A Practical Software Directory for Solo Builders
by Deb Raley
Introducing "Socially Simplified" - your go-to guide for navigating the digital world and social media when marketing your small business. This book covers all the basic tools and tips you need to keep your sanity and simplify your marketing efforts. With helpful prompts, templates, trackers, and guides, you'll be able to create engaging content that connects with your audience and drives business results. From AI-powered writing tools to social media management strategies, "Socially Simplified" has got you covered. Plus, with recommended resources and links, you'll have everything you need to succeed in today's digital landscape. This guide covers Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, TikTok, Twitter, Chat GPT, Email Marketing, Text Marketing, LinkedIn, Threads, and Google Business Profile. Get ready to simplify your social media marketing with "Socially Simplified".
LEARN MORE →Finding your audience and taking part in relevant conversations
Social platforms give you places to share useful content, introduce your business and build relationships with people interested in your subject.
Establish a presence, publish updates and join conversations around your work. Some platforms favour visual ideas and demonstrations; others lend themselves to professional discussions or community participation. Start where your intended audience already spends time, using a format you can comfortably maintain. You do not need an account on every network. These listings focus on participation and publishing; paid advertising and influencer partnerships have their own sections.
✓ Personally tested | ◇ Research reviewed | ○ Directory listing
Facebook offers several ways to develop a presence around your business: a Page for public updates, Groups for shared interests and conversations, and messaging for responding to enquiries. Share photographs, videos, links and announcements, then answer questions and participate where your experience is useful. Creating a business Page and publishing ordinary posts is free; advertising is optional and charged separately. You need a Facebook account to manage a Page. Group rules vary, so check whether promotional posts are welcome before sharing your own links. Building relationships takes regular attention, and followers will not necessarily see every update.
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Instagram centres on visual content, with photographs, image carousels, Stories and Reels offering different ways to introduce your work. Show finished products, demonstrate a process, share practical tips or give people a glimpse of the business behind an offer. Comments and direct messages provide opportunities to answer questions and develop relationships. Joining and publishing are free, with business and creator accounts providing professional tools and insights. Paid promotion is optional. It is a useful platform to consider when your subject lends itself to images or video, although preparing content and responding consistently both require time.
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LinkedIn is a professional network where individuals and businesses share knowledge, discuss industry developments and make work-related connections. Use a personal profile to introduce your experience and contribute to conversations, or create a free Company Page to present your business and publish updates. Pages include audience and content analytics to help you understand the response to your posts. It is worth considering for services, business-focused content and professional partnerships. Basic participation does not require a paid subscription; Premium features and advertising cost extra. A useful starting point is to answer relevant questions and share practical experience.
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Pinterest helps people discover and save visual ideas while planning projects, purchases and activities. Publish image or video Pins, organise related content into boards and link suitable Pins to useful pages on your website. This gives you a way to introduce guides, products and creative work to people exploring your subject. Both personal and business accounts are free, with business accounts adding analytics and other marketing tools. You can publish without buying advertising. Clear images, helpful descriptions and relevant destination pages are important; visitors should find the information or product that the Pin led them to expect.
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TikTok is a video-led platform where people discover creators, ideas and businesses through their interests. Use it to share demonstrations, explain a topic, answer common questions or show the process behind your work. Creating an account and publishing ordinary content is free, while advertising and other optional commercial services have separate costs and requirements. Its Creator Academy provides introductory guidance on making content and developing an audience. Consider whether you can regularly produce clear, engaging videos that suit your subject. Business use also requires care over music and other content rights; available sounds are not automatically cleared for commercial use.
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Explore tools for creators building an audience and businesses seeking creator partnerships. Find support for managing a creator presence, discovering suitable collaborators, planning campaigns and measuring results.
Browse Influencers →Plan and schedule organic content across social platforms. Explore tools for organising posts, maintaining a consistent presence and managing publishing from one place.
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