Categories
Influencer Marketing Social Media

Are You Wasting Time on Social Media? The Best Marketing Strategy for Small Businesses

Introduction: Posting Every Day, but Still Not Growing?

You’re not alone if social media feels like a full-time job that isn’t paying off. You’re doing all the “right” things—posting regularly, jumping on trends, using hashtags—and yet, business isn’t growing like you hoped. The followers aren’t turning into leads, and the likes aren’t converting into sales.

 

Sound familiar?

 

Here’s the hard truth: Most small business owners are wasting time on social media. Not because it doesn’t work—but because it’s being used the wrong way, or too soon in the marketing journey.

 

This article will show you a better path: the best marketing strategy for small businesses that want real, sustainable growth. We’ll compare social media’s short shelf-life to smarter, search-focused strategies like SEO and evergreen content—and give you a blueprint to shift your efforts where they’ll truly pay off.

 

Let’s make your marketing work while you work—without the daily content hamster wheel.

The Social Media Time Trap

Why It Feels Productive—but Often Isn’t

Social media promises quick wins: viral videos, big reach, instant reactions. But for most small businesses, these platforms become black holes for time and energy. The pressure to “post daily” leads to burnout—and often very few tangible results.

 

According to Hootsuite, the average Instagram post has an organic reach rate of just 9.34%. On Facebook? That number drops to under 5%.

 

And here’s the kicker:

 

  • A Tweet lasts 18 minutes
  • An Instagram Story disappears after 24 hours
  • A Facebook post becomes irrelevant in a few days

This means you’re creating content that works for hours—not days, weeks, or months.

Content Lifespan - Instagram Story vs. Blog Post vs. YouTube Video
Content Lifespan – Instagram Story vs. Blog Post vs. YouTube Video

What Actually Drives Leads for Small Businesses

Intent Trumps Attention

People scroll social media for entertainment—not solutions.
People search Google and YouTube when they’re ready to solve a problem.

 

That’s the key difference.

 

When someone types “best HVAC repair near me” into Google, they’re not looking to kill time—they’re ready to hire. And that’s where your business needs to show up.

Data That Proves It
  • 78% of local mobile searches result in an offline purchase within 24 hours (Google)
  • YouTube is the 2nd largest search engine—and videos can rank on both YouTube and Google for years
  • Blog posts optimized for local SEO continue driving traffic long after they’re published

 

📌 Supporting Source:
Google: Think With Google Research

The Best Marketing Strategy for Small Businesses

A Smarter Approach: SEO + Evergreen Content + Repurposing

 

Let’s reframe your marketing.

 

Instead of chasing attention, build assets that drive leads over time.

 

Here’s what that looks like:

 

  1. SEO-Optimized Blog Posts
    • Target keywords your audience is searching for
    • Focus on local topics (e.g., “best chiropractor in Marlton, NJ”)
    • Answer questions your customers frequently ask
  2. YouTube Videos with Local Intent
    • “How to prepare your roof for winter in South Jersey”
    • “What to expect from your first visit to [Your Business Name]”
    • Embed videos into your website and optimize for SEO
  3. Content Repurposing for Social Media
    • Turn each blog post into:
      • Instagram carousels
      • Facebook posts
      • LinkedIn articles
      • Email newsletters
      • Short-form videos (Reels, Shorts, TikToks)

This creates a marketing system where your content works while you sleep.

 

When (and How) to Use Social Media the Right Way

 

Social media isn’t useless—it’s just misused.

 

Think of it as a distribution channel, not a marketing engine. Use social to:

 

  • Promote your evergreen content
  • Show social proof (testimonials, behind-the-scenes)
  • Engage your community
  • Retarget warm leads using Facebook and Instagram ads

👉 But don’t make it your core growth strategy—especially if you’re a small team or solo operator.

 

🧠 Visual Suggestion:

Marketing ecosystem graphic: Core = SEO/Website, Surrounding = YouTube, Social, Email
Marketing ecosystem graphic: Core = SEO/Website, Surrounding = YouTube, Social, Email

5 Signs You’re Wasting Time on Social Media

  1. You post daily but haven’t generated a single lead from it
  2. Your website traffic hasn’t increased in months
  3. You feel pressure to “always be creating”
  4. You don’t track conversions or ROI from your posts
  5. You spend more time editing Reels than closing sales

If you nodded at even one of these, it’s time to reconsider your approach.

 

The Social Media Burnout Test

Your 30-Day Blueprint for Smarter Marketing

Don’t ditch social media overnight—but do rebalance your strategy.

Week 1: Audit & Strategy
  • Review where your leads are actually coming from
  • Identify 5 high-intent keywords using Ubersuggest or Google Search Console
  • Set up or optimize your Google Business Profile
Week 2: Create One Blog Post
  • Choose a question your customers ask all the time
  • Write a blog that answers it clearly and thoroughly
  • Add local references (neighborhoods, cities, landmarks)
Week 3: Film One YouTube Video
  • Keep it simple—2–3 minutes, shot on your phone
  • Embed it in your blog
  • Upload to YouTube with keyword-rich title and description
Week 4: Repurpose + Share
  • Break your blog and video into:
    • 3 social posts
    • 1 email
    • 1 lead magnet or downloadable tip sheet

 

Conclusion: Stop Chasing, Start Building

Social media can be useful—but it’s not your business model.
It’s not your sales funnel. It’s not your lead magnet.

 

It’s your amplifier.

 

The best marketing strategy for small businesses isn’t about trends—it’s about building trust, visibility, and search intent.

 

✅ Create content once
✅ Optimize it for Google and YouTube
✅ Repurpose and promote on your terms

 

Start now—and let your marketing finally start working for you.

✅ Ready to Shift Your Strategy?

Let Digital Marketing Group help.
We’ll audit your current marketing, identify high-ROI opportunities, and help you build a smarter, evergreen content strategy.

 

👉 Contact us today for a free Local Content Strategy Session.

 

Download Available below!

The Social Media Burnout Test

Categories
Brand Building Content Marketing Digital Marketing for Small Business Influencer Marketing

Thought Leadership vs. Trend Chasing: Why Naval Ravikant Chooses Evergreen Content

Introduction

What if chasing every TikTok trend or crypto spike is torching your content game—while one timeless idea could crown you a thought leader for years? I’ve been there—hustling to ride the latest wave, only to watch my posts sink in a week, feeling like I’m shouting into a void. Then I saw Naval Ravikant build an empire with a handful of tweets that still echo in 2025. Curious why he picks evergreen over ephemeral? Scared you’re running the wrong race? Relax—this is your deep dive into thought leadership vs. trend chasing, unpacking why Naval bets on content that lasts and how you can too. Let’s cut the noise and find your edge—your big idea’s waiting.

Defining the Battlefield: Thought Leadership vs. Trend Chasing

What Is Thought Leadership?

Thought leadership’s your sword—deep, original ideas that shape minds and stick. Naval Ravikant’s “Happiness is a choice” isn’t a fleeting quip; it’s a mindset shift that’s built him 1.5M+ X followers (2023). It’s about authority—planting a flag with insights people trust, quote, live by. Think Seth Godin’s “Permission Marketing”—decades old, still gold.

 

It’s not loud; it’s lasting. Your voice becomes the voice.

 

Thought Leadership: Depth, Longevity" vs. "Trend Chasing: Speed, Hype
Thought Leadership: Depth, Longevity” vs. “Trend Chasing: Speed, Hype

What Is Trend Chasing?

Trend chasing’s your sprint—fast, flashy content riding the hype wave. TikTok dances, NFT drops, whatever’s trending on X—it’s reactive, built for now. Gary Vee’s 100+-posts-a-week flood thrives here, snagging instant buzz and sales. Sprout Social (2023) says trendy posts fade 70% faster than evergreen—they’re fireworks, not foundations.

 

Tempting? Sure. Sustainable? Not so much.

 

Trend Hype: Hot → Cold in Weeks
Trend Hype: Hot → Cold in Weeks

Why Naval Ravikant Chooses Evergreen Over Trends

The Timeless Advantage

Naval doesn’t chase—he plants. His “How to Get Rich” podcast (2019) still tops charts in 2025—millions of listens because it’s wealth’s roots, not Bitcoin blips. Evergreen content—happiness, health, freedom—ages like whiskey, not milk. His Naval Almanack (2021) sells steady years later—a thought vault outlasting trend graves.

 

Trends die; timeless thrives—Naval’s playing the long game.

 

2019: 'How to Get Rich' → 2025: Still #1
2019: ‘How to Get Rich’ → 2025: Still #1

Simplicity Scales Influence

Naval’s secret sauce? Simplicity. “Desire is suffering’s contract” (2023)—five words, 5k+ retweets, cuts through X’s chaos like a blade. He posts 5-10 times a month—Gary Vee’s at 100+/week—yet Naval’s influence towers. Less output, more echo—Sprout Social (2023): short posts boost shares 60%.

 

One tweet, global reach—simplicity’s his superpower.

 

Simple Posts: 5k Shares" (peak) vs. "Trend Floods: Noise" (dip)
Simple Posts: 5k Shares” (peak) vs. “Trend Floods: Noise” (dip)

Depth Over Distraction

Naval’s depth digs in—his “How to Be Happy” (2020) still sparks X debates in 2025. Thought leadership focuses one big idea—your soul’s spark—not scattershot hype. “Content’s my soul,” he vibes (paraphrased ethos)—it’s legacy, not likes. Trends distract; depth connects—Naval’s proof.

 

I tweeted “Focus beats hustle”—saves outlasted my trend rants.

The Payoff of Evergreen Content

Long-Term Authority

Evergreen builds you a throne. Naval’s consistent depth makes him the thinker—1.5M+ X followers don’t scroll past. Edelman’s Trust Barometer (2024): depth-driven content hikes trust 33%. Trend-chasers reboot every cycle; thought leaders compound authority.

 

Your big idea could crown you—Naval’s sitting pretty.

 

Depth → Consistency → Authority
Depth → Consistency → Authority

Audience Loyalty

Timeless hooks “wisdom warriors”—fans who don’t just follow but fight for you. Naval’s tweets average 5k+ retweets (2023)—his tribe shares, cites, lives it. Trends snag likes; evergreen earns loyalty—organic growth that sticks.

 

I posted “Time is gold”—followers still tag me a year on.

Efficiency and Sanity

Here’s the kicker: evergreen’s burnout-proof. Naval’s 5-10 posts a month crush it—no grind, pure gold. HubSpot (2023): 50% of creators hit burnout chasing trends—Naval sidesteps that trap. One idea, endless mileage—efficiency meets sanity.

 

Less screaming, more shining—your brain thanks you.

Thought Leadership vs. Trend Chasing: Who Wins When?

When Thought Leadership Shines

Thought leadership’s your jam if:

  • You’re a Deep Thinker: Coaches, writers—Naval’s crew.
  • You Want Legacy: Shape minds for years—1.5M+ X followers (2023).
  • You Hate Hustle: Depth over daily posts—sanity wins.

Big ideas, big staying power—thought leaders own the future.

 

 

When Trend Chasing Wins

Trend chasing’s your rocket if:

  • You Sell Fast: Retailers, influencers—Gary Vee’s 100+/week sells.
  • You Need Buzz: Quick spikes, product drops—50k sales in a day.
  • You’re Speed-Driven: Volume fuels short-term cash—trends deliver.

Hype’s hot—until it’s not.

Real-World Scorecard

  • Thought Win: Maya, a Black coach, posts “Patience builds power”—5k loyal followers in six months, evergreen buzz.
  • Trend Win: Jay’s sneaker drop—“Hottest kicks now!”—50k sales in a week, then crickets.

 

How to Choose Your Path with Naval’s Playbook

Define Your Goal

What’s your game—legacy or loot? Thought leadership’s for building—Naval’s “Tweet my own thoughts” (X bio) vibes soul over sprint. Trend chasing’s for selling—fast cash, fast fade. I’m a builder—my “Focus beats hustle” aims to last, not spike.

 

Ask: “Am I shaping or shipping?”—your call sets the path.

Craft Your Evergreen Seed

Hunt your truth—“Time beats talent” hit me after a late-night slump. Cut it tight—10 words to 5—“Patience pays” wins. Test it on X—morning posts peak 20% higher (X, 2023). Pin it, let it grow—Naval’s “Seek wealth, not money” (2019) still slays.

Plant it—watch it root.

 

Measure What Lasts

Likes fade—track saves, shares. “They’ll quote this in 2030” is your evergreen goal—Naval’s 5k+ retweets/post (2023) prove depth wins. My “Focus beats hustle” got 50 saves—I blogged it next. Tweak—refine, don’t rush—legacy’s your metric.

 

Build what endures—Naval’s playbook works.

Conclusion

Thought leadership vs. trend chasing? Naval Ravikant picks evergreen content—timeless depth over trendy flash—for authority, loyalty, and sanity that outlasts the hype. Trends burn bright then bust; thought leadership’s your soul’s slow fire—your choice shapes your mark. Ready to plant your evergreen seed? Contact Digital Marketing Group LLC to craft your lasting edge. Naval’s one tweet echoes—will yours chase or change?

 

Comprehensive Content Strategy Comparison Table

For Small Business Owners, Influencers & Brands

Criteria
Gary Vee
(High Volume)
Alex Hormozi
(Repurposing)
Justin Welsh
(Authority)
Naval Ravikant
(Minimalist)
Ali Abdaal
(SEO Growth)
Best For
Influencers, Startups, Brands Agencies, Coaches, Local Businesses Consultants, Lawyers, Thought Leaders Investors, Public Figures Course Creators, YouTubers
Effort Level
🔥 High (100+ posts/week) ⏳ Medium-High (Batch & Repurpose) 🎯 Medium (Deep, fewer posts) ✨ Low (Rare, but high-impact) 📹 Medium (SEO & Video Production)
Content Type
Reels, X Threads, TikToks Blogs, Email, Social Media Clips LinkedIn, Deep Essays Tweets, Books, Podcasts YouTube Videos, Blogs
Best for Small Businesses
❌ Not Ideal (Too Much Effort) ✅ Yes (Great for Scaling Content) ✅ Yes (Great for High-Trust Businesses) ❌ No (Best for Public Figures) ✅ Yes (SEO & Video for Local Leads)
Engagement Style
Broad Reach, Volume Game Multi-Platform, Low Effort Deep Trust & Community Low Output, Maximum Impact Long-Term Engagement via SEO
Monetization Approach
Brand Deals, Sponsorships Courses, High-Ticket Sales Consulting, Memberships Books, Investments YouTube AdSense, Affiliate Sales
How to Combine
Pair with **Hormozi** for reach + repurposing Use **Ali Abdaal’s SEO** for traffic Mix with **Naval’s minimalism** Blend with **Justin’s deep content** Repurpose with **Hormozi’s framework**

How Small Business Owners Can Apply These Content Strategies

Best Content Strategy for HVAC, Roofing, Plumbing, and Local Service Businesses?

  • Alex Hormozi’s repurposing model + Ali Abdaal’s SEO approach.
  • Why? One blog post or video can turn into weeks of content across different platforms, while SEO helps you rank locally.
Best Content Strategy for Lawyers, Consultants, and High-Ticket Services?
  • Justin Welsh’s Evergreen Thought Leadership + Alex Hormozi’s repurposing.
  • Why? High-trust industries need credibility. Fewer, high-quality posts work better than constant social media noise.
Best Content Strategy for Personal Brands & Influencers?
  • Gary Vee’s High-Volume Model + Justin Welsh’s Authority-Based Content.
  • Why? If your goal is visibility, volume wins. If your goal is trust, mix it with deeper, high-value content.
Best Strategy for Local Real Estate, Fitness, or Wellness Brands?
  • Ali Abdaal’s SEO Model + Hormozi’s Repurposing Strategy.
  • Why? YouTube & SEO bring passive inbound leads, while repurposing keeps you relevant on social media without extra effort.

How to Use This Table

  • Pick a strategy that fits your business model & industry.
  • Mix & match to create the best hybrid approach for your needs.
  • Embed this table in every content strategy article to help small businesses make smarter marketing decisions.