This is probably one of the most important blog post that I will write. Social media is great but let’s be honest, we don’t own anything on any social media platform. But what we do have control over is our website, the content and the type of content we put on it. And while the gram and tik tok can be great, can we agree that it can be very uncertain and around here we like certainty.👌🏾
So let’s not waste anymore time and let’s get into, 7 Successful Tips for Teachers on How to Grow Your Business Without Social Media.
Also, if you need some help with starting your online teacher business, I have the perfect FREE guide for you, called “ How to Start a Online Teacher Business” Click to download it now.
How to Grow Your Business Without Social Media: Email Marketing
So when I decided I wanted my own online teacher business, I kept hearing people on instagram and youtube talk about, “You need a email list”, “You need to create a freebie”.
And I was utterly confused about what an email list was, what a freebie/opt-in was and why I needed it.
So just to make things short and simple, when you want a solid business where you are able to promote a service/product/offer and also give value/information on a consistent basis you need a email list of people to give your offer to and provide value to. You would have all of your email recipients in a email marketing provider, such as Convertkit or Mailchimp. (I currently use Convertkit).
Now I know what some people may be thinking, “Why can’t I promote my service on ig/tik-tok??? Well you can but again you don’t own any of those platforms. People are more likely to buy from someone that they know, like and trust through email than social media. Plus you can provide immense value to someone via their email which is also more personal than social media.
In your personal email you want to include links to your videos on Youtube (if you have any). Personal quizzes and freebies that you have created and links to your blog posts on your website. Over time your customers will be able to get to know you and you will also be attracting new customers through marketing on Pinterest/Youtube, which we will discuss next.
Use Pinterest to Grow Your Social Media
Ok, so first let’s start off by saying that pinterest is a search engine, like google, but much more visually appealing. It is not a social media platform.
Teachers love Pinterest, I know because I am one of those teachers who live on Pinterest everyday all day. So what better place to market your blog, quiz or freebie than to use Pinterest.
So with Pinterest the one thing that you want to remember is that it takes some time to see progress (about 3 consistent months). And you want to be consistent. It’s better to set the bar low for how much you will Pin on Pinterest than to try and over achieve and your not able to keep up with it. I normally have 7 Pins go up every week (1 Pin a day).
Try to do some research on Pinterest to see what other teachers in your niche are pinning. Your not going to copy their exact style and information but it would be good to see how their Pins look. Also Keep an out eye for what Pins perform better than others. Your going to link all your Pins to your email marketing provider or your blog on your website, to get more customers on your email list.
Remember Pinterest is not a short quick way of getting people on your email list. But it provides long everlasting content.
Learn SEO
So, am I the only person who was completely confused about the whole SEO thing. I really couldn’t understand it or why I needed it. I’m going to do my best to try and break down SEO in the simplest terms possible.
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. SEO is a way of improving your chances of getting your website/ pins/ Youtube channel/social media platforms seen by people searching for certain keywords. The largest search engine (Google) and other smaller search engines use certain words (Long Tail Keywords).
Now let’s break down a few key points about SEO.
- Keyword Research: Identifying words or long tail keywords that are commonly used by people searching for the content .
- On-Page SEO: This is in reference to your website. You need to make sure you have long tail keywords in your titles, meta descriptions and headings.
- Off-Page SEO: Building backlinks from other reputable websites to your website. Basically it’s another website putting a link to your website.
- User Experience: Providing a great experience for people coming to your website through navigation, design and providing engaging and rich information.
Let me also say that I am no expert in SEO. I am still learning and probably will always be learning. It’s one of those things that will always change in some way.
If your just starting your online teaching business or even if you have been established for sometime, you should know you need to be a life long learner. So look up some SEO videos on Youtube, check out Hubspots SEO Certification Course, or Yoast also offers SEO courses. Now is the time to dive in and get serious.
If you want to a Teacher business checklist, get my free 5-Step Online Teaching Business Checklist and get started.
How to Grow Your Business Without Social Media: Quizzes
I recently made a Online Teaching Business Quiz for Teachers to find out if their ready to embark on a new teacher business journey. I think that Quizzes can be fun and interactive. You can market it on Pinterest, your website and send them to people on your email list.
Quizzes are great because everyone wants to get something for nothing. With a quiz your customer or potential customer will be more intrigued because of the thought of them getting a solution to a possible problem they may have.
You can create Quizzes any topics ranging from teaching strategies, to special education or curriculum.
I create my quizzes on scoreapp. Feel free to check them out.
How to Grow Your Business Without Social Media: Youtube
Am I the only teacher who lives on Youtube? Well obviously I can’t be because teachers are taking over Youtube with their daily and weekly vlogs of teaching and can I say that I am completely here for it.
Youtube is the perfect way to build an audience. Firstly, you get to connect with your audience in a more personal way than social media could ever allow. Secondly, you can repurpose your video into blog post, youtube shorts, link your youtube videos in your blog posts and attach them in your emails to your audience.
You can film day in the life videos, behind the scenes, educational videos, vlog style videos and the list goes on. Where else will your audience have the chance to get to know you on a more personal level.
Is Youtube Worth it?
Now like anything else Youtube, filming and editing is a learning curve that can’t be perfected overnight. Not to mention it may take some time for you to gain traction on Youtube vs a Social Media Platform. The algorithm with ig and tik tok can and does always change and Youtube is more constant and everlasting. You could have a youtube video from years ago that still gets you views where as with Ig and Tiktok your only hot for 1-3 days.
Oh, and did I mention that no other platform will pay you for your subscribers and views but Youtube, so once you’re monetized you can start bringing in the bucks.
Now, don’t get stressed out, taking some action is better than no action. I’m literally in the same boat as you. I currently have 1 Youtube video up and its my starter video. I’ve linked to it below to show you, showing up messy is ok and the only way to make true progress.
Start a Blog Instead of Focusing on Social Media
All teachers love a good blog. I love a good blog. When I find someone who has one, I make it a point to keep coming back to it. Now I do want to say that blogging isn’t for everyone. But I truly believe that everyone should have a blog. It’s a way to give immense value to your audience and future audience. It will always live on your website that you own (if you have a self hosted wordpress website). Your blog can tie into your Youtube videos and you can broadcast your Quizzes and Pinterest Pins on your blog. Now you should know that with everything else I have mentioned blogging doesn’t take off fast, but everything good takes time.
You will need to already have a website. Know how to do some SEO research and make it all come together with some graphics. But the audience you will be able to reach is endless. If you pour into your blog you will undoubtedly gain a loyal audience over time.
Also remember that done is better than perfect and you have to start somewhere. Check out my very first blog called 4 Easy Ways for Teachers to Make Money Online. It may not be the best but i was determined to start and just put my content out into the world.
How to Grow Your Business Without Social Media: Producing Quality Content
The last step for how to grow your business without social media is producing quality content. The great thing is that you made it through this entire blog post. Of all the ways I mentioned for your to grow your teacher business I believe this is the most important.
Producing Quality content is the sole reason you will be able to gain and keep a loyal audience. People from around the world want to trust you and the only way for them to trust you is for you to pour into them. That means that you are putting our quality blog posts on a consistent basis, which consist of 1500 words or more.
Being Consistent and Providing Value Matters
You’re also putting out regular Youtube videos that shows that you know what you’re talking about and didn’t just throw a 6 minute video up that has no direction or real value. You also are putting energy, effort and value into your current email list (if you have one), because word of mouth is real and if your current audience loves and trust you then they will most definitely tell their other teacher friends/parents about you.
Providing quality content isn’t hard but it will take work and some organizational skills. You need to make sure you have a solid plan of the blogs, videos and pins that you are putting out into the world. Do your research and be consistent.
Now, I will admit this was a long post, but a much needed one.
Check out my freebies and other blog posts below:
5-Step Online Teaching Business Checklist
Free Guide” 7-Ways to Make Money Online”
Free Guide “How to Start a Teacher Business for Beginners”
Free Teacher Business Path Quiz
4 Ways for Teachers to Make Money Online
How to Start a Successful Online Teaching Business
How to Write the Best Vision Statement for a Successful Teaching Business
