{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Episode 270: Organic Social vs Paid Ads What\u2019s Actually Working Right Now (And Why Most Brands Get It Wrong)","description":"Episode 270: Organic Social vs Paid Ads What\u2019s Actually Working Right Now (And Why Most Brands Get It Wrong) Most brands are doing organic social completely wrong and it\u2019s costing them growth. In this episode, Zach Dampier breaks down what\u2019s actually working with organic social right now\u2026 and how to use it alongside paid ads without burning out or chasing the wrong metrics. If your organic content feels like an afterthought or just a weaker version of your ads, this episode will completely reframe your strategy. \u201cOrganic and paid are not competing for your resources. They're doing completely different jobs in your customer's journey.\u201d- Zach Dampier You Will Learn: Why organic social is not just \u201cfree ads\u201d (and what it should be instead) The real role of organic content in your customer journey How to create content that builds connection, trust, and loyalty The biggest mistake brands make when measuring organic performance Why follower count can actually hurt your growth if you\u2019re not careful When to prioritize paid ads vs. organic (and how to scale both together) The 3-phase framework to build a sustainable organic strategy How to turn organic content into a paid traffic flywheel Simple ways to make organic more measurable (without overcomplicating it) Links & Resources Smart Marketer \u2013 https:\/\/www.smartmarketer.com\/ The Smart Marketer Show \u2013 https:\/\/smartmarketer.com\/smart-marketer-show\/ OmniSend \u2013 https:\/\/smartmarketer.com\/omnisend Use code SMART for 50% off your first 3 months Timestamps (Chapters) 00:00:15 \u2013 Introduction: Why Organic Social Feels Like an Afterthought 00:00:53 \u2013 Sponsor: Why Ezra Uses OmniSend for Email & SMS 00:01:56 \u2013 Organic vs Paid: The Core Misunderstanding 00:03:42 \u2013 The #1 Mistake Brands Make with Organic Content 00:04:27 \u2013 The Real Job of Organic vs Paid Ads 00:06:05 \u2013 What\u2019s Actually Working: Real Organic Content Examples 00:07:42 \u2013 Why Authenticity & Storytelling Drive Engagement 00:10:14 \u2013 Vulnerability, Trust & Building Real Brand Connection 00:11:04 \u2013 The Problem with Chasing the Wrong Metrics 00:11:52 \u2013 Why Your Social Metrics Might Be Misleading 00:13:32 \u2013 The Truth About Follower Count (And Why It Can Hurt You) 00:15:41 \u2013 Reels vs Carousels: What\u2019s Working Right Now 00:17:25 \u2013 The Metrics You Should Actually Track 00:18:15 \u2013 How Organic & Paid Work Together (The Right Way) 00:19:08 \u2013 When to Focus on Paid vs Organic (Early-Stage Strategy) 00:21:24 \u2013 Organic as \u201cMeta Insurance\u201d Explained 00:23:13 \u2013 Turning Organic Content into a Paid Flywheel 00:24:50 \u2013 Making Organic Measurable with Tools Like ManyChat 00:25:43 \u2013 The 3 Phases of a Winning Organic Strategy 00:27:32 \u2013 Final Takeaways: Long-Term vs Short-Term Growth Call to Action (CTA) If you enjoyed this episode, don\u2019t keep it to yourself Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts Share this episode and tag us using #WeOutHere Have questions or feedback? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com Your support helps us bring you more actionable strategies every week Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit ","author_name":"The Smart Marketer Podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/smartmarketer.com\/","html":"