In order to expand a business in today’s time, a careful strategy and internet presence are a must. Without these two important elements, brands will usually find it difficult to increase market share and expand. The great thing about the internet is that it has been out for so long now that brands can learn from the successes and failures of historic platforms.
This guide covers a few ways businesses can leverage historical Internet platforms for business growth. We’ll also review a few tips and tricks for integrating historical influences into your business strategy.
Important HIstorical Platforms to Consider
Many of today’s businesses use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to boost brand awareness and increase sales. Before these modern internet platforms, though, there were traditional social media platforms, such as ARPANET and Usenet. While sites like Facebook and Twitter are coming up on their 20th anniversaries, they’re still very relevant in today’s times. We’re here to argue that today’s businesses can also find value in historical platforms like Usenet, especially when it comes to brand growth.
Why Consider Usenet?
You might wonder why you should even consider returning to one of the oldest discussion platforms for business purposes. Not only is Usenet often considered the original social network, but it is also recognized as the foundation for open and free communication.
One of the greatest advantages of Usenet is that it’s decentralized and free of moderation. No topics are off limits, and users are able to access articles that may not be found as easily elsewhere. One of the biggest disadvantages of Usenet is that learning how to set it up and use it can require a little of a learning curve.
But, most users agree that once they get the hang of it, it becomes one of their favorite destinations for accessing unique discussion topics and articles.
How Does This Translate to Business Growth?
Usenet offers many benefits when it comes to business growth, including the following:
- The opportunity to access niche customers.
- The ability to access historical statistics to create unique content.
- The chance to build brand authority by showing expertise to a new audience.
- Collaboration with other users for strong professional partnerships.
- Ability to extend your content reach to new channels.
Understanding Usenet’s Big 8
The hierarchical organization of Usenet’s articles makes it easy to access users who are more relevant to your brand. The Usenet Big 8 encompasses eight separate hierarchies, which organize the millions of articles you’ll find within the system. Here is a brief summary of the Big 8:
- Comp.*: Computer-related topics. Here, you’ll find anything having to do with computers or technologies.
- Humanities.*: Humanities topics cover a wide range of subjects, including philosophy, composers, religion, and languages.
- News.*: While this Big 8 category does include some current news topics, it was originally designed for Usenet-related news.
- Rec.*: Recreation and entertainment topics include music, movies, arts, poetry, and sports.
- Sci.*: Science-related topics, like physics, chemistry, biology, or research.
- Soc.*: Social discussions cover cultures, languages, colleges, or universities.
- Talk.*: This is a place to discuss or talk about anything, including controversial debates and random discussions.
- Misc.*: Miscellaneous topics, which cover pretty much anything that doesn’t fall into the above categories.
It’s important to note that the original Usenet included only seven topics. So, if you’re returning after a long hiatus from Usenet, you may notice the addition of the humanities,* topics. Businesses focused on experiencing growth may find the most value in humanities or talks, which commonly include topics involving business success factors.
The Importance of the Usenet Provider
You’ll need to select a Usenet provider to leverage the platform for your business goals. The Usenet provider you choose will affect your experience. It’s not possible to say that one Usenet provider is the best among all of them. Instead, the best provider for you depends on your needs and use preferences.
Regardless of which Usenet provider you choose, safe browsing should always be a priority. Usenet, in general, is safe, but you can do a few things to ensure a safer experience. For one, choose a Usenet provider that offers SSL encryption to protect your business data.
The number of downloads you want to access, whether or not you want a built-in newsreader, and your level of experience using platforms like Usenet all determine the best Usenet provider for you. See our Usenet recommendations to browse some of your best options and choose the right one for your business goals.
Some Usenet hosting subscriptions also offer unlimited VPNs, adding another security layer. It’s also important to note that all articles on Usenet are encrypted and protected by SSL, which some could argue makes it a safer alternative than other search platforms.
Usenet is just as prominent and visible today as it was decades ago. Before you jump in and begin browsing articles or promoting your brand, though, it can be helpful to review a few safety tips and choose the best Usenet provider. Additionally, having a good understanding of the Big 8 can help you find the topics you’re most interested in reading and promoting.