The Ultimate Guide to Mastodon Marketing
Table of Contents
What is Mastodon?
Mastodon is a decentralized, open-source microblogging social media platform comprising independent servers that are lightly organized according to interests and topics.
People can join different servers they want, and different servers have different themes and rules.
Mastodon is part of the Fediverse, short for the federated universe.
Fediverse works by allowing different servers (like Mastodon) to communicate with each other. Thus, users on different servers can communicate and engage with any other user regardless of whether they are on the same server.
You can think of it like how emails work. There are different providers, such as Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo. However, each user on these different providers can communicate with each other. It’s just that the features differ from one provider to another but the communication is the same.
How to Create an Account on Mastodon?
1. Find a server to join
Now that we know how Mastodon works, we know that you need to be part of a server in order to use it.
You can join different servers, but if you don’t have a specific one in mind, you can join mastodon.social, a server moderated by Mastodon, the company.
You can also check out Mastodon’sΒ list of servers for other servers.
2. Sign up to your chosen Mastodon server
Once you have found a server that you want to join, you need to sign up for an account on that server
Head over to the server’s sign-up page. In our case, it’s Mastodon’s sign-up page since we will be creating an account there.
The server’s rules are on the sign-up page. Different servers have different moderation rules, so make sure to read them.
After accepting the rules, you can fill in your personal details on the next page.
You should fill in your username, email, and password.
Your username is unique only on the server you joined; you may find another person with the same username on another server.
What makes your username unique is your full handle, which is your username plus your server name, for example, @[email protected].
After you sign up, you must confirm your email and verify that you are human by completing a captcha.
For other servers, there might be an additional step: You might need to wait for the moderators to review and approve your application to join their server.
3. Setup your profile
Complete your profile by uploading your image, setting up your name, and writing your bio so that people can easily find and recognize you.
Mastodon’s Unique Features
Content Moderation
Since Mastodon runs on different servers. Each server has its own moderation and rules that you have to follow.Freedom, privacy, and security
Decentralized platforms such as Mastodon give users complete control over their content and data. Users can manage their privacy settings, control who sees their posts, and even run their own servers. They can also control what they see because they have control over their feeds. This level of control is not available in centralized social platforms because the owners want to make money and hence push content and ads that will do just thatAd-free experience
Unlike many centralized social media platforms that rely on ad revenue, Mastodon is committed to remaining ad-free. This is possible because Mastodon is open-source and gets revenue from user donations, sponsorships, and even grants.Diverse communities and culture
Mastodon’s decentralized structure fosters diverse communities and cultures. Each server can focus on a unique theme, topic, interest, or ideology and attract interested people. You can almost find a server for anything you can think of. And since people join servers of their own free will, it’s unlikely that someone will cause harm unless they intend to. You can think of this as subreddits. You can find one for any topic.Mastodon Marketing Tips
1. Join the right server
Choosing the right Mastodon server (instance) is a crucial step in your Mastodon marketing strategy. Unlike centralized platforms, Mastodon has different servers catering to different communities and interests. Choosing the right server will go a long way in helping you with your strategy. One thing to keep in mind is to choose a server that is big but also has an active community.2. Optimize your profile
Your profile is the first thing people see when you post and when they visit your Mastodon profile. Having a complete and optimized profile will go a long way in helping you reach more people in Mastodon. A Mastodon profile consists of three things:1. Profile Picture
Use a high-quality, clear, professional headshot for your profile picture so people can easily identify you. This also helps people know that you are not spam. If you’re a business or brand, you can use your logo.2. Bio
Your bio is your chance to sell yourself to your potential followers. It’s all about convincing people why they should follow you. A general rule her is to show how you help your followers. So keep it less about you and more about how you help. You can also include social proof and a link to your website in your bio.3. Header/Banner
The header/banner is the image on top of your profile. You can use this space to share more things you couldn’t fit in your bio. You can show further social proof or go into detail about how you help your followers. It’s generally good to use more visuals and less text in your header3. Post consistently
This is a no-brainer. Consistency is key to social media growth, and Mastodon is no different. You have to post daily and consistently. Daily posting allows you to build a loyal following that will come to expect your posts at certain times that you usually post. When it comes to content to post, different things work for different accounts, so you have to experiment with many things, such as posting frequency and times. However, there are a few rules that you can keep in mind to make sure that your content is good:- Use a lot of whitespaces
- Use short sentences
- Use bullet points
- One idea per post (toot)
- Use visuals (if applicable)
4. Engage
Your marketing strategy doesn’t just end with posting. You have to engage as well. Especially in the beginning. When you start, nobody knows you. So you have to put yourself in replies and comments so people notice you and click on your profile. When you have an optimized profile and some high-quality posts, you will have a chance of convincing people to follow you. In the beginning, you should engage more than post. Engage both with your followers and other similar accounts. Bonus points if you take your conversations in the DMs5. Have patience
This is one of the most important things to always have in mind. Mastodon is relatively new and has about 10 million users, so don’t feel down if you’re not growing as fast as on other platforms. Also, Mastodon is a bit different from other social media, so it will take time for people to get used to it.π/Twitter vs Mastodon
π/Twitter and Mastodon are two completely different social media platforms. π/Twitter is a centralized, algorithmically, and profit-driven platform owned by a single company. It offers global reach because it has been in the space for a long time and has amassed a lot of users and trust. In contrast, Mastodon is a decentralized, open-source network operated by multiple independent servers. It prioritizes user privacy, community-driven interactions, and a more intentional social media experience. Mastodon is nowhere π/Twitter, but even Rome wasn’t built in a day. It’s better to start marketing there right now so that when the platform grows, you will already have a good foundation.Mastodon FAQs
What is Mastodon?
Mastodon is a decentralized micro-blogging social media platform.
Unlike traditional social networks like π/Twitter, it’s not owned by a single company. Instead, it consists of many independent servers, or “instances,” each run by different individuals or organizations.
This decentralized structure makes Mastodon more resilient to censorship and allows a wider range of communities to form. Β
What is the character limit on Mastodon?
The character limit on Mastodon is 500 characters per post, also known as a “toot.”
How do Mastodon servers/instances work?
Each Mastodon instance operates independently, with its own community and moderation rules.
However, these instances are interconnected through a federated protocol, allowing users to interact with people on other servers.
This means you can follow, reply to, and boost posts from users on any Mastodon instance. Β
Can I interact with people on other servers?
Yes, you can interact with people on other servers.
Mastodon’s federated nature allows users to follow, reply to, and boost posts from users on any instance. This fosters a diverse and interconnected community.
When was Mastodon founded?
Mastodon was founded in 2016 by Eugen Rochko, a German software developer.
Who is the CEO of Mastodon?
There is no CEO of Mastodon, as it’s a decentralized platform.
Eugen Rochko, the founder, leads the non-profit organization Mastodon gGmbH, which develops and maintains the Mastodon software.
