Nowadays, it seems like new social media platforms are cropping up while older ones crumble.
Think about how the fall of Vine gave way for Instagram videos to gain popularity and how many Vine content creators had to pivot to platforms like Instagram and, later, TikTok.
Social media influencers and content creators must always be ready to jump to new platforms or incorporate them into their marketing strategy.
This article will discuss seamlessly switching platforms as content creators or influencers while retaining momentum and gaining new followers.
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7 Tips for Switching Platforms as a Creator
Make your new platform recognizable.
Collaborate with other creators.
7 Tips for Switching Platforms as a Creator
Below are tips from content creators with experience pivoting to new social media platforms.
Go where your audience is.
Podcaster Jacqueline Snyder of The Product Boss encourages creators to switch to platforms they know their audience frequents.
“Choose a platform where you know your audience is already hanging out,” Snyder said. “For example, if you know your audience isn’t into video, TikTok can be crossed off the list.”
Suppose you need to figure out what other platforms your audience frequents. Use tools like surveys, analytics, and polls to find out. You can also use this method to determine the content your followers want to see on the new platform.
Make your new platform recognizable.
Using a different profile or username on a new platform can be tempting. After all, it’s a unique environment for your content and personality.
However, you want your audience to recognize you on all platforms, so keep things like your profile photo, username, and handle consistent with other social media and your brand.
“Your username or handle should be the same across all channels,” John Lee Dumas of Entrepreneurs on Fire said, “so if you already have other social media profiles for your content, stay consistent!”
For example, if you’re a video game-based content creator who streams on Twitch and wants to switch to streaming on YouTube, use the same Twitch username and profile photo.
If you cannot use the same username or handle on the new platform, create a similar username by adding an extra digit or symbol.
Be consistent.
“Set up a posting schedule to let your audience know you’re all in,” John Lee Dumas of Entrepreneurs on Fire said. “The cadence will depend on the platform itself, but whatever you go with, stay consistent so your audience can start to rely on your content and engagement being there regularly.”
Research the best days and times to post on your new platform and try to experiment to see when your audience is most active. You may also discover specific types of content perform better at certain times.
For example, your long-form YouTube videos may perform better when posted at 9 a.m., but your YouTube Shorts may get more engagement in the afternoon.
Inform your audience.
“We just did this with Threads, so I would say make sure that you let your followers on your biggest social media platforms know you’re on another platform — and ask them to follow you,” Snyder said. “Share content from the new social platform onto your old existing platform to excite them about following you.”
Snyder also says to include a call-to-action in your content, guiding your audience to your new platform.
“Only send your audience to one place — the place you want to build. For example: ‘Follow me on Instagram or Threads for tips on [blank].’”
Post valuable content.
Of course, the most significant incentive for your audience to follow you on a new platform is high-quality content that provides value to your followers.
“Always ask yourself: ‘Is the content I’m sharing providing real solutions to my core audience?’” Dumas explained. “Your audience wants real solutions to their problems, not fluff that requires their bandwidth while providing no value.”
If you haven’t already, get to know your audience and think about the content they want to see from you and the type that offers the most value.
Additionally, try experimenting with new content styles and formats, like live-streaming, short-form videos, stories, or audio rooms to showcase your creativity. Just make sure your content is consistent with your brand.
Doing so will allow you to uniquely connect with your followers while attracting new followers who prefer to see that type of content on the platform.
Collaborate with other creators.
A great way to grow your audience after switching platforms is to collaborate with more established creators in the space. These creators can introduce you to their audience and help you carve your niche on the new platform.
If you‘re pivoting to TikTok and want to expand your audience, collaborate with a TikTok creator in your niche. Do a live stream, stitch each other’s videos, participate in a challenge, or do a giveaway.
Repurpose content.
As Dumas mentioned, you must provide valuable content to your followers to grow your audience. However, that doesn’t mean you must create brand-new content for every new platform.
Repurpose your existing content to fit different contexts to save time and money.
You can also repost content from the previous platform to the new platform to give it a second life and an opportunity to reach new people.
For example, you may have a few Instagram Reels you can repurpose as YouTube Shorts. You can also repurpose content from a podcast into a blog post or a video into a carousel post on Instagram.
Amassing followers after switching to a new platform can be intimidating, but it’s definitely possible with the right strategy. If you want to switch platforms, you now have the expert tips to start building your audience.
