The New (old, but not well know) Frontiers of Social Media: Exploring Alternatives Like Are.na, Substack, and Soot.com
Alternative Platforms : Substack, Are.na and soot ! We keep you updated.
Introduction: Offering Alternatives to Criticism — a possible ongoing series !
When you critique the status quo, you owe it to your audience to offer viable alternatives.
It’s easy to point out the pitfalls of platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook—their reliance on ads, their algorithmic chokehold, their superficiality—but where do we go from here?
As an artist, creator, or curator, the challenge lies not just in leaving these platforms but in finding new spaces that align with your goals.
Same game, new strategy: Don’t waste time convincing people to leave a platform. Show them that the grass is greener on your side. Stay active where they are and subtly promote your new space of happiness.
Thankfully, there are emerging options worth exploring.
Among them are Are.na, Substack, and the newly buzzed-about Soot.com.
Each offers unique ways to engage with audiences and organize content—even if they’re not perfect substitutes.
Let’s dive into what makes these platforms intriguing and how they might fit into a broader rethinking of how artists and creatives engage online.
Are.na: A Digital Sketchbook and Storage Space
Think of Are.na as a tool for visual thinkers and deep divers.
It’s an online platform for saving, organizing, and connecting ideas.
Unlike the chaotic mess of saved folders on Instagram or the fleeting nature of TikTok trends, Are.na lets you thoughtfully collect content in a way that’s private or shareable.
It’s like a sketchbook, mood board, and archive rolled into one.
Substack: A Website Alternative for Building Community
While Substack has become synonymous with long-form newsletters, it’s also carving out a space for creators who want to own their audience.
Unlike traditional social media platforms that prioritize algorithms and ads, Substack offers a direct line to your community.
For many artists, this can feel like reclaiming control.
Soot.com: The New Kid on the Block
Soot.com is still in its infancy, but it’s generating buzz as a potential alternative to mainstream platforms.
While its full potential remains to be seen, its promise lies in creating a space for authentic connections and meaningful interactions, free from the noise of ads and the dominance of algorithms.
Finding Your Platform Fit
The question isn’t just about leaving behind problematic platforms but finding alternatives that fit your needs as a creator.
Are.na, Substack, and Soot.com (among many others) each offer unique opportunities to rethink how we share, store, and engage with art and ideas.
None of them are perfect replacements for the visibility and reach of Instagram or TikTok, but they’re a start.
If anything, these platforms remind us that we don’t have to stay trapped in systems that don’t serve us.
By diversifying where and how we share our work, we can take small but meaningful steps toward a more sustainable digital ecosystem for the arts.
Exploring the Future of Creative Spaces
The future isn’t about finding a one-size-fits-all solution.
It’s about experimenting with platforms that offer something different—whether it’s Are.na’s thoughtful organization, Substack’s direct engagement, or Soot.com’s emerging potential.
As creators, we have the power to shape these spaces, demanding platforms that prioritize our needs over their profits.
Perhaps the real solution lies not in abandoning the digital realm but in finding—and building—new corners within it.
Final thought:
Think about this: an online customer journey is designed to be seamless, keeping users engaged with every click. Now compare that to the uphill battle of moving your followers off their favorite social media app to visit your website or click a link in your bio. The app's goal is to keep them there, and the average user has little interest in leaving their comfort zone. To win their attention, you have to create irresistible curiosity—something so compelling, relevant, and easy to access that they can’t help but take a closer look
What are your alternatives, favourites or your recommendations ?
Tell us in more about it in our comment section !
Thank you for this insightful read! I'm trying to learn more about Are.na as a research and cultural strategy tool, so this was useful.