For a long time, higher education was thought of as the golden ticket to success. But, like Blockbuster in a Netflix world, that’s not the case anymore. In the fast-paced world of online business, entrepreneurs and creators are blurring the lines when it comes to what used to be allowed in their industry playground, proving you don’t need a degree to build something extraordinary—you need social media skills.
In this article we’ll discover how global brands like Gymshark blew up just by the help of Facebook and learn how to take your content to that level. A hint? With services like PopularityBazaar, you can amplify those skills, grow your brand faster, and get noticed by getting real Facebook views. So, next time you’re considering spending $100,000 on a degree, remember reading this.
The New Definition of Education
Remember when your parents told you, “Get a degree, and you’ll be set for life”? Well, surprise! Things have changed. Some of the most successful people including Elon Musk skipped the lecture halls and are thriving in the digital trenches instead. Textbooks do not bother them down—they’re out there mastering Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, and learning by doing.
You can literally learn anything online these days. Whether it’s from YouTube tutorials, TikTok business hacks, or micro-learning platforms, the skills are there for the taking. According to a recent study, 65% of millennials in the US say they’ve learned more about business from online platforms like YouTube than from traditional schools.
Let that sink in. Knowledge is everywhere, it’s cheaper, and you can start now without taking on a mountain of student debt.
Do You Even Need a Degree Anymore?
Here’s the million-dollar question: do employers still care about degrees when it comes to social media and marketing roles? The honest answer? Not really. Sure, in some fields, a degree still holds value. But in the world of social media, marketing, and content creation, it’s your skills and results that matter.
60% of hiring managers in the US say they value practical social media skills more than formal education. Employers want to see what you’ve done—how you engage audiences, run successful campaigns, and create compelling content.
That’s where PopularityBazaar comes in handy. Boosting your social presence with their paid social media promotion services doesn’t just grow your audience; it shows potential clients or employers that you can walk the walk. If you can grow an online following, it says more than any diploma can.
Why Not Invest in Social Media Engagement Instead of Education?
Here’s a crazy idea: instead of pouring $100,000 into a degree, what if you funneled a small portion of that into a killer social media strategy? Stay with me here. College degrees can cost you the same amount as a luxury car, and in return, you’ll get four years of lectures and a fancy piece of paper.
On the flip side, you could spend a fraction of that—literally hundreds—on a targeted social media campaign. This could give your business or personal brand instant exposure to thousands.
PopularityBazaar is a go-to for thousands of creators and businesses because it offers real, authentic engagement—whether you’re looking for followers, views, or likes. It’s all about connecting you with the right audience, and driving genuine growth that can help grow your online presence. For anyone serious about their social media strategy, PopularityBazaar offers the tools you need to stand out.
Of course, add a bit more for the omnichannel marketing strategy and perhaps a tad for paid advertising or production – and watch what happens.
Gymshark: From the Gym to Facebook Virality
Let’s talk about the real power players: the ones who ditched the traditional route and built empires using social media. These aren’t graduates sitting around with MBAs—they’re rolling up their sleeves, posting, and engaging. Social media has become the backbone of some of the fastest-growing brands out there.
Take Gymshark, for example. Ben Francis, the founder, didn’t need a fancy degree to turn his fitness brand into a billion-dollar company. Instead, he tapped into the power of Facebook and influencer marketing to create viral content and build a loyal community. Gymshark exploded when their posts started going viral on Facebook, and they leveraged those early likes and shares to grow their online presence.
As Ben once said, “Social media allowed us to tell our story directly to the people who cared. We didn’t have a big marketing budget, but with the right content and community, Facebook gave us the platform to grow beyond what we ever imagined.”
Today, they’re one of the biggest fitness brands in the world, all thanks to the right social media strategy.
Much like Gymshark, if you want to accelerate your growth on Facebook, paid social media promotion services like PopularityBazaar’s buying Facebook likes can help you create that early noise around your brand. By boosting your posts with real engagement, you’re increasing the chances of going viral and building a dedicated community—just like Gymshark did.
The Skills You Actually Need to Succeed
So what skills do you need to make it in today’s business world? Let’s break it down:
- Content Creation: It’s more than just posting pretty pictures. Crafting a compelling narrative that grabs your audience is what separates you from the sea of sameness. According to HubSpot, US companies that prioritize this see a 37% increase in website traffic. That’s a lot of eyes on your brand.
- Analytics and Social Listening: You can’t just post and pray. Real pros know how to read the data. 76% of businesses say that using social media analytics has significantly improved their ROI. Data tells you what’s working, what’s not, and where you should double down.
- Community Building: Social media isn’t just a sales platform—it’s a community builder. Brands like Patagonia don’t just sell jackets; they sell values. They’ve mastered the art of creating loyal followers who stick around. That sense of connection? It can lead to a 30% increase in sales during key campaigns. Real impact.
- Influencer Marketing: Influencers are the new word-of-mouth marketing. Businesses in the US are seeing 11x more ROI from influencer campaigns than traditional ads. Fashion Nova built an empire this way, using influencers to connect directly with their audience and drive sales.
Paid Social Engagement vs. A Degree: What’s the Better Investment?
So, what’s it going to be? An expensive degree that may or may not get you noticed—or a small, focused investment in paid social media engagement that could start building your business right now?
Consider this: for the cost of just one semester’s tuition, you could be running multiple social media campaigns, testing out different strategies, utilizing paid social media promotion like buying Facebook video views or likes, building an audience, and—best of all—earning money while you do it.