The difference between Facebook and Twitter

By Kamea Zelisko

 *This is part 4 in an 8-series blog about social media marketing. Visit our YouTube Channel to see related blogs and more.

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.

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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