Choosing the right platforms for your business is a blend of art and science đ¨đ§ .
With the right mix, youâll not only reach your target audience but gain loyal customers in the process. And we personally love coming up with the right combination for our friends. If youâre at the beginning of your online presence and arenât sure where to start, we've got you.
Know Thy Business (and Audience) đŁď¸
You need to understand your business and, more importantly, your target audience (also called a marketing persona). Are you targeting tech-savvy millennials, corporate giants, or creative freelancers? Your target demographic will heavily influence the main platforms you choose.
- Social Media: Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok are gold mines if your audience loves visual content and social interaction. The friendlier, the better.Â
- Professional Networks: LinkedIn is your go-to for B2B connections and professional networking. Itâs also becoming more of a âsocial media professional network.â
- E-commerce Platforms: Shopify, WooCommerce, and Etsy cater to businesses looking to sell products online.Â
Most businesses will have a combination of multiple platforms (especially social media), but itâs still important to recognize where the majority of your audience is and work on engagement/content there.Â
Itâs important to recognize social media is (or can be) a whole job itself! If youâre a smaller business, you might be wearing all the hats and this feels daunting to add something else to the plate. Thankfully, there are a ton of resources to get you started, and you donât have to do it all. You can just take one tiny step at a time.
The Big Three đ
Every business, no matter the size, should have a presence in what weâre calling the Big Three:
Website đť
Your digital storefront. This is the place where people learn who you are. Make it personal to who your business is, as user-friendly as possible, and filled with information your audience needs. Our favorite web tools are WordPress, Webflow, or Squarespace depending on how you need your site to function.
Social Media đą
Engage with your audience, build brand loyalty, and showcase your products or services. Choose platforms that align with your brand voice and target audience. Donât worry about keeping up with every social media trend. Theyâre not all for you, and they come and go so quickly (tying us back to knowing your audience; we donât usually recommend hopping on the TikTok dance trends).Â
Email Marketing đ§
Email will never die, weâre convinced of it. Use it to build relationships and keep your audience informed with platforms like Mailchimp or Constant Contact (weâre big Mailchimp fans ourselves đ). Email marketing has one of the highest ROI, so donât skimp on it!Â
Analytics: The Crystal Ball of Success đŽ
Data-driven decisions are the best decisions. Use platforms like Google Analytics, Meta Business, and LinkedIn Analytics to understand whatâs working and whatâs not. This information is invaluable for tweaking your strategies and maximizing your efforts.
The Digital World Never Sleeps đ´
The digital landscape is ever-evolving. Stay updated with the latest trends and technologies to keep your business ahead of the curve. Subscribing to industry blogs, attending webinars, and networking with other professionals can keep you in the loop.
Test, Learn, and Adapt đŚď¸
Don't be afraid to experiment! Test different platforms, analyze the results, and adapt accordingly. The key is to remain flexible and responsive to the needs of your audience and the dynamics of the digital world.
Ready to get started? Dive into your options, and let the magic of the right platform transform your business into a roaring success! đOur small but spunky team can help you come up with the best strategy for your business, and make sure youâre set up for success. Weâll walk alongside you every step of the way. đ¤
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