Marketing Without Social Media? Yes, It's Possible!

Over the past two weeks, there’s been a big shift in the social media landscape—and we’ve felt it in our CoHo community. From algorithm changes to disappearing platforms (but wait, just kidding 🫠), the question on everyone’s mind is: how do we market our businesses without relying on social media?

The good news? You absolutely can. Social media is just one piece of the marketing puzzle, and shifting focus to other strategies can actually help you connect more deeply with your audience while building a more sustainable approach to growth.

Here are some of the top ideas our members are exploring—creative, effective, and totally doable:

1. Build an Engaged Newsletter Audience

Email marketing is having a moment, and for good reason—it’s personal, direct, and doesn’t rely on a platform’s algorithm to get seen. Whether you’re sharing tips, offering discounts, or connecting with your audience through storytelling, newsletters can deliver serious ROI.

👉 Our pick: We love [Flodesk](INSERT LINK HERE), an easy-to-use email marketing platform with beautiful templates and customization options. As part of the CoHo community, you can snag 50% off your first year using our [affiliate link]HERE.

2. Collaborate with Local Businesses

Find complementary businesses in your area and team up to cross-promote. Maybe it’s a shared event, bundled offers, or simply showcasing each other to your audiences. It’s a win-win for both businesses and builds authentic, local connections.

✨ Example: Our neighbors Union Coffee and Revolution Wellness both offer a discount to our members—check it out in the PERKS section of the CoHo App!

3. Host Workshops or Events

What better way to showcase your expertise than by hosting a workshop? If you’re a copywriter, try a "How to Write Killer Headlines" class. If you’re in fitness, consider a low-cost pop-up yoga session. These events build credibility and bring potential clients right to you.

💡 Thinking about hosting something at CoHo? Email us, we’d love to help make it happen!

4. Leverage a Referral Program

Your happy customers are your best marketers. Offer a discount, bonus, or exclusive gift for referrals—it’s a low-cost way to grow your client base while rewarding your most loyal fans.

(You guessed it, we also offer this! 😉 All monthly CoHo members are automatically enrolled—if a new member tells us you referred them, you get $50 after they’ve been here for a month.)

5. Get Featured in Local Media

Pitch your expertise or story to local newspapers, radio stations, or magazines. Whether it’s a press release about your business launch or a thoughtful op-ed, this strategy can help you reach new audiences in a more personal, credible way.

Social media may be evolving, but these strategies remind us of an important truth: real connection happens beyond the algorithm. And at CoHo, that’s what we’re all about.

Got other non-social media marketing ideas? Reply and share them—we’d love to hear!