Digital Marketing

The Most Overlooked Social Platforms for Business Growth

In today’s world, businesses focus heavily on big names like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. While these platforms have their perks, there are other social networks that often don’t get the attention they deserve. These overlooked platforms can help businesses connect with a unique audience and foster growth. Let’s dive into some of them.

1. Reddit

Why Reddit is worth your attention

Reddit may not be your first thought for business marketing, but it has an enormous potential. The platform is divided into "subreddits," which are niche communities focused on specific interests. With over 430 million active users, Reddit allows businesses to engage directly with people who have shared interests.

How to use Reddit for business

Join relevant subreddits: Find communities related to your industry and become a helpful, active participant. Answer questions, provide valuable insights, and engage in conversations. The key here is to avoid overly promotional content. Reddit users value authenticity and will quickly turn away from anything that feels like an ad.
Host AMAs (Ask Me Anything): Hosting an AMA can boost your business's visibility. It’s a great way to showcase your expertise or share a behind-the-scenes look at your company.
Reddit Ads: While Reddit ads aren’t as polished as other platforms, they can be effective for targeting niche audiences. If you craft your ads carefully, you can gain a lot of traction with users who are genuinely interested in what you offer.

2. Pinterest

Why Pinterest isn’t just for DIY projects

Pinterest is often seen as a place to pin recipes, home décor ideas, or crafts. However, this platform is a goldmine for businesses, especially in industries like fashion, food, beauty, and home improvement. With more than 450 million active users, Pinterest has evolved beyond just a "visual search engine" and is becoming a powerful business tool.

How to use Pinterest for business

Create a business profile: If you don’t have one already, set up a Pinterest business profile. This gives you access to analytics, and you can also run ads.
Pin high-quality content: Your pins should be visually appealing and provide value. Share how-to guides, product demos, or case studies that lead users to your website.
Use Rich Pins: These pins include extra information like pricing, availability, or direct links, which can drive conversions.
Pinterest SEO: Just like Google, Pinterest relies on keywords. Use relevant keywords in your boards and pin descriptions to make your content easily discoverable.

3. Quora

The power of question and answer communities

Quora is a question-and-answer platform where people ask and answer questions on a variety of topics. It’s a great place for businesses to share knowledge and build authority. Quora has a dedicated user base that comes to the site looking for expertise. If you’re in a field where knowledge-sharing is essential, Quora can be a great place to engage and attract new customers.

How to use Quora for business

Provide valuable answers: Answer questions related to your industry, products, or services. Make sure your answers are detailed and informative. Don’t just leave a quick response—offer real value.
Link back to your website: If relevant, link to your website or blog posts where users can learn more. Just make sure your answer is not overly promotional; it should naturally flow into the link.
Create a brand presence: Set up a Quora Space (a community where you can post content). This helps you gain followers and establish your business as a thought leader in your industry.

4. Discord

A platform built for community engagement

Discord is more than just a space for gamers. Originally created for gaming communities, Discord has evolved into a platform where people connect over shared interests, hobbies, and even business topics. The platform’s chat rooms, called "servers," allow for real-time communication, and businesses can use this to build direct relationships with their audience.

How to use Discord for business

Create a server: Set up a server for your brand, where fans and potential customers can join and interact. You can create channels for different topics, such as customer support, updates, or discussions related to your industry.
Host live chats and events: Discord’s live voice and video chat features make it easy to host live events. Whether it's a Q&A, a product demo, or an educational session, these events allow you to engage with your audience in real time.
Leverage Discord bots: Bots can automate tasks like welcoming new members, answering frequently asked questions, or providing useful links.

5. TikTok

Why TikTok shouldn’t be ignored

TikTok is often associated with young audiences and viral dances, but it offers huge opportunities for businesses. With over 1 billion active users, TikTok allows companies to create short, engaging video content that can go viral and reach a global audience. The key to TikTok success is creativity, authenticity, and entertainment.

How to use TikTok for business

Create engaging videos: Show your product or service in a fun, creative way. Use trends, challenges, or popular music to gain attention. The platform thrives on playful, relatable content.
Partner with influencers: Collaborating with TikTok influencers can help your brand reach a wider audience. Influencers can introduce your business to their followers in an organic, non-salesy way.
Leverage TikTok Ads: TikTok offers various ad formats, including in-feed ads and branded hashtags. While they can be costly, they provide a great way to get your message in front of a larger audience.

6. Clubhouse

Audio-based social interaction

Clubhouse, an audio-only social platform, gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. While it’s not as widely used as other platforms, it still offers tremendous potential for businesses looking to engage with an audience in a more intimate setting. Clubhouse is all about real-time conversation, and businesses can use it to host panels, discussions, or Q&A sessions.

How to use Clubhouse for business

Host rooms: Create rooms on topics relevant to your industry. Invite experts, customers, or industry leaders to join the conversation. These rooms give you the chance to showcase your business's expertise and gain credibility.
Network with industry peers: Clubhouse allows you to interact with other professionals. Join rooms where your potential customers hang out and engage with them directly.
Promote upcoming events: You can use Clubhouse to give sneak peeks of upcoming launches, share updates, or discuss trends within your niche.

7. Tumblr

A niche platform with a creative twist

Tumblr is often overlooked by businesses, yet it has a loyal and creative user base. It’s a blog-like platform where users share posts, images, GIFs, and videos. Tumblr has a younger audience, but it can be a great place to connect with people who appreciate creative and artistic content.

How to use Tumblr for business

Create a visually appealing blog: Use Tumblr’s flexible customization options to create a visually appealing blog for your brand. Share content like behind-the-scenes looks, product designs, or creative campaigns.
Use tags: Tags are an essential part of Tumblr’s discovery process. Add relevant tags to your posts to help users find your content.
Engage with followers: Respond to comments and messages, and repost content from your followers. This builds a sense of community around your brand.

8. Yelp

Not just for reviews

Yelp is widely known as a review site for businesses, especially for restaurants and local services. However, its potential for business growth goes beyond reviews. With over 200 million monthly visitors, Yelp can help businesses gain credibility, attract new customers, and improve their online presence.

How to use Yelp for business

Claim your business page: Set up and optimize your Yelp business profile. Add accurate contact information, business hours, and a description of your services.
Encourage reviews: Encourage happy customers to leave positive reviews. Respond to both positive and negative reviews in a professional manner to show you care about customer feedback.
Yelp Ads: While not for every business, Yelp Ads can increase visibility, especially for local businesses looking to attract new customers.

9. YouTube

The second-largest search engine

While YouTube is the go-to platform for video content, it’s still underutilized by many businesses. With over 2 billion logged-in monthly users, YouTube offers great potential for companies to create content that educates, entertains, and informs.

How to use YouTube for business

Create how-to videos: Demonstrate your product, share tutorials, or provide tips and tricks that benefit your target audience.
Optimize for search: Use YouTube’s SEO features, like adding keywords in your title, description, and tags, to help your videos appear in search results.
Use YouTube Ads: With a variety of ad formats, YouTube Ads allow businesses to target users based on demographics, interests, and behavior.

Final Thoughts

While major social media platforms dominate the conversation when it comes to business growth, these overlooked platforms provide an opportunity for businesses to engage with unique audiences in meaningful ways. Whether you're looking to answer questions, showcase your products, or build a community, these platforms offer different ways to grow your brand and connect with potential customers. The key is to choose the platforms that align with your business goals and the audience you want to reach.

The Most Overlooked Social Platforms for Business Growth