Stop Using Social Media to Grow Your New(ish) Vegan Business! (UNPOPULAR OPINION)

In today's digital age, social media platforms have emerged as powerful tools for businesses to reach their target audience and promote their products or services. However, amidst the frenzy of ever-changing algorithms, it's time to consider whether using social media is truly the most effective strategy for growing your (new)ish vegan business.

In this blog post, we'll explore an unpopular opinion: why you should stop using social media to grow your vegan business, and instead, focus on alternative approaches that will yield more sustainable results with less effort!

Alright lets get into it.

Why You Should Stop Using Social Media to Grow Your New(ish) Vegan Business

The Social Media Illusion

Don't get me wrong – social media has its merits. It's an excellent platform to engage with your audience, build brand awareness, and share your vegan journey. However with the over-saturation of content, it has led to an uphill battle for visibility. With millions of posts flooding social media platforms daily, your vegan business could easily get lost in the digital noise. Especially as a new business without a large following already.

Moreover, the algorithms governing these platforms are constantly changing, making it increasingly challenging to ensure your content reaches your intended audience. What might have worked last year might not yield the same results today. This unpredictable nature makes solely relying on social media a risky endeavor for a (new)ish vegan business.

Plus you don’t own any of your followers. If Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or whatever your platform of choice is, decided to shut down you would lose contact with everyone on your pages!

Authenticity Over Algorithms

One of the key principles of veganism is authenticity – staying true to your beliefs and advocating for a compassionate lifestyle. Ironically, the quest for social media growth often forces businesses to compromise this very authenticity. The pressure to curate a picture-perfect feed or follow the latest viral trends can dilute your message and blur the lines between genuine passion and performative marketing.

In contrast, focusing on building real connections through online interactions, community events, and collaborations can establish a strong foundation for your vegan business. People are more likely to remember a heartfelt conversation at a local vegan festival than a fleeting scroll through their social media feed. Authenticity fosters trust, and trust is the cornerstone of a successful business.

The Time Sinkhole

Running a business is a time-consuming endeavour, and social media can quickly become a time sinkhole. Crafting posts, responding to comments, and staying up-to-date with platform changes can easily eat away at your valuable time. As a (new)ish vegan business owner, your energy might be better spent on some timeless marketing strategies that have helped online businesses grow without needing to post reels.

Let’s dive into some of these better alternative marketing strategies you can use to market your vegan business instead of social media!

Alternative Marketing Avenues Besides Social Media

So, if not social media, then what? Here are a few alternative avenues to consider:

Local Vegan Markets and Events

Participating in local farmer's markets, food festivals, and community events can be a fantastic way to showcase your vegan products or services. These platforms offer face-to-face interactions with potential customers, allowing you to educate them about the benefits of a vegan lifestyle and the uniqueness of your offerings.

Collaborations and Partnerships

Teaming up with like-minded businesses, influencers, or community groups can provide a mutually beneficial platform for growth. Collaborations can introduce your vegan products to new audiences while also demonstrating your commitment to fostering meaningful relationships within the vegan community. This is the ‘vegan bread and butter’ behind my 8-week Grow Your Reach program, where I help new and struggling vegan businesses get fully booked with their dream clients. Learn more about it here!

Blogging and Content Marketing

Creating informative and engaging blog posts, articles, or videos can establish your authority in the vegan niche. By offering valuable insights, recipes, or guides related to veganism, you can attract an audience genuinely interested in your business offerings.

This approach not only drives traffic to your website but also cultivates a community of engaged followers.

Email Marketing

In the pursuit of social media growth, email marketing often takes a backseat. However, a well-crafted email strategy can be a powerful tool to reach your audience directly. By offering exclusive promotions, sharing insightful content, and nurturing leads, you can build a more personal and direct connection with your customers.

Despite lots of people thinking email marketing is dead, it’s really the opposite. It is still the number one way most online businesses make sales with an average 15-20% conversion rate! For reference Facebook and Instagram ads usually have a 1-5% conversion.

Local/Online Outreach and Education

Host workshops, seminars, or cooking classes within your local or online community. Educating people about the benefits of a vegan lifestyle and offering practical tips can position your business as a valuable resource. These events not only attract potential customers but also contribute to the broader goal of promoting compassionate living.

The Balance Between Online and Offline

In a world dominated by screens, it's important to strike a balance between your online and offline presence. While social media can amplify your message, it shouldn't be the sole focus of your marketing efforts. As a NEW vegan business owner I would recommend to stay away from social media completely until you have enough money coming in the door that you aren’t worried about paying your bills. Instead, by diversifying your strategies and exploring alternative avenues, you can create a well-rounded approach that resonates with your audience on a deeper level. Looking for more vegan business marketing tips? Check out the full blog here!

In Conclusion

I know it might seem crazy to stop using social media to grow your (new)ish vegan business, but it's worth considering. Especially if you are in the first year or two of your business and you don’t have a large following already and are still struggling making ends-meet.

Instead, using local or online events, collaborations, content marketing, email marketing, etc. your business will be able to succeed in a steady, sustainable manner without needing to jump on and learn the next new social media trend.

Do you agree that you should wait to use social media to market your business once you've 'gotten off the ground?' Comment your thoughts below!