Social Media's Big Three - How effective are they?

PZ Miller 2 years ago

Brenda --

I read this article with interest. And while I don't believe Twitter is for everyone, I do believe that most people do not understand how to use it strategically -- a subject I write about often at my Examiner.com column http://www.InternetBizBlogger.com

And I think my article today may be of special interest regarding this subject -- http://budurl.com/minirant

For Twitter to be effective you need to chart and follow a strategy that promotes your brand, book or business. And I don't mean you promote all the time. On the contrary, you share info that is on what I call the spine of your brand, book or business.

You know that I always wish you well, so I'm not disagreeing with you. I'm only adding to the conversation.

Phyllis

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

My friend, you are my biggest supporter, and the only contact I ever connected with in Twitter (as mentioned above).

AND

you are allowed to disagree with me, I don't mind in the least. In fact, I wondered when I was writing this if I would hear from you. I thought you would have something to offer by way of suggestions.

I'm on my way to check out your article.

Smireles 2 years ago

Your article is a fair description of my experience on Twitter and Facebook. I use LinkedIn but not often. Great information. I use Facebook to post my articles and stay in touch with friends and family. I enjoy reading the newsfeed occasionally to keep up. I also love farmtown...

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

Farmtown - never heard of that one, is that like a local paper?

James A Watkins 2 years ago

Excellent review. I don't pay any attention to Twitter except to post my Hubs when I publish something new. I was big on Facebook for a while but got bored with it. The most fun I have ever had on the internet is right here: Hub Pages!

:)

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

Thanks for your feedback James. I admit, my absolute favorite has very quickly become HubPages too. The quality here far surpasses other sites and the feedback from other hubbers is value added in my opinion.

R Burow 2 years ago

Duchess,

Thanks for the info on these sights. I often wonder how these sites work for other people, as I am still struggling along. I am on facebook, but do not twitter. Hubpages has been good for me, but I do not seem to be generating much traffic, though I keep at it. This article will help me. Thanks again.

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

R Burow, as PZ Miller stated in her comments, maybe its just that my strategy is all wrong. If I could get that straight, I would employ the big three. Because as you say, my traffic could use improvement. I will check out what she has to say and see if I can learn from an expert.

Thanks for stopping by

Jo 2 years ago

Dear Duchess - I love your hubs! Keep 'em coming! You have a unique writing style; and I have learned alot about social networking from you. Thank you, my Friend!

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

Thanks Jo. I'm glad I can be helpful in some regard. It has certainly been a pleasure working with you over the past couple years. In fact, I should probably use your editing services more often as I keep finding little mistakes you would have caught.

Thanks for the Kudos!

ripplemaker 2 years ago

Good morning Duchess! I am still struggling to understand about twittering. I'm on both twitter and facebook myself. LinkedIn? Not yet. I'm still LinkedOut! I enjoyed reading your sharing and experiences with this social networking sites.

I agree that Hubpages is a wonderful site and you will say more when I congratulate you for being a Hubnugget Wannabe! High five! To view the Hubnuggets: http://hubpages.com/_143/hub/How-to-Highlight-New-

Vote okay? And then promote! Have fun!

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

A Hubnugget Wannabe? Are you kidding? OH MY. I am speechless, on my way over there right now.

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

oooops forgot to say a Great BIG Thank You!

Jen's Solitude 2 years ago

Well, I was going to comment on how useful I found your review to be, but now I will add Congrats on your nomination as well. :)

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

Thanks Jen. I'm so excited! I appreciate you dropping in to tell me anyway.

Jen's Solitude 2 years ago

My pleasure, it gave me someone to vote for. :)

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

Sweet!

Cynthia 2 years ago

I'd say your reactions pretty much parallel mine. I don't see Twitter being a benefit to me, and since I don't have time for everything, that was an easy one to skip. Facebook is for fun and friends. That's where I post things to just keep friends updated, and it's the only site I'm likely to check while traveling. (Though I do have a "Fan Page" on FB, to promote my book; so there's some self-promotion there.) LinkedIn is my business page. There is some overlap with the FB crowd, but lots of business connections that aren't exactly "pals," just people I've worked with and respect. It's a great place to send people if you want them to see who has recommended you. Social Media is not selling many books for me, but it is a good way to stay networked.

And an aside on your comment about the astonishing possibilities of connecting with FB: Last November, while in Japan, I met a woman from Zambia who was there teaching English at the university level. We've stayed in touch, and yesterday, I thought to check to see if she was on FB. She isn't, but I found a notice of someone in Zambia who had lost touch and was looking for her. So I, in Chicago, was able to forward the note to her in Japan from the person in Zambia. How cool is that?

Bob Ewing 2 years ago

Good analysis, I have found twitter useful for making contacts.

Denee 2 years ago

I have to tell you that I had NO IDEA what Twitter was when my programmer said "You have to get on Twitter"....I did and now over 900 people are following me. That perplexes and amazes me. I use it strictly to promote links to my site but I'm going to read the article posted by your FAVORITE FAN (bah humbug - HA) and learn how to use it more effectively. In spite of the fact that I, myself, am the founder of a Social Community....I have so much to learn!

Congrats on the nomination!! :-)

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

Cynthia, your facebook story is mad cool! On a personal level that must have been exciting and rewarding.

Thank you once again for stoping by and sharing your thoughts with me (us all really). I do appreciate your time and your support.

My Best to you.

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

Bob, welcome and thank you for reading my hub! A new face (On mine),

Question, the contacts you have made on Twitter, have you followed up with them off of Twitter or is you contact strictly through that site?

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

Denee my friend! Good to hear from you. Please forgive me, I know you are my Favorite Fan! :). In fact I have so many favorites found on The Twisted Sisterhood, so it was all worth it. If there is anything I can help you will on your social community, you know you only have to ask.

Thanks for your congratulations. (Did you vote?)

Keeping in touch . . .

Egiftscreations 2 years ago

Great Hub!!

Thanks.

dohn121 2 years ago

I just got started in creating social network back linking and have only gotten about 3 visitors from those sights to HP where I basically live. I'd like to find more ways to drive traffic however, but I believe that I just have to spend more time on the other networks in order to campaign myself.

emohealer 2 years ago

Congratulations on your nomination! After reading I can clearly see why you were nominated. Superb information, well documented all in one place. Thanks for a great hub and good luck in promoting your hub!

Neil Ashworth 2 years ago

Great imformation, I used all the social media sites that you mention, and your hub is clear and helpful.

Thanks.

Neil Ashworth

Uninvited Writer 2 years ago

I actually use all of these services. I agree that LinkedIn is the best for professional networking. For me, Facebook is just fun and a way to keep in touch with relatives. Twitter is mainly for telling people about my hubs or re-tweeting articles I like.

nicomp 2 years ago

LinkedIn is amazing in it's ability to find people that you might know.

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

@ Nicomp. I agree with you that Llinkedin is an amazing site for finding the "right" people and those you know

@Uninvited Writer - it's good to see another follow Ontarian here. Thanks for stopping by

@ Neil Ashworth, thank you your kind words

@emohealer, thanks for the congratulations! I am excited enough about it that I will be finishing a hub about it tonight.

@dohn121 - I have been using these three sites for some time now and find very little back linking from them. BUT as my first guest advised, I am likely not using them correctly. I need to learn but it takes time. So keep spending the time and I'm sure it will eventually just start to "click"

Thanks for your input

@Egiftscreations - Thank you for stopping by

From the comments it seems apparent that I am not alone in my assessments. I do hope to learn from the experts both here and in other areas. I will be sure to write about it if I do!

Thank you all for stopping by

Tiffani 2 years ago

Very informative. I must say though that I am a facebook-ian =) I have yet to experience the Twittage of Twitter, and have yet to LinkIn with LinkedIn =). I have some friends that use twitter, and I go on their page, but personally I don't see the need for Twitter cause I have facebook. Just means more typing for me. =) LinkedIn sounds cool and I think I should try it out, now that I know a little bit more about it, thanks to you.

Good job on the research Bren!

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

Thanks for the Kudos Tiffani. You should try Linkedin for sure. Would be good for business *wink. Just make sure you join the right groups for your line of work!

Lisa Luv 2 years ago

Hi ! I don't know why -but you look very familiar and I felt U did a great job here on a very worthy interesting subject! Thabk You!

Lisa

DoodleLyn 2 years ago

Congratulations on your hubnugget nomination, Duchess. This is a very informative hub, and well written. I am on Facebook, and have a Twitter account, but don't really use it much (don't really understand it), never heard of LinkedIn, but will check it out. Great work!

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

@ Lisa Luv

Your profile looks like you are around on the internet, you might have seen me somewhere else, as I am as well. Who knows. Thanks for stopping by and reading my hub.

@DoodleLyn look me up on either of the three and maybe together we can find out how to use them better!

If you check out LinkedIn, make sure to search for writing groups. Some are full of self promotion, but some are really great with good tips and people ready and willing to answer questions.

Thank you ladies for your kind words, maybe we'll see each other around on the "the big three"

PpcJen 2 years ago

Hi there - thanks for the great review of the Big 3! I also love Facebook and LinkedIn.

Best of luck to you!

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

Thank you Jen for the well wishes. I will be checking out your hubs, they sound very interesting!

affnetseo 2 years ago

I see much better results with Twitter, but Facebook provides more opportunities to get things out to people. I have to admit that I like using Facebook as a social tool more than I like using Twitter, but both are very effective social tools and should be used by businesses.

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

Affnetseo, you are the second person to say that you see better results with Twitter. I guess like everything else, it's how you use it. I'd be interested in hearing how you get those results. Going to check your profile to see if you have written anything about it in your Hubs. (I love to learn)

Thanks for stopping by.

ripplemaker 2 years ago

Check your email and see you made it to TOP 5 of the Hubnuggets! Way to go! Let's celebrate!!! :)

Jaspal 2 years ago

Duchess O' Blunt - I hope you will pardon me for spelling your name slightly differently from the way you've chosen to. The class teacher during my last two years in high school, and probably the most dedicated and admired - may his soul rest in peace - was an Irish Christian Brother, C.F. O' Farrel. So I cannot help but put an apostrophe after the O!

Great hub you've written. I am a member of all three - but rarely visit any of the sites! Am also on Orkut, on which one was a regular for some months, but the initial entusiasm wears off, and pretty fast at that for all this aimless networking. Just as distraction, maybe, they're okay.

lorlie6 2 years ago

I am absolutely thrilled to have spent the last hour of my life reading this Hub and your comments! Duchess, I wholeheartedly agree with your take on Social Media, and before I found myself here today was having a mild crisis regarding all of this.

Thank you so much for your point of view, I believe I feel a new Hub brewing within...:o)...and I must send you my congratulations as well, it appears that you have cracked the top five at this writing.

Enjoy the moment!

And More~

Laurel Rogers

Kosmo 2 years ago

Judging from what I've read so far, nobody at HubPages seems to be making any money using Twitter, et al. Maybe they're simply too big to be useful for such tasks. If you can't "connect" with some folks, even making money on the Internet wouldn't be much fun. Anyway, I'm impressed that the woman who writes the column, PZ Miller, left you a comment. Later!

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

Yea! Top 5! That's very exciting.

I'm still not sure how that happens when my hub score is only 80? Some of the others are much higher. But the traffic will be appreciated.

Thanks to all for the recognition.

By the Way I still have not received an email?

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

@ Jaspal - Duchess O'Blunt is actually how I prefer it. I might be wrong, but you cannot us the hyphens in your user name. If that is not correct, I wonder if there is a way to change it? I shall check it out.

Yes, unless you are seeing some results, the initial enthusiasm certainly does wear off. I expect there are things I should be doing that I'm not. I'm just so busy here I can't seem to find the time!

Thanks for stopping by

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

lorlie6 please, oh please don't have a break down, melt down or even a min crisis over social networking.

If you can't have some fun on them or see some benefits from them, they certainly aren't worth wasting your time over let alone your emotions.

Smile, spend more time on HubPages, they are friendlier here anyway (for the most part)

Thanks for your kind words :)

knell63 2 years ago

I think social networking is just that, talking to your family and friends. Its such a shame these days that everything seems to have to have a pound sign attached to it. If a friend came to visit you and started trying to sell you insurance you'd soon show them the door and not invite them back.

I think we need to remember and keep our boundaries between work, home, fun and business. Yes tried Twitter and didn't get it, loads of strangers telling me they were going out for the day or what the weather was like 5000 miles away. Why? Liked the Hub and a good push for the site too.

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

Kosmo Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to review this Hub. I'm surprised that there are not more people like Phyllis Zimmer who feel compelled to defend them.

By the way, I met Phyllis through my own social networking site and we have kept in touch since it went down.

Just goes to show, when you actually "connect" on these networks, get to know the people, it pays off in ways you don't even think about. I'll have to tell her your comments. She'll get a kick out of that.

Thank you for stopping by too.

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

@ Jaspal - Duchess O'Blunt is actually how I prefer it. I might be wrong, but you cannot us the apostrophe in your user name. If that is not correct, I wonder if there is a way to change it? I shall check it out.

Yes, unless you are seeing some results, the initial enthusiasm certainly does wear off. I expect there are things I should be doing that I'm not. I'm just so busy here I can't seem to find the time!

Thanks for stopping by

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

knell63 Maybe it's the loads of strangers talking nonsense that appeals to some, but not me.

I'm sure there's a secret to why it works well for some, but at this point, not sure I'm even interested anymore. It's all so time consuming, which actually takes away from your time with family and friends....so that's not a good thing.

Thank you for taking the time to read and add your comments.

barryrutherford 2 years ago

I find linkedin too the best !

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

Me too. Thanks for stopping by!

robertsloan2 2 years ago

Good assessment of the three big social networks. Twitter seems to be good for announcements. I didn't do as much with it till I found out that I could push a button and Tweet my latest hubs, which got them into the hands of people I already knew and seems to often get me new readers. Facebook's good for staying in touch with people I met in forums and other groups. LinkedIn is so business oriented that I don't use it as much since I'm neither looking for a job nor employing anyone.

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

Thanks robertsloan2: Most of the comments so far tend to agree with you (and me). I find that very interesting. There is so much hype out there about them. I wonder why?

JOYE 510 2 years ago

I've been down these roads too, and found little value. Especially w/ Twitter. I know it's all the rage, but there is just too much to say and too few characters. Although I must confess to "stalking" a few celebs. It's interesting to hear their real voice, assuming it's not a publicist posting on their behalf. Nice hub.

ripplemaker 2 years ago

Oh you haven't read the Hubpages newsletter? In your profile, go to EDIT profile button. Be sure to check the box that says "allow hubpages to contact you." Also, check on your SPAM folder, sometimes the emails go there.

Create a Website 2 years ago

Excellent article. These social media especially Twitter is an excellent service for online marketing and get people actually keep attracted to your business.

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

@Joye, what an interesting idea. I never thought of stalking the celebrities. Sounds harmless and fun!

@Ripplemaker. Thank you for the hints...I'll follow through ASAP

@Create a Website. I think if I had something to sell, or a business, I might try harder to find ways to use it. Good luck!

Sarah_Callahan 2 years ago

Useful info...

Thanks!!

Erick Smart 2 years ago

I personally have had great luck with Linkedin and Facebook but Twitter is doing nothing for me. It is nice for keeping those I deal with updated but that is about it.

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

Thank you Sarah and Erick. I appreciate you stopping by and adding your comments.

Steve R McDowell 2 years ago

I think all three sites can be used for generating income if you do it the right way, but it's not easy to do as many would have you believe. Furthermore, too heavy of a reliance on one or the other could lead to disastrous effects should something happen to one of those services. I think it might be best to use these services in combination with other services to maximize your benefit, but that can become very time-consuming.

In short, making income takes work, no matter how you do it! ^_^

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

I do beleive that money can be made on the internet with lots of work. It's definately not a get rich quick idea like some have claimed. And I do beleive that a person can build their network through social networking sites on the web, but again, it takes time and work.

I was hoping that more people would argue with me, show me their ideas, and provide their success stories. I will just have to keep searching for ways to use the big three effectively, with "effectively" being the operative word. I do use them but I'm sure there are many opportunities I am missing because I don't know enough.

Thank you Steve for your input and reminder that it takes work, and lots of it.

Anamika S 2 years ago

I use twitter and facebook but have not used LinkedIn so far. Now that i have read this writeup i am going to use it too. Thanks for sharing!

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

My Pleasure Anamika. Thanks for stopping by

Paradise7 2 years ago

Hi Duchess! I just joined your fan club. Thank you for sharing your experiences with Twitter. I'm not finding it too useful, but then I didn't have too many concrete expections; what I really like are Hub & Digg...I think I'm gonna stick with Hub, Digg & Facebook, and just let the rest go...though there also seems to be some potential in Reddit, enough is enough already.

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

Thanks for joining my fan club! Never heard of Reddit, off to check it out. Thanks for the tip

qlcoach 2 years ago

Wow! Great HUB here. I am on Twitter and I do think it is challenging to engage people in our writing. I met you on The Book Marketing Network. Best wishes for your success. Hope you will visit some my work about emotional healing and recovery. Sincerely: Gary Eby, author and therapist.

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

Thank you glcoach. I will indeed go and check out some of your work. Thank you for dropping in.

kimbaustin 2 years ago

Great post! I too am just in the stages of evaluating all this social media and social networking. Twitter seems like a lot of useless chatter unless you are a celebrity with a big following. Facebook is great for keeping up when you don't have time to call everyone. And Linked in is fantastic for building your professional network. I have made many fruitful connections via linked in but do not post my hubs there. Maybe I should.

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

I hear you kimbaustin = I have since come to realize that twitter can be used effectively given the right strategy. I just don't have the interest or the time (right now) to chart and use it.

Thanks for stopping by.

Moulik Mistry 2 years ago

Very nice article - I read it with interest...

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

Thank you Moulik Mistry

Karen Banes 2 years ago

Thanks for this one. I have just joined twitter, and I am following you Duchess (ID: @writandchange) because a freelance writing/blogging job I am applying to required me to have a twitter ID in order to promote my work. I will see how it goes, but I have my doubts!

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

Hi Karen. I will go and ensure that I am also following you. I've been on Twitter a little over a year, have had a very few connections that lead to anything further. But, like you, I am on it because "everyone is doing it". Here's hoping that somewhere along the line, I figure out how to works

Thank you

cbris52 2 years ago

I've been on Twitter for over a year now and the only benefit I've gotten is a discount on a ex long cheese coney from sonic! Haha... I guess I'm missing something on how it's supposed to benefit my business... Oh well... Fan Pages were cool on facebook until they started taking them out of peoples mini feed because they wanted people to pay them for fans. I get the most benefit from Hub Pages and I'm practically still new to HP but I'm trying to catch on quick! Great Hub Duchess!

cbris52 2 years ago

Speaking of Social Media... You All have to check this out... it's the Social Media Rap by the SEO Rapper... I was lucky enough to meet this big guy at a Conference in Atlanta.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwAjur3_08Y

He has another one for all you programmers out their called design coding...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0qMe7Z3EYg

This guy is really creative.. Just thought I'd share!

Duchess OBlunt 2 years ago

Hi cbris52, thanks for popping over and checking out this hub. Interesting to see so many different view points on the subject. It appears you are catching on really quick, and good luck.

RunAbstract 23 months ago

Thnaks for the info. I'm new at all this, and trying to learn. All tips are appreciated!

Duchess OBlunt 23 months ago

Well RunAbstract - I wish you all the best in your learning

kay hebbourn 23 months ago

Fabulous hub with excellent tips, thank you Duchess

Duchess OBlunt 23 months ago

My pleasure Kay.

Baileybear 22 months ago

out of the big 3, I currently have just a Facebook page, which I share my articles to. For using Twitter etc for promotion, is it usual to go under the pseudonom or real name?

Duchess OBlunt 22 months ago

Balleybear. It depends what you want to use Twitter for whether you use your real name the name of your company or a pseudo nom. I use Duchess_O_Blunt (which is NOT my real name, but the name that all my social connections know me by. Some people have more than one account for different purposes (apparently). Figure out what you want to do with it, and go from there

bizchickblogs 22 months ago

Love this hub, Duchess. I don't use LinkedIn anymore these days, but I did find it helpful when I started out in my career.

Duchess OBlunt 22 months ago

Hey bizchickblogs. I try to keep my finger in each of the big three. You never know when they will come in handy. It takes a little time, but I'm hoping it will prove to be beneficial.

Karanda 18 months ago

Thanks for some basics in all three of the networking sites. I'm on all of them but do little because I simply don't know enough. It was easy to work out HubPages in comparison. I've bookmarked this for future reference.

Duchess OBlunt 18 months ago

My pleasure Karanda. Reading this again it looks like I need to do an update as I have learned some since I wrote this

bryanps 15 months ago

Hey Duchess,

I agree with you that LinkedIn has the most benefit. It is also the easiest to use of all the social networking sites to network and know people.

A lot of people don't know how to use Twitter the right way. About 90% of people sign up to Twitter and then forget about their account after 30 days. As you said, a lot of contacts there can be useless for this reason. Twitter is also notorious for spam.

Facebook isn't so bad, because you have to build some form of connection but still I know of people who hae very successful facebook pages that has helped them tremendously for their business.

Duchess OBlunt 15 months ago

hey bryanps - Yes, for the serious job seeking type of networking LinkedIn is awesome. However, facebook is fast becoming a very large advertising hotspot - simply because of the volume. Something to think about.

vocalcoach 12 months ago

I am with you on Twitter. Have had an account for 2 yrs now, and still not understanding the process/benefits. I mostly use it for HP and to promote my hubs. Been on facebook for a very long time and altho' I use it mostly to keep in touch with friends and post my hubs, I spend little time there. Great hub Duchess. Bookmarking this.

Duchess OBlunt 12 months ago

Thank you vocalcoach, for dropping by and commiserating with me :) Still trying to learn, and it's been awhile. Don't have much time these days to spend with social media. So, the benefits are not visible at the moment. But hopefully I will be able to spend a little more time soon. Maybe I'll see you around

Workathomecoach 11 months ago

Excellent. Right up my alley, so I am so pleased to meet you.

Duchess OBlunt 11 months ago

Thank you Workathomecoach. I'm pleased to meet you as well :)

jennielynn35 9 months ago

Great hub. Wonderful advice for someone like me who is just getting started.Thanks.

Duchess OBlunt 9 months ago

Thank you Jennie - I'm happy it was useful. Good luck

bearclawmedia 4 months ago

Thanks Duchess, I like this piece, heaps!