Let me just go ahead and preface this post by saying I don't think social media is evil haha and I’m not saying you shouldn't use it or that I don't still use it regularly. But… as time has passed, I've realized the true cost of trying to use Instagram/Facebook to build my online business or even to just build a “community,” and for me, that cost is just too high.

Let me back-track a little. In 2017 my favorite makeup that I'd been wearing for 2 years announced that they were launching an artist program which basically meant people like me who loved their products could now share about them and GET PAID to do it. So… that's what started this journey that I'm still loving 4 years later! Read more about that story here.

In the beginning I tried to do it all the “traditional” ways - Facebook lives, Facebook group and page, Instagram posts and lives, messaging people. Ugh. It was exhausting, but it's how your taught to “run your business” and it seemed like if I just did it long enough then bam, I would find my success. Also let's note that when I started this, I was essentially a nobody haha meaning I had an almost non existent following and a tiny social circle.

Well it sort of worked…? Meaning after hours of work and a week of posting every day, I would get 1 sale. Maybe or maybe none some weeks. And in the process, I was glued to my phone, I was constantly anxious and trying to think of the best captions and taking a million photos, trying to make my life more appealing, trying to “sell” myself as more appealing. Comparing myself to other people in the industry, trying to keep up with all of these new “relationships” and connections I was making.

Stressed if I didn't know what to post, stressed if I went a few days without posting, checking my DMs every 10 mins. Frustrated with the algorithm, doing all the little tricks to beat it, obsessed with the amount of likes and followers I had. Feeling like shit whenever the numbers dropped. In summary, it was unhealthy, unproductive, and making me unhappy and bringing out the worst version of myself. I had become dependent on social media in all the ways that made zero sense. So I decided I needed to do something else, I needed to ditch social media and find a way to build my business without it.

So I started my blog, I learned how to do email marketing, I started to film YouTube videos, I learned how to create graphics and use Pinterest. I learned that even though these things are a lot harder to learn and get going, that they have amazing long term benefits. It took extra effort in the beginning and patience to pay off, yet they require less work in the long run, they don't require me to play games and run by someone's else's rules. They don't require me to offer up my entire life to strangers every day. They don't make me feel that my worth is tied to views.

I am proud of the content I produce now. I feel like my talents are flourishing while still being helpful and positive to others. Before all of this, I would work 30+ hours a week and earned a quarter of what I make now and I only work 5-10hrs a week currently. I have stopped using Facebook entirely but still post to Instagram occasionally when it feels right to me. I feel at ease knowing that if social media went down or I lost my accounts somehow or I go a while without posting, that my business would be generally unaffected. This is because I no longer depend on it for my success, rather it's an extra element when I want it.

Now maybe you're thinking.. okay so what is the point of you sharing all this? Are you trying to make me feel bad or wrong for using social media for my business? NOT AT ALL. I realize that maybe you have a positive relationship and workflow with social media which I think is great! Maybe you have put in the work and time and you have an amazing and loyal following. Maybe you don't feel the pressures of comparison or the algorithm. Maybe you can post passively and stay relevant. Maybe social media does bring you happiness and success. To that I say, GOOD FREAKING JOB. Seriously! It is not easy to build something on social media and make money through it so I'm proud of you for doing it.

However, if the above isn't you then this post was for you. I want you to know that social media is not the end all game. It is made to look easy and in some ways it is easy but when it comes to actually making money from it, it is HARD. I want to give you the confidence to stop using it if it is unhealthy for you or isn't building your business enough. I promise you, you CAN have success without using social media. It will be hard, it will be more work in the beginning but again, the long term benefits outweigh the quick gratification and rewards of social media.

If you're interested in learning more about other methods of growing an online business without social media, I would highly recommend checking out Michelle Gifford- her resources and coaching is 👌🏼👌🏼 Otherwise, anything I've learned and done was found online for free. Take advantage of the internet as much as possible before investing in courses and coaching! If you have ever had an interest in becoming a virtual makeup artist with Seint Beauty and want to run a business that doesn't feel and look like an MLM then let's talk! I'd love to be your mentor and teach you everything I know! Email me (holly@simplemeetsbold.com)

That's all for today, I hope this was helpful to you if you're struggling with social media and running a business! Take back the control, this is YOUR business and YOUR life! Do the things that make you happy and fulfilled while also bringing you success. It will look different for everyone, find what works for you- you've got this!