How I grew my small business without social media

Behind the Grow launch—lessons in gentle marketing

A behind-the-scenes look at the autumn 2025 Grow launch — what worked, what I’d change, and how I approach launching gently and sustainably. -- Launching can feel intimidating — all that visibility, the pressure to do it “right,” and the uncertainty around results. In this final episode of the season, I take you behind the scenes of the autumn 2025 launch of my gentle marketing programme Grow: what worked, what I’d tweak next time, and how I approach launching in a calm, sustainable way. You’ll hear about:• How I structured and planned the autumn Grow launch• Why I start with what works for me — and teach my clients to do the same• The mix of “feeling-seen” and practical emails that shaped the launch• What I’m taking forward for future launches If launching ever feels overwhelming, this episode will give you ideas for a gentler, more values-aligned approach to marketing and growth. If you’re craving a slower, gentler and more profitable business That’s exactly what I help small business owners do—through Grow [https://astridbracke.com/grow/], my four-month gentle marketing programme, and through 1:1 mentoring. Discover [https://astridbracke.com/grow/]Grow [https://astridbracke.com/grow/] (and sign-up for the waitlist) Discover 1:1 mentoring [https://astridbracke.com/smallbusinessmentoring/] 📌 Read the transcript and leave a comment [https://open.substack.com/pub/astridbracke/p/behind-the-grow-launchlessons-in?r=1t1uc1&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web] -- If you’d like to dive deeper into what I mention in this episode, here are a few related links and resources. 📕 Resources Take the free marketing hurdles quiz [https://astridbracke.com/which-3-easeful-marketing-strategies-are-right-for-you/] to get your free, bespoke, ebook of easeful marketing strategy Read all of the [https://astridbracke.substack.com/t/grow]Grow [https://astridbracke.substack.com/t/grow] emails [https://astridbracke.substack.com/t/grow] I sent to my newsletter list Listen to episode 3 of this season on minimal marketing, scaling up and down [https://open.substack.com/pub/astridbracke/p/small-business-marketing-made-simple?r=1t1uc1&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false] Read my post “How I’m gearing up for the launch of [https://astridbracke.substack.com/p/how-im-gearing-up-for-the-launch?r=1t1uc1]Grow [https://astridbracke.substack.com/p/how-im-gearing-up-for-the-launch?r=1t1uc1]” 💌 Connect Discover Grow [https://astridbracke.com/grow/], my 4-month gentle marketing programme and join the waitlist Discover more about working 1:1 with me [https://astridbracke.com/smallbusinessmentoring/] Sign up for my small business newsletter [https://astridbracke.substack.com], for business without the hustle Send me a message [https://astridbracke.com/contact/] with your questions or ideas for the new season of the podcast Get full access to Female Owned: Small business without the hustle at astridbracke.substack.com/subscribe [https://astridbracke.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Why marketing can feel so uncomfortable-and how to make it feel safer

Marketing for small business owners isn’t just strategy — it’s visibility, selling, and asking for money.And those parts of marketing can feel really uncomfortable. In this episode, I explore two common challenges that make small business marketing feel overwhelming: • Visibility — being seen can feel risky or unsafe• Pricing & selling — many business owners feel resistance around asking for money You’ll learn gentle, practical ways to make marketing feel safer and more sustainable, so you can market your business with more confidence and less overwhelm. In this episode * Why visibility feels vulnerable — especially for women & marginalised identities• How to build confidence by expanding your comfort zone gently• Marketing mindset shifts that reduce discomfort around selling• Why a simple, intentional marketing strategy creates its own sense of safety and trust ✨ Mentioned in this episode: astridbracke.com/grow [http://astridbracke.com/grow] — Grow is my 4-month gentle marketing programme for small business owners, freelancers and creatives who want marketing that feels clear, sustainable and fully their own. Doors are open until October 31st. 📌 Read the transcript and leave a comment [https://open.substack.com/pub/astridbracke/p/why-marketing-can-feel-so-uncomfortable?r=1t1uc1&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web] 📕 Resources Tools and systems Take the free marketing hurdles quiz [https://astridbracke.com/which-3-easeful-marketing-strategies-are-right-for-you/] to get your free, bespoke, ebook of easeful marketing strategy Discover my roadmap to take up space [https://astridbracke.com/take-up-space/] in and with your business Listen to episode 2 of this season “Marketing with ease: building a marketing system that feels good” [https://open.substack.com/pub/astridbracke/p/marketing-with-ease-building-a-marketing?r=1t1uc1&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false] 💌 Connect 📌 Discover Grow [https://astridbracke.com/grow/], my 4-month gentle marketing programme, for sale until tonight (October 31st)—join the waitlist after that date Discover more about working 1:1 with me [https://astridbracke.com/smallbusinessmentoring/] Sign up for my small business newsletter [https://astridbracke.substack.com], for business without the hustle Get full access to Female Owned: Small business without the hustle at astridbracke.substack.com/subscribe [https://astridbracke.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

How I grew my small business without social media

When I tell people that I don’t market on social media, they often respond with surprise — or with two familiar beliefs:“You can’t really grow a business without it,” or “You need a big audience to leave.” In this episode, I push back against both — and share what happened when social media no longer fit my business. In this episode You’ll hear about:• The uneasy relationship I had with social media• The parameters I set to rebuild my marketing without it• A gentle pep talk if social media feels wrong for your business If you’ve been craving marketing that feels calmer, more intentional and truly your own, this episode is your reminder that your business can thrive without social media. ✨ Mentioned in this episode: astridbracke.com/grow [http://astridbracke.com/grow] — Grow is my 4-month gentle marketing programme for small business owners, freelancers and creatives who want marketing that feels clear, sustainable and fully their own. Doors are open until October 31st. 📌 Read the full transcript and leave a comment. [https://open.substack.com/pub/astridbracke/p/how-i-grew-my-small-business-without?r=1t1uc1&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web] 📕 Resources Take my free email course “Move your business away from social media [https://astridbracke.com/move-your-business-away-from-social-media/]” Discover my guide “Business boundaries that feel good” [https://astridbracke.com/product/business-boundaries-that-feel-good-a-five-day-guide-pre-sale/] Listen to episode 2 of this season “Marketing with ease: building a marketing system that feels good” [https://open.substack.com/pub/astridbracke/p/marketing-with-ease-building-a-marketing?r=1t1uc1&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false] 💌 Connect Learn more about [https://astridbracke.com/grow/]Grow [https://astridbracke.com/grow/]. Discover more about working with me [https://astridbracke.com/smallbusinessmentoring/] Sign up for my small business newsletter [https://astridbracke.substack.com], for business without the hustle Get full access to Female Owned: Small business without the hustle at astridbracke.substack.com/subscribe [https://astridbracke.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Bonus: Seven small business marketing questions, answered

In this bonus episode, I answer seven real small business marketing questions — from newsletters that don’t sell to marketing with limited energy. Hear gentle, practical strategies to simplify your marketing and build a rhythm that fits your life. In this episode You’ll hear my answers on: • Finding purpose in your newsletter when it doesn’t seem to sell anything • Simplifying your marketing when your time and energy are limited • Streamlining tools and systems without overwhelm • Building a Pinterest strategy that feels doable and effective • Marketing with chronic illness or fluctuating energy • Managing all the small-business admin tasks • What to do if your ideal clients are on a platform you don’t know well Timestamps 00:02:01 Newsletter purpose and making it serve your business better 00:04:54 Marketing your books with limited time or energy 00:09:02 Simplifying onboarding, invoicing & payments (Paperbell) 00:12:20 Pinterest as a main marketing channel — DIY or expert help? 00:16:01 Marketing gently with chronic illness and limited energy 00:20:09 Staying on top of admin & marketing tasks without overwhelm 00:23:29 When your clients are on a platform you’re not familiar with What participants say about Grow “The modules are brilliant — I know I’ll go back to them again and again. I really enjoyed the recorded calls, and looking back, I wish I’d made even more use of the office hours to ask questions. They’re such a valuable part of the programme.”— Hannah Plews, book coach and private tutor Discover Grow If these kinds of honest, gentle answers are what you need in your business, that’s exactly what we do inside Grow. The doors to Grow are now open until October 31st. Learn more about [https://astridbracke.com/grow/]Grow [https://astridbracke.com/grow/] here. [https://astridbracke.com/grow/] 📌 Read the full transcript and leave a comment. [https://open.substack.com/pub/astridbracke/p/bonus-seven-small-business-marketing?r=1t1uc1&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web] 📕 Resources Tools and systems The customer relationship management (CRM) tool I use, Paperbell [https://paperbell.com/?via=astrid67] (affiliate link) Read more on creating a marketing ecosystem in my blogpost “The marketing strategy that works for me in 2022 [https://astridbracke.com/the-marketing-strategy-that-works-for-me-in-2022/]” Pinterest resources Check out my favourite Pinterest course [https://leveeroadstudio.podia.com/scheduling-shortcuts/3upw9], by Amy LeBlanc of Levee Road Studio (affiliate link) Experts for Pinterest audits: Sarah Burk [https://sarahburk.com]; Laura McMahon [https://thesmallestlight.co.uk] Download my Pinterest strategy checklist [https://astridbracke.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pinterest-strategy-checklist_Astrid-Bracke.pdf] (PDF) Read my blogpost “The Pinterest strategy that is really making a difference in my business [https://astridbracke.com/the-pinterest-strategy-that-is-really-making-a-difference-in-my-business/]” 💌 Connect Learn more about [https://astridbracke.com/grow/]Grow [https://astridbracke.com/grow/]. Discover more about working with me [https://astridbracke.com/smallbusinessmentoring/] Sign up for my small business newsletter [https://astridbracke.substack.com], for business without the hustle Get full access to Female Owned: Small business without the hustle at astridbracke.substack.com/subscribe [https://astridbracke.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Small business marketing made simple: a minimal, flexible approach that works

Tired of feeling like marketing takes over your business? In this episode, I share the minimal, flexible system that keeps my small business visible without overwhelm — and how you can make your marketing simpler, more sustainable, and more human. You’ll learn: How I simplified my marketing to just three core channels How to scale up or down with your energy and seasons What makes a marketing system truly sustainable How to start creating your own minimal marketing approach ✨ Find out more about Grow, my gentle marketing programme for small business owners: astridbracke.com/grow [http://astridbracke.com/grow] 📌 Read the full transcript and leave a comment. [https://open.substack.com/pub/astridbracke/p/small-business-marketing-made-simple?r=1t1uc1&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web] Resources Take the free marketing hurdles quiz [https://astridbracke.com/which-3-easeful-marketing-strategies-are-right-for-you/] Read the blog post “Should you move your small business newsletter to Substack?” [https://astridbracke.com/should-you-move-your-newsletter-to-substack/] Check out my course Substack for small business owners, freelancers and creatives [https://astridbracke.com/substack-for-small-business-owners/] Read my post on How I’m gearing up for the launch of Grow [https://astridbracke.substack.com/p/how-im-gearing-up-for-the-launch] Browse my favourite marketing blog posts [https://astridbracke.com/category/marketing/] Read my guest blog post “From overwhelm to ease: How a marketing ecosystem helps you market your way” [https://www.sarahandmaude.com/blog/how-to-build-a-marketing-ecosystem-for-your-small-business] Digital marketing support by Laura of the Smallest Light [https://thesmallestlight.co.uk] Connect Submit your marketing questions for my free recorded office hours [https://open.substack.com/pub/astridbracke/p/ask-me-anything-about-marketing-your-99e?r=1t1uc1&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false] (by October 13th), and join the waitlist for [https://astridbracke.com/grow/]Grow [https://astridbracke.com/grow/] to get 10% off, bonuses and early access Discover more about working with me [https://astridbracke.com/smallbusinessmentoring/] Sign up for my small business newsletter [https://astridbracke.substack.com], for business without the hustle Get full access to Female Owned: Small business without the hustle at astridbracke.substack.com/subscribe [https://astridbracke.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]