Can I let you in on a little secret? You don’t have to be on every social media platform.
To some, this may seem like a no brainer. But to others, this could be a very controversial statement! Why? For so many of us, we’ve been hearing things like “you have to be on Instagram to succeed” or “If you aren’t making Tik Tok’s, you are way behind the curve”.
I think this is because most people subscribe to the idea of a one-size-fits-all approach to marketing. But the truth is – every business is different! Most importantly, every entrepreneur is different.
I’m a big believer that if you aren’t finding joy and connection on social media, it might be time to reevaluate the platforms you are using! What works for your colleague or friend or competitor may not work for you. My goal and hope for you is to not just put yourself on the social media platforms that you think you need to be on, but to actually take the time to reflect on the platforms that allow you to be your authentic self.
When picking the platforms that are right for you, ask yourself these questions.
1. Which platforms are you naturally drawn to?
Consider your personal life outside of business. What platforms do you like to consume content and information from? Where do you go for inspiration, ideas, and news? The platforms that you are naturally drawn to will usually offer you the most authentic experience. Because at the end of the day, it’s hard to show up authentically on a platform that you just don’t resonate with.
For me, I love hanging out on the ‘gram. It’s easy for me to connect with others on this platform, and to be excited to create content for my accounts. Tik Tok on the other hand… not so much! It’s important to find the platforms where we feel naturally comfortable, and not try to force it.
Which of these platforms do you find yourself using on a daily or weekly basis?
- Facebook / Facebook Groups
- YouTube
- Tik Tok
- Clubhouse
2. What type of content do you like to create?
If you don’t love creating content for a platform, chances are you won’t end up doing it or doing it consistently. Maybe you love to write, but recording videos of yourself just isn’t your jam. Or perhaps you have a knack for creating eye-catching graphics, but sometimes struggle with the words to go along with it.
By narrowing in on your strengths and passions, you’ll be able to best match these with the platforms that will help you shine. Some of the common types of social media content and the platforms that they work best on are listed below, which ones do you resonate with?
- Writing -> Blogging, Instagram, Facebook
- Photography -> Instagram, Pinterest
- Graphic Design -> Pinterest, Instagram
- Videos -> Instagram, Tik Tok, YouTube
3. Where does your audience hang out?
Finally, consider where your ideal audience likes to spend time. Demographic information like age, gender, and interests will help you narrow in on these platforms.
Once you know where your audience exists, compare it to your answers to the first two questions, and find platforms that overlap. These will be the BEST platforms for you because they allow you to show up authentically while attracting the audience that you want to connect with.
Most marketers start with understanding your audience, but when it comes to social media, I think it’s so important to start by understanding yourself!
——-
Even after you have your final list of social media platforms that *might* be right for you, remember this: you still don’t have to be on all of them (or any of them for that matter!). Set realistic expectations with yourself, which might mean starting small with just one platform that will allow you to show up and create relationships with your audience.
As entrepreneurs, it’s not about doing everything. It’s about doing the things that fill us up and bring us joy.
Now I want to know: what social media platforms do you use in your business? Why?
With gratitude,
