Thriving Without Social Media: Is It Really Possible?
In an era when social media platforms often seem like the lifeline of businesses, encountering someone who has opted out of this ubiquitous norm can startle you. Yet, that's exactly the step a small business owner I met recently has taken. She has boldly decided to dismiss the mainstream social media route. Interestingly, she's not alone in this decision, and her strategy isn't as far-fetched as it may seem.
I really advocate for diversifying your marketing efforts instead of putting all your eggs in one basket. I regularly talk to clients about how to back up their socials using other strategies too. However to move away from Facebook, Insta and all the other options altogether is bold!
Consequently, I decided to explore some of the alternative marketing strategies that any business can employ. You can use these ideas alongside your social media promotion and they can help you to flourish without relying on social media.
Going Old School with Direct Outreach
Often overlooked you could look at embracing personal interaction as a form of advertising. It's a classic method, but direct outreach to potential customers can be powerful. There are a variety of methods and these include:
- cold calling,
- face-to-face meetings,
- business events,
- snail mail,
- networking,
- Email. All these things can prove that there's no denying that a personal touch can work wonders.
Hosting small-scale events or free workshops related to your product or service is also an option. It can help to create a direct link between your small business and the local community.
Professional Networking through industry conferences or local chamber of commerce meetings can lead to frequent referrals.
Have you tried collaborating with non-competing businesses . Choose ones that cater to a similar customer base can be particularly effective too.
Building on Word-of-Mouth and Referrals
Never underestimate the power of word-of-mouth marketing. According to a Nielsen study, 92% of consumers believe suggestions from friends and family more than advertising. Most of us have experienced the support of others and it can really make a difference.
Encouraging your customers to leave Google reviews will provide a real boost to you and your business. You can offer a small incentive for doing so if that sits okay with you. It is important to engage with all the feedback, both positive and negative. It shows that you care and you are engaged.
Start a referral program where you can choose to offer discounts. Perhaps some free products, or other low-cost rewards to existing customers who refer new clients. Personal recommendations carry significant influence. A well-executed referral program can generate a high return on investment.
Dominating Local SEO
However, investing time and resources into mastering local Search Engine Optimization (SEO) can be a game-changer for a small business. It's all about making your business findable when local customers are actively searching for the products or services you provide.
Work on creating a strong presence on Google Business Profile with frequent updates, photos, and customer reviews. This boosts your visibility on Google Search. It pushes you up on Google Maps. The information provided directly affects how you appear in local search results. Furthermore, ensure your business is listed correctly on other local listing sites like Yelp and other more industry specific options.
Focusing on creating rich content on your business's website can significantly improve its ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs). Starting a blog on your website is also a really smart thing to do. Consistently posting informative, value-added content optimized for relevant keywords will attract more organic traffic.
In conclusion
Opting out of using social media for business isn't as taboo as it seems. It's viable and entirely feasible to have a thriving business without posting, liking, or retweeting. It just takes a strategy shift away from the digital world's clamour to more traditional yet effective methods.
In essence, it's about going back to the simple truth. Offer valuable products or services. Genuinely care for your customers, making a human connection and they will be drawn to your business.
Nurturing and expanding those relationships will lead to referrals, and being visible on search results will attract new customers.
While social media is and will continue to be a powerful tool for growth, remember, it's just a tool. It is true that it's absence can undoubtedly be made up in other ways.
We offer many different workshops that can help you develop a strategy that does not include social media. If you would like to find out more please email us and we can have a chat about which of our in-person workshops is best for you and your business.
We can also help with one-to-one training too if that works better. Get Started
