As a small business, we used to believe that success on social media meant more followers, likes, and engagement. We spent (and still do spend!) hours crafting posts, chasing trends, and trying to crack the algorithm—only to realise that all those likes weren’t turning into actual sales.
The reality? Social media is powerful, but it’s not the only way to grow a business.
The Illusion of Social Media Success
When a post gets hundreds of likes, or a reel get thousands of views – it feels like a win. We quickly noticed that despite having great engagement, conversions were low. The truth is, social media visibility doesn’t always translate to customers—especially with constant algorithm changes and content getting buried.
Is Traditional Marketing Dead? Absolutely Not.
In a world dominated by digital marketing, we took a step back to reassess our face-to-face sales strategy—
Last year, we took part in multiple pop-up opportunities—some at events and others in retail spaces, including Elys in Wimbledon—and the results spoke for themselves. In just one weekend, we generated more sales than in months of social media promotions. Customers loved the chance to see, touch, and experience our products firsthand, and we built trust far more quickly than we ever could through a screen.
Elys, Wimbledon Pop Up
The Shift: A Balance Between Digital and Physical
We’re not abandoning social media—we’re actually upskilling in Instagram strategy and planning to explore paid and targeted ads.
So, while we continue to refine our online strategy, we’ll also be showing up where it matters most—in real life, building connections with our customers.
If you’re a small business owner struggling with social media conversions, don’t be afraid to step outside the digital space. Try a pop-up, collaborate with a local store, and meet your customers in person. Because while social media helps build awareness, real sales happen when real connections are made.
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Are you balancing digital and traditional marketing in your business? Drop a comment or come visit us at our next pop-up! 🚀
Warm wishes,
