Marketing without social media: a calm, kind, sustainable alternative

Last year, my business felt like a rollercoaster. Some months, I’d have no enquiries at all, and other times, I’d be overwhelmed with requests. There was no consistency, no predictability – just quiet periods of no enquiries followed by intense bursts of busyness.

This kind of inconsistency started to feel unsustainable. While I was still financially managing, it made it impossible to build solid structures and grow my business. I couldn’t plan ahead, and I couldn’t confidently outsource or hire because I never knew if the work would keep coming.

I started to feel super frustrated and, at times, question everything: Does this business model even work? Am I going to have to find something else?

It wasn’t a great headspace to be in.

Then I hit one of the quietest periods I’d ever experienced in my business.

Table of Contents

Being a content creation machine

If you’ve been running a business for any length of time, you’ve probably asked the question – is it possible to do marketing without social media?

You’ve likely felt the pressure of constantly creating content – social media posts, email newsletters, blogs, and more. It’s never-ending, and the demand to keep producing fresh content can be exhausting.

Social media might give you a quick burst of visibility, but it’s often fleeting. A post can go viral one day and fade away the next, buried under the weight of the next trend or algorithm change. And with those algorithms constantly shifting, it feels impossible to keep up.

Blogging, too, can start to feel like just another task on an endless to-do list. Without a clear strategy, it often brings minimal return, leaving you pouring in effort but not seeing much payoff.

It’s easy to get discouraged when you’re working hard, but the results don’t reflect your efforts. Content creation can feel like a time sink with no real rewards, and eventually, you start questioning whether all this effort is even worth it.

With all this rattling around in my head, I found myself at a crossroads.

But, instead of hustling, marketing, and promoting on social media – where I’d always felt like I was shouting into a void – I decided to try something different.

An alternative to social media marketing

Social media had never been a strong source of enquiries for me. It demanded so much time and energy, but the return on investment just wasn’t there.

And if I’m honest, I never liked the way it made me feel. Constantly pushing, constantly performing, constantly at the mercy of an algorithm, goes deeply against my ethical small business philosophy.

I was definitely looking for a non-social media marketing approach.

So instead, I turned to search engine optimisation (SEO).

In simple terms, this meant making my website easy to find for the people already searching for the kind of work I do. Rather than chasing potential clients, I created a system that allowed them to find me – at their own pace, in their own time, when they were truly ready.

And that shift changed everything:

• Enquiries flow in consistently and effortlessly – without me needing to post on socials or do any active marketing beyond refining and optimising my website.

• I’ve had my highest and most consistent income months ever, and my biggest earning financial year to date.

• I’ve hired two website designers to support me.

• Instead of spending my energy on marketing, I get to focus on what I truly love—designing, working with clients, and creating websites that make a real impact.

• And the best part? I’m fully enjoying my business again because I no longer have to worry about where the next enquiry is coming from.

See the actual results

 This graph shows the number of times my site appeared in search results (purple line) and the number of clicks I received (blue line) over the last 12 months.

The results speak for themselves:

• Consistent growth – from near-zero visibility to thousands of impressions each month.

• Steady increase in clicks – more people are not only finding me but actively choosing to visit my website (and submit an enquiry form!).

• Sustainable, long-term momentum – unlike social media, which requires constant posting, my SEO efforts continue to build upon themselves.

Instead of fighting against the algorithm, I optimised my site so that the right people could find me – at the right time, in the right way.

Non social media marketing that’s kind, calm and gentle on the nervous system

One of the things I love most about this shift is how much more aligned it feels with my overall business philosophy. It’s calmer, steadier, and far more sustainable – not just for my workload, but for my nervous system too.

Unlike social media, SEO doesn’t require me to perform for an algorithm or churn out content just to stay visible.

When you approach content creation strategically with SEO, your website becomes a long-term asset that continues to bring in people who are actively searching for what you offer.

And then you can focus on doing what you really love.

If you’ve ever felt drained by social media or uncertain about how to create consistency in your business, I get it. And if you're wondering whether there’s another way? There absolutely is.

Results from our clients

“My counselling business was pretty slow and I had lost momentum, but since having Alana’s SEO support I am not only seeing a bounce back in client enquiries but it is higher than it has ever been.

I hadn’t ever really made the connection between client enquiries and my blog posts, but with Alana’s support, my posts have an increase in traffic which means I can speak to people who are specifically in my target audience. 

The tips and strategies that Alana gave me for posting my blogs have changed the way that I approach the whole process and have made me realise that that way I was doing it was basically a waste of my time. 

Now I feel excited about blogging and more empowered in creating traffic and interest which inspires me to create more in my business. The value in this is priceless.

With my new-found awareness of SEO and the potential of it for my business, I am feeling less chained to the grind of Social Media which honestly, has not been working for me for a long time. I now see where I get the best investment for my time and energy and can create content feeling confident that it is actually going to have an ongoing benefit to my business.”

- Nicole Mathieson, relationship counsellor

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Starter guide: 8 tips to help you market and grow your business without social media

If you’re tired of constantly creating content for unethical platforms that feel out of your control and would love a more predictable, sustainable way to get found online, here’s a SEO starters guide to help get your website working for you:

Step 1: Keyword Research

Honestly, this is where it all needs to start and it’s where I see most businesses dropping the ball. If you don’t do this… then SEO ain’t going to work.

Begin by identifying the keywords your ideal clients are using to find services like yours and the words they are using about particular problems or needs they have. In other words, you need to understand your client’s language and what they are typing into Google.

Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or – my favourite – the SEOSpace Keyword Explorer (that’s an affiliate link btw) to find these keywords. Here’s a great video on keyword research which should help to get you started.

Step 2: Optimise Your Content

Now you have your keyword, you’re ready to roll

• SEO Page Titles: Make sure each page title includes your primary keyword.

• Meta Descriptions: Write clear, concise meta descriptions with your target keywords.

• Headings and Content: Use keywords naturally in headings (H1, H2) and throughout your content. Avoid keyword stuffing and focus on readability.

• Alt-Text for Images: Optimise your images with descriptive alt-text that includes relevant keywords to improve accessibility and help Google understand your visuals.

Step 3: Technical Optimisation

Use a tool like the SEO Space plugin (that’s an affiliate link btw) to perform a technical audit. It’ll identify areas that need improvement – like image sizes, broken links, or any technical issues hindering your site’s performance.

Step 4: Set Up Google Search Console

Google Search Console is essential for tracking your website’s performance. Set it up, verify your site, and submit your sitemap. This ensures your pages are indexed properly and helps you see where you can improve.

Step 5: Regularly update your content

Google loves fresh content (like, loves it and wants to marry it!). Revise your blog posts, service pages, or any other content that needs a little updating. You don’t have to start from scratch – in fact, refreshing an old blog post might be a better use of your time, rather than writing something brand new.

Hot Tip: When you refresh a blog post, update the publish date to signal to Google that your content is fresh and relevant. And then share your content on social media and in your newsletter. The more people engage with your content, the more Google will recognise its value, which in turn can boost your rankings.

Step 6: Add a Table of Contents

A table of contents at the top of your blog posts (just like I’ve done in this article) improves your visitor’s experience and helps Google better understand the structure of your page. It’s especially useful for long-form content, making it easier for visitors to navigate. And, well Google loves it! I’m a big fan of this plugin for Squarespace.

Step 7: Add an Author Bio

Including an author bio at the end of your posts adds authority to your content. It tells Google – and your readers – that you’re an expert in your field. It also gives your audience a personal connection to the content. If you’re on Squarepace, this article explains how to do that (it’s super easy!)

Step 8: add Internal links

Internal links help Google understand the structure of your website and how your pages are connected. By linking to relevant blog posts, pages, and services, you can keep people on your site longer, which also helps with SEO. Plus, it builds authority on your key pages.

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Frequently asked questions on marketing without social media

• Can I do marketing without social media?

  Yes, absolutely. Marketing without social media is not only possible – it can be calmer, more strategic, and more sustainable. Tools like SEO (search engine optimisation), email marketing, and strong website content help you attract people who are already searching for what you offer. You’re not shouting into the void – you’re showing up where people are already looking.

• Can I have a successful business without social media?

  You absolutely can. Many small businesses (including us here at Alana Jade Studio) are quietly thriving without relying on social media. When your website is well-optimised for search engines and clearly speaks to your audience, you create a steady, reliable stream of enquiries. It's about building long-term discoverability – not chasing the next trend.

• What are the alternatives to social media marketing?

  There are plenty of alternatives that don’t rely on algorithms or constant posting. Some of the most effective include SEO and website optimisation, email newsletters, blogging (with a content and SEO strategy), word-of-mouth and referrals, online directories or Google Business Profile. These methods often take less energy and build stronger foundations for long-term visibility.

• How do I market to people not on social media?

  Most people use Google (and more and more AI search platforms) to find what they need – whether it's a service, a local provider, or answers to specific questions. By using SEO, you can reach these people through your website and blog content. Instead of trying to “capture attention,” you’re making it easy for the right people to find you, when they’re ready.

• Can you run a small business without social media?

  You can, and many do (you’re looking at one right now!). Social media is one option – not the only one. If you focus on making your website work well (think: SEO, helpful content, and clear messaging), you can consistently attract clients without needing to show up daily on socials.

• Do small businesses need social media?

  No, not necessarily. Social media can be useful, but it’s not essential. If it doesn’t feel aligned, or if it’s not producing results, it’s okay to step back. There are other ways – like SEO – that are more sustainable and often more effective for service-based businesses in the long run.

• What happens if a business doesn't use social media?

  Without social media, you’re not automatically invisible. In fact, you can become more intentional with your marketing. It encourages you to focus on deeper, more strategic efforts – like SEO, building a great client experience, and sharing thoughtful content that works for your audience over time (not just for the algorithm).

• Can you be successful without being on social media?

  100% yes. Success looks different for everyone, but it doesn’t have to be tied to constant posting. When you focus on building a solid, discoverable website and delivering real value through content, your business can grow in a way that feels good – and lasts – Alana Jade Studio is a great example of this.

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Need a hand getting of social media?

By optimising your website for SEO, you can create a system where the right people find you, without the constant churn of social media. It’s a more sustainable way to build momentum, generate inquiries, and grow your business with ease.

If you need a hand, we’re just about to release our new SEO packages. Join the waitlist to be the first to know.