Social Media Pros & Cons
Social media is the term we use to describe platforms that bring people together for the exchange of information.
Twitter
Pros
- Easy to set up and use.
- 140 character limit keeps messages to the point.
- Easy to search network for content using hashtags.
Cons
- Volume of messages can lead to information overload/loss of message.
- Not the best platform for showcasing visual content.
- Short messages can be limiting.
Facebook
Pros
- Easy to use, set up and control from a variety of devices.
- Allows you to communicate, publicly or privately, in real-time.
Cons
- Privacy issues.
- Marketing campaigns can be time-consuming.
- Has become very ad-focused.
YouTube
Pros
- Allows you to connect more directly with your audience.
- Can be used to explain complicated concepts more easily than using text.
- Users don’t need to follow you to discover you content.
- Can be found in search engine results.
Cons
- Quality and editing need to be top notch; the results can be embarrassing if done badly.
- Requires grater planning and time investment than other channels.
Pinterest
Pros
- As users are encouraged to discover content for themselves, there’s not so much emphasis on actively engaging your audience.
- Images are hyperlinked to the original source.
- Selective following adds appeal to audience.
Cons
- You need to ensure your imagery is well chosen, optimized and that the design is sharp.
- Audience demographics can be limited.
Instagram
Pros
- Simple to use.
- Fastest –growing social network in 2014.
Cons
- Links don’t work in captions.
- Limited integration capabilities.
Linkedin
Pros
- Allows networking opportunities and promotes direct business relationships.
- Enables sharing of knowledge and expertise.
Cons
- The B2B focus means the audience is limited.
- Ads can be poorly targeted, leading to a potential overload of irrelevant content.
Google plus
Pros
- Having a profile has SEO benefits (ie, will help your site’s visibility in search engines)
- Easy to use and integrates with Gmail and Google Docs.
- Easy to find people and discover people to follow.
Cons
- Very similar to Facebook.
- Promotions and contests are strictly forbidden.
- Lack of market share.
- Limited audience size.
