Are you overwhelmed by all the places you could be showing up online as a direct seller? You’re not alone. Between YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and blogs—it can feel like you’re being pulled in every direction.
So, how do you know where to invest your time to actually see results?
Let’s break it down and compare these popular platforms in a way that’s simple, visual, and practical—so you can show up with purpose and grow your business with confidence.
🌐 Platform Snapshot: At a Glance
| Platform | Launch Year | Age (2025) | Monthly Users | Content Lifespan | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube | 2005 | 20 yrs | ~2.7B | Very long (years) | Tutorials, SEO traffic |
| 2010 | 15 yrs | ~553M | Long (months/years) | Inspiration, evergreen traffic | |
| 2004 | 21 yrs | ~3.1B | Short (days) | Community, events, groups | |
| 2010 | 15 yrs | ~2.0B | Short–mid (1–3 days) | Visuals, reels, lifestyle | |
| TikTok | 2018 (global) | 7 yrs | ~1.5B | Short–mid (24 hrs–weeks) | Quick demos, trends |
| Blogs | ~2000 | 25+ yrs | N/A | Very long (years) | SEO, deep storytelling |
📊 Where People Go for What
| Goal | Top Platforms |
| Learning & How-To | YouTube, Blogs |
| Shopping Inspiration | Pinterest, TikTok, Instagram |
| Impulse Buys | TikTok, Instagram |
| Community & Connection | Facebook, Instagram DMs, TikTok |
| Long-Term Passive Reach | YouTube, Blogs, Pinterest |
🌟 Platform Deep Dives
🎥 YouTube
- Users: ~2.6–2.7 billion
- Content lifespan: Very long—videos rank for years.
- What it’s for: How‑to content, product demos, storytelling.
- Shopping trends: More shoppable videos and clickable product links are being added.
- Best bait: Tutorials, customer stories, style demos.
- Users: ~553 million
- Content lifespan: Long—pins can resurface for months or years.
- What it’s for: Discovery, project planning, visual searches.
- Shopping trends: Pinterest is a hidden gem for Gen Z shoppers.
- Best bait: Product tips, inspiration boards, repurposed blog content.
- Users: ~3.1 billion
- Content lifespan: Short—posts last a few hours to a day.
- What it’s for: Groups, lives, events, updates.
- Shopping trends: Facebook Shops and Marketplace are still going strong.
- Best bait: Live product demos, community-focused posts, group engagement.
- Users: ~2 billion
- Content lifespan: Feed posts ~2 days, Stories 24 hours, Reels longer.
- What it’s for: Lifestyle branding, quick videos, product teasers.
- Shopping trends: Product tags, built-in checkout, influencer potential.
- Best bait: Reels, behind-the-scenes content, transformation clips.
🎵 TikTok
- Users: ~1.5 billion
- Content lifespan: 24–48 hours, sometimes resurfaces weeks later.
- What it’s for: Entertainment, fast content, showing real personality.
- Shopping trends: TikTok Shop is growing fast with product links and live shopping.
- Best bait: Quick demos, trending sound videos, “watch me work” style clips.
✍️ Blogs
- Users: Based on traffic, not logins—but still widely used.
- Content lifespan: Very long—great for Google searches.
- What it’s for: Deep dives, SEO, storytelling, long-form content.
- Shopping trends: Affiliate links, embedded product links.
- Best bait: Skincare routines, product comparisons, tips and hacks.
🔪 So… Where Should You Focus?
Here’s a general rule of thumb for direct sellers:
- Long-Term Growth & Trust → YouTube, Pinterest, Blogs
- Community & Conversations → Facebook, Instagram
- Viral Reach & Quick Wins → TikTok, Reels (on IG & FB)
If you’re short on time: Pick one long-lasting platform (like YouTube or Pinterest) and one quick engagement platform (like Instagram or TikTok) to start building traction both now and later.
🚀 Ready to Build a Bold, Sustainable Business?
Subscribe to my YouTube channel @SusanLarimer for weekly videos that break down direct sales strategy in a way that’s simple, authentic, and effective—just like we did in this post!
Let’s grow this the real way—no hype, no burnout.
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Need help choosing where to start? Leave a comment below or send me a message—I’d love to help you pick the right platform for your unique business!
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