Independent Alt-Businesses are important BECAUSE they go against what the mainstream promotes.
The problem is that most modern media platforms (which includes all Social Media) can easily silence anyone.
Here’s what Alt-biz owners can do to become Censorship Resistant:
1: Build an Email List
Email Lists are still THE most important asset any business can have.
You don’t need a big one. But you need one of people that are aligned with your values and need your product or service.
Focus most of your effort in building and nurturing your list.
2: A community is also an email list
While I prefer the traditional email marketing approach, many Alt-Biz owners find success by building forums and communities.
This is also an email list.
3: 2+4 rule for Social Media
Social Media platforms like Twitter and YouTube are a necessary evil for owners who aren’t positioned yet.
Keep this rule in mind: use 2 mainstream channels to create your starting Email List, but keep 4 alternatives as backups.
Everything you post on the mainstream, post it on the alternatives as well.
4: Weekly backups
In particular, backup your Email List and your main website every week.
Hosting and email marketing companies are as prone to censorship as Social Media, but there have been situations in the past.
Having backups will save you a lot of time, money and frustrations.
5: Fearlessly tell your story
Just become the mainstream might insult or censor you, doesn’t mean you must be Vanilla.
Tell your story, stand your ground and don’t worry too much.
Be true to your values and beliefs.
6: If they censor you, do this
Activate your backup social media channels…
Move your email list to another provider…
And most importantly, add to your story the fact that someone tried to silence you, and you grew stronger from it.
7: Network
You are not the only Independent Alt-Business owner.
There are many others. Talk to them, create alliances, help each other.
Being independent doesn’t mean being alone…
8: Use Alt-Tech solutions
Alternative social medias like Gab, SocialGalactic and Rumble, while smaller, are possible alternatives.
Like them, there are many more.
9: Self-hosted as the last straw
If everything else fails, you can use self-hosted solutions for almost anything (including email marketing and forums).
However, they demand more time and energy than it appears.