Because you still want to exist online if all the social media platforms shut down tomorrow

If you’re like me and want a life without Meta products, you’re in the right place.

Since publishing my book, I’ve shared the importance of having a presence other than on social media. Whether it’s a corporation or just yourself, you can still build an online presence without social media. Sure, your following may not be as large or obvious, but Seth Godin‘s a great example of someone who’s still considered a marketing guru despite not being active on social.

1. Build and nurture an email list

I call getting into someone’s inbox the “holy grail.” Of course, it’s easy to ignore emails or have people unsubscribe, but they want to subscribe to your list because they want to hear from you, not just follow you.

Even if someone is a fan and follows you on social media, it doesn’t mean they’re going to see all your posts unless they opt in to be notified.

If you haven’t started an email list, think about a freebie you can offer to people who subscribe (called a “lead magnet” or “opt-in magnet”), and the software you’ll use. There are lots out there and usually are free until you hit 500 subscribers.

If you don’t have a website (and if you want to be visible, you gotta have one), you could start a Substack blog, which doubles as an email list whenever you post. Eventually, you can also charge for premium (exclusive) content. But I’m always wary of platforms that you don’t own.

Medium was know for the place to write, but has gone down in popularity recently.

I wouldn’t recommend sending daily emails unless they’re short and you have no other means of communicating with your audience. Once a month is great to start (and is what I’m doing) and weekly is great too. James Clear‘s got a really simple 3-2-1 structure to his weekly newsletter that I’m trying out to see if I can bump up my frequency to twice a month.

2. Write blog posts that will help you get found on search

One of my most popular blog posts is this one on why I left Transcendental Meditation, the second culty organization I was involved in after NXIVM. Do I want to be known as an ex-TM member? No. But because many people are apparently searching for whether TM is a cult online, my post comes up.

Now think of all the things you want to be known for. Yeah, a 60-90 second video post would be easier to do, but those posts generally die on Meta. They might stick around on YouTube Shorts, but right now AI isn’t prioritizing YouTube for authority content. They prefer LinkedIn, Reddit, and FAQ or Q&A content.

Again, you could start a blog on Substack, but having a blog on your own site is much more powerful. Not only will it drive traffic to your site, but you’ll rank as an expert or go-to authority on the topics you want to be known for, especially on AI.

After marketing myself as a vegan marketer and book whisperer, I now want to be known as a personal brand manager, which is why I’m posting blog posts like this. See how that works?

3. Start a podcast

This one’s tricky because people either know they want to host a podcast or not. The thing is, podcasts (whether audio only or YouTube) are content and content is the best way you get seen as an expert.

After appearing on about 80 podcasts to market my book, my speaking got better. People started telling me I should have my own podcast, but they didn’t know I already help to put up YouTube interviews at VEG Networking Canada, and I also write and do admin and marketing for A Little Bit Culty. So I’m much better suited behind the scenes vs. behind the mic!

You’re probably wondering: why have a podcast if you won’t use social media to promote it? Well, as you now know, there are other ways to promote a podcast episode. Email list, blogs (for transcripts! Karina Inkster’s pod site is a great example of this), and if your podcast is on YouTube, well, you’re already on social media, aren’t you?

Think of podcasts as an audio/video version of a blog. And yes, you could potentially turn your blog into a podcast, and vice versa by turning audio transcripts into blog posts.

Pro tip: Use your name in the podcast name (e.g. “The __ Podcast with full name) to ensure you’re definitely being defined as a podcaster/host in search.

4. Write a book about your story or expertise

I know, I know. A book is long. It takes time. Maybe you don’t even read books.

But books are content. Just a long-ass form of it. My book gave me three years’ worth of social media content. And if you’re not using social media, you can blog about your book and appear as a guest on other podcasts, which will likely include your name and book title in the episode name.

Even if you don’t care for bestseller status, books give you instant authority. If you’re smart and use the subject you want to be known for in your book title, the book (or associated content) will be the first thing that comes up when people search, both on Google or AI.

For example, I titled my book Vegan Marketing Success Stories, so now it’s the first thing that comes up when you search “vegan marketing.” Being the first to write a book on this topic helped me become known as a vegan marketer.

If you’re an aspiring speaker, you’ve gotta have a book because when people see you speak—and if you’re not on social media—they will want something they can take away from you. Sure, they can sign up to your email list, but a book, especially a hard copy, is special. I learned when I started signing books for readers that it’s an exchange of energy, one that isn’t the same if people buy your ebook or audiobook.

5. Pitch yourself to media

Why not let other people create your content for you? While you don’t always have control over what others say about you online (see last week’s post on how to fix incorrect descriptions of you), appearing in media and podcasts can help you become visible without you doing much work except for an interview.

Books are a great excuse for a media campaign. Same goes for any other new product or service you may be launching. Podcasters especially want to talk about new stuff.

As I mentioned earlier, the more you appear in media/podcasts, the more you rank in search or AI for whatever topic you’re an expert in or talk about in the media/podcast.

Pro tip: Provide the podcast with the exact copy you want to appear in the show notes. This makes the work easy for them and helps you rank for the topics you want.

I’m Sandra Nomoto, a personal brand manager for established ethical female leaders. Contact me if you need someone to manage and amplify your brand for the next 20 years. Or sign up to my email list to get monthly whispers in your inbox.