When I developed my social media strategy last year, I took into account 3 major sites: LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter and devoted most of my time to Twitter. You will notice over the next several months that this pattern is changing. Despite Twitter adding some nice features in the past year, I don’t feel like it is the best use of my time. As with all emerging sites and technologies, you have to periodically review whether or not you are getting a return on your time and not be married to something “just because”.
So, why leave Twitter and focus on Facebook and LinkedIn?
1. Facebook has improved dramatically. It still isn’t perfect (trying find the Application Directory without going to the Help Center), but with the advent of the newsfeed, it offers some of what made Twitter an enjoyable experience. It needs the equivalent of a “retweet” to be perfect.
2. Twitter became a popularity contest. You will notice that I did not strive to collect thousands of names for my Twitter id’s. I wanted quality, targeted interactions and on some level I found them. Twitter was supposed to be about quality conversation. I’ve found that that rarely happens and can’t when you are following 62,000 people.
3. Small business owners, either via personal or business accounts, seem to be on Facebook more than Twitter. Oh. They have Twitter accounts, but Bob’s Body Shop down the street is actually on Facebook while he neglects his Twitter account.
4. Facebook is courting the business community. Twitter is not. Facebook has “pages”, allowing you to develop a forum for your followers. Facebook has useful advertising. Twitter has lists which hasn’t really served me at all (except to feel popular when I show up on one).
5. LinkedIn is still the best place to go for serious business conversation. If you are in a B2B world, I recommend it over Facebook. But if you are interested in hanging out with the people who care what you are doing, I say set up a Facebook page and start talking!
P.S. Twitter is still not generating revenue and the number of new users has flatlined. Only a tiny fraction of Twitter users actually use their accounts.
What do you think?
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