Marketing your business

How to Grow Your Business Without Relying on Social Media

October 01, 20244 min read

If you’re feeling burned out from trying to keep up with social media trends, you’re not alone. Many coaches, therapists, and holistic practitioners feel the same pressure—the constant need to post, engage, and create content can feel overwhelming, not to mention it takes valuable time away from what you love most: serving your clients. Find out what's missing from YOUR website to make it show up when people Google what you offer!

The Hidden Downsides of Social Media

While social media can be an excellent way to get your name out there, it comes with several drawbacks:

  • Time-consuming: You’re likely spending hours planning content, engaging with followers, and responding to comments.

  • Algorithm changes: Every few months, platforms like Instagram and Facebook change their algorithms, meaning you could lose visibility overnight.

  • Content fatigue: It’s easy to feel burned out by the need to constantly produce fresh content to stay relevant.

  • Limited lifespan: Social media posts have a very short shelf life. A typical Instagram post has about 48 hours of relevance before it’s buried in the feed.

A Better Way to Attract Clients Online

What if I told you that you don’t need to rely on social media to build a thriving business? In fact, there are several powerful alternatives that can help you grow your practice sustainably, without the daily grind of posting and liking.

Martine Thomassen - Digital Marketing Coach

Why SEO is the Game-Changer for Coaches, Therapists, and Practitioners

One of the most effective ways to attract clients without relying on social media is through Search Engine Optimization (SEO). In simple terms, SEO is just a fancy way of saying: "making your website appear first when people use search engines, like Google, to find what they are looking for". Here’s why SEO is a game-changer for your business:

  1. Clients are already searching for you: Over 93% of online experiences begin with a search engine. When someone is looking for a therapist, coach, or holistic practitioner, they’re most likely typing keywords like "life coach near me" or "trauma-informed therapy" into Google.

  2. 24/7 visibility: Unlike social media, where posts disappear after a day or two, your SEO-optimized content works for you around the clock. Once your content is live and ranking well, it can bring you consistent traffic for months or even years.

  3. Authority and trust: When your website shows up on the first page of Google, it signals to potential clients that you’re a trusted expert in your field. In fact, 75% of users never scroll past the first page of search results.

  4. Quality over quantity: SEO allows you to attract people who are actively searching for your services—meaning they’re much more likely to convert into paying clients. Compare that to social media, where followers may or may not be your ideal client.

The Statistics Speak for Themselves

  • Organic search drives 53% of all website traffic, while social media accounts for only 5% (BrightEdge).

  • 70-80% of people ignore paid ads and focus solely on organic results when searching (Search Engine Journal).

  • Businesses that prioritize blogging as part of their SEO strategy are 13x more likely to see positive ROI (HubSpot).

Get a FREE website audit to find out how you can get more clients with your website!

How to Grow Without Social Media: A 3-Step Plan

Ready to take a breather from social media and still grow your business? Here’s how:

  1. Optimize your website: Your website is your digital storefront. Make sure it's optimized for search engines by including relevant keywords, clear calls to action, and easy navigation.

  2. Create evergreen content: Start a blog or resource section on your website where you post high-quality, informative content that answers common questions your clients are searching for. This not only helps with SEO but also positions you as an authority in your niche.

  3. Leverage local SEO: If you’re a coach or therapist working with clients in specific locations, local SEO can help you show up in searches for "therapist near me" or "life coach [your city]." Make sure your Google My Business profile is up to date and optimized with your services and keywords.

Make a Solid Marketing Plan

While social media can be a useful tool, it’s not the only path to success. By diversifying your marketing strategy and focusing on long-term approaches like SEO, you can create a sustainable business model that doesn’t rely on constantly chasing the next trend. Need a hand with that? Let's start by discovering what's missing from your website in order to get found by the right people!

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