How to spend less time on social media and still fill your 121s, classes and coaching programmes
Victoria Rose 
It’s the start of a new year, and you’ve promised yourself (again) that this is the year you’ll spend less time glued to your phone.
No more mindless scrolling through Instagram Reels or getting sucked into Facebook debates. This time, you’re going to have boundaries - screentime boundaries.
But then reality hits: you run a business, and social media feels non-negotiable. After all, how else are you supposed to grow your audience, get clients, and stay visible?
Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
Sadly, social media has a sneaky way of pulling you in. But you’re not to blame. The apps are carefully designed to keep you on there for as long as possible so that they can serve you ads and make more money.
This means that while you log on with good intentions - to check your business page notifications, reply to customer comments and messages, maybe even to post some content - before you know it, you’re deep in the feed, chuckling at memes, envying your competitors, or doom scrolling your way into a black hole.
Sure, it feels good in the moment.
But then comes the guilt and shame. You’ve wasted valuable time, achieved nothing productive, and you still need to do whatever you went on there to do in the first place.
Here’s the thing: you don’t have to live like this.
After working in marketing for decades and as a social media manager for multiple businesses for the past five years, I can confidently say it’s entirely possible to use these platforms to attract new clients and drive sales without sacrificing hours of your life.
It’s all about building a simple, strategic marketing system that works smarter, not harder. One that doesn’t rely on you being online 24/7 but instead focuses on long-term, powerful methods that deliver results.
So, if you’re ready to break free from the doom-scrolling trap and still keep your business thriving, let’s dive into this month’s blog.
The problem with social media dependency
Social media can feel like a necessary evil, especially when you’re running a business. It’s marketed as the ultimate tool for visibility and connection, but let’s be honest, it often feels more like a black hole sucking up your time and energy.
The doom scrolling trap
We’ve all been there: you log on to check your notifications or reply to a comment, and suddenly, you’re watching someone make a bacon sandwich on a radiator (it’s a thing) or deep-diving into a competitor’s latest Reel.
Social media platforms are carefully designed by experts to keep you hooked, serving up endless content that feels impossible to look away from.
The result?
Hours vanish, and while you’ve been busy scrolling, you’re no closer to making sure your 121s, classes or programmes are being promoted or seen by your ideal clients.
The short shelf life
Even when you are intentional about posting, the payoff can be underwhelming.
Social media is hella busy these days. While we have the opportunity to reach 4.95 billion users worldwide with our content, we have to remember that there are also billions of others trying to do the same thing.
The feed moves fast, and whether you’re creating stories that only last 24 hours, static posts, reels or live videos, it all seems to be gone and forgotten in an instant.
According to research, the average half-life (the time it takes for a post to receive half of its total engagement such as likes, shares, and comments) in 2024 for Instagram was 19.75 hours, and just 1.27 hours for Facebook.
You put in the effort to create posts, but they quickly disappear into the digital void. Constant work just to stay in front of your audience is not only draining, it’s demoralising. Especially when you speak to clients who tell you they would have loved to have booked your latest workshop, but they just didn’t see the post about it.
Emotional burnout
Let’s not overlook or play down the emotional toll of social media either. While we’re all “supposed” to enjoy our time on the platforms, for too many of us, it’s a torrid place and full of negativity.
The pressure to churn out engaging content, keep up with trends, and respond to comments and messages can feel relentless. Add in a huge dose of comparisonitis (because of course, everyone else seems to have it all figured out). And it’s no wonder social media often leaves you feeling overwhelmed and inadequate.
Here’s the kicker: none of this hustle guarantees results for your business. Rushed, last-minute content rarely connects with your audience, and the hours you’re pouring into the platform might not even lead to new clients or sales.
The good news? There’s a better way.
The alternative: build a strategic marketing system
You don’t have to choose between endless scrolling and giving up on social media entirely. The real secret to effective marketing? Balance and a system that works for you instead of running you ragged.
After working in marketing for decades and spending five years managing social media for businesses of all sizes, I’ve seen it all - what works, what doesn’t, and how easily social media can take over your life if you let it.
That’s why I’ve developed a simple, strategic marketing system that attracts customers, drives sales, and, most importantly, means I don’t have to live on my phone.
By focusing on evergreen content, nurturing your audience through email, and repurposing what you’ve already created, you can save time, reduce stress, and still ensure you’re filling your 121s, classes, workshops and coaching programmes. Here’s how:
Step 1: Focus on evergreen content
Unlike a fleeting Instagram story, a well-written blog can work for your business long after it’s published.
Blogs are your marketing slow cooker - they simmer away in the background, driving traffic and building credibility while you get on with the rest of your day.
Aim to write one high-quality blog post per month. Make it useful, engaging, and SEO-friendly, and let it become the foundation of your marketing.
A single blog can generate leads for months (or even years) with minimal upkeep.
Step 2: Nurture your audience over email
Social media algorithms are fickle beasts, deciding who sees your content and when.
Email, on the other hand, is a direct line to your audience with no middleman and no distractions.
Start by sending one or two valuable emails per month. Your blog can do double duty here: introduce the topic, share a quick insight or tip, and invite readers to dive deeper by visiting your website.
It’s like having a conversation with your audience that builds trust and keeps you top of mind.
Step 3: Repurpose content for social media
This is where the magic happens. Instead of constantly coming up with new content ideas, let your blog do the heavy lifting.
Break it down into bite-sized social media posts. Each section or subheading can become its own standalone post with a call to action driving traffic back to your website.
And here’s the real time-saver: if use a free scheduling tool like Meta Business Suite to batch your posts, you can avoid the accidental scroll session. Your feed stays active while you stay focused on running your business (or, you know, enjoying life).
This system has worked time and again for me across different industries, from small businesses to larger operations, and it ensures I’m never tied to my phone, endlessly scrolling for inspiration.
By shifting your focus to a balanced marketing system, you’re not only freeing yourself from the social media hamster wheel, but you’re also creating a strategy that’s designed to deliver consistent, long-term results.
Tools to make content creation easy (hint: ChatGPT is about to become your new bff)
If the idea of creating blogs, emails, and social posts sounds overwhelming, don’t worry, I’ve got a game-changing tool for you.
Say hello to ChatGPT, your new marketing assistant.
I know how time-consuming content creation can be, especially if writing doesn’t come naturally to you.
But here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to be a struggle. With ChatGPT, you can simplify the entire process, from coming up with SEO blog titles and outlines to crafting engaging social media captions. I promise it will save you hours.
Why ChatGPT is a game-changer
Let’s face it, most busy trainers and coaches don’t have the time or energy to create marketing content from scratch. That’s where ChatGPT steps in. It can:
Generate blog outlines to help you get started.
Draft captions that are engaging and tailored to your tone of voice.
Create email templates based on your blog content, keeping your audience engaged.
Essentially, it’s like having a personal content assistant who works as fast as you can type.
Make it sound like you!
Here’s the catch: while ChatGPT is brilliant, it’s not a magic wand. To truly connect with your audience, your content needs to sound like you.
Customers are becoming savvier at spotting AI-generated content, and if your posts feel robotic, you risk losing that personal touch.
That’s why I always recommend training ChatGPT to reflect your unique voice and reviewing the drafts it generates. Think of it as your starting point rather than the final product. You’ll save time without sacrificing authenticity.
And if you were wondering, yes, this blog was written with help from ChatGPT. That’s because everything I teach is the exact tried-and-tested system I use for my business.
Your new year, your new marketing strategy
Spending less time on social media doesn’t mean your marketing efforts will tank. In fact, with the right system, you can attract clients, drive sales, and grow your business, all while freeing yourself from the endless scroll.
Focus on evergreen content like blogs that work long after they’re published.
Use email marketing to build genuine relationships without battling algorithms.
Repurpose content for social media, letting your blog do the heavy lifting.
Harness tools like ChatGPT to simplify and streamline your content creation.
By shifting your focus away from short-lived social posts to a balanced marketing system, you’ll finally break free from the hamster wheel and start seeing the results you deserve.
Ready to take the next step?
If you’re nodding along but wondering how to put all of this into action, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
You can download my eBook, More Clients, Less Social Media: The Tried-and-Tested 7-Step Strategy, to get the full details.
Inside, you’ll find the exact steps I use, including tips on how to engage meaningfully with your audience without falling into the scroll hole.
This is your year to make marketing simple, strategic, and, dare I say, enjoyable. Let’s ditch the stress, take control, and create a system that works for you.
Categories: : Marketing
