Beyond Likes: The Power of Real Relationships
How to Grow Your Business with Authentic Connections
Embracing a World Beyond Social Media: Insights from Conversation with Stephen Warley
A week or so ago, I had a really fun, inspiring conversation with Stephen Warley that dove deep into into a topic close to my heart—how to thrive in life and business without the tether of social media.
My guest, Stephen Warley, is a seasoned solopreneur and business coach from Life Skills That Matter, we talk about his journey of getting off social media and his personal and philosophical relationships-based strategies for building his business and communities.
There are many alternative paths to building a business aligned with your values, needs, and abilities... and this conversation will hit you straight in the heart and get your creative wheels spinning. I promise!
Why Ditch Social Media?
Stephen and I both agreed that, whether we all like to admit it or not, if you're on social media, then you're brain and perspective of reality is manipulated and having a profound effect on you (all of us that is).
By being on these platforms, we consent to the ways we allow them to influence our thoughts, beliefs and decisions. And sadly, these companies don't care about you or the better world we're all striving to build.
Building Community and Clientele without Social Media
Both Stephen and I have been cultivating our businesses and communities through direct engagement and relationship-building rather than digital likes and shares.
We emphasized the importance of direct outreach—personal emails, phone calls, and even text messages as simple, accessible tools to bridge connections and find ways to collaborate, build your business and bring your gifts to the world and community around you.
It sounds simple, but this is a forgotten skill.
This approach has not only allowed him to create more meaningful connections but also to engage with his audience on a deeper, more impactful level, without needing thousands of fans.
Strategies That Work
Stephen highlighted several strategies that have worked for him:
Direct Outreach: Reaching out directly to potential clients or collaborators can create more impactful connections than passive social media interactions.
Gatekeeper Strategy: Partnering with individuals or organizations that already have an audience can amplify your reach without social media. For example, touring your Signature Workshop. You bring value to them, they bring the audience. This approach leverages their trust and established networks.
Quality Over Quantity: We both stress the importance of focusing on a smaller number of high-quality connections rather than a vast but shallow network of people you don't really know.
How do you build your dream business through only a handful of relationships, rather than thousands of followers? That is the question we should be asking!
A 30-Day Social Media-Free Experiment:
We concluded our talk with a powerful call to action: a 30-day social media cleanse.
Stephen challenges listeners to disconnect from social media to truly evaluate its impact on their personal and professional lives. This period of reflection can reveal much about our dependencies and inspire more grounded ways of living and working.
While on your social cleanse, dig into your contact list in your phone and email and reach out to at least ONE person per day (20 in the month) to set up meetings iwth to see if there is synergy, alignment and ways to collaborate or cross pollenate.
It's an easy challenge, you'll learn a lot and I can guarantee you'll get better results than you are on social media through your "post and hope" strategy!
Final Thoughts
This conversation with Stephen Warley was not just about criticizing social media but offering a tangible pathway for those feeling trapped by its demands. It's about rediscovering the art of direct human connection and building a business that genuinely reflects your values and lifestyle.
For those ready to challenge the status quo of digital saturation, Stephen's insights offer a compelling blueprint for a more intentional and fulfilling professional journey.
Looking for more strategies, my next "Thriving in Business without Social Media" workshop is on March 5th. Sign up here.
Want to go deeper and receive personalized coaching to get crystal clear on your marketing strategy. Join the Majik Mind or hire me for coaching. Let's get your work into the world!
Connect with Stephen Warley's at LifeSkillsThatMatter.com today! Was this helpful? Let me know!
BRADLEY T. MORRIS Majik Media: Coach, Creative Director & Executive Producer Majik Kids: Father, Founder, Author & Creative director Play Chi Ball: Chi Baller, Chi Ambassador & Co-Founder Free your Majik!