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Okay, now that the great Facebook/Instagram Outage of 2021 is in the rearview, we have some things to talk about. While this outage was a huge inconvenience, it also demonstrated how much the world relies on these apps. While users were annoyed that the apps were down yet again, businesses couldn’t sell their wares, people couldn’t contact loved ones, First, as you may know, Facebook, Instagram, and What’s App were down for several hours on Monday, leaving confused users in their wake. Let’s face it — these platforms are more than just a way to chat and share photos. They’re critical for doing business, arranging medical care, conducting virtual classes, carrying out political campaigns, responding to emergencies, and much, much more.

Meanwhile, the internet had a field day.

I do believe that this outage taught a very valuable lesson — you need to diversify your marketing. It actually makes me think of sayings I heard throughout my childhood:

• Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket
• Don’t build your house on rented land
• Etc., etc., etc.

Remember that social media are platforms that you don’t own and they can go down, vanish, or lose popularity without notice. Here’s another way to look at it:

If you relied on Facebook for 80% of your leads, what would happen if Facebook suddenly decided to tweak its platform or close up shop? You would lose control over your brand and business. To enjoy the marketing mileage and results you’re looking for, it’s important to not rely on only one digital marketing platform. Your target audience is everywhere, but if you’re too focused on a single platform, you’re missing out.

Make sure you’re using every channel that’s relevant to your niche and to your brand to increase your visibility. For example, you can use your blog posts to drive engagement on your social platforms. Simultaneously, you can let your blog visitors know what’s happening on social media.

Some platforms will be more effective than others, but diversifying sets your brand up for success. You’ll reach a wider audience and boost traffic to your landing pages, your websites, and your social media, plus your brand will stay on top of trends faster than you can say “Good soup TikTok.” You’ve got this, I promise.