Episode 270: Organic Social vs Paid Ads What’s Actually Working Right Now (And Why Most Brands Get It Wrong)
Release Date: 04/08/2026
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info_outlineEpisode 270: Organic Social vs Paid Ads What’s Actually Working Right Now (And Why Most Brands Get It Wrong)
Most brands are doing organic social completely wrong and it’s costing them growth.
In this episode, Zach Dampier breaks down what’s actually working with organic social right now… 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.
“Organic and paid are not competing for your resources. They're doing completely different jobs in your customer's journey.”- Zach Dampier
You Will Learn:
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Why organic social is not just “free ads” (and what it should be instead)
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The real role of organic content in your customer journey
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How to create content that builds connection, trust, and loyalty
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The biggest mistake brands make when measuring organic performance
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Why follower count can actually hurt your growth if you’re not careful
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When to prioritize paid ads vs. organic (and how to scale both together)
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The 3-phase framework to build a sustainable organic strategy
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How to turn organic content into a paid traffic flywheel
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Simple ways to make organic more measurable (without overcomplicating it)
Links & Resources
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Smart Marketer – https://www.smartmarketer.com/
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The Smart Marketer Show – https://smartmarketer.com/smart-marketer-show/
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OmniSend – https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend
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Use code SMART for 50% off your first 3 months
Timestamps (Chapters)
00:00:15 – Introduction: Why Organic Social Feels Like an Afterthought
00:00:53 – Sponsor: Why Ezra Uses OmniSend for Email & SMS
00:01:56 – Organic vs Paid: The Core Misunderstanding
00:03:42 – The #1 Mistake Brands Make with Organic Content
00:04:27 – The Real Job of Organic vs Paid Ads
00:06:05 – What’s Actually Working: Real Organic Content Examples
00:07:42 – Why Authenticity & Storytelling Drive Engagement
00:10:14 – Vulnerability, Trust & Building Real Brand Connection
00:11:04 – The Problem with Chasing the Wrong Metrics
00:11:52 – Why Your Social Metrics Might Be Misleading
00:13:32 – The Truth About Follower Count (And Why It Can Hurt You)
00:15:41 – Reels vs Carousels: What’s Working Right Now
00:17:25 – The Metrics You Should Actually Track
00:18:15 – How Organic & Paid Work Together (The Right Way)
00:19:08 – When to Focus on Paid vs Organic (Early-Stage Strategy)
00:21:24 – Organic as “Meta Insurance” Explained
00:23:13 – Turning Organic Content into a Paid Flywheel
00:24:50 – Making Organic Measurable with Tools Like ManyChat
00:25:43 – The 3 Phases of a Winning Organic Strategy
00:27:32 – Final Takeaways: Long-Term vs Short-Term Growth
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