The Social Media Marketer

Which Social Media Platform is Right for You?

If you're new to the social media scene, it can be difficult to choose among all the applications available. Whether you want to interact with your contacts in real time, update them from your mobile device, or simply check in every few days - chances are, there's a social media platform to meet your needs. In this post, we'll introduce you to a few of the big names in social media and give you some basic information to help you decide which social media platform is right for you.

Twitter
Short and to the point, Twitter is all about real time communication. Members "tweet" messages of 140 characters or less - often updates about where they are, what they're doing, and their opinions on current events. If you like to be in the know in your field, you should follow a Twitter feed at least daily - many members check in every few hours.

Facebook
Facebook moves at a slower pace, allowing members to share more in-depth information. You can add pictures, share links, and even build a fan page for your business with a custom URL. If you're interested in social networking, but don't want to be tied to a social media platform on an hourly or daily basis, Facebook may work for you.

MySpace
Myspace is popular with young adults, who share their personal lives, business contacts, and more on the site's pages. This site works well if you'd like to set up a social media account that only has to be maintained every week or so. You can simply log in once in awhile, answer any messages, and add a few friends.    

No matter your choice of platform, be sure you schedule time to check in regularly. Making social media a part of your routine helps you to build connections and advertise your business - best of all, there's no money invested to do so - only time.