Many people believe:
"If I want to run a successful business, then I need to be active on social media. I have to grow a large following on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or X (Twitter). That's the best way to promote my work, find customers, and get sales. Like it or not, that's just how it is."
I strongly disagree.
I deleted all of my social media accounts 10 years ago.
It was one of the best business decisions I ever made.
Leaving social media:
- Reduced
the amount of noise in my head.
- Freed up an enormous amount of time in my week.
- Made it easier to concentrate on the projects that matter.
- Nudged me to re-focus on "old school marketing," the classic moves that really work, like asking colleagues to refer business to me, speaking at events, doing podcast interviews, writing this newsletter, taking clients out for dinner, sending handwritten thank you notes, and securing word-of-mouth referrals.
My income has grown exponentially since quitting social media.
Even more importantly, my business is aligned with the way that I prefer to work and live.
I believe that social media is optional, not mandatory.
If you enjoy using it, great, and it can certainly be a powerful tool in your arsenal. But if you don't want to use it, you don't have to. It's possible to design a thriving career with or without it.
