As a mother and small business owner my days are filled with multiple forms of digital media on both a personal and business level. Since digital media has become more mainstream and has such a wide reach, it has become a main source for everything from news to shopping and even entertainment. It also provides a way for me to stay connected with my clients, family, and friends no matter where they live. During a typical day I utilize digital channels almost constantly. If YouTube isn’t playing educational or DIY videos on the TV, then I’m scrolling through social channels for information or inspiration. I typically stick to just a few digital channels that I frequent often including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Facebook, by far, is the platform I frequent the most since it delivers on multiple levels both personally and for my business. I can connect with clients and family sharing photos and videos of accomplishments and fun activities with my family while also checking the news, weather, and finding entertainment. Living in a rural area, Facebook makes it easy to connect with other locals to find information on urgent community issues as well as local events. The mix of ads, reels, photos, and short articles is a good balance where I can engage without being too overwhelmed. I can find local companies I need, like contractors and plumbers, and read what people are saying about the businesses before I even decide to call them. I can watch videos for entertainment or design inspiration, and some of the ads offer interesting products I’d be interested in buying that I might not otherwise know about. Facebook also gives my business a way to connect with clients and share examples of my work and special promotions. It also makes it easy for my clients to share my information with others which helps me grow my business.
LinkedIn is another digital media platform I frequent often throughout the day because it makes it easy to connect with colleagues and network with potential clients. It provides an easy way to explore employment opportunities and learn new skills through LinkedIn Learning. I follow other designers and professionals in my field to stay up to date on the latest industry news and trends. LinkedIn provides a great way to showcase my professional experience and achievements so potential clients can learn more about me and view my skills and recommendations.
YouTube is another digital channel that is part of my daily routine. I use this platform regularly to catch up on news, weather and local events. I follow others in the design industry that offer educational videos that help me refine my design techniques, and I follow other influencers that are just entertaining. YouTube offers a wide range of enjoyment for the whole family. I can watch everything from funny cat videos with my 10-year-old to documentaries about archeological discoveries. When the weather is bad, I frequent the live streaming storm chasers for real-time weather updates to keep my family safe. If I need to figure out how to do something, either for work or renovating my house, YouTube is my go-to for step-by-step videos to learn what to do. New products that are marketed by the influencers I follow on YouTube can also feel more secure and trustworthy to try myself since I can see the products in a more tangible and realistic way.
Another part of my typical digital day is scrolling Instagram. While I primarily use Instagram for enjoyment and less for finding new products to try, it offers a great way to connect with other creatives for design inspiration. The reduced text format that focuses on imagery and videos is a great way for me to take a break from the other digital channels and focus more on visual art and raw talent. While Facebook and LinkedIn can be very informative, they also carry some controversy and debate throughout with chains of comments both positive and negative. While debate can be good for many reasons, it can also be exhausting. Instagram gives me a way to check out from the chaos and focus on short bits of comedy and creative art.
Digital media today is practically unavoidable. It’s everywhere we turn and provides a wealth of information at our fingertips. It has made it easy for small businesses to compete in a wider market than they could have previously and gain a larger following and customer support system. Customers can learn more about companies and engage with them to build a stronger relationship through understanding and relating with their mission and values. With digital media infiltrating many aspects of daily life for many people, it has created a great opportunity for businesses of all sizes to market to consumers in more organic and personal ways. Digital media has become a valuable asset for businesses to leverage as part of their marketing toolkit.