News

Why Facebook Alone Doesn't Cut It.

 •  Oct 3
Sean Parker, former President of Facebook, gave in and signed up for a Twitter account. With a verified profile, 10,462 followers (at the time of writing) and his first tweet reading, "Sorry Zuck, I had to do it eventually," Parker has certainly arrived. The reason for his sudden conversion is being debated; speculation holds that it could be to promote his new blog or he might be beginning a new start up. Perhaps, others muse, he finally wants more public recognition.

Whatever the case, this move is significant for social media marketers and businesses. If the former President of Facebook recognizes the importance of plural mediums, companies using social media should as well. Facebook is not always enough to thoroughly engage a full range of consumers. Though Facebook is arguably the largest, other web platforms like Twitter, Foursquare, Google+ and LinkedIn can serve certain target groups and specific, alternative purposes.

Getting "Likes" on Facebook is simply not enough. It does not guarantee that those who like you will actually read any of your content. Twitter is easier for people to deal with when they have a low level of interest or commitment to a brand or product. For example, say I enjoy Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and I "Like" them on Facebook. The probability of me actually seeing a post from Reese's among the news from my 2,600 friends (who I inevitably care about more) is slim. If I follow Reese's on Twitter, I might not engage with the post, but I'm more likely to see it. Twitter forces you to write concisely and this is valuable to someone with a low interest level. While I might have avoided any news from Reese's on Facebook, I would skim over the tweets in my timeline and upon seeing, "Win A Month's Supply of Reese's CLICK HERE," would click without hesitation. Why? Because it's easier, and it's the right information in the right place.

I'm definitely not saying Facebook is useless, that is certainly not the aim of this article. The point is simply that sometimes more, is well, more. Engaging consumers from both/all angles of social media is nothing but beneficial in most cases.

Read more about Sean Parker joining Twitter on Mashable: Sean Parker Joins Twitter, With An Apology to Zuckerberg.

Written by Kristine Colosimo
Marketing and Management Coordinator A-Side Worldwide

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