Dear Socially Stephanie,
I just read an article that says Facebook and Twitter are worthless. Is this true? And if so, where should I focus my energy?
Confused in Chico
Dear Confused in Chico,
It's good to hear your keeping up on the trends. I too saw that article going around the Facebook and Twitter. Ironic, right?
Like anything with social media, there are a few different sides to the story. The article you are referencing actually talks about how Facebook and Twitter are not as great at building relationships with your customers as other networks might be. But it doesn't say to completely "X" them off of your list.
And while I agree that Facebook is a network that is quickly losing steam, I don't think you should neglect it just yet. I do strongly think Twitter has a lot of potential to engage your customers and build a really strong and loyal fanbase. But, like anything you do for your business, you gotta do it right.
Twitter is great as a customer service tool. If you have good customer service, you have the ability to build a relationship. So in that sense, Twitter is absolutely alive and well. Ignore your customers on Twitter and say goodbye to any type of relationship you had hoped to build.
Another way to build your relationships on Twitter is to LISTEN. Okay, okay, I know you've heard it before, but it is true. Yes, you'll get the mentions as notifications, but what about those who aren't actually replying to you or tagging you. You still need to respond. Search for your business name, your business products and your URL. The URL is something everyone seems to forget. If you can respond to people who don't even realize you are on Twitter you are one step closer to BFF status.
Beyond the usual suspects, AKA Twitter & Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Vine, and YouTube are also extremely good at building relationships with your buyers and potential customers. The reason I likes these networks so much these days is that they aren't over saturated with ads. People still see your content and when you post consistently and on-brand you'll see your following and conversions grow.
Beyond the posts you put out yourself, these networks are a really great place to engage with Influencers who can really move the needle for you. In fact
If you want to have the best engagement, branded communities are coming next. This means you own the data, you own the network, you own it all. And in many cases the community will actually engage with you and your other fans on your own site. This is really what you should aim for. It's like buying real estate vs leasing. Got it?
Well, I hope that got your wheels turning. Good luck!
Socially,
Stephanie
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