Facebook vs Twitter vs LinkedIn vs Google (3 posts)

Topic tags: comparison, Facebook, Google+, linkedin, social media platforms, social media strategy, Twitter
  • Profile picture of
    Pioneer
    Mark Ritter said
    1 year, 5 months ago:

    Can anyone give me a brief reason as to why you would use each of these and when?As a beginner I want to focus my attention and probably not try to learn all of this at one time.  For example my wife and I own a small Antique shop.  We want to develop our web site and start using these tools.  Is one better than the other for a brick and mortar or online retail business?  Or should we be using all of them?

    @markritter | # | Top
  • Profile picture of
    Club Leader
    Rich Brooks said
    1 year, 5 months ago:

    @markritter

    Great question! The most important thing is to concentrate your activity where your customers already hang out. You don’t want to spend your energy on trying to get them to a new platform that they don’t really know how to use.

    Now, the next question is where does your ideal customer hang out? Well, start by asking your current customers where they hang out. Maybe your wife could have a short survey for people who visit her store, or if she has a mailing list she’s already created.

    Also, I would STRONGLY consider including a blog in your social media mix. Write a blog post about some of the most interesting items that come in the store, especially if there’s a story behind them. Make sure you do some keyword research so that you know what words your prospects may be searching for.

    I would probably use NetworkedBlogs to automatically publish my blog posts to my FB business page. I might include some targeted FB ads to people who have self-identified themselves as loving antiques.

    I might also post some stuff to eBay, if only to drive traffic to my online store.

    Hope that helps!

    @rich-brooks | # | Top
  • Profile picture of
    Explorer
    dawnbarclay said
    1 year, 4 months ago:

    Hey Mark, great question. Agree totally with Rich, be where your potential customers are the most. May take a little time to figure it out.

    Also begin with the plan is what I would recommend. Or at least asking ‘what is the purpose for using social media, and how will we know it’s working’.

    I’d suggest, why not ask your current customers if they use Social Media and what platform they use the most, or take a look at others in the same field, how are they using the tools, are the connecting, engaging and creating relationships or just self promoting?

    I’d also create a plan for each of the platforms (as well as the overall plan.)

    Asking yourself why you are using each, what are your goals, how will you measure your activities.

    I used to live in permanent Social Media overwhelm, now use tools such as Hootsuite to help take the load off (but there are plenty more). And spend less time where I know it’s being ‘wasted’, as we all only have 24 hours in a day.

    And yes, a blog, with all the social media sharing buttons. What wonderful blog it could be: a real place to showcase your store and your passion for antiques.

    Good luck

    Dawn

    @dawnbarclay | # | Top

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