Is OM the Next Facebook Alternative for Australian Businesses?

For years, Facebook has been one of the go-to platforms for businesses wanting to build an audience, connect with customers and promote their services online.

But the social media landscape is changing.

Businesses are becoming increasingly interested in alternatives to the traditional platforms — particularly those that offer opportunities for more meaningful networking, community building and direct connections.

One platform starting to attract attention is OM (OwnMates).

So, could OM become a genuine Facebook alternative for businesses in Perth and across Australia?

What is OM?

OM, short for OwnMates, is a social networking platform designed to bring together personal, professional and business networking.

Rather than thinking of social media purely as a place to collect followers, platforms such as OM are part of a broader shift towards online networking — connecting people, businesses and communities in one environment.

For small businesses, that could be interesting.

After all, social media isn't just about getting likes. It's about getting your business in front of the right people and creating relationships that can eventually turn into enquiries, customers and referrals.

Why are businesses looking for Facebook alternatives?

Facebook is still a significant platform. In fact, social media remains an important part of the digital marketing mix for many Australian businesses.

But relying entirely on one platform comes with risks.

Algorithms change. Advertising costs change. Organic reach can fluctuate. And the audience you build on someone else's platform ultimately isn't an audience you completely own.

That's why we're seeing more businesses think about diversifying their digital presence.

Instead of putting all your eggs in the Facebook basket, it can make sense to explore other platforms and identify where your customers, industry contacts and potential partners are spending their time.

Where could OM fit into a small business marketing strategy?

For a small business in Perth, OM could potentially be used as another channel for networking and visibility.

Think beyond simply posting promotional content.

A local business could use a platform like OM to:

• Build a professional profile

• Connect with potential customers and business contacts

• Share useful industry content

• Develop relationships with other local businesses

• Promote services, projects or achievements

• Participate in conversations and communities

• Create another digital touchpoint for its brand

The important point is that OM shouldn't necessarily be viewed as a replacement for every other social platform overnight.

Instead, it could become another part of a broader digital marketing strategy.

Facebook vs OM: should you switch?

We wouldn't recommend abandoning Facebook simply because a new platform comes along.

For most businesses, the smarter approach is to test.

Facebook still has an enormous established audience, while newer platforms have to prove that they can generate consistent engagement and business results.

The question isn't necessarily:

"Should we leave Facebook?"

A better question is:

"Where else could our customers and business network be?"

That's a much more useful marketing question.

If OM develops a strong Australian user base, particularly among business owners, professionals and communities, it could become an interesting additional channel.

The opportunity for Perth businesses

Perth has a particularly strong small-business and professional community.

From trades and professional services to hospitality, property, tourism, retail and creative businesses, relationships and referrals play a huge role in local business growth.

That makes networking-focused social platforms worth watching.

For a Perth business, the opportunity isn't simply to be an early adopter for the sake of it.

It's to establish a presence before everyone else does, if the platform proves to have an audience that's relevant to your business.

Being early can have advantages.

Your business can build its profile, experiment with content and start developing relationships while competition is still relatively low.

But don't confuse a new platform with a marketing strategy

This is where many businesses get social media wrong.

Creating an account on a new platform isn't marketing.

The strategy comes from understanding:

Who are you trying to reach?

What do they care about?

What problem does your business solve?

Why should they follow or connect with you?

And most importantly:

What action do you want them to take?

Whether you're using Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, OM or another emerging platform, those questions remain the same.

Should your Perth business be on OM?

Our answer?

It's worth watching — and potentially worth testing.

We wouldn't recommend moving your entire social media strategy to a new platform without first understanding its audience, engagement and ability to generate business outcomes.

But we also wouldn't ignore emerging platforms.

For small businesses, experimenting with new channels can be a smart way to discover opportunities before they become crowded.

The key is to test, measure and adapt.

Because the future of social media probably isn't about finding one platform that replaces everything else.

It's about building a digital presence across the platforms where your customers actually are.

Looking beyond Facebook?

If you're a Perth business wondering whether your social media strategy needs to evolve, we'd be happy to help you work out where your time and marketing budget are best spent.

The right platform isn't necessarily the newest one.

It's the one that helps you reach the right people, build trust and generate real business.

Keep an eye on OM. It could be an interesting one to watch.

Dear Facebook, It’s Time We Had a Chat…

Dear Facebook,

It’s not you.

Okay… maybe it is a little bit you.

We’ve been together for years. You were there when businesses first realised they could do more online than simply put their phone number on a website.

You gave small businesses a place to find customers, build communities, share updates and occasionally post a photo of their lunch.

We had some good times.

But lately, things have felt… different.

You changed.

We remember when posting something on Facebook meant our followers might actually see it.

These days, getting your content in front of the right people can feel like trying to get into a Perth restaurant on a Friday night without a booking.

And then there are the algorithms.

We understand. Things change. People change.

But we're starting to feel like we're constantly trying to figure out what you want from us.

More video?

Less promotion?

Post at 7:43am?

Actually, don't post at 7:43am?

Boost it?

Don't boost it?

Honestly, Facebook, we're tired.

And then we met OM.

We weren't looking for anyone else.

It just happened.

We started hearing about OM (OwnMates) — an alternative social networking platform that's taking a different approach to connecting people, professionals and businesses.

And suddenly we started asking questions.

Could there be another way?

Could businesses build connections without relying so heavily on one platform?

Could social media feel a little more like networking and a little less like trying to please an algorithm?

We don't know yet.

And that's the honest answer.

OM still has to prove itself.

But we're interested.

We're not saying goodbye… exactly.

Look, Facebook, we don't want to make this awkward.

We're not deleting our account and changing our relationship status to "It's complicated" just yet.

You still have millions of users.

You still matter to businesses.

And let's be honest — plenty of our clients still need you.

But we're no longer convinced you should be the only place businesses put their digital marketing energy.

That's the part that's changed.

It's time to see other platforms.

As a small digital marketing agency in Perth, we think businesses should be looking beyond the usual suspects.

Not because Facebook is dead.

It's not.

But because putting your entire digital marketing strategy into one platform has never been a particularly good idea.

Audiences move.

Algorithms change.

New platforms appear.

And sometimes, being an early adopter is worth taking a chance on.

So, Facebook…

Dear Facebook, It’s Time We Started Seeing Other Platforms

Dear Facebook,

We need to talk.

It’s not easy to say this. We’ve been together for a long time.

You were there when we first started helping businesses get noticed online. You helped small businesses find customers, build communities and put themselves on the digital map.

But lately, things have changed.

And we think it’s time we started seeing other platforms.

Before you panic, it’s not really a breakup.

You still have your place.

We’re not deleting you. We’re not changing our relationship status just yet.

But we’ve realised something:

Putting all your marketing eggs in one social media basket probably isn’t the best strategy anymore.

Algorithms change. Organic reach changes. Advertising costs change. And what worked six months ago can suddenly feel like yesterday’s news.

So, naturally, we’ve started looking around.

And then along came OM.

We’ve been hearing more about OM (OwnMates) and its approach to social and professional networking.

And, Facebook, we have to admit…

We’re intrigued.

Could OM offer businesses another way to connect with people?

Could it create new opportunities for local businesses, professionals and communities?

Could getting in early be worthwhile?

We don't know yet.

And that’s exactly why we think businesses should be paying attention.

We’re not telling you to leave Facebook.

Not at all.

Facebook still has a huge audience, and for many businesses it remains an important part of their digital marketing strategy.

But smart marketing has never been about putting everything into one channel.

It’s about being where your customers are — and being willing to explore where they might be going next.

That means testing.

Experimenting.

Watching the numbers.

And occasionally trying something new before everyone else does.

So, Facebook… what happens now?

We’ll still see you.

We’ll still post.

We’ll still run campaigns.

We’ll probably still spend some money with you.

But we’re going to start seeing other platforms too.

No hard feelings.

It’s just that, after all these years, we think our relationship could use a little variety.

And if OM turns out to be the next big thing?

Well…

We’d rather have met them early.

Love,

Your Perth digital marketing agency

P.S. Facebook, you’ll always be our first big social media love. But we’re ready to see what else is out there.