Why “What Platforms Are You On?” Is My First Question to Business Owners

As a social media strategist, I specialize in working with small businesses. These are companies where marketing responsibilities often fall to a single person juggling everything from email campaigns to social media. Rarely do they have a dedicated social media team, and that dynamic shapes how I approach my work.

My goal is to help businesses make the most of their online presence by crafting creative strategies that align with their brand and resources. One of the ways I quickly get a sense of a company’s needs — and the mindset of the owner — is by starting with a simple yet revealing question: “What platforms are you on?”

This question is a diagnostic tool. It’s not just about figuring out where their company shows up online — it’s about understanding the owner, their involvement, and the culture of their business.

1. It Shows Me How Involved the Owner Is

Some business owners know their social media presence inside and out. Others genuinely have no idea if their company is on TikTok because they’re so busy running the business.

This tells me a lot about where social media fits in their priorities and whether it’s a focus area — or just something they think they “should” do.