Marketing Without Social Media
Have you ever felt trapped by social media, like it's the only way to grow your business? I totally get it—it’s something I struggled with, too. As a young entrepreneur and a University of Washington graduate with a dual degree in Marketing and Business Administration, I’ve built my own digital marketing agency. And here's the twist: I’ve managed to grow it successfully both with and without relying on social media.
So what if I told you that you don’t need to be chained to your Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook accounts to see your business thrive? In fact, two years ago, I did something that might sound shocking—I broke up with social media. Yup, I stepped away from Instagram, and surprisingly, my farewell post got more engagement than anything I’d ever posted before!
The truth is, for a long time, I believed social media was a necessary evil for any entrepreneur. How else would you get leads and build awareness, right? But the reality is that social media doesn’t have to be your only—or even your primary—strategy for growth. And you definitely don’t need to quit cold turkey either. It’s all about having a well-rounded, intentional marketing strategy in place that makes social media just one of many tools you can use.
Here’s what I learned: You can transition away from social media by gradually building up other marketing strategies. For me, stepping back from social was possible because I already had systems in place that were working—things like SEO, content creation, and relationship-building through various channels.
But before you jump on the latest marketing trend or think that cutting out social media is your quick-fix solution, let’s take a step back. This decision is a big one, and it should be made with the same care as any investment. Much like choosing between volatile cryptocurrency and stable real estate, your marketing strategy needs to align with your goals, risk tolerance, and long-term vision.
Are you looking for fast, short-term sales or are you playing the long game, building trust with your clients over time? Just like with financial investments, your approach to marketing depends on factors like your business model, your audience, and your available resources.
Let’s break it down further:
Step 1: Know your audience and your offering. Who are you really speaking to? Get specific about your Ideal Client Avatar (ICA)—not just their age or location, but what really drives them, what keeps them up at night, and what makes them tick. If you skip this step, it’s like throwing darts without knowing where the target is.
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Step 2: Familiarize yourself with non-social media marketing tools. From SEO to email marketing, PR to ads, there’s a vast ocean of options. And the key is understanding what will work best for your business. Some strategies take time, others take money. Are you building your own audience, or borrowing someone else's through guest appearances and partnerships?
Step 3: Choose the tools that fit your business like a glove. Evaluate what aligns with your skills, budget, and business needs. You might find that the right tool for your business isn’t even on the mainstream list—and that’s perfectly fine.
Step 4: Implement before quitting social media. If social media is bringing in leads for you right now, don’t ditch it overnight. Focus on building up other strategies first so you can confidently say goodbye when the time is right.
For me, SEO, content creation, and strong client relationships have been my go-to strategies, and they’ve allowed me to grow my business without being tethered to social media. Now, I enjoy the freedom of running a multi-six-figure business, without spending hours scrolling or posting on Instagram or Facebook.
Whether you’re ready to break free from social media or just want a healthier balance, it all starts with a solid strategy. And trust me, with the right tools, you won’t even miss it!