Unleash the Power of Organic Growth: 6 Tips for Promoting Yourself and Your Business on Social Media Without Ads
Meet Meagan Rose- a designer and entrepreneur inspired by her hobby.
Meagan Rose founded MRose Designs Canada and has been running it since September, 2022. Her story of 9-5 escape is one I wanted to post on this Free At 50 blog in January. Why? because it's National Hobby Month and her hobby is front and center of her new life. She's been in the marketing space for over 14 years and actually started in marketing because of her motorcycle license!
Yes, Meagan LOVES riding. She told me how truly grateful she is for this adventure to "love what I do and be there for my family!" Is that not the Free At 50 lifestyle to a tee?
Check out her article below, focused on successfully using social media to grow your business organically. Yes, friends: social media without ads.
Necessary disclaimer: As a blogger, I use affiliate links sometimes! I may receive commission from purchases I share; it does not change your price but sometimes you might get a discount.
Photo by Harley-Davidson on Unsplash
Promoting your business on social media without ads might sound crazy in 2024.
In a world dominated by sponsored content and targeted advertisements, the idea of promoting yourself and your business on social media without ads might seem challenging. And depending on how much effort you put into it, it may be. However, with a strategic and organic approach, you can harness the true potential of social media platforms to build a strong online presence.
Below I’ve gone into detail on a few of the effective ways to promote yourself and your business on social media without ads and emptying your pocketbook!
1 Start with a focus on content.
Remember to create compelling content because content is key!
Creating high-quality, engaging content is the cornerstone of organic growth on social media.
Whether it's informative articles, visually appealing images, or entertaining videos, tailor your content to resonate with your target audience.
Develop a content calendar to maintain a consistent and regular posting schedule. Try and sit down to schedule a month at a time. That way you’ll always have regular content posting!
Create high quality graphics and videos for your posts as well.
Keep an eye out that you are sticking to your brand with your logo present on each post and using your branding colours and fonts. Keeping consistent with your brand will bring the awareness of, and authority to, you and your brand.
If you’re unable to create the graphics yourself, you can hire a freelance designer to create them for you instead. Just remember to focus on branding and keep your message very clear.
When all is said and done it will look professional and be obvious who you are.
RELATED: Click here for the content planner Daphne recommends- it includes ideas for blogging and for social media!
Photo by Walls.io on Unsplash
2 Share your story.
Another way of growing on social media without ads is by storytelling posts.
These type of posts have become more popular because people can connect with the stories. Share your journey, experiences, and the behind-the-scenes aspects of your business.
Personal narratives create a human connection, making your audience more invested in your brand. Be authentic, be transparent, and let your personality shine through your storytelling.
3 Engage with others on social media to grow without using ads.
How to engage on social media:
Social media is not a one-way street and it’s important that you are actively engaging with your audience.
- Respond to comments.
- Ask questions.
- Participate in discussions.
Building a community around your brand fosters a sense of belonging and loyalty. Remember, it's called social media for a reason – be social!
Identify influencers or individuals with whom you share common values or a target audience.
- Collaborate on projects.
- Co-create content.
- Participate in joint ventures.
These collaborations can introduce your brand to a wider audience and lend credibility through association. Just make sure to do a lot of research before following through with someone because you don’t want to end up hurting your brand with your influencer decision.
RELATED: This short post about collaboration here on Free At 50.
Photo by James Cousins on Unsplash
4 Be found organically on social media, without ads.
Optimize your social media profiles.
It’s very important to ensure that your social media profiles are complete, consistent, and reflect your brand identity.
- Use a recognizable profile picture.
- Write a compelling bio.
- Include links to your website or other relevant platforms.
Optimization increases your visibility and makes it easier for potential followers to connect with you and identify your brand.
Having the same information in multiple spots, such as your website, makes it easier for Google (or any other search engine) to find your information.
Use hashtags.
Hashtags are a powerful tool for expanding your reach on Instagram (as well as LinkedIn and X). Research and use relevant hashtags in your niche to make your content discoverable by a broader audience.
Create branded hashtags to encourage user-generated content and increase brand awareness. Remember to always brand your business!
Host a content or giveaway for your target audience.
Hosting contests or giveaways is an excellent way to generate excitement and engagement!
Encourage participants to:
- Share your content.
- Follow your page.
- Tag friends to enter.
This not only boosts your reach but also helps build a sense of community.
RELATED: Join the Social Salad Society month-to-month by clicking here. Daphne recommends it.
Photo by Walls.io on Unsplash
5 Monitor your metrics.
Analytics can be hard to decipher but do your research on what specifically you need to know from the numbers.
Most social media platforms offer analytics tools that provide insights into the performance of your content. Monitor these metrics to understand what works and what doesn't.
Adjust your strategy based on data to continually improve your reach and engagement.
Remember that patience is necessary! You could grow fast, or you could grow slowly. It really all depends on how much effort you put into showing up in front of your audience!
6 Join relevant Facebook groups!
And lastly, one of my favourite ways to promote yourself and your business on social media without ads is through Facebook groups!
Do a search of Facebook groups related to your niche, and request to join the business, classifieds, buy & sells, etc.
Share your offers at least once a week, depending on the rules of the group.
Make sure you are also actively engaging in each group to help keep you top of mind with the audience.
RELATED: Join the Free At 50 Facebook group by clicking here!
Conclusion:
I’ve been in the marketing space for over 14 years and promoting yourself and your business on social media without ads is not only possible but can lead to more authentic and sustainable growth.
By focusing on creating valuable content, engaging with your audience, and leveraging the features of each platform, you can build a strong online presence that resonates with your target audience.
Use these tips to grow that side hustle into a business, or start that business you’ve always wanted, and leave your 9-5 job!
Embrace the power of organic growth and let your authenticity shine in the digital landscape!
Reach Meagan, who can provide social media and design services!
