Building a Business Without Social Media (video)

In a world where social media seems to dominate the business landscape, Robyn Graham offers a refreshing perspective on how entrepreneurs can achieve business growth without relying on these platforms. In a recent Expert insight episode hosted by John Golden of “Sales POP! Online Sales Magazine” and “Pipeliner CRM,” Robyn, the founder of Robyn Graham LLC and creator of the “Purpose to Results” success method, shares her journey and strategies for building a successful business. This blog post delves into the episode’s key themes and actionable advice, providing a comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses authentically and effectively.

Introduction to Robyn Graham

Robyn Graham is a business growth coach helping small business owners and entrepreneurs, particularly in the health and wellness sector. She is also a podcast host, speaker, and bestselling author of “You, Me, and Anxiety: Take Action Over Anxiety to Enjoy Being You.” Robyn’s approach combines strategic thinking with creative flair, making the coaching process both enjoyable and effective for her clients.

Key Themes and Insights

1. Ditching Social Media for Business Growth

Robyn’s journey began with a six-week sabbatical from social media, during which she discovered that her client base actually increased. This experience led her to advocate for a business model prioritizing substance over superficiality. Here are some actionable steps to follow her lead:

• Assess Your Current Social Media Impact: Take a break from social media and monitor any changes in your business metrics. This can help you understand social media’s actual impact on your business.
• Focus on Building a Strong Personal Brand: Define your values, mission, and unique selling points. This will help you attract clients who resonate with your message.
• Leverage SEO: Optimize your website and content for search engines to attract clients actively seeking your services.

2. The Importance of Authenticity

Robyn emphasizes that many entrepreneurs feel pressured to conform to social media norms, leading to inauthentic branding. True success comes from understanding and embracing one’s unique values and strengths. Here’s how to build an authentic brand:

• Self-Reflection: Engage in self-reflection to understand your core values and strengths.
• Relationship Marketing: Build genuine connections with your audience through personalized communication and relationship marketing.
• Consistent Messaging: Ensure your brand message is consistent across all platforms and interactions.

3. Building a Solid Foundation

A solid foundation is crucial for business success. Robyn discusses the importance of identifying what differentiates you from others in your field and crafting a core message that resonates with your ideal clients. Here are some steps to build a strong foundation:

• Identify Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP): Determine what sets you apart from your competitors.
• Craft a Core Message: Develop a clear and compelling message that communicates your USP to your target audience.
• Engage in Soul-Searching: Take time to understand your true voice and authentic brand through self-reflection and feedback from trusted sources.

4. SEO as a Key Strategy

SEO is a major part of Robyn’s approach to enhancing online visibility. Many entrepreneurs invest heavily in website design without understanding the importance of SEO. Here are some practical tips for implementing basic SEO strategies:

• Keyword Research: Identify key phrases that your target audience is searching for.
• Optimize Meta Descriptions: Write compelling meta descriptions that include your target keywords.
• Image Optimization: Ensure that all images on your website are optimized with relevant alt text and file names.

5. Empowering Clients

Robyn’s clients often feel overwhelmed by the demands of social media marketing. She reassures them that there are effective alternatives to building a successful business. Here’s how to empower yourself and your clients:

• Create Valuable Content: Focus on creating high-quality content that provides value to your audience.
• Build an Email List: Develop an email marketing strategy to nurture relationships with your audience.
• Establish a Strong Online Presence: Use SEO and other digital marketing strategies to enhance your online visibility.

6. Finding Your True Voice

To help her clients articulate their authentic voice, Robyn employs various exercises that encourage self-discovery. Here are some exercises to try:

• Feedback from Friends and Family: Ask trusted friends and family how they perceive you.
• Identify Common Themes: Look for common themes in the questions others ask you for advice.
• Self-Discovery Exercises: Engage in exercises that help you recognize your unique strengths and the value you bring to your audience.

7. The Role of Personal Stories

Robyn highlights the importance of personal stories in building a brand. Sharing your experiences can help you connect with your audience on a deeper level. Here’s how to incorporate personal stories into your branding:

• Share Your Journey: Be open about your personal and professional journey, including challenges and successes.
• Relate to Your Audience: Use your stories to relate to your audience’s experiences and challenges.
• Foster Trust and Engagement: Personal stories can help build trust and engagement with your audience.

8. Navigating the Digital Landscape

As the digital landscape evolves, Robyn acknowledges the challenges posed by AI and the prevalence of inauthentic content on social media. Here’s how to navigate these challenges:

• Focus on Genuine Relationships: Prioritize building genuine relationships with your audience over superficial social media trends.
• Provide Real Value: Ensure that your content and interactions provide real value to your audience.
• Stay Authentic: Stay true to your values and mission, even as digital trends evolve.

Final Thoughts

Robyn Graham’s approach to business growth emphasizes the importance of authenticity, a strong personal brand, and effective SEO strategies. By removing social media noise, entrepreneurs can create meaningful connections with their audience and build sustainable businesses that align with their values. Robyn’s insights serve as a valuable reminder that success can be achieved through genuine engagement and focusing on what truly matters.

This episode offers a refreshing perspective on business growth in a digital age dominated by social media. Robyn Graham’s experiences and strategies provide a roadmap for entrepreneurs seeking to build their brands authentically and effectively without pressure to conform to social media expectations. Following her advice, you can achieve sustainable success and build a business that reflects your values and strengths.

Our Host

John is the Amazon bestselling author of Winning the Battle for Sales: Lessons on Closing Every Deal from the World’s Greatest Military Victories and Social Upheaval: How to Win at Social Selling. A globally acknowledged Sales & Marketing thought leader, speaker, and strategist, he has conducted over 1500 video interviews of thought leaders for Sales POP! online sales magazine & YouTube Channel and for audio podcast channels where Sales POP! is rated in the top 2% of most popular shows out of 3,320,580 podcasts globally, ranked by Listen Score. He is CSMO at Pipeliner CRM. In his spare time, John is an avid Martial Artist.