310: How do I market my business without social media? 

Do I need social media to have a successful business?

That is a question I am sure you ask yourself every time you have to sit down and post to socials. 

While yes, social media can play a huge role in marketing your small business, I am here to tell you - you have options. 

In this episode of The Content Queen Podcast, I am giving you 3 things you can do instead of relying just on socials. 

If you LOVED this episode, make sure you share this on your Instagram stories and tag us @contentqueenmariah

⁠⁠⁠⁠LEARN THE DETAILS OF A CONTENT STRATEGY WITH MY FREE AUDIO GUIDE⁠⁠⁠⁠

KEY EPISODE TAKEAWAYS 👇

✨ The 3 things you can do if social media feels off for you  

✨ How to market your business with confidence without relying solely on social media 

✨ Why social media isn’t for everyone (and what to do instead) 

SHOW RESOURCES 👇

If you like this episode, don't forget to share it to your Instagram stories and tag me⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @contentqueenmariah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Other than that, enjoy - chat next week 💕

PODCAST TRANSCRIPTION

This is episode 310. We're talking about how to market our business without social media, without the need to be on social media 24 7. Welcome to the Content Queen Podcast. I'm your host Mariah, entrepreneur storyteller, digital nomad, creative of content bootcamp, and founder of Content Queen. With over 10 years experience in marketing, this podcast is here to help you create.

Your ideal, your perfect plan around marketing and content marketing, blending together, storytelling and strategy. So let's get into it. Hello gang. All right. We are loving this video podcast. I Am. Hair is Done and there is a little bit of makeup on my face, unlike the last solo episode that I did. But I wanna talk about this.

So what do we do if we don't wanna be consistently on social media? What if we don't want to be online all the time? There are business owners out there that, yes, don't wanna be in the limelight or [00:01:00] don't see themselves. On social media showing their whole behind the scenes, their life and all the things, and that's totally fine.

You can have a successful business without feeling the need to maybe build a personal brand or to show up in a certain way. You know, obviously gone are the days where we dance on social media unless you are a dancer. But sometimes we just see these platforms and think that's what we have to do. We have to show up and play up and be this character.

And if you love that, that is also awesome. But I'm really talking to the creatives and the intentional business owners who yes, want to build a business. Think that content and marketing. Is for them and is going to work, but don't feel the need to be on all the time. So let's explore different ways to grow without necessarily training you.

Because I've seen it, I've seen business owners succeed in the online business world [00:02:00] without having to create these big personalities online. So one of the examples that I have for you as a client that it was Instagram was one of those channels, she just didn't feel. Really aligned to, but felt like she needed to show up all the time and was comparing herself to a lot of people that were getting, you know, thousands and thousands of views and were saying how they secured six figure deals on social media, on Instagram specifically.

So she always felt like she was showing up inauthentically to chase something that she thought she wanted. And that's what happens, these social media, like all of us, as soon as we see all these people making lots of money on social media, like, oh, maybe I could do that. And it doesn't mean you have to. I think it's about connecting back with what you want and what makes sense for you.

And if it is showing up on social media, this episode can also make you think about what that authenticity looks like, what [00:03:00] feels natural for you. And I just want you to explore that as well as we go through this episode. But this client. She, she liked LinkedIn and I think what she liked about LinkedIn was her target audience was there, obviously, but she liked the fact that she didn't have to play up or play this game.

She just shared her work and shared what she loved, and that really resonated with people. But there was something about Instagram, so. We looked at the data and we looked at the stats, and actually we found that YouTube was a channel for her that performed really well, and she hadn't been on YouTube in ages.

It was just content that was performing great. Naturally. It's called evergreen content when something continues to get views after you've posted it, right? So this is what was happening for her. She saw that. This channel was performing quite well, and she really liked this channel, so we're like, okay, cool.

Yes, we can argue YouTube is a form of [00:04:00] social media, but it was a channel that she really enjoyed. So we revisited her strategy and created a plan that meant she could be on YouTube more and we could repurpose things over to Instagram, and it meant that she was still active on this platform, but she didn't feel like she had to.

Play a certain game or play a certain role, and she could just show up authentically as the educator that she was. So that's why it's important to connect with how do you wanna be seen online and what does authenticity mean for you? And that can be really hard. Be like, Hmm, how do I wanna be seen online?

So that's when we go, yeah, I don't wanna play the game. I, I, I like being seen online, like I wanna get that presence, but maybe it doesn't look like showing up on social media in the way that I feel like I have to because experts tell me that's what's trending. So let's break this down into sort of three potential pathways that you could go [00:05:00] down if what I'm saying really resonates with you.

So the first one is okay, and it's so funny that just before I recorded this podcast, and I'm actually gonna read it to you, it's someone in the DIY Content Marketing Club, which is my membership, and we have a WhatsApp group, and I decided that. You know, I wanted to share something that I was working on, but also wanted to ask what everyone was celebrating this week.

So I popped that message in. I try to show up a few times a week to check in and people can message whenever they want. And one of the person in, one of the people in the group said that what they'd learn this week is that I have so much more of a connection by actually being in the room with people and interacting with them.

And I thought that was super interesting because. Literally, that's the first point of this podcast. How can you build something outside of these social media platforms? Of course, this podcast is all about [00:06:00] content marketing, but actually it comes from a lens of organic marketing as well, and how can we utilize what we have around us, and that becomes content later.

So then showing up online is. Really a way of sharing what we've been up to in terms of who we are connecting with. Or it might just be that social media acts as a platform where we can keep in touch with the people that we've connected with. In person. So in person events, networking, whether it is in life or digital, obviously in real life, is really valuable and does create a really beautiful sense of community.

But then it can also be like guesting on other people's podcasts or collaborating with aligned. Businesses, so doing workshops or um, joint ventures with people where you are creating that sense of community outside of the social media, leveraging other people's communities with partnerships and collabs.

So if you are like, Hmm, I don't know about this whole social media thing all the time, like it feels, yeah, like a performance. Then how [00:07:00] can you connect to in person, can you host your own events as a marketing tool? Attend your own to connect with people. Collaborate. You know, I've been looking into how can I get my content bootcamp, which is my program in front of more people because I know how much it can help them and I really want to collaborate with other people.

Maybe it's a, someone that teaches, um. Sound healing and people join and learn sound healing as a part of their business, and I can come in and teach 'em how to promote their sound healing on social media or through their content. So that's like an example of a collaboration that I could do that's not always posting about my bootcamp on social media.

So who could you collaborate with this month? What events could you attend? Do you like attending events? This might not resonate with you either. It's about finding what works for you, right? So leveraging partnerships, collaborations, and networking I think is very important. And it was one of the things that I think we'll see a lot more of in 2026, people going back to the roots, business events, [00:08:00] all the things to connect.

It's a really big part of business is getting out there. Um, in a way that feels good for you, of course. The second one is grow your online presence beyond socials. So blogging being a big part of SEO, especially now with chat GBT, you'd think, oh, blogging's dead. 'cause everyone's gonna chat T. Chap GP PT is using your blog to provide the information and is referencing you.

So still means showing up in those spaces. Your email list, that direct communication with your audience without having to post it on social media and hope that it gets to them right in your email list. It goes to exactly who is there, podcasting, like this long form type of content that you can reuse and repurpose and rehash and people will find, you know, my.

My top podcasts are not always the most recent. They're the ones from the early days, which sometimes horrifies me, but it's, yeah, people go back and listen to things. This content is available whenever someone needs it, [00:09:00] whereas on social media, it's not always coming up for them unless you scroll on my profile years ago and find a post.

Right. And then YouTube, like I mentioned with the client, that was a platform where she was getting a lot of visibility. Even though we can argue it is a social media platform, of course, but it is a lot more evergreen and she was getting views and interests from videos that she'd posted six months ago or more.

So we can look at an online presence that is beyond social media and actually I encourage it. So, you know, and of course your website acts as a content channel for online presence as well. If you are not tapping into these channels, it just means that social media becomes that really dominant place for you and there's no room to move.

So maybe this year it is looking into spending a little bit less time on social media. And maybe a little bit more time building up that social presence outside of socials. And then the third one is find what you actually like in the social media space. So [00:10:00] of course you might want to still be on social media, you might wanna have a presence, but what feels good for you?

No matter what someone says, no matter how people, other people show up, what feels authentic to you, and actually the things that attract people the most is when you do show up authentically, whether you're a brand, a personal brand, a small business, whatever. If you just post things in alignment to your business values and that feels good for you, it works.

So it's interesting. I had a message on Instagram from a new follower and someone that had downloaded my audio guide and I said. You know, what were you feeling before you downloaded it? Like, where were you stuck? And she's like, just don't like social media. So I asked her, okay, well what about it do you like?

Like, do you like showing up on stories where you can kind of showcase them behind the scenes and leave? Maybe you do like that. Maybe you like commenting on other people's contents and being present in other spaces that is content at the end of the day. Or maybe you prefer [00:11:00] LinkedIn over Instagram.

Maybe Instagram just doesn't feel authentic to you. It's questioning like, if I'm on this channel, why and what about it don't I like, and how can I change that or how can I find another way to enjoy it? Because this concept that I've come up with this week is the. Of course consistency is important, no doubt.

But if you are not confident, it doesn't matter how consistent you are. If you don't believe in what you're putting out there, it really doesn't matter because people aren't gonna resonate with it. They're just not. We are energetic beings when naturally we know when we walk into a room and someone might not like us, like we get that vibe.

We are energetic beings, so if you are delivering something that's so not you, and just feels performative and you don't enjoy it. It doesn't matter if you post every day, every second day consistently for years, people are gonna see right through it. So finding what is authentic to you and finding what it looks like to show up authentically to your [00:12:00] brand.

And of course, a lot of the small business owners, yes, we might have a logo that we put on our Instagram profile, on our website. We're the founders, we're the people showing up every day. We are the people that people buy essentially when they buy our products and services. So. Yeah, what is it about a certain platform that you don't like and what do you like?

And just going with that and seeing what happens, right? And trying that out. And then of course, if there is a channel, like a long form channel, a blog, YouTube, a podcast, and you do still want that social presence, as I said, with that client that we did just repurpose. So you do have that presence, but you are not.

Showing up all the time and feeling like you have to do new things and follow the trends and do all the things. So as I wrap up, let's think about this. If social media wasn't around, I didn't have access to social media, how would I connect with my audience? What are three things that I would do? Have a think about it.

I mean, I've [00:13:00] given you some examples. Obviously the last one does involve socials. But yeah, think about it. What would that actually look like? And yeah, put it in the comments of this, this episode, if you're on Spotify, or come over to Instagram and tell me because it, I would be keen to know what you would try, what you would do what and what would get you excited, what would feel authentic, and if you need help.

Finding what that is for you? I have my Ask me anything WhatsApp group. It's $30. It's 14 business days. So not actual days. 'cause weekends we have a break and you, I can ask you some questions and we can find out a little bit of a plan for you that's gonna work. Sometimes it's someone ask you the right questions, it's gonna help you unlock what you need to do.

I was on a networking session this week and this woman showed up and she was struggling with finding what makes her joyful and some of us asked her a few questions and she was like, oh my God. I feel so much lighter. So having someone ask you the right questions is really important. So I'm [00:14:00] here. I'm here for you.

So if you wanna join the Ask Me Anything WhatsApp group, I'll put the link in the show notes and let me help you find things that are gonna work for you. I'm not gonna tell you to be on platforms that you don't wanna be on. That's not what it's about. I don't want that for you, and I think it's important to remember that.

You don't have to play to anyone else's rules or what anyone else says. What you do in your business, it's your business, and finding what works for you is the most important thing that you can do. There's gonna be thousands of opinions and thousands of plans and tactics and strategies that work, but if you don't find what yours is.

That like it doesn't matter what you try. So I challenge you to think about what does that look like if I just feel really unaligned right now with my marketing and I am here to support you if you need it. Be a content queen or king, and remember that developing your strategy and story develops your business.

And this doesn't just mean on social media. Thank you so much for joining me today, and please don't forget to share this with all your business and entrepreneurial friends. You can do this by adding [00:15:00] it to your Insta Stories if you have Instagram. If not, send them the link. We can do that too. And if you do love episodes like this, please leave a review, a rating, a comment.

I'd love to hear from you. And the more you do that, the more you interact with this podcast. The more chances we have of getting amazing guests on and delivering more content. But if there are any topics you want me to talk about or cover, if there's something you're struggling with, even if it's super niche, let me know.

Send me a message, email me at information@contentqueenmariah.com and tell me what you wanna hear about and I will add it to my list. And I'll talk to you soon. Bye.lly strong [00:42:00] Google my business presence. Loads of reviews and it definitely helps. So if you have some time just to update it.

I literally had a conversation with my, one of the girls that works in my team and she does video editing and has her own. Social media practice and business, and she's like, oh my God, I need to get my Google My Business up. So, you know, this is for all those that don't have it. Okay. And if you're also wondering where we are, we are in, not in The Bus, if you follow us, we are actually renting a room in Share House because our bus is getting renovated, which is extremely exciting.

But it means the podcast will not be from the bus. But the next time the podcast is in the bus, it's gonna look amazing. I'm absolutely so excited. So keep watching episodes. Maybe in the podcast we can do like a little tour or something. 'cause this is now like a, a vlog part. Vlog cast. But it doesn't really matter 'cause if you listen to it in your car, you'll still get the same.

But, uh, that's all for this episode. So be a content queen or [00:43:00] king, and remember that developing your strategy and story, develop your business. Thank you so much for joining us today. And if you loved having guests on, if you love seeing people like Brittany come on the show, please leave a five star review.

If you do that on Spotify, you can leave a little comment under the episode on Apple. You can scroll down to the bottom, leave a cheeky review, write a comment. I would really appreciate it. Just help to get more amazing guests on. So we can deliver great content. If you love this episode and you wanna share it, share it with an entrepreneurial friend.

You can add it to Instagram stories, tag us at content Queen Mariah, or just hit the share button and share the link. And if you have any episodes that you would like me to do, any guests, if you'd like to be a guest as well, I'm always open to guests coming on the show. Um, make sure you reach out to me on social media, tell me the topic, all the things, and I'll talk to you next week.

Bye.

PodcastMariah MacInnesmarketing, marketing advice, how to be authentic online, business ownerComment