The Benefits of Bluesky for Small Businesses
Social media continues to be a vital tool for marketing and engaging with customers, especially for small enterprises. The landscape, however, is rapidly evolving, prompting users to transition from established platforms like Twitter, now known as X, to newer options such as Bluesky and Meta’s Threads.
Emerging Dynamics: The Shift to Bluesky
Since reaching a peak of over 368 million users in 2022, X has seen a decline of more than 30 million users. Meanwhile, Bluesky—launched by former Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey—has emerged as a promising alternative. It is currently home to more than 33 million users, up from nine million just a year ago, marking it as a rapidly expanding, independent, open-source, and ad-free platform.
Understanding Bluesky’s Unique Features
For small businesses, utilizing Bluesky offers a chance to connect with audiences seeking genuine interactions devoid of algorithmic restrictions. Alycia Leno, GoDaddy’s director of content marketing, details several unique aspects of Bluesky that differentiate it from mainstream social media platforms:
- Decentralization: Bluesky was created to explore decentralization—a move away from being controlled by a single corporation. This decentralization means users have more control over their data and experience.
- Dual Identifier System: Users can choose between a standard handle format (@username.bsky.social) or utilize a custom domain (e.g., @yourdomain.com). This flexibility ensures better ownership and portability of identities across platforms.
Joining Bluesky: A Strategic Move for Small Business Owners
With a growing user base, Leno asserts that it is beneficial for small business owners to establish their presence on Bluesky, even if immediate engagement isn’t feasible. Securing a unique username now can pay dividends as the platform matures and expands:
- Future Growth Potential: The platform shows promising signs of growth and securing a handle is advisable, particularly the default bsky.social identifier.
- Content Strategy: Small business owners are encouraged to begin posting often on Bluesky, utilizing different formats and engaging with comments to enhance visibility.
Building Community and Customer Engagement
One of the platform’s advantages is the potential to cultivate a loyal community. Leno highlights that specific niche communities, particularly in art, education, and STEM, are vibrant on Bluesky. Here are some tips for effectively using the platform:
- Engage actively with users in your niche to foster interest in your brand.
- Respond to comments and engage in conversations to create a sense of community.
- Utilize local hashtags effectively to reach local audiences.
As Bluesky attracts more users, early adopters, especially smaller businesses, may find it easier to establish themselves amid limited competition.
Maximizing Bluesky’s Potential for Your Business
To capitalize on this emerging platform, businesses should focus on creating authentic content and actively engaging with others. Leno advises businesses to:
- Regularly monitor trending topics and leverage them for relevance.
- Experiment with various content types and engagement strategies to determine what resonates best with the audience.
Attention to the evolving nature of Bluesky will help businesses navigate future updates, such as new features and community expectations.
Conclusion
As Bluesky continues to grow, small businesses have a significant opportunity to connect with customers seeking engaging and authentic online experiences. By securing a presence on this platform now, businesses may gain a competitive edge in the future landscape of social media.
For further insights into navigating social media trends, connect with Rieva Lesonsky via her website, SmallBusinessCurrents.com.