Last week, I spent 30 mins trying to record a video and edit it for Instagram. In the end, the video never made it out of my drafts folder... because I hated it. π
To be fair, the video turned out fine. But somewhere between re-recording sections, adjusting the lighting, and wondering whether I always look that awkward on camera, I was reminded of something I've known about myself for years: I don't actually enjoy making videos for social.
I can do it, but it's never been a part of my business I'm excited to work on.
But there are lots of business owners who feel the exact opposite!
My friend Laura (@theotbutterfly) has an endless supply of creative video ideas! She recently started a series where parents send her a skill their child needs to practice along with something they're interested in, Minecraft, PokΓ©mon, you name it... and she demonstrates a simple activity that combines the two. You can tell she's having fun creating it, and I know her audience can feel that too.
Lots of people ask me which platform they should focus on. They want to know if YouTube is better than Instagram, if Pinterest is worth the effort, or whether they should finally start that blog they've been thinking about for three years.
But there's a much more important question:
What kind of marketing do you actually enjoy enough to keep doing week after week?
Almost every platform works for someone. There are successful businesses built on YouTube, Pinterest, blogging, Instagram, podcasts, LinkedIn, and paid ads. It's not really about which one is "the best"... it's actually about finding one that works best for you.
If you love creating content, then the next step is figuring out what type of content feels most natural.
Some people come alive on video, while others are writers. Some would rather talk through their ideas than sit down at a keyboard, which is exactly why podcasting has become such a powerful option.
But not everyone wants to create content, and guess what? You don't have to!
We ALL need to generate leads (AKA new eyes on your offerings). But if creating content drains you, there are other ways to generate leads.
Ads, partnerships, affiliates, referrals, and collaborations can all become part of your strategy. The important thing is being honest about what you're willing to do consistently.
At the same time, just because you love doing something doesn't mean it will work to make you more $$$...
If you've spent a year creating videos and they're generating very little traction, that's a BIG signal to pay attention to. One of the most valuable skills in business is learning how to separate what we enjoy from what's actually moving the business forward. Sometimes those things overlap, but sometimes they don't.
That's why the most overlooked marketing decision isn't what you're going to DO... it's what you're going to STOP doing.
Every platform comes with examples of people succeeding, every platform has experts promising it's the answer, and every platform can work... but most of us don't have enough time, energy, or attention to do all of them well.
The businesses that grow are often the ones that commit to a few things and let the rest go.
That might mean focusing heavily on Pinterest while barely touching Instagram. It might mean investing in ads instead of trying to post content every day. It might mean deciding that YouTube is your primary platform and giving yourself permission not to chase every new trend that shows up in your feed.
Why is focus so important in business? Because it creates momentum over time.
Remember Laura, the friend I mentioned earlier? She's been posting content on social media weekly (daily if you count her IG stories) since 2018 when I met her. She went from almost zero followers to over 240k followers and a massively engaged audience in that time. (She also just published her 2nd book... so be sure to go check her out!)
One thing that's worth mentioning, though, is that all of this falls into what marketers call the top of the funnel. These are the activities that help people discover your business, but they're only the beginning of the relationship.
Once someone finds you, what happens next?
That's where email becomes so important. (And YES, this platform is consistently important no matter the business model. Almost no business can skip this step... sorry!)
Whether someone discovers your business through Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, blogging, LinkedIn, or an ad, eventually, you need a place where you can continue the conversation.
And if that sentence is making you feel super overwhelmed... don't worry. I've got you! We can start simple... with your welcome sequence.
You'll want to check out my Welcome Sequence Makeover templates. Inside you'll find the funnel map, email templates, mini-training, and AI prompts that help you create a welcome sequence that's intentional, engaging, and designed to build trust from the beginning.
And because you're a Monday Mixtape reader, it's currently 50% off through June with code: MONDAYMIXTAPEWELCOME
One final question before you go!
As I'm building the next version of Teacher Hustle University, I'm creating platform-specific mini-courses that help business owners choose and master a lead generation pathway that fits their strengths.
Which one would you most like to learn about?
π Pinterest
π± Instagram/TikTok
π₯οΈ YouTube
βοΈ Blogging
π Ads
πΌ LinkedIn
Or something else?
Hit reply if you're reading this in your inbox OR comment below if you're reading on the newsletter platform.
Your answer will help shape what I build next!
And if you're still trying to decide which marketing pathway is right for you, remember that the goal isn't finding the perfect platform. It's finding a strategy you can stick with long enough to discover what's actually working!
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