Entrepreneur Mark Cuban was recently interviewed at CES in Las Vegas about Bluesky. He was asked if consumers will decide whether they want to be on a platform that is “unfiltered free speech” or “moderated.” And I found his response refreshing, he said, “It’s about bringing people here and giving them more engagement than the other apps. That’s what people want. Engagement. Takes nothing to offer it.”
Social Media Engagement
Social media engagement is crucial for brands because it fosters direct and meaningful connections with their audience, building trust and loyalty over time. Active engagement, such as responding to comments, sharing user-generated content and participating in conversations, humanizes a brand and creates a sense of community.
This interaction not only strengthens customer relationships but also amplifies brand visibility through organic reach as followers share content within their networks. A strong social media presence is a powerful tool for driving brand awareness, fostering loyalty and achieving long-term business success.
The Bluesky Model + Commercial AV
Brands in the AV and digital signage industries face unique challenges — from standing out in crowded feeds, to ensuring engagement with highly specialized audiences. While platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter dominate conversation, Bluesky has emerged as a game-changing alternative. What follows are seven reasons why your AV and digital signage brand should take note of Bluesky.
1. Decentralized, User-First Approach
Bluesky’s decentralized architecture gives users greater control over their social media experience. For brands, this translates to authentic interactions with an audience that values transparency and autonomy — a perfect match for AV and digital signage companies that prioritize innovation and trust.
Decentralization also means less interference from algorithms. Instead of competing with the noise of irrelevant content, your posts can reach a more engaged and targeted audience organically.
2. A Curated, Niche Community
The #avtweeps community is a unique bunch and truly fun. Unlike the broad and sometimes chaotic nature of other platforms, Bluesky’s community is still developing, making it easier to establish your brand as a thought leader. With just over 26 million users thus far, it’s a great time to try it out. For AV and digital signage professionals, this presents an invaluable opportunity to:
- Showcase expertise through meaningful discussions.
- Build relationships with early adopters and industry leaders.
- Avoid the content dilution that often plagues more established platforms.
3. A Fresh Canvas for Storytelling
Bluesky’s minimalist design and emphasis on creativity offer a clean slate for crafting impactful narratives. AV and digital signage brands can leverage this to:
- Highlight project visuals with striking clarity.
- Share case studies and behind-the-scenes glimpses without the clutter of ads and promotions.
- Post interactive content that sparks authentic conversations.
4. Reduced Noise, Increased Engagement
The emerging status of Bluesky means fewer competitors vying for attention. This creates a rare window to achieve higher engagement rates while the platform’s community is still intimate and attentive. By sharing actionable insights or unveiling your latest products, you can foster meaningful connections that translate into long-term brand loyalty.
5. Aligning with Tech-Savvy Audiences
As an industry rooted in cutting-edge technology, AV and digital signage brands often target tech-savvy professionals. Bluesky’s decentralized framework and focus on innovation resonate deeply with this demographic. By adopting Bluesky early, your brand aligns with the forward-thinking ethos your audience expects.
6. Opportunities for Thought Leadership
Bluesky prioritizes authentic engagement over viral content. This makes it the ideal platform for sharing thought leadership articles, product innovations, and insights into the future of AV and digital signage. With fewer distractions, your brand’s voice can truly shine.
7. Building Trust and Transparency
Audiences crave transparency, especially in the AV and digital signage sectors where trust is critical. Bluesky’s decentralized model ensures your interactions feel less like marketing and more like genuine connections. Sharing user-generated content, responding to feedback or hosting live Q&A sessions can solidify your brand’s reputation.
Profile Perfection
Like with any platform, you’ll need to create a profile that supports your brand whether personal or professional. I’ve compiled the standard parameters for a Bluesky profile:
- Username (Handle)
- A unique identifier for the user, often resembling an email format (e.g., username.bsky.social).
- This serves as the primary way to reference the user on the platform.
- Display Name
- A customizable name visible on the profile.
- This can include spaces, emojis, and other characters to personalize the profile.
- Profile Picture (Avatar)
- A user-uploaded image that represents the account.
- Often a square image with recommended dimensions (e.g., 400×400 pixels).
- Bio/Description
- A short text section where users can share information about themselves.
- Limited to a certain number of characters (commonly around 160-280 characters).
- Banner Image (Cover Photo)
- An optional image displayed at the top of the profile. My advice, don’t make it an option, that’s valuable real estate. Treat it like your storefront.
- Recommended dimensions vary but often align with widescreen formats (e.g., 1500×500 pixels).
- External Links
- Space to include links to external websites, portfolios, or other social media platforms.
- Usually limited to one or two links.
- Verification (Optional)
- Some profiles may display a verification badge, tied to domain ownership or other identity verification methods (e.g., linking a profile to a domain you control).
- Decentralized Identity (DID)
- A decentralized identifier that connects the user’s profile to the underlying protocol and ensures interoperability across different Bluesky-compatible apps.
- Following/Followers Count
- Numerical representation of the user’s social network on the platform.
- Posts and Interactions
- A timeline or feed showcasing the user’s posts, replies, and reposts.
- Public visibility of interactions depends on the user’s privacy settings.
- Privacy Settings
- Options to make the profile public or private.
- Control over who can interact with or view the profile.
Posting on Bluesky
And now that you’ve got a profile, here’s what you need to know about posting on Bluesky: Bluesky, the decentralized social platform built on the AT Protocol, has specific parameters for posts.
- Character Limit
- Posts have a character limit of 300 characters.
- Rich Media
- You can attach images (up to 4 images per post).
- GIFs and videos may also be supported, depending on the current implementation.
- Mentions
- Users can mention other accounts by using the @ symbol followed by their handle.
- Hashtags
- Hashtags are supported and can be used for topic categorization and discovery.
- Links
- Posts can include hyperlinks, and URLs count toward the character limit.
- Threaded Posts
- Similar to Twitter, Bluesky supports threading. You can reply to your own posts to create longer content threads.
- Editing
- Editing posts may or may not be supported, depending on the latest platform updates. (This feature varies.)
- Visibility
- Posts are public by default but operate on the decentralized protocol, meaning content discovery and interactions can vary based on your connected servers and communities.
- Content Warnings
- Bluesky encourages users to use content warnings (CW) for sensitive topics.
- #avtweeps Starter Pack
- A few commercial AV influencers have started start packs or lists that you can follow, for immediate connections into Bluesky.
- Follow Frank Padikkala or George Chacko to get started!
Closing Thoughts
The time to act is now. I see tremendous potential in this platform for brands that want to lead rather than follow. By investing in Bluesky early, you position your company not just as a participant, but as a pioneer in digital communication and AV.
Don’t wait until the platform becomes saturated. Start building your presence on Bluesky today to connect with an engaged, tech-savvy audience, showcase your innovations, and establish your brand as a leader in the ever-evolving world of AV and digital signage.
Brandy Alvarado-Miranda is CEO of BAM! Marketing & PR Agency. Find her on Bluesky.
