Social Media
There’s Twitter, Instagram, What’s App, You Tube, Facebook, Linkedin, Google +, Pinterest, Tumblir, Snapchat and a whole lot more.
Which do you choose and what do they do? There’s even a whole website devoted to the subject. See Social Media Today.com
Below we list the main ones and what they do.
Is Twitter the number one or is it Facebook? It depends really on who you ask. You are limited to 140 characters to explain what is going on in the world but at least now your added photo from your smart phone doesn’t eat into the limit. It’s not all about what people had for breakfast anymore as all the major news and information channels use Twitter to keep you informed almost before it has happened. Forget the Trolls, the majority of the traffic is useful stuff if you decide who to follow. Go to Twitter.
Facebook set the world alight and its the place to go to find out what is happening amongst your circle of friends and acquaintances. You can share photos and information about yourself and also “like” celebrities or you’re favourite brands. Facebook is very much the personal leisure time site. Go to Facebook.
Linkedin is often seen as the Facebook for people who work and its the place to share your career path and ideas on things in the business world which interest you. Keep it professional as some employers often look at it when deciding who to invite fr an interview. It’s free but there is a premium part of the site with more in depth analysis such as who has actually been looking at your profile. You can also get in touch with other people on your list of contacts. Go to LinkedIn.
Google Plus
Google Plus aims to combine Facebook and Twitter in one site but it has never taken off in a major way due to there being so many other things on the market nowadays. It has the backing of the world’s most powerful Search Engine so it is not to be sniffed at and is useful if you have your own website. Go to Google+.
Snapchat
Snapchat turns Twitter on its head. You take a photo and then add your own text or art and send it to a friend. Sometimes the pictures speak for themselves and this is a very popular channel amongst young people. Beware the pictures are removed after a certain length of time so keep copies of your precious moments. Go to Snapchat.
Most Social Media can now be used via an App on your smartphone
Instagram is adictive. Be warned! It basically allows you to share photos with your friends or colleagues and distribute them via Twitter or Facebook or within Instagram itself. You can digitally enhance the pictures and invite comments on your photos or ideas you put forward. Go to Instagram.
Pinterest has come on in leaps and bounds in the last few years and is basically an inspiration board. If you like a particular subject you can start your own board or “pin” your photo to someone else’s. From pictures of Venice to what bath tap to choose. It’s all there and growing every day. Definitely a must for those who prefer pictures over words. Go to Pinterest.
What’sApp
Over 700 million people have found that sending text type messages over the internet through this app without paying your network provider for the privilege is a great deal. What’s not to like? Go to WhatsApp.
You Tube
It’s free to start your own YouTube Video Sharing channel and Google now make money via advertising. It once was a place for people to show their personal wares such as the latest song they had written and performed but it now literally covers every subject under the sun from new product information from major companies to what’s on at the theatre. You can also embed the Video in your own Website so gone are the days of having to hire expensive studio time. A word of warning though. There’s is so much stuff out there that the bad things glare and if you want to do a review or advertise your wares try to make it look professional. There are even videos on there on how to film your own video or start your own channel so goodbye university. Go to YouTube.
Tumblir
Tumblir is a micro-blogging platform for individuals and companies. You can include pictures, videos, GIF’s or Memes to illustrate your point and yes, things can go viral pretty quickly. Go to Tumblr.
Xing is a mainly a recruitment site but it also acts as a business networking platform which unlike LinkedIn has a worldwide reach. Go to Xing.
Vine
Vines are short looping videos that have inspired, entertained, and given rise to a creative community since 2013, or so it says on their Homepage. Vine’s content is in the main aimed at entertainment. Go to Vine.
Meetup
Meetup does what it says on the tin. You can find out what is going on in your area about your hobby or interest and is a way of making new friends. Go to Meetup.
Disqus
You want to Discuss? Then you’d better get Disqus. Helpful advice from the online community is here. Go to Disqus.
Those other niche sites for people not wanting to be the same as everyone else
Renren is China’s Facebook but is gaining traction in the Unite dKingdom. Go to Renren.
Twoo is Belgium’s answer to Facebook and popular with the under 25’s. Go to Twoo.
MyMFB (previously called MillatFacebook) is Facebook for the Muslim community. Go to MyMFB.
VK.com is the Russian version of Facebook and claims to be Europe’s largest social media site, but then there are a lot of Russians.
