In our hyper-connected digital age, the world seems to spin on the axis of social media. We tweet, we like, we share, and we follow—social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. For businesses, it’s no different. Sometime it just seems like you cant Grow Your Business Without Social Media.
Social media may seem like a marketing hotspot for businesses, but it’s not the only way you can go about growing your business. If you were to ask anyone for tips on how to grow your business, you’re almost always likely to get an answer along the lines of “use social media.” Granted, it can be a powerful tool for businesses to promote their products or services, reach and engage with customers, and build brand awareness, but it is just ONE aspect of a successful business. There’s more to the secret of a successful business than social media. In fact, some highly successful businesses don’t even use social media at all!
How is this possible? Keep reading, it gets better..
Social media platforms have revolutionized the way businesses interact with their audience. They offer unparalleled reach and engagement, making them an essential tool in the modern marketer’s arsenal. But as the saying goes, “all that glitters is not gold.” Businesses are starting to realize that the social media landscape is crowded and competitive. The space of social media has become somewhat like a carnival where too many people are clamoring for a spotlight, it’s ridiculous. Many creatives are taking a new approach to show up for themselves and growing their businesses – and social media’s not in their list of options. So what do they opt for?
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Networking
In the days before social media even became a thing, networking was the go-to for business marketing. It may seem ‘old school’ in this digital age, but networking is actually one of the most effective ways to market your business. How do you think the idea of some of the prominent tech companies we have today got hatched? By attending live events and meeting like-minded business owners, you will not only gain useful tips to help you succeed, you will also create connections that could lead to future partnership or collaborations, introduction to new clients, and forge friendships. Guaranteed, there is nothing more persuasive than word-of-mouth magic. Just don’t be shy.
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Email Marketing
Email marketing is another direct and effective way of reaching out to your audience and potential clients. It’s the mode of communication for most successful businesses. Rather than drowning in the endless scroll of social media, highly successful businesses carefully choose when and how they engage with their audience. Their communication is meaningful and purposeful, rather than frequent and superficial. These businesses don’t rely on some algorithm to determine which message gets to who, and neither should you. Personalized emails can have a more significant impact than social media posts.
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Offer Referral Incentives
Imagine a business that doesn’t rely on a million likes or a legion of followers. Instead, they bank on the old-school principles of quality and customer satisfaction. Such businesses prioritize delivering exceptional products or services consistently that would leave their customers deeply impressed. Now imagine this deeply-impressed customers had a network they wanted to share your exceptional product with, and could earn commission by referring them… Two plus two equals a ripple effect of referrals. Satisfied customers are the best marketing team money can’t buy.
While social media undoubtedly offers tremendous opportunities, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. You can try the three methods listed above before deciding to dance around for TikTok or become a victim of the Instagram algorithm. By networking, email marketing, and offering referral incentives, you can grow your business. It’s time to look beyond the glittering allure of social media and explore the roads less traveled on the journey to business success.
