Defining How Big Your Current Platform Is
Understanding the size and reach of your current platform is essential for developing an effective marketing strategy. By accurately assessing your platform's scope, you gain valuable insights into your audience, the effectiveness of your current efforts, and the overall impact of your messaging. This understanding allows you to identify areas for growth, optimize your marketing strategies, and set realistic, achievable goals that align with your business objectives. Knowing the true extent of your platform ensures that your resources are used efficiently and that your efforts are directed towards the most promising opportunities for expansion and engagement.
How to Define the Size of Your Current Platform
Evaluate Social Media Presence
- Measure your followers, likes, shares, comments, and overall engagement on platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and others.
- Use social media analytics tools such as Hootsuite, Sprout Social, and Meta Insights to gain insights into your audience demographics and engagement patterns.
Assess Email Marketing Metrics
- Review list growth, clicks and conversions alongside open rates; privacy features such as Apple Mail Privacy Protection can inflate reported opens.
- Track the growth of your subscriber base and the effectiveness of your email campaigns using tools such as Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and HubSpot.
Review Blog and Vlog Statistics
- Check the number of readers, subscribers, comments, and shares for your blog using platforms such as WordPress, Blogger, and Medium.
- For vlogs, look at views, watch time, likes, comments, and subscriber growth on platforms such as YouTube and Vimeo, using their built-in analytics tools.
Podcast Performance
- Review listening and engagement in Apple Podcasts Connect and Spotify for Creators; obtain download reports from your hosting provider, such as Podbean.
- Track listener demographics and engagement to understand your audience better.
Sales Funnel Efficiency
- Evaluate the number of leads at each stage of your sales funnel by using tools such as ClickFunnels, HubSpot, and
Salesforce. - Measure conversion rates from leads to customers, and identify any drop-off points.
Traditional Media Reach
- If you utilize traditional media, assess the reach and impact of your appearances in newspapers, magazines, television, and radio.
- Track any increases in website traffic, social media engagement, or sales, following these appearances with the use of analytics tools and direct feedback.
Customer and Audience Feedback
- Collect feedback through surveys (using tools like SurveyMonkey and Google Forms), reviews, and direct interactions with your audience.
- Understand their perceptions of your brand and their level of engagement
Why Understanding Your Platform Size Matters
Identify Strengths and Weaknesses
Knowing where you excel and where you need improvement helps you focus your efforts more effectively.Set Realistic Goals
Accurate metrics allow you to set achievable targets and measure progress.Optimize Marketing Strategies
Tailor your marketing efforts to the platforms and strategies that yield the best results.Enhance Audience Engagement
By understanding your audience’s behavior and preferences, you can create more relevant and engaging content.
Explore our Custom Platform Building to see how I would assess the reach you already have and decide what deserves your next investment. I look for overlap between channels and meaningful engagement, rather than adding every follower count together.
Let’s Build Your Platform
Start with Platform Uncovery, or choose Platform in a Box.
