BEST SOCIAL MEDIA SITE/PLATFORM
Winners: LinkedIn, Facebook; Runner Up: Pinterest
PROS: LinkedIn, a social networking site for people in professional occupations, is very well liked by our panel. Unlike other forms of social media, LinkedIn profiles are encouraged to viewed by the public, so your profile and online resume are easily searchable on Google. You can join networking groups and follow different companies and professionals to get the latest news/trends of your industry. The social media network also has a place where your can give and receive professional recommendations. Dollinger says this is an excellent way to represent yourself. “The best part of it is you control your brand here instead of worrying about college photos popping up.”
CONS: In order to use LinkedIn successfully, it requires a lot of time and effort. It opens the door newly updated job postings in order to find something. It is well worth the effort, but you have to be willing to put the time aside for it.
PRICE: There is a free version, but LinkedIn Premium has a fee that varies, depending on the services
ADDRESS: www.linkedin.com
PROS: Facebook is no longer used solely for social purposes. You can use Facebook advertising to target specific demographics, such as age, gender, location, relationship status and education. Creating a Facebook business page is a good way to reach consumers and keep them posted on the latest news about your company and your industry. You can also link your Facebook page to your website to improve your Search Engine Optimization.
CONS: Like LinkedIn, Facebook takes a lot of time and effort to maintain. Not only should you constantly be updating “fresh” information to keep people interested, but also you should also constantly be responding to people if they have questions or concerns.
PRICE: A Facebook profile is free, and the advertisements are priced per click (but you will never be charged more than your daily or lifetime budget)
ADDRESS: www.facebook.com
PROS: Users can organize photos and ideas using the site’s virtual pin board – from staging ideas, DIY projects, even to your listings. Users can create as many “themed” boards as they want, and separate them into different categories. Users can also gain new friends and contacts easily by linking Twitter and Facebook profiles to their Pinterest account, which updates all contacts automatically. By “repining” ideas and photos with other users that fit your brand and sharing them with your followers, you create engagement.
CONS: If you’re a serial pinner and have your account linked to your Facebook or Twitter, your contacts from those sites may be annoyed. Also, if you don’t upload your own contact, your brand’s voice may be lost in the mix of other users’ boards. And make sure you’re not out of date – if one of the listings you’ve pinned is off the market, or its price point has changed, you need to update it on your board as often as you can.
PRICE: Free
ADDRESS: http://www.pinterest.
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