Some folks will tell you that the only way to “make it” is to dance for the algorithm, spend your life glued to social media, or shovel cash into ads you can’t afford. That’s nonsense.

You don’t need to sell your soul to get found. You just need to make it easy for the right people to discover you - and to do it in a way that feels honest, simple, and sustainable.

Here’s how us Outlaws like to do it 👇👇👇

When folks in your town type “best BBQ near me,” “auto shop in Philipsburg,” or “Wedding photographer in Coeur D’Alene” - you want to be where they go. That means:

You don’t need to master 10 platforms all at the same time. Pick one or two where you know your people like to hang out (Facebook for locals, Instagram for visual business, LinkedIn for B2B). Own those spaces and ignore the rest.

Influencer marketing is on shaky ground, folks. The latest Clutch report dropped the mic: half of consumers say they ignored influencer product pitches in the past year. More than half distrust paid endorsements—even though most shoppers still believe influencers have actually used the products they’re pushing. What does that spell? Authenticity isn’t optional anymore—it’s the lifeline.

The rebel move? Stop chasing “celebrity” reach and start forging raw, real connections. Micro-influencers and community creators are becoming the new heavy hitters because people see them as one of us, not a billboard. Visual platforms (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube) still dominate the battleground, but the message can’t be polished trash—it has to bleed truth.

So for your brand: don’t throw money at big influencer names and hope for magic. Partner with voices who already believe in your mission, tell unfiltered stories, and make viewers feel like insiders—not victims of a sales pitch.

Read the report here

Tool of the Week: Whitespark Local Citation Finder
This tool shows you where your competitors are listed online (directories, maps, local sites) — and helps you get listed there too.

Outlaw Tip: Even a single new listing (like being added to your local Chamber directory or a trusted review site) can boost how often you show up in search.

📝 Blog Snippet

Meta is rolling out fresh features that give small and rural businesses a fighting chance to be seen online. From new discovery tools to smarter ways of reaching local customers, these updates are designed to put you in front of the right people without needing a big-city budget or a full-time marketing team.

👉 Don’t get left in the dust. Read the full article here: Meta’s New Features Help You Get Seen and start putting these tools to work for your business today.

Ask for reviews in the moment

Don’t wait for weeks to pass. When a customer is smiling and satisfied, hand them a card with a QR code to scan or send a quick text link for a google review. That’s when the goodwill is fresh.

What’s the #1 way people find you right now? Word of mouth? Facebook? Google?

Hit reply and let us know! I’ll share a roundup of answers in next week’s Outlaw Edge.