If you are trying to find ways to grow your business without social media, this post is for you!
Never before has it been so simple to launch your own business. This has been made possible in great part by the internet and especially social media. Social media offers a FREE platform for marketing our products and services. There is no disputing the benefits social media offers to increase earning potential, but I have to ask: at what cost?
The Social Dilemma...
We are becoming a society glued to our phones. We are disengaged from our community and unfamiliar with the art of true human connection.
We see this happening all the time in restaurants and coffee shops where people sit at tables with their face buried in their phone instead of talking to their friends or family members who are sitting across from them!
It's sad because it means that these people are missing out on real life experiences that could be more enjoyable than staring at a screen for hours on end. The same goes for business. If you are solely focused on growing via social media, you could be missing out on a HUGE market.
Even though it seems like everyone is doing it, you don’t have to use social media to grow your business. Yes, social media can be a great way to grow your business, but at what cost to your mental health and work-life balance?
I think it's important to note that social media is not the ONLY way to market and grow your business - and there are actually BETTER ways! The real trick is just finding out what works for you and what doesn’t, and what you enjoy... then schedule that in!
Why you might want to use social media LESS for your business
Consider this... YOU DON’T OWN YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT.🙅♀️ Think of it as rented space. If these platforms shut down or are gone one day, you lose access to all of your followers.
We assume Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc. are here to stay, but look at all the other successful apps that people have used to grow an audience and then the platform shuts down for good... There goes your marketing platform, there goes your audience, and there goes all your content. This is why it’s so important to have a website, collect emails and nurture your email list.
I'm not saying to stop using social media completely. It can play a key part in your marketing, but it shouldn't end there. We need to be using social media as a way to funnel our audience into other platforms and offers, and into a space that we have more control over (like email marketing) where you don't have to fight with algorithms.
5 ways to grow your business without social media
1. EMAIL MARKETING
You probably already know you should consider creating an email list as soon as possible. Email marketing is such an effective way of reaching our audience because emails don’t rely on algorithms like social media does. It’s a guaranteed direct line to your audience, every time. It can be a super personal way to connect with your audience and build the know, like and trust factor that we need as consumers to make a purchase decision. Offer a lead magnet to incentivize people to sign up and then once you have them on your list, communicate regularly and consistently add value.
2. BLOGGING
I often find that the word "blog" might be a little confusing. I continue to have people who inquire, "is blogging even still a thing?" Indeed, it is! As long as the internet is around, blogging will absolutely still be a thing. Think of blogs as articles — like the one you're reading right now! They let you to share your knowledge, interact with your target market, and establish yourself as an authority in your field. In order to get your website recognized on Google, blogs are a crucial component of any website strategy. Your website's association with particular subjects or topics will grow as you blog more frequently about them. We like to couple our blog and email marketing strategy together!
3. SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION
SEO complements your blog strategy but can also stand alone as a concept. In order to maximize your website's chances of appearing in search engine results, use SEO to structure your pages properly. When you build your website is the ideal moment to start focusing on SEO, and right now is a close second! SEO takes into account factors including picture size, structure, and speed as well as keyword selection and placement. If you do your SEO well, you increase your chances of ranking in Google and expand your potential for exposure without having to constantly be present on sites like social media!
4. PODCASTING
The use of podcasts is exploding and will continue to do so. You can start your own podcast OR just begin by being a guest speaker on other people's podcasts. Pitch to be a guest on a podcast when you know that your specialty or expertise will benefit the audience. Bonus if you have your freebie/lead magnet ready so that the host can add those details into the podcast show notes for their audience to join your email list! In my experience, this has been a great way to grow my own audience and email list.
4. NETWORKING & COLLABORATING
In today's digital era, business networking may be viewed as "old school," but don't discount its value. You will meet like-minded business entrepreneurs who will share ideas, tales, and strategies to help you flourish both personally and professionally. Also, it's the ideal method for forming connections (hello, word-of-mouth advertising!) and making potential business alliances or collaborations. Don’t be shy; the networking wins go to people who put themselves out there. Find an excuse to get in touch with them after the event, for deeper, real-life conversations that bring introductions and new clients. It's a smart idea to collaborate with others in your industry or complimentary industries to leverage/reach new audiences.
5. HOST AN EVENT
I am not talking about Zoom meetings and online masterclasses, but real in-person events! Virtuwell Balance is hosting a business retreat in Guatemala this year, which we hope will turn into an annual event. Nothing compares to the relationships you develop with individuals in real life. It's all a part of the human experience, but from a business standpoint, I think it's so frequently disregarded. Events offer you the chance to engage your audience in unique ways that only YOU can, whether it be through educating, entertaining, or inspiring them. You may have the most impact this way and create a lasting impression, which can assist to solidify your brand and company for days, weeks, or even years to come. Moreover, events can be a great method to simultaneously expand your email list.
Another tip: Track what’s ACTUALLY working and bringing you the most leads (and joy) so you can focus your time and attention on doing more of those things.🤗
Market in a way that feels GOOD for you!
If you’re like me and feeling tired of the ever-changing Instagram algorithm, I hope this blog has given you some inspiration for different ways to grow your business without relying purely on social media.
At the end of the day, I’m a big believer in doing what feels right and good for YOU and your business, not because someone advised you to do so. Feel free to pick the ideas from this blog post that feel aligned and that you realistically can execute in your current business setup.
Happy marketing!
XOXO
Shayah