Why Social Media Isn’t Enough to Build a Strong Business

Starting an online business can be… tough.

This is nothing new under the sun, I know.

But when something is tough, you use multiple methods to make it easier.

Speaking about online business again… you need to find a way to get the word out about what you do.

One thing people always suggest is using social media.

They say, "Post every day. Get more followers. Build your business online."

There’s some truth in that, but it’s not the full picture.

So, let's discuss an important question: Is social media really the best way to grow a strong business?

Why Social Media Is Good for Testing Ideas

Think of social media as a busy park.

People are walking around, chatting, and sharing ideas.

When you come up with a new business idea, social media is a perfect place to see how people respond.

Here’s how you can use it:

• Share your ideas: Post about your product or service and see how people react. Do they like it? Are they asking questions about it? Or do they just ignore it?

• Get feedback quickly: Social media gives you instant reactions. If people love your idea, you'll know quickly. If they don’t, you’ll know just as fast. This helps you figure out what works and what doesn’t.

• Improve your ideas: By seeing what people are talking about or asking for, you can improve your product or service based on real feedback.

Testing your ideas on social media gives you a fast and simple way to learn.

But while it’s great for that, there’s a downside if you try to use it for more than just testing.

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The Problem with Building a Business on Social Media

Social media moves fast.

This makes it tough to keep people interested in what you’re doing.

Another big problem is that social media accounts don’t belong to you.

They’re run by companies like Meta (Facebook, Instagram), Google (YouTube), or ByteDance (TikTok).

These companies can change the rules whenever they want, and you have no control over it.

Imagine how frustrating it would be if you built your whole business on a platform, and suddenly, they changed how things work.

Now, fewer people see your posts, and it becomes harder to reach your audience.

Yes, I’m talking bout Meta and their changes to the Facebook algorithm.

Because of this, relying too much on social media is like trying to build your house on soft, shifting sand.

One day, you get a lot of likes, but you can’t count on it to always stay that way.

Common Mistakes People Make

There is a common idea that just getting more followers or likes will grow your business.

While there is logic behind it, it is not always true.

Here are some common mistakes people make:

• Posting only for likes: Likes and followers can feel good, but they don’t always mean people will buy from you or stay loyal to your brand.

• Not owning their audience: If you don’t have a way to contact people directly, like through email, you’re at the mercy of the social media platform. If the platform changes, your whole business can suffer.

• Ignoring other tools: People forget there are other tools that are just as important as social media, like having a website or an email list.

These mistakes can slow you down or even hurt your business if you rely only on social media.

Use Social Media for Testing, But Build Your Business Elsewhere

While social media is useful, it’s not the best place to build your entire business.

Instead, use it for what it’s good at testing ideas.

Then, take the next step and move your business to a space you can control.

Here’s what you can do:

• Test your ideas on social media: Use social media to see how people react to your new ideas, products, or services. Ask them questions. What do they like? What do they need help with? This will help you learn more about what your customers want.

• Pay attention to trends: Look at what people are talking about on social media. Is there a common problem people need to solve? Can your business help with that? Use this as inspiration to improve your products.

• Move your business to solid ground: Once you’ve tested your ideas, it’s time to move them to a place you control, like a website or an email list. These are things you own, and no company can take them away from you.

Why Building Your Own Platform Is Better

Building your business is like building a house.

Would you want to build your house on sand that moves all the time? Probably not.

You’d want to build it on solid ground that won’t change.

Social media is like sand.

It changes quickly, and you can’t control it.

But your website and email list are like solid ground. You own them. They won’t change just because a company decides to change its rules.

When you have your own website or an email list, people can always find you.

You don’t have to worry about changes in the social media world. Plus, you don’t have to post every day just to stay noticed.

You’re in control.

How to Start Building Your Business on Solid Ground

If you don’t already have a website or email list, now’s the time to start.

The good news is that you don’t need a lot of money or fancy tools to get started.

• Create a simple website: There are lots of easy-to-use tools that can help you set up a basic website. This is where people can learn more about you, your business, and what you offer.

• Build an email list: Start collecting the emails of people who are interested in what you do. There are tools online that can help you send emails to your list. This way, you can stay in touch with people directly.

• Use social media with a purpose: Don’t post just for likes. Post with a clear goal in mind, like testing a new idea or learning more about what your customers want.

Social media is great for testing ideas and learning what works.

But it’s not a place to build your whole business.

You have to think of it as a tool that helps you grow.

Use it to test the waters, but build your business somewhere solid, like your own website or email list.

By taking control of your business in this way, you’ll be able to grow something lasting and strong.

And that’s how you build a business that can stand the test of time.

Enjoy your day,

Miroslav from The Growtharo Alert

TOOLS YOU CAN USE

When starting out, you need tools to help you with your projects. Here are some tools I use on a daily basis.

For YouTube Channels

• Voice overs - ElevenLabs, Murf

• Video editing - inVideo, Pictory

For Newsletters

• Email providers - Beehiiv (this newsletter), Kit

Disclosure: Some of the links above may contain affiliate partnerships, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you click through to make a purchase.