How to Function without Facebook

When Facebook Goes AWOL: Embracing Marketing Diversity and Preparing for the Worst

Today's morning routine started just like every other. I got up cuddled my tiny dog a bit while getting my coffee and started thinking about my business day ahead. I went to login to Facebook, ready to conquer the world with my witty memes and irresistible business offers. But wait, what's this? The login in page, but nothing happens after I put i my credentials. I stupidly try it over a dozen more times. A bit of feeling lost, then I check Google and see article after article about the Meta Platforms being down.

Cue the internal panic button.

Suddenly, I was hit with the terrifying realization that I might be cut off from my leads, clients, and even that distant cousin you only communicate with through Messenger. As I frantically refreshed the page, a grim thought crossed my mind: What if Facebook never returns? What would become of my digital marketing business then?

While I haven't been the best at this recently due to my percieved saftey in the Facebook world, here are the tools I will be using and that you should be using to in order to continue your marketing during this, and any other future outages.

1. Email Marketing: Dust off that ol' email list and start shooting out newsletters like it's nobody's business. After all, who needs Facebook when you have direct access to your audience's inbox? It's like snail mail, but faster and without the risk of paper cuts.

2. Content Marketing: Become a content creation machine. Pump out blogs, videos, and podcasts faster than you can say "cat meme." Share your wisdom and wit across various platforms, ensuring your message reaches far and wide, even beyond the Zuckerberg empire.

3. Belly-to-Belly Marketing: Step away from the screen and get up close and personal with your audience. Attend conferences, shake hands, and exchange business cards like it's the '90s. Who needs virtual likes when you can bask in the glory of real-life connections?

4. SEO Wizardry: Embrace the dark arts of search engine optimization and watch your website rise through the ranks of Google like a phoenix from the ashes. It's like casting a spell that ensures your business is always visible, no matter what digital calamities may befall the land.

5. Social Media Diversification: Say goodbye to putting all your eggs in the Zuckerberg-shaped basket. Explore the wild and wonderful world of Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and beyond. Who knows? You might just discover a whole new audience that doesn't revolve around likes, pokes, and Farmville requests.

Staying Connected:

- Keep your contact list up-to-date, because nothing screams unprofessional like sending an email to the wrong person.

- Use carrier pigeons, smoke signals, or whatever archaic method necessary to reach out to your contacts and keep the lines of communication open.

- Engage with your audience across multiple platforms because, let's face it, being a social media hermit isn't a good look for anyone.

- Get creative with offline marketing tactics because sometimes the best way to make an impression is by ditching the digital world altogether.

Preparing for the Worst:

- Back up your social media data like your life depends on it, because in the digital realm, one moment you're on top of the world, and the next, you're staring into the abyss of a server outage. Move your social media leads into your real life contacts by connect with them via email, and phone. Do not rely solely on messenger chats to reach your people.

- Invest in building your own digital empire, complete with a website, email list, and CRM system. Because let's be real, who needs Facebook when you can be the master of your own destiny?

- Keep an eye out for alternative advertising channels because putting all your marketing eggs in one basket is so last season.

- Stay vigilant and adapt to changes in the digital landscape because the only constant in this world is change... and cat videos. Lots and lots of cat videos.

So, there you have it. When Facebook goes AWOL, it's time to embrace the chaos, diversify your marketing efforts, and prepare for the worst. Who knows? With a bit of creativity and a lot of determination, you might just discover a whole new world of marketing opportunities beyond the confines of the Zuckerberg empire. So, chin up, fellow business owner. The digital frontier awaits, and it's time to seize the day – with or without Facebook by your side.