EP. 038 | 3-part power platform playbook
Podcast Summary
In this episode, I introduce you to my three-part power platform playbook for small businesses. Not exactly sure where you should be creating content online to market your small business? Don’t worry, I’ve got a strategy for you. I break down the exact formula I use with my clients to create a sustainable marketing strategy without the burnout. You'll learn why short-form content builds momentum, long-form content creates authority, and why email marketing is non-negotiable for every business owner. This straightforward approach will help you focus your energy where it matters most.
Episode Highlights
Many business owners fall into the trap of trying to be everywhere at once. They jump from Instagram to TikTok to Twitter, starting blogs they never maintain, or podcasts that fizzle out after a few episodes. This scattered approach leads to burnout and poor results. The solution isn't being everywhere – it's being strategic about where you show up.
Choose Your Short-Form Platform: These platforms give you quick hits of visibility and engagement and the key is finding the intersection between what you enjoy creating and where your audience spends time.
Develop a Long-Form Strategy: The second part of the playbook involves creating content with a longer shelf life. Choose your long-form platform based on your strengths and resources. If you hate being on camera, YouTube might not be sustainable for you. If writing isn't your thing, a podcast might be a better fit.
Email Marketing Is Non-Negotiable: The final part of the playbook is email marketing. Choose an email platform like Flodesk or ConvertKit, create one valuable opt-in offer to collect addresses, and consistently deliver value to your subscribers.
The key to successful marketing is strategic diversification. By following this three-part playbook, you create a sustainable system that builds on itself without leading to burnout.
resources + Tools mentioned
🔗 Want more help with your content strategy? Check out my signature program, The Content System: https://www.amberfiglow.com/thecontentsystem
The Truth About Small Business Marketing in 2025
If you're reading this, chances are you're feeling overwhelmed by content creation for your business. Trust me, I get it. With new platforms popping up daily and "experts" telling you to be everywhere at once, it's exhausting just thinking about it.
But here's the thing… 2025 doesn't have to be another year of content chaos. Today, I'm breaking down my signature content system framework that's helped countless small business owners go from feeling invisible to absolutely irresistible online, in just five practical steps.
No complicated frameworks, no unrealistic promises about making millions from one post a week, and definitely no fluff. Just real, actionable strategies that actually work - whether you're just starting out or looking to level up your existing content game.
I talk to small business owners every day who feel completely overwhelmed by content creation. They're trying to show up on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, their blog, and a podcast—all while running their actual business.
Sound familiar? Here's the truth: you don't need to be everywhere. You just need to be strategic about where you show up. Today, I'm sharing my three-part power platform playbook. This is the exact framework I use with my clients to help them create content that actually drives results without burning out.
Why Most Small Business Marketing Fails
Before we dive in, let's talk about why so many small business owners struggle with their marketing. The biggest mistake I see is platform hopping. You start posting on Instagram, then hear TikTok is the place to be. You create a few videos there, then someone tells you LinkedIn is better for business. Next thing you know, you have half-finished profiles on seven different platforms with inconsistent posting and little to show for it.
The solution isn't more platforms. It's the right platforms, used strategically together.
Part 1: Choose Your Short-Form Platform
The first part of my playbook is to pick a short-form content platform. These are places where content doesn't have a long shelf life but can give you quick hits of visibility.
Short-form platforms include: Instagram, TikTok, Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook
Why start here? Because these platforms are typically the easiest entry point into content creation. You can create and publish content quickly, get immediate feedback, and start building an audience.
The benefits of short-form platforms include:
Higher engagement rates in the short term
Easier to create and publish consistently
Great for brand awareness and reaching new people
Perfect for community building
But here's the catch: don't try to be on all of them. Pick one (maybe two once you're comfortable) based on:
Where your ideal audience spends their time
What type of content you enjoy creating
The intersection of these two factors
For example, if you're a wedding photographer who loves creating visual content and your ideal clients are millennials planning their weddings, Instagram might be perfect for you. If you're a business coach who enjoys writing and your audience is professionals looking to level up, LinkedIn or Threads might be better choices. Start with one platform, master it, and only then consider adding another.
Part 2: Add a Long-Form Platform
Once you've established your short-form presence, it's time to think about long-term content strategies. This is where long-form platforms come in.
Long-form platforms include: YouTube, Podcasts, Blogs, Pinterest (yes, I consider this long-form because pins can drive traffic for years)
Unlike short-form content that disappears quickly, long-form content has staying power. It can continue to work for your business months or even years after you create it.
The benefits of long-form platforms include:
Building trust and credibility with your audience
Better for SEO and discoverability
Provides detailed information that truly helps your audience
Creates assets that work for you long-term
Choosing the right long-form platform depends on:
Your natural strengths (video, audio, or writing)
The resources you have available (time, equipment, skills)
How your audience likes to consume detailed content
Be honest with yourself here. If you hate being on camera, YouTube might not be sustainable for you. If writing makes you want to pull your hair out, a blog probably isn't your best bet. Pick one long-form platform and focus on quality over quantity. One excellent YouTube video per month is better than four mediocre ones.
Part 3: Email Marketing is Non-Negotiable
Now for the part that might surprise you: email marketing isn't optional. I don't care if you're just starting out or if you've been in business for years, you need an email list. It's the only platform where you truly own your audience.
Think about it: if Instagram disappeared tomorrow (or more likely, changed its algorithm again), how would you reach your followers? If YouTube decided to demonetize your content, what would happen to your income?
With email, you own the relationship. Those addresses are yours until someone unsubscribes.
The benefits of email marketing include:
Direct access to your audience without platform algorithms
Higher conversion rates compared to social media
Personalized communication that builds relationships
Full control over your content and audience
Getting started with email marketing is simpler than you might think:
Choose an email marketing platform (I recommend Flodesk or ConvertKit for small businesses)
Create one valuable opt-in offer to collect email addresses
Start sending regular value to your subscribers
Even a small, engaged email list will outperform a large social media following when it comes to conversions. My own email list of 5,000 people consistently generates more sales than my social platforms with much larger followings.
Bringing It All Together: Your Content System
The key to making this three-part playbook work is understanding how these platforms work together.
Your short-form content creates awareness and community. It's your front door, inviting people in.
Your long-form content builds trust and showcases your expertise. It's your living room, where people get comfortable with you.
Your email list is where the real relationship happens. It's your kitchen table, where the most important conversations take place.
Together, these three platforms create a content system that's both sustainable and effective. You're not spreading yourself too thin, and each piece supports the others.
Next Steps: Implementing Your Power Platform Playbook
Ready to put this into action? Here's what to do next:
Audit your current platforms. Where are you showing up now? Which platforms align with your strengths and audience?
Choose your focus. Based on your audit, pick one short-form platform to master first.
Plan your long-form strategy. What type of long-form content could you consistently create that would serve your audience?
Set up your email foundation. Even if you start super simple, get your email marketing in place.
Create a simple content calendar that ties these three platforms together.
The beauty of this framework is that it works for any type of small business. Whether you're a service provider, product-based business, or somewhere in between, these three platforms give you everything you need to market effectively.