Social media is NOT marketing

My [last email](=) ignited a fury of responses. Most replies fell into 3 camps (and 1 problematic assumption which I’ll share in a bit): 1️⃣ Contempt and disgust for social media 2️⃣ Dismay at not knowing how else to market their business without social media 3️⃣ Wish list of what they want Let's tackle 2️⃣ first. --------------------------------------------------------------- Firstly, social media is NOT marketing ​ It’s just one aspect of marketing. ​ And I don’t blame you for thinking that it’s the only way to market your business. That’s what we’ve all been led to believe. What so many business owners and creatives focus on with marketing is just the tip of the iceberg. They focus so heavily and go all in on social media or 1 single strategy without questioning why, if it yields results or if it even serves them in the first place. ​ Let’s take a step back here. ​ Why do we market our business? Most people would say for more traffic, more leads, and more sales right? ​ But do you really need more? You need higher quality traffic and leads. NOT more just for the sake of it. ​ If you’re selling a physical, inexpensive widget or spinner, then yes, more traffic could possibly equate to more sales. But when you're selling the intangible (digital products and professional services) like most of us do... ​ It really boils down to your credibility... How you own your authority... How you build trust, and ​ Serve content to guide your audience through the customer journey. Your business can't survive with just eyeballs. ​ ​The problematic assumption is that the best and only way to move forward is to axe social media completely. Why is this problematic? ​ ​ Because it pits you against social media unnecessarily. You don't need to take an all or none approach to social media. You should be hedging against it. Like an insurance of sorts. ​ ​ Let me explain. As business owners, we have the incredible privilege of being content creators and content consumers. ​ This allows us to view social media with a critical eye. What you want to do is think about why you’re engaging in social media in the first place. Think about whether you're intentional about why you're doing reels twice a week and posting stories every day... Is this something you can commit to at your stage of growth or is your time better spent elsewhere? ​ How does it even contribute to your business? ​ ​If social media was to go poof (it’s rented land after all) would your business still be able to survive? Because social media is just 1 battle. ​ There are a ton of others that I've spoken about before. ​ Memberships Premium Courses Huge launches for beginners and those in the startup phase Focusing on things that are not aligned with your stage of growth. ​ So the convo is better spent on finding a way forward that allows you to build a sustainable, resilient business - ​ - without being shackled to the woes and whims of the social media algorithms or anything else that doesn't serve you... ...and that allows you to lead through all the noise on your own terms without FOMO, or BSOs. ​ So if you want to embrace social media, do it because you want to, not because of all that pressure. ​ ​But always always keep taking steps to build a business that will survive even in the face of social media tantrums. Because this is your best protection. ​ Thoughts? Hit reply and let me know! ​ Meera P.S We can’t talk alternatives without discussing what the wish list is (No 3️⃣). I’ll tell you a list of what everyone has shared with me in my next email. P.P.S If you’re reading today's and last week's email and it has reinforced your love for social media or it's given you clarity that your business model is based on collaborations and sponsorships and building an audience on social will serve you, then kudos to you! ​ But if you've dug deeper and you realize that you’re being swayed by the quick dopamine hits, hey we've all been there! ​ Where the vanity metrics have strung us along and our worth and our content's worth starts to be measured by it. Awareness is always the first step. P.P.P.S Missed my last email? [Click here to read it](=)​ ​ [Unsubscribe]( | [Update your profile]( | 20 AMK Ave 2, SG, SG 567701