October 19, 2024
Choosing the right platform for your business is key to reaching your target audience and building your brand. Each platform serves a different purpose and audience, so it’s important to think strategically about where to focus your time and energy. For me, as a freelance brand designer, Showit web designer, and UI/UX designer, I’ve chosen specific platforms that align with my business goals and allow me to best showcase my work.
Here’s how I approach it and what I recommend for other business owners:
1. Blogging – Building Trust and Authority
As a designer, my goal is to attract clients by showing my expertise and building trust. One of the best ways for me to do that is through a blog. A blog gives me the platform to share my knowledge, offer valuable insights, and demonstrate the value of my services.
By creating educational and engaging blog posts, I help potential clients understand why branding, web design, and UI/UX design are important for their businesses. The blog is hosted on my website, which means that when someone clicks to read an article, they’re already on my site and can easily explore my services, portfolio, and contact information. It’s a seamless way to bring potential clients directly into my world.
If you’re looking to establish yourself as a thought leader or expert in your field, blogging is a fantastic way to do it. Whether you’re in design, marketing, coaching, or any other industry where expertise is a key selling point, a blog can help build your reputation and trustworthiness.
2. Pinterest – Driving Traffic to My Blog
Since I have a blog, Pinterest is the perfect platform to promote it. Pinterest is highly visual, and it’s one of the best platforms for driving traffic to websites. People often go to Pinterest looking for inspiration or to learn something new, making it an ideal place to share educational content like blog posts. When I create blog posts, I make sure to design Pinterest graphics that link back to my site. This not only helps get more eyes on my content but also leads potential clients directly to my portfolio and services.
Pinterest works well for anyone with a blog or product-based business that relies on visuals. It’s especially useful for those in design, fashion, food, or travel industries. If your business thrives on beautiful imagery, Pinterest can be a major driver of traffic and leads.
3. Instagram – Showcasing My Work
For my business, Instagram is a no-brainer. As a designer, my work is visual, and Instagram allows me to showcase my client projects in a way that’s accessible and engaging. Through Instagram, I can highlight what I’ve done for clients, share snippets of my process, and visually communicate my skills.
Instagram works great for any business that relies on imagery to attract clients. It’s ideal for photographers, designers, stylists, and artists, or anyone in a creative field. By posting consistently and interacting with your audience, Instagram can help build a loyal following and bring in new clients.
Why I Don’t Use Twitter, Facebook, or TikTok
While I’ve chosen blogging, Pinterest, and Instagram to market my business, I’ve decided not to use certain platforms for specific reasons:
- Twitter: My business is based on visuals, not text. Twitter is primarily a text-based platform, and it doesn’t offer the visual appeal that my work requires. For industries where quick, real-time updates or discussions are important—such as tech, news, or personal branding—Twitter can be a valuable tool. But for me, it doesn’t align with my visual brand.
- Facebook: I don’t use Facebook because my target audience isn’t active there. Facebook tends to have an older demographic, and my ideal clients are small business owners and entrepreneurs who are more likely to be active on Instagram or Pinterest. If your business is targeting an older or more local demographic, Facebook might still be a good fit.
- TikTok: While TikTok is growing rapidly, my business doesn’t rely heavily on video content. Since I work with more images than videos, I don’t find TikTok to be the best platform for my brand. However, if your business is video-based or you can create engaging, short-form content (like behind-the-scenes looks, tutorials, or quick tips), TikTok can be a great way to build a following.
Choosing the Right Platform for Your Business
Ultimately, the best platform for your business depends on your goals, audience, and the type of content you create. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:
- Blog/Youtube: Best for building authority and trust. If you have valuable insights, knowledge, or educational content to share, start a blog.
- Pinterest: Ideal for visual businesses looking to drive traffic to their websites. If you have a blog, e-commerce store, or portfolio, Pinterest is a great way to promote it.
- Instagram: Perfect for showcasing visual work. If your business relies on beautiful imagery to attract clients, Instagram is where you should be.
- Twitter: Great for real-time engagement and discussions. If your business benefits from quick updates or networking, consider using Twitter.
- Facebook: Good for targeting local or older audiences. If your target market uses Facebook regularly, it can still be a powerful platform for engagement.
- TikTok: Best for businesses that can create engaging short-form videos. If you can showcase your business or products in creative, bite-sized content, TikTok might be a fit.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to choosing the right platform for your business, it’s essential to understand your audience and the type of content you’ll be sharing. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but by focusing on the platforms that best align with your business goals, you’ll be able to connect with your ideal clients more effectively. For me, that means using a blog to share knowledge, Pinterest to drive traffic, and Instagram to showcase my work. What platforms will work best for you?
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