The 30-Day Social Media Break That Changed My Business (And My Life)
Here’s something that might shock you: I’ve been completely off social media for over three weeks, and my business hasn’t just survived – it’s actually thriving.
This wasn’t planned. There was no strategy. I had no backup plan. Instead, I had a gut feeling that led to one of the most transformative experiments of my entrepreneurial journey.
In this life update episode, I’m sharing the raw, unfiltered truth about what happens when you eliminate the noise and get laser-focused on what moves the needle in your business. Furthermore, the insights I’ve gained will challenge everything you think you know about building a successful coaching practice.
Fair warning: This episode might make you question whether you’re spending your energy in the right places.
The Moment Everything Changed
It started with a book called The Circle Maker – essentially about praying around the things you most desire in life. As I was reading, I had this nudge: Where is my energy actually going? What’s capturing my attention?
The concept of fasting isn’t just about food. Rather, it’s about taking your attention away from things that create distraction and pouring that energy into areas that are more valuable.
My immediate thought: “I should take a social media fast.”
My immediate resistance: “I can’t. I run a business. I use social media for marketing.”
Nevertheless, after sitting with this feeling for 48 hours, I made an impulsive decision that would change everything. I posted “Hey, peace out. I’m gone. I’ll be back maybe September-ish, I’m not really sure” and logged off.
The Perfect Storm That Made This Essential
This social media break came at a particularly emotional time. Both my kids were going back to traditional school – my daughter as a sophomore in high school, and my son returning to eighth grade after two years of homeschooling.
We’re closer to both kids going to college than we are to them being in kindergarten. Additionally, my daughter just turned 16 and is learning to drive. Therefore, I was facing this overwhelming awareness of how precious and limited our time together really is.
Between the emotional transition of school changes, new freedoms and risks, and feeling this persistent pressure to show up on social media, I was exhausted. Consequently, the timing of stepping away felt divinely orchestrated.
The Business Reality Check That Shocked Me
Here’s the plot twist that completely shifted my perspective; after 20+ days off social media, my business hasn’t been hindered at all.
This led me to a crucial question: how many of us are telling ourselves the story that social media impacts our business more than it actually does?
Where My Clients Actually Come From
Since the beginning, we’ve personally welcomed every new follower and asked, “How did we get connected?” Additionally, I can tell you that not one person has ever said they found me from a viral post or random scrolling.
Instead, they find me through:
- Referrals – Someone suggested they follow me
- Other platforms – Podcasts, speaking events, etc.
- Paid ads – They clicked on an ad, then decided to follow
None of these requires me to create daily social media content.
During my break, we’ve still had hundreds of new followers because they’re coming from these other lead generation sources. Furthermore, this reinforces why you need something you own (like email lists or podcasts) rather than building entirely on borrowed land.
The Tech Stack Breakthrough I’d Been Avoiding
When I realized I couldn’t personally respond to DMs anymore, I was forced to set up ManyChat funnels – something I’d been procrastinating on forever.
What I thought would take forever actually took less than an hour to implement.
Now I have automated responses that:
- Send people to my limited series podcast when they mention “clients”
- Direct them to my free webinar for framework questions
- Provide a personal message explaining my social media fast
Sometimes the anticipation of what we’re telling ourselves will take massive time or energy is way greater than the actual implementation time.
The Email List Epiphany That Changed Everything
Here’s my biggest revelation: I have 5,100 people on my email list, with about 4,500 being past clients or leads. Yet I was spending most of my energy trying to attract NEW people on social media.
Those 4,500 people fall into three categories:
- Super cold/uninterested buyers
- Lukewarm leads that need re-engagement
- Really warm leads who don’t know there’s a next step or aren’t ready yet
Why am I over-focusing on new people when I haven’t done a great enough job engaging with the amazing people already on my list?
The Segmentation Strategy That’s Working
My team and I mapped out opportunities:
- Students who’ve joined freebies but haven’t purchased – why not?
- Framework Builder Lab graduates who haven’t joined Best Damn Coach
- Best Damn Coach members who might want one-to-one support
- People ready for higher-level programs
Instead of sending people away with links, I’m asking for replies: “Are you struggling with this? Reply and let’s talk.”
This approach does two things:
- Helps us support people directly
- Increases email deliverability (replies signal importance to email providers)
My New Philosophy on Email Lists
The longer we don’t sell, the longer we don’t talk about paid offers, the more we’re creating a buyer pattern of ‘just hang out.’
I am crystal clear that when someone comes through one of my services, they get amazing results. Therefore, it’s my job to embody that belief and invite people to work with me.
If someone just wants to learn forever, they can listen to the podcast for that. However, I want people on my email list who are ready to take action and invest in their growth.
The Premium Client Clarity That Emerged
This break helped me get laser-focused on who my premium client really is:
- She’s an expert transitioning from her professional background into coaching.
- She wants to be full-time in her business and replace her professional income.
- She’s ready for fast action and knows she can transform lives.
- She knows certification isn’t going to get her where she wants to go.
- She’s done with confusion and ready for clarity on packaging and pricing her expertise.
Sound like you? Then we need to talk.
Why I’m Moving to Substack
I started my business blogging because I love long-form content. Then I shifted to podcasting for accessibility. However, I’ve been craving a place for authentic, deeper engagement without the aesthetics and algorithms.
Substack feels like where the real people go – those who want substance over surface, authentic engagement over viral content.
Moreover, with AI making it impossible to discern who’s actually writing copy or creating videos, Substack offers a return to genuine human connection and thought.
You can find me there documenting this entire social media break experience and exploring how to grow a business with more cash and impact without social media.
The Small Changes Making Big Differences
Moving Team Meetings from Monday to Thursday
Monday energy is fresh and energetic – I want to dive into projects and take action. Therefore, starting Mondays with meetings was draining that momentum.
Now we meet on Thursdays when I’ve had time to deep dive into the week’s work, and everyone knows where we’re headed into the next week. Everyone loves this change.
Creating Clear Family Routines
With kids back in school, Justin and I mapped out who’s handling pickups, drop-offs, and lunches on which days. No more guilt or expectation confusion about who’s doing what.
Lifting Heavier and Fasting for Clarity
I’m bringing the same focused energy to my fitness that I’m bringing to business. Additionally, I’ve been experimenting with fasting (not for weight loss, but for mental clarity and autophagy benefits).
The mental clarity has been incredible. Furthermore, I’m noticing how much time and mental energy typically goes into thinking about, planning for, and preparing food.
The Business Results So Far
- Email engagement is way up
- Automated systems are converting consistently
- We’re shortening the sales cycle for people
- I’m more present with my family than ever
Most importantly, I’m operating from a place of knowing exactly what kind of business I want and what I want my life to look like.
What’s Coming Next
Q4 Price Increases
We haven’t raised prices in about a year and a half, and it’s time. The premium clients I want to work with perform at a higher level, and I’m ready to deliver at that level.
If you’ve been thinking about joining one of our programs (Small Bite Offer, Framework Builder Lab, or Best Damn Coach), now is the time to act before these increases take effect.
Doubling Down on What Works
Rather than chasing shiny objects, I’m getting crystal clear on where my energy and focus need to go. I’m not doing anything different – I’m doubling down on what’s already working.
The Questions This Raises for You
Do you know where your clients actually come from?
Most coaches assume social media is their main source, but when you dig deeper, you might discover other channels are doing the heavy lifting.
Are you over-focusing on new leads while ignoring your existing list?
How can you activate and re-engage the people who already know, like, and trust you?
What uncomfortable things could you try to stretch your growth?
If everything you’re doing feels comfortable, it might be time to stretch yourself.
What kind of business do you actually want?
Are you building toward a vision that aligns with the life you want to live?
Ready to Get Clear on Your Next Steps?
If this resonates and you’re thinking “Yes, that’s me” – someone brilliant who’s ready to stop certifying yourself to death and start making real money doing what you love – then we need to talk.
There are only four months left until the end of the year. No more hanging out. No more dilly-dallying.
For some of you, you think you have an imposter syndrome problem, but what you actually have is a confusion problem. You’re not clear on:
- How to talk about what you do
- How to package it up and make money
- Where to spend your time and energy
I can help alleviate all of that confusion.
Amanda Walker Substack link: Amanda Walker | Substack
Book a call at amanda-walker.com/letschat and I’ll map out exactly what you need to do to get where you want to be by the end of this year.
