now and in the future.

From consistency and authentic content creation to staying ahead of trends, I have seen how effective it can be with clients of all sizes.

In my 20+ years, I've seen trends come and go, so as we head into 2025, here’s my comprehensive guide to mastering the art of influence in business.

1. Consistency is Key

One thing I've learned about all else is that consistency is the backbone of any successful influencing strategy. It’s not enough to post sporadically or only when you feel inspired.

Your audience needs to know they can rely on you for regular, high-quality engaging content.

Consistency builds trust, it keeps your audience engaged and helps you stay at top-of-mind (and their timeline).

• Content Schedule: Develop a content calendar that outlines what you’ll post and when, including the promotional social media posts that go with them. Whether it’s daily, weekly, or bi-weekly, stick to a schedule that works for you and your audience. I guarantee this will save you TIME and MONEY. It might feel like a chore, but trust me, you'll be so glad you did.

  
  

• Brand Voice and Aesthetic: Maintain a consistent tone, style and visual aesthetic across all your posts. This helps create a cohesive brand identity that your audience can easily recognise.

  
  

• Engagement: Consistently engage with your audience by responding to comments, messages and feedback. This shows that you value their input and are committed to building a relationship with them.

Consistency doesn’t mean posting the same thing over and over again. It’s about delivering a steady stream of varied content that aligns with your brand and resonates with your audience.

2. Authentic Content Creation

In a world saturated with bland, copy-n-pasted content, authenticity really stands out. Audiences these days are very savvy and can quickly spot when someone is being genuine versus when they’re just trying to sell something or jump on the latest bandwagon.

Authentic content creation is about being true to yourself, sharing your unique perspective, and creating content that adds value.

• Tell Your Story: Share your personal experiences, challenges and successes. People connect with stories and your authenticity will help you build a loyal following.

• Be Transparent: If you’re partnering with a brand or promoting a product, be upfront about it. Disclose sponsored content and only promote or recommend products or services you genuinely believe in.

• Focus on Value: Create content that educates, entertains or inspires your audience. Whether it’s a how-to guide, a behind-the-scenes look or a motivational post, make sure your content serves a purpose. If you don't care about it, neither will your customers.

Authenticity builds trust and trust is the foundation of influence.

When your audience knows they can rely on you to be genuine, they’re more likely to engage with your content and take your recommendations seriously.

3. Leveraging Multiple Platforms

Gone are the days when business could influence their audience by focusing solely on just one platform. It's outdated and will harm your business

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Today, successful businesses leverage multiple platforms to reach a wider audience and diversify their content. At P45 Consultancy, we utilise Facebook, BlueSky, Instagram, Substack and LinkedIn.

Each platform has its own unique strengths (and weaknesses, or shall we say 'limitations') so using them strategically will help you maximise your reach and impact.

• Instagram: Ideal for visual storytelling, Instagram is perfect for sharing photos, videos and Stories. Use features like Reels, IGTV and Guides to keep your content fresh and engaging.
  

• YouTube: As the second-largest search engine after Google, YouTube is a powerful platform for long and short-form video content. Create tutorials, vlogs or product reviews to showcase your expertise.
  

• TikTok: With its short-form, viral content, TikTok is a great platform for reaching younger audiences. Use trending sounds, challenges and hashtags to boost your visibility. This blog dedicated to marketing on TikTok might also be of interest.
  

• LinkedIn: For B2B companies or those in professional industries, LinkedIn can a valuable platform for sharing thought leadership content and networking with other professionals.
  

• Blogs and Websites: Don’t underestimate the power of owning your own platform. If you haven't got one already, a website or just a blog allows you to create in-depth content (like this), improve your SEO and have full control over your brand's messaging.

By diversifying your presence across multiple platforms, you can reach different segments of your audience and adapt your content to suit each platform’s unique format and audience preferences.

4. Engaging with Your Audience

Business is a two-way street. It’s not just about broadcasting your message on social media or your website; it’s also about building a community and fostering meaningful connections with your audience.

Engagement is what turns passive followers into active supporters and online advocates.

• Respond to Comments and Messages: Take the time to reply to all comments and any DMs. This shows your audience that you value their input and are willing to engage with them on a personal level.
  

• Ask Questions: Encourage interaction by asking your audience questions in your posts or Stories. This not only boosts engagement, but also gives you valuable insights into their preferences and opinions.
  

• Host Live Sessions: Live videos on platforms like Instagram, Facebook or YouTube allow you to connect with your audience in real-time. Use these sessions to answer questions, share updates or provide exclusive content.
  

• Create User-Generated Content: Encourage your followers to create content related to your brand or niche. Share their posts on your profile to show appreciation and build a sense of community.

Engagement is what sets successful business apart from traditional advertisers. By actively interacting with your audience, you create a sense of loyalty and that can’t be achieved through one-way communication.

5. Collaborating with Brands and Other Influencers

Collaboration is a powerful way to expand your businesses reach, build credibility and create new opportunities.

Whether it’s partnering with complementary brands, working with local community groups, non-profits or charities who work in areas you're passionate about supporting, or teaming up with online influencers, collaborations can take your business to the next level.

• Brand Partnerships: Work with other brands that complement your business and align with your values / niche. Choose partnerships that feel natural and authentic to your brand and focus on creating content together that resonates with both your audiences.

• Influencer Collaborations: Partner with other businesses or influencers to cross-promote each other’s content. This can help you (and them) tap into new audiences and gain exposure to potential followers who will be customers.

• Affiliate Marketing: Join affiliate programs to earn commissions by promoting appropriate products or services. This can be a lucrative way to monetise your influence and your blog while providing value to your audience.

• Co-Creation: Collaborate with brands or influencers to co-create products, content or events. This not only strengthens your relationship with your partners, but also gives your audience something unique and exciting to engage with.

I firmly believe that collaborations are a win-win for everyone involved. They allow you to leverage the strengths and audiences of others, while providing fresh and valuable content to your community.

6. Staying Informed and Adapting to New Trends

The world of business is constantly evolving and staying ahead of the curve is essential for long-term success. That shouldn't be news to anyone.

New platforms, trends and technologies emerge regularly and businesses who can adapt quickly tend to be the ones who thrive.

• Follow Industry News: Stay up-to-date with the latest trends, algorithm changes that may affect your SEO and best practices in your specific industry. Follow relevant industry blogs, attend webinars and join online communities to stay informed and connect with others.

• Experiment with New Formats: Don’t be afraid to try new content formats or platforms, even if they are niche now, they may blow-up and you'll have got in on the ground floor! Whether it’s experimenting with TikTok trends, creating interactive Stories or exploring emerging platforms like Substack and Vero, staying innovative keeps your content fresh and engaging, just don't duplicate your content. Keep it specific, tailored and optimised for the platform you're using.

• Analyse Your Performance: Regularly review your analytics across all the platforms you're on to understand what content's working and what’s not. Use this data to refine your strategy and focus on the content that resonates most with your audience.

  

  Photo by Georgia de Lotz on Unsplash

• Adapt to Changes: Be flexible and willing to pivot when necessary. Whether it’s a shift in audience preferences or a new algorithm, adapting to changes quickly will help you stay relevant and competitive. For example, because the toxic atmosphere and misinformation, there's been a huge shift away from X (formerly Twitter) to BlueSky. Keep an eye on your metrics (as per my previous point) because what's popular and working today for you and your audience, may not be tomorrow.

  
  

Fundamentally, I'd strongly encourage you to stay informed and be adaptable. This will ensure that you’re always one step ahead (or adaptable to pivot quickly if necessary) and ready to capitalise on new opportunities and navigate challenges with ease.

Conclusion

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." - Philippians 2:3-4

I hope I've shown you that influencing in business is both an art and a science. It requires creativity, strategy and a deep understanding of your audience.

By focusing on consistency, authentic content creation, leveraging multiple platforms (both new and old), engaging with your audience as it grows, collaborating with like-minded brands and staying informed about new trends, you can build a powerful and sustainable career.

Remember, influence in business is not just about numbers; it’s about impact.

Whether you’re inspiring your followers, driving sales for a brand, or creating meaningful connections, the true measure of success lies in the value you bring to your audience.

So, embrace these secrets I've gleaned over 20+ years, stay true to your authentic self and watch your business grow.

By mastering these strategies, you’ll not only influence your business, but also create a lasting legacy that goes beyond likes and followers.

The future of digital marketing is bright, and with the right approach, you can be at the forefront of these exciting developments. I have no doubt you can grow your business in an ever-evolving world, no matter what your industry is. #BelieveInSuccess

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Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I do appreciate the time you've taken. I hope it's given you food for thought. If so, I'd love to know what you think. How do you approach the online space in 2025? Have you changed your content strategy in recent months or have you found a plan that works for you? Let me know in the comments below.

If you need any assistance with your own content, from the planning and designing through to delivery, then our team are here to help. From copywriting, branding and video production, we have the skills and the experience to make a real difference to you. Get in touch and let's at least have a conversation about how we can help you grow.

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