Why & How to do Business Without Social Media!

I’ll be the first to admit I’m extremely TORN on social media.

I’m on again off again. Love/Hate.

In 2022 I was totally OFF – close my accounts. I wrote about what it’s like living without social media here.

Now, in 2025, I am at a crossroads, again.

I got back on social but I don’t make money, I post sporadically at best, I have a few hundred followers and my heart is JUST NOT IN IT.

And why should it be. I talk a LOT about the 80/20 rule or Pareto’s Principal and that you need to CUT the things that are taking up a lot of time but giving you little results. Social media is that for me. Maybe you, too?

Table of Contents

Why You Might Consider Not Relying on Social Media for Your Business

Here are the reasons why you might be better of NOT running your business with or on social media:

Mental Health – The more time I spend on social media the more of a mental health decline I notice in myself. It’s NOT good and it’s not something to ignore. I want a healthy mind and no matter how much I’ve tried to “hack” my feeds they bring me stupid, stupid, mind numbing useless stuff lol! Yes I can block my feed but then what? What am I even doing on there at that point. If everyone’s posting and blocking each other’s feeds isn’t it just an echo chamber for the benefit of the platform itself?
Unsustainable Workload – The amount of work you need to do to get traction on social media is a LOT and it feels so unsustainable to me. Do I want to post 10 stories and 1 reel a day for the rest of my life? No, not really. Plus all the photos, b-roll, UGH. It’s just not even fun to me. Maybe for someone who loves that, yes. Me, no.
Video Ready – Look I’m not trying to be a model and I looks are not my top priority but as a woman I definitely feel a pressure to “get ready” for video. That means fresh shower, taking at least 45 mins on my hair, another 15 min on makeup and finding an outfit that doesn’t make me look like the hot mess mom that I am. And YES I could show up “as I am” but we all know that’s making a statement in this beauty obsessed world and I’m not ready to evangelize like that at this point in my life.
Trolls – There’s a dark and nasty side of social media that I’ve seen too often from the big influencers. I know those with smaller followers get it to a degree, too. We’re talking about things like comments on your body and how gross you are, death threats when people don’t agree with you, character attacks and sexual aggression. In the comments, in the DMs and on Reddit threads. I KNOW this happens when you get more know no matter if you’re on social media or not but it seems especially bad and the platforms do NOTHING to stop it (yay free speech). I refuse to subject myself to that. If it came down to signing up for abuse or going to get a job I can’t believe I’m saying this but I’d pick the job!
I’m Not Your Product – Social media platforms make money off attention. This is why they allow the negative comments, they literally have been known to show negativity far more often because it spreads and gets people engaging way more than positive stuff. WHY would I want to be part of that system?
Not Looking for Attention – Now I know this sounds wrong as I am a business owner and I SHOULD be seeking attention. But – there’s a big performance aspect to social that I’m just NOT down for. I have never wanted to be the center of attention and it feels like I need to be that way to be successful on social media. I’m not your influencer that’s for sure. I’m your “by your side” person who says let’s figure this out together. Let’s be in community. Let’s connect.
It’s Not Actually Social – Social media is anything but social. People are more lonely than ever. Social media is disconnecting us! I saw a friend post this:
It’s so true! How often do we ACTUALLY talk to people anymore yet we could talk all day long if we wanted to. Instead we’re too “busy” looking at our phones and being lonely. It’s sad and I want no part of it! I want to connect in REAL ways now more than ever.
Such a Freaking WASTE of Time! – This goes back to the 80/20 rule but even more than that let’s say I did it in my “free” time, my “fun” time… it’s still just a black hole that you come out of after a few hours and feel as EMPTY as the hole itself. I know I’m being dramatic but for reals.
You Never Win – I picture social media as an ever moving goal post. Once you get 10,000 subscribers you’re going to want more. Once you get a viral video you’ll want another. The goals will just keep bigger and bigger to what end? To always be the biggest, the best, the one who gets the sponsorships? And I see people getting bigger and bigger with their followings and getting more and more outrageous with click bait and the kind of posts they make. I have to wonder if they weren’t doing it for clout, would they? Are they now driven by the growth only? THAT is NOT a Lifestyle Freedom Business for sure!

Well holy hell! This post was written in about 15 mins and I had a LOT to say obviously! This tells me my gut feeling to get the heck out of dodge with my social media is correct.

At the very least I need to take a week and take a break!

I’m going to start with my own social media detox which is here.

So in the title of this post I also told you I’d tell you how I do business WITHOUT social media. Let’s cover that now:

How to do Business Without Social Media

We all know business existed and thrived long before social media ever did.

But now some say you just can’t do business without it. It’s a “necessary evil”.

In my experience you can do without it. I’ve made next to nothing from social media. Maybe a few thousand out of over $1.2 million. It’s certainly negligible. I also know people who do nothing for business whatsoever on social and have very, very successful businesses.

Here’s what I do instead to have a growing, thriving business:

Email Marketing – My emails hit inboxes and get opens and clicks. I can see what’s working and what’s not. If you use email marketing for your business you’ll OWN your email list. Now you can take that list anywhere, unlike your social media followers. It’s even an actual asset that you could sell with your business if you ever wanted to exit. Email marketing is my tried and true! It’s been working for me for about 15 YEARS and I still email daily. That is connection and profits from regular emails to my list.
Membership – I have a membership that allows me for regular, recurring income month after month.
If you start a membership and get to a certain income per month then you are OFF the hamster wheel. You won’t have to “dance for the people” just to get paid. Now you have more freedom, more peace, more security. Subscription offers work, too. But I HIGHLY recommend seeking out recurring income for your business as often and as soon as possible!
Affiliates – My affiliates send me targeted subscribers and sales. I LOVE them! They are people with their own email lists and an understanding of my offers. If you start your own affiliate program it’s an absolutely fabulous way to get “out there” and in front of more people without needing social media.
Interviews – I’m starting to do a lot more interviews on websites, podcasts, telesummits, etc. I find
them so easy to do and the ocassional “get pretty” requirement is A-OK with me! If you really enjoy talking with people you might love doing interviews with people who have an audience like I do.
Blogging – Contrary to what some are saying blogging isn’t dead. I’m working on getting into a routine here on this blog so that I can establish a connection with people just like you. I hope to share my insights, lead by example, inspire and motivate. If you like the blog you might like to sign up to my free course then or buy one of my offers.

I also did a whole post on marketing without social media here < with more ideas.

Well… there’s my case for doing business without social media. As I said I’m very torn! I’m willing to reconsider my opinions. I know there are lots of people who’ve made lots of money on social media so yes, it CAN be done.

There are so many more important things more important than money to me… my decisions are guided by my values, my decision to choose freedom and my love of real, true human connections.