Choosing the right social media platform for your business it’s important. I share with you why you should look beyond Instagram, Twitter and Facebook
Social media platforms have become an integral part of our lives, both personally and professionally. If you own a business, you may already know that social media is a powerful tool to reach out to potential customers and engage with your existing ones. However, with so many social media platforms available, choosing the right one for your business can be a daunting task.
Most businesses tend to focus on the “holy trio” of social media platforms – Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter – and while it’s very likely you’ll need to be on one of these platforms, however, it’s important to always consider if other platforms may better suit your business’s unique needs.
Why Look Beyond the “Holy Trio”?
While the most popular social media platforms may have a massive user base, they are also highly competitive. With so many businesses wrestle for attention on these platforms, it can be difficult to stand out and gain traction, especially when your marketing budget is limited. This is where alternative platforms come in.
Alternative, or smaller social media platforms and forums may not have as many users as Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter, but they often have a more engaged and niche audience. By focusing on platforms where competition is low, you can increase your chances of standing out and potentially connecting with your most loyal customers.
Alternative platforms also offer unique features that the big players may not have. For example, Twitch is a live-streaming platform primarily used by gamers, but it’s also popular with artists, musicians, and other creatives. TikTok, on the other hand, is a short-form video platform that’s become incredibly popular with Gen Z users. These platforms offer unique ways to connect with your target audience and showcase your brand in a way that may not be possible on the “holy trio” of social media.
How to Choose the Right Social Media Platform for Your Business
Consider these key factors when choosing a social media platform for your business!
Your target audience: Who are your ideal customers, and where do they spend their time online? If you’re targeting Gen Z, for example, TikTok may be the number one social media platform to explore.
Your business goals: What are you hoping to achieve through social media? Are you looking to drive sales, increase brand awareness, or create a truly engaged community of your existing customers?
Your resources: How much time and money do you have to devote to social media? Some platforms may require more time and resources than others, perhaps building a presence on alternative platforms is better for your ROI. .
Your brand identity: What kind of brand identity do you want to communicate with your audience? Some platforms may be better suited for certain types of content or messaging.
Alternative Social Media Platforms
Here are a few alternative social media platforms to consider:
Reddit: A social news aggregation, web content rating, and discussion website with various communities.
LinkedIn: is a social media platform for professionals, allowing users to build their professional network, showcase their skills, and connect with other professionals in their industry.
Mastodon: A decentralized, open-source social media platform similar to Twitter.
Twitch: A live-streaming platform primarily used by gamers, but also popular with artists and musicians.
TikTok: A short-form video platform that’s become incredibly popular with Gen Z users.
Pinterest: A visual discovery and bookmarking platform where users can discover and save ideas.
Discord: A platform for text, voice, and video chat that’s popular with gamers, but also used by communities of all kinds.
Telegram: A cloud-based instant messaging app that focuses on speed and security.
Conclusion
While the business model the biggest social media platforms have developed over the last decade is still the go-to for many enterprises, it’s worth dedicating a moment to learn about alternative platforms that may better suit your business, after all.
I’d really like to work with clients who are open to discover “new seas” and open to experiment how to leverage their competitive advantage on alternative social media platforms.