You don’t have to use social media in your business if you don’t want to.

I recently started with a client who has been putting a ton of effort into social media. In our intake and strategy session, she admitted that she doesn’t even go on social media personally anymore because it just doesn’t resonate or create deep connections for her. However, she felt that she “had” to post on social media for her business.

I simply don’t think that’s true.  And here’s why:

First of all, posting on social media may not resonate with your Ideal Client. As an example, if your Ideal Client doesn’t like social media and maybe does it halfheartedly or not at all, then social media clearly wouldn’t be a smart strategy for you to spend a lot (or even any) time on.  Or if you work with women leaders and help them even the professional playing field, for instance, they may be hanging out on Facebook, but they may not be there as “women leaders.” They’re there as moms, friends, family members, etc. so it just may or may not be a good strategy depending on your Ideal Client and whether they are hanging out on social media and are interested in your message in that context.

If you do choose to use social media, don’t assume you have to use every platform. You need to start by asking, “Where is my ideal client hanging out?” Remember that like attracts like, so if you don’t enjoy a specific platform, it’s unlikely that the people who resonate with your work will. As an example, I tend to attract coaches who avoid Facebook, and as it so happens, I rarely use it myself.

Please remember that social media has only been part of our lives since around the year 2000. People have had thriving businesses and coaching practices for decades before that, so what makes us think that we “must” use social media to succeed?

If social media isn’t resonant to you, don’t do it. Just make sure you have other business tactics that do resonate with you and your ideal clients in place.  Essentially, you want to spend time on business strategies that are resonant for you AND your ideal client.  And if it isn’t, let it go!

With appreciation,

Tara Butler Floch