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Jan Barley

The Power of Using Trigger Words in SEO Content

July 15, 2024

trigger words in SEO

Don’t underestimate the power of trigger words. They create subliminal messages to our brain by creating an emotional response

Trigger words in SEO act as a primer for the reader’s search intent. For example, suppose someone is looking for a new laptop. They may type the detailed phrase “best laptop under £500” or “cheap laptop with good reviews.” In these instances, best, cheap and reviews are trigger words.

How do Trigger Words Improve SEO?

Content entirely focused on SEO can seem starchy and impersonal, and adding trigger words helps strike a chord with your audience. Although a word like “best” may seem obvious, it is entirely subjective. Still, when people are ready to buy, they genuinely want the best.

Most people don’t wait to get recommendations from friends. They read a few testimonials and make snap decisions based on the positives or negatives.

Using detailed trigger words can help: –

  1. Beat the competition
  2. Increase conversions
  3. Better target your audience

Content for user search intent includes the following four types: –

  1. Informative: Words suggesting the user seeks information, such as advice, guidance, instructions, or answers.
  2. Navigational: The user searches for a specific product, brand, service or website.
  3. Transactional: The user is ready to buy
  4. Commercial: The user may be researching products to make a purchase later, but they are not yet ready to buy.

Before writing content, the first step is deciding upon keyword intent. You can then weave fabulous trigger words into your content, with primary and secondary keywords to create articles that rank and keep readers on the page. Whatever niche you are in, whether it’s digital marketing or knitting baby scarves, use trigger words that your audience can relate to.

Best Trigger Words for Conversion

  • Best – Commercial
  • Buy – Transactional
  • Cheap – Transactional
  • Coupon -Transactional
  • Deal – Transactional
  • Discount -Transactional
  • DIY – Informative
  • Easy – Informative
  • Fast – Informative
  • Free -Transactional
  • Guide – Informative
  • How to – Informative
  • Offer -Transactional
  • Online – Navigational
  • Quick – Informative
  • Review – Commercial
  • Sale – Transactional
  • Simple – Informative
  • Top – Commercial
  • Tutorial – Informative

… and more …

  • Advanced – Informative
  • Affordable – Commercial
  • Beginner’s – Informative
  • Compact – Commercial
  • Comparison – Commercial
  • Custom – Commercial
  • Durable – Commercial
  • Efficient – Informative
  • Essential – Informative
  • Expert – Informative / Commercial
  • Innovative – Commercial
  • Lightweight – Commercial
  • Must-have – Commercial
  • Popular – Commercial
  • Portable – Commercial
  • Premium – Commercial
  • Professional – Informative / Commercial
  • Quality – Commercial
  • Recommended – Commercial
  • Reliable – Commercial
  • Trending – Commercial
  • Ultimate – Commercial
  • Unique – Commercial
  • Versatile – Commercial

… and more …

  • Alternative – Commercial
  • Advice – Informative
  • Approach – Informative
  • Blueprint – Informative
  • Case study – Informative
  • Checklist – Informative
  • Examples – Informative
  • Findings – Informative
  • Formula – Informative
  • Framework – Informative
  • Ideas – Informative
  • Insights – Informative
  • Method – Informative
  • Recipe – Informative
  • Report – Informative
  • Research – Informative
  • Results – Informative
  • Solution – Informative
  • Steps – Informative
  • Strategy – Informative
  • Study – Informative
  • Survey – Informative
  • System – Informative
  • Technique – Informative
  • Tips – Informative
  • Tricks – Informative
  • Secrets – Informative
  • Ways – Informative

Descriptive Trigger Words

  • Advantages – Informative
  • Analysis – Informative
  • Authentic – Commercial
  • Benefits – Informative
  • Certified – Commercial
  • Complete – Informative
  • Comprehensive – Informative
  • Detailed – Informative
  • Disadvantages – Informative
  • Exhaustive – Informative
  • Features – Informative
  • Genuine – Commercial
  • Highlights – Informative
  • In-depth – Informative
  • Facts – Informative
  • Pros and cons – Informative
  • Proven – Commercial
  • Objective – Informative
  • Overview – Informative
  • Snapshot – Informative
  • Specifications – Informative
  • Summary – Informative
  • Tested – Commercial
  • Thorough – Informative
  • Unbiased – Commercial
  • Statistics – Informative
  • Verified – Commercial

Contextual Trigger Words

  • Customer Service – Navigational
  • Delivery – Transactional
  • Guarantee – Transactional
  • Installation -Transactional
  • Return Policy – Transactional
  • Setup – Transactional
  • Shipping -Transactional
  • Support – Navigational
  • Warranty – Transactional
  • Article – Navigational
  • Blog Post – Navigational
  • eBook – Navigational
  • Guidebook – Informative
  • Infographic – Navigational
  • Latest – Commercial
  • New – Commercial
  • Podcast – Navigational
  • Report – Informative
  • Slide Deck – Navigational
  • Video – Navigational
  • Webinar – Navigational
  • Whitepaper – Navigational

 People Trigger Words

  • For Men – Commercial
  • For Women – Commercial
  • For Kids – Commercial
  • For Teens – Commercial
  • For Adults – Commercial
  • For Seniors – Commercial
  • For Beginners – Informative
  • For Professionals – Commercial
  • For Experts – Commercial
  • For Amateurs – Informative
  • For Entrepreneurs – Commercial
  • For Students – Commercial
  • For Teachers – Commercial
  • For Parents – Commercial
  • For Singles – Commercial
  • For Couples – Commercial
  • For Families – Commercial
  • For Small Businesses – Commercial
  • For Large Corporations – Commercial
  • For Freelancers – Commercial
  • For Remote Workers – Commercial
  • For Travelers – Commercial
  • For Foodies – Commercial
  • For Gamers – Commercial
  • For Photographers Commercial
  • For Developers – Commercial
  • For Designers – Commercial
  • For Artists – Commercial-
  • For Writers – Commercial-
  • For Musicians – Commercial
  • For Fitness Enthusiasts – Commercial

Seasonal Trigger Words

  • Annual – Informative
  • Autumn – Commercial
  • Classic – Commercial
  • Contemporary – Commercial
  • Current – Informative
  • Daily – Informative
  • Historical – Commercial
  • Holiday – Commercial
  • Future – Informative
  • Old – Commercial
  • Past – Informative
  • Recent – Informative
  • Retro – Commercial
  • Modern – Commercial
  • Monthly – Informative
  • Today – Informative
  • Tomorrow – Informative
  • Traditional – Commercial
  • Seasonal – Commercial
  • Spring – Commercial
  • Summer – Commercial
  • Upcoming – Informative
  • Vintage – Commercial
  • Weekly – Informative
  • Winter -Commercial
  • Yearly – Informative

Conclusion

When considering adding trigger words to your content, ponder the intent first. For instance, who is the reader, and what do you want them to do? Identify the demographics and type of content in your analysis. For example, “special offer this month for entrepreneurs who want a new marketing system. Monthly or yearly subscriptions. Sale ends tomorrow.”

Yeah, I know that sounds a bit blah, but you get my point, I hope. Use trigger words sparingly; otherwise, your content might get a bit busy and unreadable. Especially filter trigger words into email campaigns. Trigger words also work in social media marketing where you intend to implent SEO and encourage someone to take action.

Thanks for reading. Hey, why not follow me in Instagram and TikTok

How to Market Your Business Without Social Media 2025

July 13, 2024

market your business without social media

Marketing Your Business Without Social Media Isn’t As Daunting as You Might Think

Do you know how to market your business without social media? Are you struggling to get your business seen but assuming social media is the only way to do so?

If you answered “No” and Yes“, read on for top tips to market your business without social media.

We do not own our social media content. They can ban or restrict our account activities whenever they want, but they do not explain why.

If you’re marketing your business with multiple social media channels, you know how much hard work it is. The content requirement is endless, and the algorithms seem more focused on highlighting ads than taking care of us little guys.

I spent ages trying to reactivate my Pinterest account after losing it due to supposed “spamming” in June. For every appeal I submited, I received an automated bot response stating they won’t reactivate.

So I thought, sod that. I eventually opened a new account, but started focusing on other options.

Here are 11 ways to market your business without social media.

Using Content Marketing To Grow Your Business

Here’s where you start growing your business.

#1: Blog Content

  • Create a Pillar Post with Content Clusters: Choose an overarching subject with the potential for dozens of spin-off articles and interlink them.
  • Develop A Content Calendar: Plan topics in advance. Align your business goals and seasonal trends. Use an Excel doc or free Trello board to map out your plan.
  • Create Evergreen Content: Write relevant articles over time, providing long-term value—update as necessary.
  • Optimise For SEO: Use keyword research to target specific search terms and structure your posts for readability and SERP rankings.
  • Vary Content Types: Mix how-to guides, listicles, case studies, and opinion pieces to keep your blog diverse and engaging. For an in-depth look at content types, read “7 Types of Blog Content That Google Loves.”

#2: Long-Form Content

  • Whitepapers: Produce in-depth reports on industry trends or challenges, showcasing your expertise and research capabilities. A whitepaper builds your authority.
  • Ebooks: Create comprehensive guides on specific topics, offering them as lead magnets for email sign-ups. Your Ebook could double up as a lead magnet for email marketing.
  • Case Studies: Highlight successful client outcomes to demonstrate your product or service effectiveness.

#3: Visual Content

  • Infographics: Present complex data or processes in visually appealing, easy-to-understand graphics.
  • Videos: Produce tutorials, product demonstrations, or behind-the-scenes content to engage viewers.
  • Webinars: Host online seminars on relevant topics, allowing for real-time interaction with your audience.
    Note: The Systeme $47 package includes unlimited webinars, including evergreen options.

#4: Audio Content

  • Podcasts: Start a regular podcast discussing industry news, interviewing experts, or sharing tips related to your field.
  • Audio Guides: Create downloadable audio content for on-the-go learning.

#5: Interactive Content

  • Quizzes: Develop engaging quizzes that provide value to users while collecting data for your business. Quizzes are currently trending in content creation.

#6: User-Generated Content

  • Customer Stories: Encourage and feature happy clients’ testimonials, reviews, and success stories.
  • Contests: Run engaging competitions for customers. Create content relevant to your brand.

#7: Repurposing Content

  • Transform Blog Posts into slideshows or video presentations.
  • Convert Webinars into blog posts or podcast episodes.
  • Curate Long-Form Content into a series of social media posts or email newsletters.

Curating content can save you hours of work. I curate my TikTok videos for Instagram and my Instagram stories into reels and TikTok videos.

#8: Guest Posting

  • Contribute Articles To Reputable Industry Websites: That will expand your reach and build backlinks.
  • Ask Industry Experts To Contribute To Your Blog: Bring fresh perspectives and potentially tap into their audience.

#9: Content Partnerships

  • Collaborate With Complementary Businesses: Co-create valuable content, expanding both parties’ reach.
  • Participate In Industry Roundups Or Expert Panels: Showcase your knowledge alongside peers.

#10: Content Distribution

  • Implement An Email Strategy to share your content with subscribers.
  • Use Content Syndication Platforms to republish your work on other relevant websites.
  • Leverage Industry Forums And Q&A Sites to share your expertise and link back to your content when appropriate.

#11: Measuring Content Performance

  • Track Key Metrics: Page views, time on page, and conversion rates.
  • Use Google Analytics: Assessing analytics helps to understand user behaviour and content effectiveness.
  • Regularly Review And Update older content to keep it relevant and high-performing.

Focus on creating high-quality, valuable content and strategically distributing it. It will help you attract and engage with the right audience without relying on social media platforms.

9 More Ideas for Marketing Your Business Without Social Media

The tips keep coming.

1. Focus On Your Website

Always make your website a working partner. It shouldn’t be about randomly posting content without having a clear SEO plan underpinning your marketing strategy. The goal should always be to monetise your website as early as possible.

  • Optimise For Search Engines: Use relevant keywords in your content, meta descriptions, and headers.
  • Create Valuable, Keyword-Rich Content: Develop in-depth articles, guides, and resources that address your target audience’s needs and questions.
  • Improve User Experience: Make your site mobile-friendly, easy to navigate, and visually appealing. Implement clear calls to action.

2. Email Marketing

Email marketing is a great way to “own” your followers. Even if your social media accounts get restricted, your email list is still a loyal band of people who identify with your brand.

  • Build And Segment Your Email List: Offer sign-up incentives and categorise subscribers based on interests or behaviour.
  • Create Engaging Newsletters: Share industry insights, company updates, and exclusive offers. Use compelling subject lines and personalisation.
  • Offer Exclusive Content: Give subscribers access to unique resources, early product releases, or members-only discounts.

If you haven’t got an email campaign set up yet, open a free account with Systeme. You can have up to 2,000 subscribers and one email campaign entirely for free.

3. Local Marketing Strategies

You could have many business opportunities on your doorstep but haven’t yet maximised the marketing potential.

  • Optimise For Local SEO: Claim and optimise your Google My Business listing. It’s relatively easy to do.
  • Participate In Community Events: Sponsor or attend local fairs, markets, or charity events to increase brand visibility.
  • Use Traditional Local Advertising: Place ads in local newspapers, magazines, or on local radio stations.

4. Networking And Partnerships

  • Attend Industry Events: Participate in trade shows, seminars and conferences to meet potential clients and partners.
  • Collaborate With Complementary Businesses: Create joint promotions or bundle services with non-competing businesses in your area.
  • Join Professional Associations: Become a member of industry-specific groups to expand your network and gain credibility.

5. Public Relations

  • Send Press Releases: Share newsworthy updates about your business with local or industry media outlets.
  • Seek Speaking Engagements: To showcase your expertise, offer to speak at conferences, webinars, or local business events.
  • Contribute Expert Articles: Write guest posts or columns for industry publications to increase your visibility and authority.

6. Customer Referral Programs

  • Incentivise Referrals: Offer discounts, upgrades, or other rewards to customers who bring in new business.
  • Create A Structured System: Develop a formal process for tracking and rewarding referrals, making it easy for customers to participate.

The final three social media marketing alternatives are my least favourite because they involve cost. However, for your business, these options might work well.

7. Print Marketing

  • Design Eye-Catching Materials: Create professional brochures, flyers, or postcards communicating your value proposition.
  • Use Direct Mail: Target specific demographics or geographic areas with personalised mail campaigns.
  • Place Print Ads: Advertise in industry magazines, local publications, or niche interest periodicals relevant to your target audience.

8. Search Engine Marketing (SEM)

  • Invest In Pay-Per-Click: Use platforms like Google Ads. You can bid on relevant keywords and appear in search results.
  • Use Display Ads: Create visually appealing banner ads and place them on websites frequented by your target audience.

9. Offline Advertising

  • Billboards Or Transit Ads: Use high-traffic locations to increase brand awareness in your local area.
  • Radio Or TV Commercials: Develop memorable ads for broadcast media to reach a wider audience.
  • Sponsor Local Events: Support community sports teams, cultural events, or educational programs to enhance your local reputation.

Conclusion

I’ve given you a lot to think about. I appreciate it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by so many choices. I recommend starting with one of the tips and building up as your business gains momentum. Alternatively, consider hiring relevant experts to help market your business without social media.

Disclaimer: There are affiliate links on this page. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission.

Ubersuggest: Free Keyword Research Made Simple 2025

July 12, 2024

ubersuggest free keyword research

Free keyword research tools can be as effective as paid versions. Ubersuggest is a fantastic free platform to help you master your SEO. It’s easy to learn and suitable for beginners and professionals. It’s one of the only platforms I have found that shows your website backlinks for free.

Ubersuggest free SEO tools highlight spam scores, too, meaning you can disavow any links affecting your site scores.

Although there is a paid version of Ubersuggest, the free SEO tools are more than enough to help you improve your site’s SEO.

The Benefits of Using Ubersuggest Free Keyword Research Tools

ubersuggest ranking

Ubersuggest is better than Google Console as it shows you the movement of keywords in SERPs

  1. It’s excellent for initial keyword research and idea generation
  2. You can get an overview of competitors’ performance
  3. It offers site auditing to identify major SEO issues
  4. It provides an understanding of search trends and user intent

It’s essential not to rely on one free keyword research tool. The most powerful results come from combining SEO tools. For instance, compare insights from free SEO tools like Google Search Console and Google Trends for a more comprehensive SEO strategy.

Having a good grasp of SEO can help your site become an income generator, so it’s worth choosing the best free keyword research SEO tools.

ubersuggest for keyword researchUbersuggest: Overview of Free Features

Keyword Overview

  • Search Volume Data: Analyse your website’s search volume.
  • SEO Difficulty Score: When starting a new site, targeting keywords with low difficulty is best.
  • Paid Difficulty Score: When planning paid ads, this tool stops you from wasting money on keywords that won’t perform.
  • Cost Per Click (CPC) Estimates: Ubersuggest calculates how much it will cost per click so you can budget effectively.

Keyword Ideas

  • Related Keywords: A brilliant way to avoid using expensive SEO software.
  • Questions People Ask: These are essential to build long-tail keywords.
  • Prepositions (keywords with “for,” “with,” etc.): Often overlooked, but prepositions can help build out your SEO content.
  • Comparisons (keywords with “vs,” “or,” etc.): Comparison articles do well in SERPs

Content Ideas

  • Top-Performing Content For A Given Keyword: This can help you create an effective content strategy.
  • Social Shares Data: Knowing what people share enables you to target your content.
  • Estimated Visits: You can get estimated visits from Google Console & Analytics, so use Ubersuggest to compare.

Site Audit (Limited)

There are limitations with the paid version, but I suggest using them to the maximum extent possible.

  • Basic On-Page SEO Analysis
  • Identification Of Critical Errors
  • Suggestions For Improvements

Domain Overview

  • Domain Authority Score: this is better than Moz, which often seems to have out-of-date data.
  • Number Of Backlinks: I love this free service as it helped me identify one of my backlinks with a 62% spam score. I have disavowed the link in Google Console, but it’s proving tricky to get rid of.
  • Organic Monthly Traffic Estimate: Monitor your efforts by checking your site’s growth.

Top Pages

  • List Of A Domain’s Top-Performing Pages: Knowing your best-performing pages means you can create more content clusters and create a spider web of internal links.
  • Estimated Visits Per Page: Monitor your site growth.

Backlink Data (Limited)

  • Overview Of A Site’s Backlink Profile
  • Sample Of Backlinks

Rank Tracking (Limited)

ubersuggest site audit

Even the free version of Ubersuggest gives a great overview of site ranking

  • Track A Few Keywords For Your Domain: No free SEO tools are 100% accurate, but you can track keyword movement. Target keywords that are ranking already.

Chrome Extension

The free Chrome extension gives you quick Access To Key Metrics While Browsing.

Daily Search Limits

A Set Number Of Free Daily Searches (Typically 3): Before using the Ubersuggest daily search, I advise preparing by selecting the most important keywords for which you want to build out more content.

ubersuggest keyword research tool

Here’s an example from my dashboard of keywords I could use in my next articles about master resell rights products.

How To Find Low-Competition Keywords

#1: Start with a Seed Keyword

  • Enter a broad topic or main keyword in the Ubersuggest search bar
  • Select your target country and language

#2: Analyse the Keyword Overview

  • Look at the SEO Difficulty score
  • Aim for keywords with a score under 30 for low competition (ideally under 15 for new sites)
  • Check the search volume
  • Balance keywords between low difficulty and decent search volume (1000+)

#3: Explore Keyword Ideas

  • Click on “Keyword Ideas” in the left sidebar
  • Review the suggested keywords, focusing on:
  • Related keywords
  • Questions
  • Prepositions
  • Comparisons

#4: Filter Your Results

  • Use the filter option to set max SEO Difficulty (e.g., 15)
  • Set a minimum search volume that’s realistic for your niche
  • Apply filters to narrow down your list

#5: Search for Long-Tail Keywords

  • Focus on longer, more specific phrases
  • These often have lower competition and higher conversion rates. My site does well with long-tailed keywords. For example “The disadvantages of faceless marketing” is an excellent long-tailed keyword that is a featured snippet for my site (February 2025)

#6: Analyse User Intent

  • Consider the intent behind each keyword
  • Look for informational keywords (how-to, guide, tips) for easier ranking

#7: Check Content Ideas

  • Click on “Content Ideas” in the left sidebar
  • Look for topics with high engagement but low SEO difficulty

#8: Evaluate Keyword Potential

  • For promising keywords, click to view more details
  • Check the “SERP Analysis” to see who’s currently ranking
  • Look for opportunities where top results have low Domain Authority

#9: Consider Search Trends

  • Look at the search trend graph for each keyword
  • Choose keywords with stable or growing trends

#10: Prioritise Your Findings

  • Create a list of your top low-competition keywords
  • Prioritise based on relevance to your content and business goals

#11: Verify with Other Tools

Cross-reference your findings with Google Trends or Google Keyword Planner. It helps validate Ubersuggest data.

ubersuggest

4 Pro Tips for Ubersuggest

  1. Use your daily free searches wisely by focusing on different seed keywords daily.
  2. Look for niche-specific or location-based keywords for lower competition.
  3. Don’t ignore low-volume keywords if they’re highly relevant to your business.
  4. Consider seasonal trends when evaluating keywords.

To sum up, Remember that finding low-competition keywords is just the first step. You must create high-quality, relevant content to rank for these terms. Use keywords strategically in your content planning and on-page SEO efforts.

My advice is to focus on learning one free SEO tools platform first. Once you have mastered that one, pick another to learn. There is no need to pay for expensive SEO tools like Ahrefs and Moz. I do not pay for SEO tools, and I have hundreds of organic ranking keywords and multiple featured snippets.

Let me know how you get along with Ubersuggest free SEO tools. We are grateful to Neil Patel for offering such a fantastic service for free.

Disclaimer: There are affiliate links on this page. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission.

How to Disavow Spam Backlinks 2025

July 4, 2024

disavow spam backlinks

If you don’t know whether your site has a high spam score, here is how you find out & improve it

Disavow spam backlinks because they are annoying. Even if you have a secure https:// website, you don’t want a high spam score. It seems unfair that a website linking to ours causes a high spam score, but that’s how it is.

Moz domain authority checker has a spam score based on the quality of your website backlinks. The only thing with this DA checker, is it doesn’t seem to update regularly. I removed every page and post four months ago, and have many top featured snippets and page on ranking, but it shows ranking for the old pages and posts.

How to Get Rid of Those Nasty Backlinks

Most people have no idea how to find out what backlinks they have, so here is a simple way to discover your backlinks and disavow them in Google Search Console

When your website starts ranking, you may acquire a few spam links, which can affect your sites spam score. Depending on your industry, spam links can get out of hand.

Recently, my website’s spam score shot to 40%. Shocked, I did a backlink check and found one URL with a 62% spam score.

  • Firstly, make sure your domain is verified in Google search Console.
  • The Second step is to visit Neil Patel’s Ubersuggest website
  • The next step is to open THIS PAGE to disavow.
  • Create a .txt document on Notepad

On the Ubersuggest backlinks page, go to Source” for each URL, right click on the upward arrow and “copy link address”

Paste each link into your .txt file on Notepad


Assuming your website is verified with Google Console (if not, why not?), go to THIS PAGE to disavow the link:

Click on the “property” that is your website address

NOTE: If you have your website set up as a “Domain Property” in Google Search Console You cannot disavow spam backlinks. You need to have your domain as a URL prefix. (A Domain Property includes all subdomains of your website)

How to Disavow Spam Backlinks

Open Notepad and create a *.txt file.

If you have two or more links to disavow, here is the EXACT format for the *.txt file: –

# Two pages to disavow
http://spamlink.example1.com
http://spamlink.example2.com

I had six URLs to disavow, so mine read # Six pages to disavow, followed by the offending URLs.

Note: If you only have one domain to disavow, here is the EXACT format for the *.txt file: –

# One domain to disavow
domain:shadyexample.com

Important: In the second example, if you only have one domain to disavow, adding the prefix http:// or https:// won’t work. The uploader returns an error in the layout, so you must use the exact format, including spacing as shown below.

Add how many disavow links you have as seen in the image

Disavowing a spam link is a quick and easy process. However, don’t hold your breath for the link to be removed. It can take up to three months to disavow a link. I have no idea why it takes so long for Google to remove it, but that’s how it is.

I hope you find this informational helpful. I used to think it was complicated to disavow spam links but, as you can see, it is quick and easy to submit your list to Google Console.

Note: If you are amember of various online communities, it’s not always a good idea to add your website URL there. For instance, Skool has a 28% spam score and Clearvoice (a freelancing platform) has 7%. 

As well as disavowing these spam links, remove your URL from these communities.

Is Social Media Marketing Worth It? 7 Reasons It’s Not (2025)

June 28, 2024

is social media marketing worth it

Every New Business Turns to Social Media Marketing, But is it Worth the Effort?

Is social media marketing worth it? I’ve certainly asked myself that question a lot these last few weeks.

All the digital marketing products and courses I purchased this year touted the importance of social media marketing. However, after a couple of months of content creation, I wondered, “Is social media marketing dead?”

These social media platforms change fast. What was in fashion one week is out the next.

This week, I lost my Pinterest account. I mistakenly added short links in my pins because the affiliate links I was sharing were long and ugly.

I thought a shortener would be OK, not knowing they are against Pinterest community guidelines. In the blink of an eye, Pinterest suspended my account for spamming.

I’m working on an appeal, but it’s made me wonder if social media marketing is worth it. Hence, you’re now reading this article.

#1: Most Social Media Platforms Are Draconian

If you don’t know what draconian means, post a comment on someone’s Instagram reel and say something like –

“Well, done. That’s amazing. I am so happy for you.”

The chances are that Instagram will flash a message restricting your comment because you’re trying to get likes.

You cannot be social on a social media platform anymore

It happened to me six times in a week in late May. The last message threatened to restrict or ban my account. WTAF Instagram?

My solution?

I won’t comment any more. So **** you IG.

I joined Instagram Threads shortly afterwards (mostly unpoliced at the moment), and many people are experiencing the same thing.

Draconian means harsh, severe or ruthless. The penalties for being social on a social media app are ridiculous and way over the top.

When you make a mistake – as I did on Pinterest – you get a message in red saying you VIOLATED community guidelines.

Excuse me, but as an ex-policewoman, I can tell you the true meaning of violation, and it isn’t making a cheerful comment on a reel or adding a couple of short links.

#2: Social Media Rules Constantly Change

It’s challenging to keep up with the ever-changing rules on social media platforms. First, they want hashtags on captions. Then they don’t.

Instagram apparently has a list of banned hashtags, which they don’t announce by, you know, sending us an email, perhaps.

Social media platforms assume we have the time to read rules and guidelines that are as long as the book War & Peace.

We do our best. Still, if you’re marketing on multiple platforms, staying ahead of the changes is impossible.

#3: Social Media Feeds Are Saturated With Adverts

If you plan to place ads for your social media marketing, that’s fine. However, be aware that if your free content doesn’t get much attention from the platform, your paid adverts might not perform well either.

I get it. Social media channels want businesses to spend money on advertising, but recently, our feeds have become a sea of irrelevant adverts.

#4: Your Social Media Content Has Poor Reach

What is the success rate of social media marketing? I don’t know the answer to that. I know that many people on Threads say they aren’t achieving success with social media marketing. Some share ridiculously huge income claims, but they aren’t the norm.

Getting decent reach has become a challenge for newbies and influencers. When Instagram changed its algorithm (2024), it affected people with hundreds of thousands of followers as much as the little guys.

I was posting two reels daily and getting between 5-40 views. I spend most of my time on Threads now, as it’s like a better version of Twitter.

If you’re starting a digital marketing business (or any business), it’s natural to think social media marketing is where it’s at. But if nobody sees your content, how effective is social media marketing?

#5: Social Media Marketing is Exhausting

There’s no easy way to say this. Creating content for social media is a drag. I am a content creator. I love creating content, but where are the rewards? How powerful is social media marketing if it makes us feel dead inside?

Many people experience burnout from social media marketing. That’s a fact. Unless you have a team to help you create content, social media marketing is a pain in the butt.

Twitter has been chaotic since Elon put his money into the pot. Facebook and Instagram are draconian (Both owned by Meta).

Pinterest pretends it’s nice until you make a minor VIOLATION. TikTok is a crazy place. The algorithm restricts content or bans people if they breathe the wrong way.

#6: People Want Alternatives to Social Media Marketing

People are getting sick and tired of social media. Someone on Threads asked recently, “Is social media making us depressed?”

I think it can.

Comparison bias and imposter syndrome are hard to ignore when you have women as lean as matchsticks with unnaturally white teeth, long glossy hair and a perfect life boasting how they made $3.5 million from digital marketing in six months.

The other side of the coin is people desperate for money, blasting sales messages to DMs and sharing their struggles on social media. It’s just not a great social environment anymore.

#7: Social Media Marketing is Damaging Our Relationships

When social media did not exist, businesses placed advertisements in magazines, newspapers, themed websites, and other places. What they didn’t do was constantly check if people had seen their advert or made a comment – because they couldn’t.

People went out for coffee or a meal and actually talked to each other, made eye contact and all that stuff. Nowadays, everyone has a phone glued to their hands whether they’re out with a friend or partner, walking their dog, riding a horse (that makes me cross) or participating in any social activity.

It’s an epidemic of loneliness about to explode unless we realise how detrimental social media is to our mental health. We need balance, and social media marketing isn’t great for that.

OK, Jan, What’s The Alternative to Social Media Marketing?

I don’t have all the answers. I am becoming disillusioned with social media marketing because of my recent experiences, and I have begun exploring ways to escape the social media rat race.

Social media began as a way to develop community, and it’s becoming the opposite. So, anything that helps a business build a community of its own may be a better alternative to social media marketing.

The danger of not owning your content become apparent when you get your first suspension or ban from a social media channel. I have hundreds of pins on Pinterest that I can no longer access. Thankfully, most are on Canva, but that’s not the point.

3 Ideas For Alternatives To Social Media Marketing

This list of social media alternatives isn’t definitive. They are just a few avenues for finding customers for your products or services.

#1: Start a Blog

When Pinterest suspended my account, I diverted my attention to this blog. It was already performing well with featured snippets and page one ranking, but I am stepping it up now. My site is getting more traffic and clicks weekly than it used to get monthly.

My goal is to work towards getting enough monthly sessions to apply for an ad partnership with Mediavine.

If your blog has upwards of 10k monthly sessions, apply for Journey By Mediavine. It pays better than Google Adsense.

#2: Build an Email List

I wish I had started this sooner but I kept putting it off because I needed to learn the tech, and write an email campaign and regular content. My feeble excuses stopped me from having a back up after I lost my email list on Substack when they randomly closed my two newsletters.

You can build an email list entirely for free on Systeme and have up to 2k subscribers and one email campaign, which might be all you need. I am on the paid version at $27 monthly, which gives me 5k subscribers and multiple email campaigns.

I would recommend starting an email list from the offset.

#3: Start a Targeted Community of Your Own

Platforms like Skool, Circle, and others are becoming a popular alternative to having a Facebook group. The beauty of these communties is you can run courses and live streams without worrying about getting blocked on your own community.

Facebook often restricts group owners from commenting or posting in their groups, which is ridiculous.

Admittedly, community platforms aren’t cheap. Circle is $89 monthly on an annual plan and Skool is one price of $99 monthly (Prices June 2024). Still, if you want to build a community with your target audience, it’s a powerful way to grow your business.

Before launching a community, decide your mission and goals. Be realistic about the time commitments. If your community grows, people can get needy and make significant demands on your time.

If possible, start with a couple of trusted admins or moderators to help you manage the community.

Conclusion

So, is social media marketing worth it? I’m currently only posting twice daily on weekdays on TikTok. My entire focus now is on finding ways to avoid the social media marketing allure and build my own digital real estate.

I’m pivoting in new directions using my creative skills. I plan to create courses on SEO, create and sell Canva templates and build sales funnels for businesses. If I get my Pinterest account back, I will continue with that platform, but I will never trust Pinterest the way I did before the suspension.

There’s always LinkedIn. I used to be active on that platform, which is more wired for business. It’s less in your face than most other social media platforms. I’m considering easing my way back in to LinkedIn and ditching Instagram entirely.

Let me know what you think.

Disclaimer: There are affiliate links on this page. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission.

5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Rely On Social Media Marketing

June 25, 2024

you shouldn't rely on social media marketing

Social Media Marketing is the Go-To for New Business Owners, But Is That The Right Thing to Do?

You shouldn’t rely on social media marketing? Jan, have you gone mad? Nope. Hear me out.

This morning, I had a stark reminder about social media marketing, which was deeply unpleasant. It may happen to you at some time, weeks, months or years later.

My Pinterest account got suspended!

At the risk of sounding dramatic, I was heartbroken. I’ve invested in Pinterest courses and lovingly branded my pins recently. I love the creative process, and it makes me happy.

But, Jan, I’ve Started a Business. I Need Social Media

I’m not saying you don’t use social media, but this article concerns whether these platforms are the best way to promote your business. Like me, when you started social media marketing, you assumed that was the right thing to do.

A social media presence can help get your business noticed, but many other ways are less fragile.

So, let’s stop this nonsense and find out the 5 reasons you shouldn’t rely on social media.

#1: You Don’t Own The Social Media Platform

Yeah, I know that’s obvious. Still, it’s a vital point. You are camping your business on someone else’s property, and they can ask you to leave anytime. And the thing is, they rarely ask you to leave. You wake up and find all your camping gear dumped on the road for the squirrels to eat.

So far, My account got removed from Substack for “phishing”, and Pinterest suspended me overnight for “spam.” I have appealed, and I think I know what I might have done wrong. Still, it shakes you up when you’ve put so much time and effort into building your account.

Often, bots patrol your accounts, and you might lose it randomly because the bot hadn’t eaten that morning. I don’t know. Whatever it is, you could get any of your social media accounts randomly suspended, banned or restricted, and there’s bugger all you can do about it.

#2: Social Media Apps Can and Do Randomly Glitch

Do you remember when Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp apps went down for hours? It caused absolute havoc and caused a lot of financial loss, millions of dollars.

Much like what financial advisors tell us about investing, it’s essential to diversify your marketing efforts. When something happens like this, it shouldn’t crucify your business.

#3: Do You Remember Search Engines? They Still Work, You Know

Although it may seem like people spend most of their lives scrolling on social media apps, they still use search engines. Think for a moment. When you want to know something, where do you go? A search engine.

As more social media platforms filter advertising into the feed (yes, Instagram, I mean you), It’s becoming annoying, and we want better.

As an SEO writer, I know the power of Google. A company I left in May 2023 still has my content ranking, even though the last published post was in April 2023. Imagine if they’d kept me on.

You don’t need to be a great writer. You can use SEO Writing software. The goal is to provide value. Read my post on the 7 types of blog content Google loves and get started. Write at least one post each week and keep going. It takes time.

#4: Social Media is Massively Time Consuming

Social media is addictive because it gives us a dopamine hit every time someone likes or comments on our posts. You can start kidding yourself that you’re working when, in reality, you’re endlessly scrolling, hungry for the fix.

Not only that, how many hours do you spend creating content? Then, you post or schedule content every day. It all takes time.

#5: There’s No Guarantee Of A Return

The final reason you shouldn’t rely on social media marketing may seem obvious, but we often forget the importance of not relying on social media.

Here’s an example. I started my Instagram account around two months ago, posting two reels daily and averaging 20-200 views on my reels. I get around 500 views on my TikTok videos that I schedule daily on weekdays.

The only platform that was seriously starting to make a difference was Pinterest. I will either get my account reinstated or start a new one. I learned the hard way, but it will mess up my work so far.

Every day on Instagram Threads, people moan about the poor Instagram reach. The feed is full of adverts, and the platform uses a draconian approach to commenting.

Many people, including myself, get comments restricting for saying things like. “Well done. That’s a great result.” WTAF! My way around it is to stop commenting.

You can post on social media for months and get little return, or your account can take off like a rocket.

Conclusion

You understand why you shouldn’t rely on social media marketing but, by all means, build your social media presence. Social media is a great way to build brand awareness and community, but don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Digital marketing isn’t only about utilising social media.

Focus on building digital real estate so you have control over what you can and can’t do. Build your website, learn SEO, and create a solid holistic foundation of content that provides value by helping your audience.

15 Highly-Paid Side Hustles For Creative People 2025

June 21, 2024

Side hustles for creative people are one of the easiest subjects to write about. Firstly, I am a creative person. Secondly, I have tried multiple side hustles.

Some creative side jobs from home still make me a small monthly passive income. Other side hustles for creative people are becoming my primary source of income.

If you’re a creative person, it’s absolutely possible to create an income from a side hustle. You’re happiest when creating, and you can make money from creativity.

Don’t worry. You aren’t limited to Etsy. I have plenty of side hustle ideas for you so you can learn how to monetise creativity.

1. Freelance Graphic Design

One of the best side hustles for creative people from home is graphic design.

You no longer need to invest in expensive software like Adobe. Canva is one of the most uncomplicated graphic design platforms to master.

Canva is great for artistic side hustles, and it’s low cost. If you’re new to Canva, I recommend following Created by Wayne on YouTube. His tutorials are easy to follow and implement.

2. Print on Demand

I started a print-on-demand shop in 2023. It’s a great digital art side hustle. I uploaded over 230 designs to my Redbubble shop, which is dog-themed. I created every single image with Leonardo AI.

Oh boy. I had so much fun.

You don’t have to use an AI image generator, but it’s quick and easy, and I found Leonardo to be the cheapest and easiest to use.

I make a small monthly income from sales and intend to start uploading images again soon.

3. Blogging

This website is my blog, and I bloody love it!

Whatever creative interest you have, you can write many articles about it. A blog is a great way to build your brand, get subscribers to your newsletter, add affiliate offers, and sell digital or physical products.

The objective is to write content that gets ranked and monetise your blog without being in the face of your readers.

Always provide value content. Read my article on 7 types of blog content Google loves. 

After getting approved for ad revenue with Journey by Mediavine, I intended to publish more blog content, but I couldn’t keep up with juggling my commitments.

I thoroughly tested KoalaWriter, which is one of the best AI writers I have ever used. Most of the ones I tried, spit out utter garbage. KoalaWriter produces and outline and first draft in minutes. I estimate it has saved me 4+ hours for each blog post and there is minimum editing.

Read my review of KoalaWriter.

side hustles for creative people

These Fascinating Side Hustles Get Away From The Typical Etsy Pursuits & Make Far More Money

4. Pinterest Pin Design

If you’re looking for side hustles for creative people, you can make money with Pinterest.

If you love colour and creativity, creating Pinterest pins is a dream, and you can get paid around £500/month per client.

I’d advise learning Pinterest SEO and watching Kristin’s free pin design workshop.

After watching the free pin design workshop, I bought Kristin’s course, which is worth every penny and has dozens of gorgeous templates to help you speed up your design process.

I am on the way to making a decent side hustle income from my Pinterest skills.

5. Web Design Templates

If you’re good with Squarespace, there’s a high demand for Squarespace website templates. Have a quick look at Etsy, and you will get an idea of how much money you can make with this side hustle for creative people.

Even more exciting is to create Canva website templates. They are surprisingly good, and people are happy to pay around £97.

Considering it would cost £3k+ for a purpose-built website, this is a great side hustle for beginners that helps people who can’t afford a web designer.

6. Social Media Management for Creatives

Many creatives are fantastic at their art but not good at marketing and maintaining a social media presence.

As a social media manager, your job is to create and manage posts, monitor analytics and create a long-term strategy for growth.

Rather than focusing on multiple social media platforms, it’s best to provide a niche service, such as Instagram, Pinterest or TikTok.

Knuckle down and become an expert with one particular platform and find the clients whose customers hang out on that channel.

7. Video Creation

Creating video content is addictive for creatives. Most businesses don’t know how to create impactful video content and pay handsomely for someone who does.You don’t need a video camera if you create faceless content. I use the Capcut software for editing, which is fairly intutive to use for beginners.

8. Photography

Photography is a great side hustle for creators. The secret to success is to choose a niche. My friend photographs wildlife. She is an introvert and makes a good side hustle income. Choose a niche you love, and you can make a side hustle income you will enjoy.

I’d advise taking a course and learning about lighting techniques, such as using filters and the best cameras. You may also find a photography group in your local area.

9. Writing

I’ve been a freelance SEO writer since early 2021 and made a good income working part-time hours. There are many ways to approach a writing side hustle:-

  1. Copywriting
  2. Creative writing
  3. SEO writing
  4. Ghostwriting – helping someone to write their book
  5. Creating e-books
  6. Creating books for Amazon – Kindle, paperback or hardback

Whatever you choose to do, pick a niche. Become a specialist in that niche and earn a handsome side hustle income. I make $50 – $100 per month from this side hustle.

10. Create a Course

Whether you have a gift for crafts, photography, writing, video content or something else, you can create a course and make passive income from this side hustle.

Here’s a story I heard recently. A woman created a recipe, put it online for $3 and made $250k from that product.

You can create your course on Canva or capture it on your screen with Loom. After that, register for a free account with Systeme. You can host one course entirely for free. You can also create a capture page, website, sales page and email campaign to market your product.

If you’re serious about building a side hustle, marketing is a priority.

11. Build Sales Funnels

There is a high demand for sales funnel builders. The exciting news is that Systeme is currently offering a free certificated course.

You can charge £1000+ per project or a day rate of £350+ per day. It is a super lucrative side hustle for creative people.

I’m currently working my way through the funnel-building course. It is super easy to follow.

12. Voice-Over Work

Have you got a silky smooth voice that makes people comment on how lovely it is? If so, voice-over work is the perfect side hustle for you.

You can get work as a voice-over artist for audiobooks, commercials, animation, documentaries or any project that needs a specific type of voice-over.

Do a quick search for “voice-over websites”, and you will find dozens of companies looking for voice-over artists.

I use ElevenLabs for voiceovers and recently cloned my voice. I uploaded two hours of audio so it could assess my voice and it uncannily sounds like me!

13. Animation

There’s a high demand for animators, especially with the growth of the metaverse. You need to be good at storytelling, be able to work with a team, and have a high level of proficiency with animation software.

Experienced animators can command upwards of £100 per hour, so this is a superb side hustle for creative people with animation skills.

There are plenty of courses available online to learn.

14. Event Planning

Are you super organised and creative, and do you have an eye for detail? If that’s the case, event planning could be a perfect side hustle for you.

This side hustle can earn you thousands of pounds for a big event or a few hundred for smaller events.

You don’t need qualifications. Decide what niche you’d like to work in and whether you’d prefer private or corporate events. The latter pays more but can be more demanding.

Get some experience and then start marketing your services.

15. Art Vlogging

YouTube has made it easy for artists to make an income online from a creative side hustle. There are multiple ways to get paid.

  1. Build up your YouTube channel and get monetised
  2. Get brand partnerships
  3. Start a membership – Buddy Boss is good for beginners
  4. Sell your work
  5. Create merchandise

You will need good lighting and a quiet background, but most art vloggers use their mobile phones to record.

Conclusion

If you’re creative, there is no excuse for being short of money. Most creatives I know can turn their hands to any creative venture.

I have built a Gabion stone wall, needle-felted dogs, revamped old furniture and done decoupage, pottery and many other creative things.

You could probably do any of these 15 side hustles for creative people, so let me know how you get on. Now go and start your side hustle and get more of the green stuff in the bank.

Disclaimer: There are affiliate links on this page. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission.

FAQs

What Is The Best Side Hustle For Creative People?

The best side hustle depends on your skills and interests, but top picks include freelance graphic design, selling digital products, or creating content on platforms like YouTube or Etsy. These options let you express your creativity and earn well.

Do Creative Side Hustles Really Pay Well?

Yes! Many creative side hustles can become full-time incomes. For example, graphic designers, content creators, and course creators earn thousands monthly once they build an audience or client base.

How Can I Start A Creative Side Hustle With No Experience?

Start by identifying your strengths and interests. Then, choose a side hustle that aligns with them, learn the basics through free or affordable resources (like YouTube or Skillshare), and practise consistently. Many platforms allow beginners to get started quickly.

What Equipment Or Tools Do I Need To Begin?

It depends on the side hustle. For digital art, you may need a drawing tablet. A laptop, microphone, and design software can help with YouTube or digital products. Start with what you have and upgrade as you grow.

How Much Time Should I Dedicate To A Side Hustle?

Even just 5–10 hours a week can be enough to make progress. When I am busy with client work, I set aside one hour in the evening. That’s enough to get me started, and then I typically spend 1-2 hours working on my side hustle projects.

My current side hustle workload focuses on creating YouTube videos and writing blog content to drive ad revenue.

Consistency matters more than time. Many creative people grow their side hustle in the evenings or weekends alongside a full-time job. Switch off Netflix and get started!

Can I Turn My Creative Side Hustle Into A Full-Time Business?

Absolutely. Many successful entrepreneurs started with a side hustle. With patience, strategy, and persistence, you can scale your side hustle into a profitable full-time career doing what you love.

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