Declare Independence from the Algorithm
Hey Reader,
As we head into the July 4th weekend here in the U.S., many are taking time to celebrate freedom and reflect on those who’ve made it possible.
No matter where you're reading from, it's also a good reminder to think about another kind of freedom—freedom from platforms that don’t have your back.
If you're a farmer or small business trying to grow online, it's easy to get stuck in the hamster wheel of social media.
But here’s the truth:
Social media is NOT designed to help you sell.
It’s designed to keep people scrolling.
Here’s what makes social media a trap for small farm businesses:
- Weak reach — You might have 1,000 followers, but only 20 see your post.
- Passive browsers — Most people scroll to kill time and zone out, not to buy.
- Algorithm roulette — You’re one viral goat video away from relevance—or total invisibility.
- No ownership — You don’t control the platform, your page, or your followers.
- Constant pressure to post — One week off and you “disappear.”
Compare that to email:
- Direct delivery — Your message lands in their inbox, not an algorithm's guess.
- Active readers — People chose to sign up and are more likely to take action.
- Consistent visibility — No viral drama needed—your emails always go out..
- Full control — You own your email list and can take it with you anywhere.
- Send smarter — Email once, reach everyone, and skip the social media guessing game.
That’s why, all through July, I’m including full email integration FREE with every website build.
When you sign up for a website build in July, I’m including full email integration for free—normally a $249 add-on.
Here’s what that includes:
✅ Email sign-up built into your website
(So people can join your list right from your site—no more wondering how to start collecting emails.)
✅ A subtle pop-up form
(Gently reminds visitors to subscribe without annoying them—and works even if they don’t buy right away. I get it, pop-ups can be annoying, but we set them up in a way where they are delayed, small, easy to close, and truth is they work)
✅ A reusable, professional email template
(Saves you time every time you send an email—Your logo, Google review request, farm store, and more are already linked. Just drop in your text and hit send.)
✅ Automatic blog posting when you send an email
(The emails you send will automatically be posted to your website as a blog with no extra work—keeping your website fresh and helping with Google rankings.)
✅ Full ownership of your ConvertKit account
(You control everything—your list, your emails, your future. Take it with you wherever you go.)
This bundle is included free through July 31, then it goes back to being a paid add-on.
If you’ve been thinking about launching your farm website, now’s the time to act.
And just so you know—this isn’t some locked-in, proprietary system.
📬 We use Kit (formerly ConvertKit), a trusted email provider built specifically for creators and small businesses. It’s easy to use, designed to help you grow, and best of all—it’s free for up to 1,000 subscribers, so there’s no monthly fee when you're just getting started.
🛠️ The account we set up becomes fully yours. I’ll turn over the keys once it’s up and running. While I think you’ll love the support and simplicity at Homegrown Hosting, you’re never locked in. If you ever switch to another service, you take your Kit account, your list, and your email history with you.
Enjoy your weekend, grill something amazing, and remember:
Freedom is owning your list—not renting attention.
