By Kamea Zelisko
There are a lot of online social media platforms to choose
from these days, and it can be a little overwhelming to know which ones to use
when and why. So in this blog we will discuss the difference between the
different social media platforms and how they can be used more effectively.
While Facebook and Twitter are easily the most widely used
social media platforms they are very different in their purpose and use. Here
are some ways they differ:
·
Facebook is used mainly for entertainment in the
form of social networking, while Twitter is a micro-blogging site consisting of
short, informative posts connecting companies and organizations, usually by
including links.
·
While Facebook is used more for personal, long term
connections, Twitter is more for real-time conversation, and is much more
detached. If you want the latest news updates, go to Twitter. If you’re looking
to get into a conversation about a news piece, go to Facebook.
So how do you make the most of these two very different
platforms? Well, by using them for what they do best.
Many people will advocate using applications such as Seesmic
(formerly ping.fm) or Tweetdeck to post the same status to multiple accounts simultaneously.
While this tool can be used in certain cases, and we will discuss those in a
future blog, it’s best not to use it for Twitter and Facebook for the most
part. Here are some reasons why:
·
Mass posts such as these can appear to some to
be spam. They don’t take a lot of time or thought and it shows.
·
On Facebook you have the luxury of more
characters and if you post directly links appear as thumbnails that attract
more attention. For example, your Facebook network is probably made up of a lot
of friends, coworkers, etc. While your Twitter is mostly made up of people you
have never met. These two audiences deserve to be addressed in different ways.
·
If you post on Twitter separately you can direct
message someone in a post. You can also tag a company or person in a Facebook
post if it’s done separately as well.
·
See? It’s worth it to take the extra couple of minutes to
post on each forum separately.
There are many other ways Facebook and Twitter vary,
including advertising options and metrics to measure the effectiveness of social
media campaigns. We will discuss those in a future blog as well.
Before I briefly go into other platforms I just want to
point out one thing: Although most people have their preferences when it comes
to Facebook vs. Twitter, the truth is they are both equal, just used for
different things. For a great list of the pros and cons of both Facebook and
Twitter visit http://www.twitip.com/twitter-versus-facebook.
What is Linkedin?
Linkedin is unlike any other social media platform out
there. It is specifically and only used for professional networking
opportunities. Unlike Facebook and Twitter, you and other users post only your
academic and professional credentials. You then connect with current and
previous co-workers and look for business and/or employment opportunities.
Business owners can also create company Group and Pages to gain members and
keep them informed on you and/or your company’s activites.
How to use Linkedin:
When using Linkedin keep it professional. There is the
option to link your Facebook and Twitter posts directly to Linkedin. Whether or
not you do is up to you and the kind of posts your putting on those venues.
What is YouTube?
YouTube is a video sharing website used to share, upload and
view videos.
How to use YouTube:
YouTube has become the second highest search engine behind
Google, meaning it’s one of the first places people go to find out information
on most topics. This makes it a great social media opportunity. Videos are also
an interactive and lively forum for transmitting information, increasing their
popularity as a search engine. YouTube is a great place to post promotional
videos (hopefully that go viral) as well as how-to videos to display the
expertise in your field. Uploading these videos can greatly helps increase your
social media traffic and be a great way to increase hits on your website too so
it’s recommended you put videos on your website and links to your YouTube
Channel on your website as well.
Google+:
Google+ is the Internet mogul’s social networking creation.
It links all Google products such as Gmail and Google Maps so you don’t have to
sign into different services to share your information. It’s much like Facebook
in that you have a newsfeed (known as a Stream) but you can censor who you want
to see which posts by separating your contacts into different circles. It offers
other services such as the ability to engage in video and group chats, and the
option to create your newsfeed based upon your interests.
How to use it:
Google+ can be used the same way as Facebook to promote your
business.
The effectiveness of this platform is still to be shown so I
wouldn’t have it on the top of your social media campaign just yet.
Kamea
Zelisko is a marketing expert with Red Queen Creative Group. For more
information visit http://www.redqueencreative.com
