If you’re exploring more ethical approaches to social media advertising, the dominance of Big Tech might seem at odds with your goals. The good news? You can promote your brand responsibly while stepping away from the usual platforms.
Here are some tips and alternative platforms to guide you on this journey.
BlueSky
BlueSky is part of the growing movement toward decentralised social media and is less saturated with advertising. It’s still in its early stages but promises transparency and user control, avoiding the pitfalls of algorithm driven engagement. It’s ideal for brands willing to experiment and invest in long term community building.
How to use it:
- Position your brand as a thought leader by sharing meaningful updates and joining conversations.
- Experiment with storytelling to connect with early adopters and progressive users.
Vero
Vero doesn’t rely on ads or algorithms. Instead, it’s a subscription based platform built to encourage real, authentic connections rather than profit-driven interactions. And great news it shares posts in chronological order!
How to use it:
- Share eye catching, authentic stories about your brand and its values.
- Vero is a great way to connect with a creative and socially conscious audience who value substance over hype.
Medium
A popular platform for content sharing and thought leadership, offering brands a chance to engage with a community that values depth and quality over sensationalism. A great way to share your purpose driven content. Medium is funded through memberships, avoiding the intrusive ads found on many other platforms.
How to use it:
- Write in depth posts about your brand’s values, ethical practices, and impact. Use Medium as a hub to demonstrate thought leadership and connect with an audience that shares your principles.
- Quality over quantity is key, even just 4 informative articles a year is enough to gain traction.
Mastodon
Mastodon is a social platform that’s all about people, not profit. It’s run by independent communities instead of big companies, so there are no ads, no sneaky algorithms, and no corporate influence.
How to use it:
- Instead of focusing on selling, use Mastodon to share updates, join conversations, and build genuine relationships within niche groups. It’s a place for meaningful engagement, not flashy pitches.
Email Marketing
Email marketing still remains a reliable, ethical, and cost effective way to connect with your audience. With email, you can personalise messaging, highlight your values, and drive traffic to your website or blog. Plus, you’re not dependent on algorithms; you will always have access to your audience and your message lands straight in the inbox. Use email as a companion to your social strategy, whether you’re sharing exclusive updates, promoting new content, or running campaigns.
Streamlining Posting
At the moment, many of these alternative platforms don’t integrate seamlessly with tools like HubSpot or Hootsuite, so you may need to post directly on each one. While this can feel like extra work, it also encourages more personalised and authentic engagement. If automation is essential, keep an eye out for updates; many platforms are beginning to explore integrations as they grow.
While it’s still unfolding which ethical platforms will be the next big thing, dipping your toes in now could position your brand ahead of the curve. Balance your time wisely, explore new platforms, keep your email list engaged, and focus on building relationships rather than simply following trends. Also check their current user base and activity levels to decide if the investment is worth it now or better saved for later. In the meantime, we’re going to test some out for ourselves so if you have any questions about your social media strategy please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Topics: Digital, Marketing, Uncategorized
