Twitter vs. Facebook

[Dana_W]

So, over the past month, SIX people from my past have contacted me on Facebook - people who are not in the IM field or even tech-savvy at all - and it turns out they all just joined recently.

And none of them have ever even heard of Twitter.

I really felt like Facebook was waning for a while, but now it seems as if all these really late adopter, non-tech savvy people in their 30s and 40s are discovering it. Frankly I'd way rather market to a non-tech savvy crowd.

Are you guys noticing this? And do many of you market on Facebook? I've put most of my effort into Twitter and the Warrior Forum but I'm going to start working on some Facebook stuff soon. Facebook 2.0.

[Debbie Allen]

I've noticed a change in the attention that Facebook is getting. I have recently been contacted by a few "old" friends and like yours - they are not into Internet Marketing at all.

Maybe I need to spend more time there - but finding more time is the hard part! lol

[Michael Lee]

I'm exploring Facebook, but haven't got much time.

One profitable thing some might have not noticed is Facebook Advertising.

Advertising | Facebook

You can precisely target by age, gender, location, and more. This could be a great alternative to pay-per-click, although I haven't tried it yet.

Cheers,
Michael

[Dana_W]

Before I started internet marketing a little over a year ago, I was intimidated by Facebook and thought it was just for college students. I felt that if I joined it would be seen as weird and I'd be one of the older people on there.

I think Facebook has lost that perception and is getting more and more of a mainstream crowd. Yes, I know it was hugely popular before but that was more of a Myspace crowd.

In a lot of ways I like Twitter better because I find it less cluttered, and also you can have all the followers you want, as opposed to Facebooks 5000 friends, but that doesn't mean I should ignore a potential market.

Sean McAlister, who I work with on some projects, has had great success with forming a Facebook group and getting a TON of members to join really quickly.

[JAIDEEP2959]

Facebook gets more traffic than twitter.

[Dana_W]

Downside of Facebook - Joel Comm got BOOTED OFF Facebook!

Facebook Booted Me for Having 5000 Friends!

I've never had any trouble on Twitter. And I've gotten tons of clients from Twitter and none from Facebook - but then, as I said, I haven't worked Facebook the way I have Twitter.

[Loren Woirhaye]

I've kind of had poo-poo experiences with social networking
in general as far as getting business. I just use them in
a friendly way. A lot of my "friends" are bizop people so
all they want is to recruit somebody so my experience
as been like one long date with a girl who talks only about
herself.

I tend to think that Perry Belcher has it right - just be open
and have fun with it. He's positioned himself as the
most accessible IM guru on the planet and personally
I think that is very smart.

[Sean A McAlister]

Originally Posted by Loren Woirhaye

I tend to think that Perry Belcher has it right - just be open
and have fun with it. He's positioned himself as the
most accessible IM guru on the planet and personally
I think that is very smart.

That's the key to social networking. Developing relationships. There is a difference between wasting time and being productive. But the more human assets you have...the better position you are in. And you attract more people faster. Why? Because you are not trying to sell anything.

However, You are selling your personality, your reputation, your experience, your likability. This is how you connect and cast a web.

A misconception that people have is that you use Social Networking to Sell. These are the people who have a difficult time. Lets not forget that
traffic is key and you can monetize from CPA ads on your site and advertisers depending on your traffic.

Effective Social Networking is nothing more than building relationships and driving traffic without shoving Sales Pitches down peoples throat. Those who are Social Butterflies tend to have a huge pool of "Connections" which are in turn valuable assets.

highest regards,
sean

[Dana_W]

Loren, I know what you mean as far as selling - I don't like it when someone's first approach to me on Twitter or anywhere else is the hard sell. But if they are someone that I have chatted with, and then I see that they are on Twitter talking about their logo design business, and I need a logo designed for me - I'd go with them rather than go on Google and search for "logo designers". To use one example.

[alyoung]

I've discovered that Facebook is not just for college kids anymore. Everyone is on it, but it is not easy marketing on it. I'm just discovering Twitter thanks in part to Dana, but it has great potential. Its not nearly as lame as I thought it would be when I first heard of it.

[Habitat]

Facebook is great now that it's for everybody. Business wise, I have yet to see the benefits but that's only because my Facebook is more personal than anything. Twitter hasn't been to great for business either. I don't really know what will be that catalyst I'm waiting for.

[businessmentor]

Off topic: Since somebody mentioned Perry: he was arrested and there is a case going on (or has it been settled?). I don't want to post links here.

Some data for you: 85% of college graduates are estimated to be on Facebook. Yes, that is 85 out of every 100 of them.

Whether it is Facebook/Twitter or any place, marketing is fundamentally the same. Build trust, and get sales. One big difference is that in social media, any kind of sales pitch makes people run away from you. Another big difference: any negative news about you can spread very easily, through the same media.

[Michael Mayhew]

Originally Posted by Dana_W

Downside of Facebook - Joel Comm got BOOTED OFF Facebook!

Facebook Booted Me for Having 5000 Friends!

I've never had any trouble on Twitter. And I've gotten tons of clients from Twitter and none from Facebook - but then, as I said, I haven't worked Facebook the way I have Twitter.

I'm glad you posted this. Wasn't aware of the 5,000 limit?
I'm only about half way there thank goodness
Will definitely be extra careful there after reading this, but
I've definitely found it to be worthwhile for business.
It's worth working like you are Twitter. I generally friend
request only15-30 people a day though.

[Dana_W]

I know, it's funny, neither Twitter nor Facebook talk much about their limits - you have to find out on your own. Twitter only lets you follow 2000 people until you have 2000 people following YOU, for instance.

Michael, what kind of business have you been able to do on Facebook?

On Twitter - when I discuss press releases - people contact me looking for press release writing services. When I talked about ghostwriting ebooks - people contacted me for my writing services. I never used it for affiliate sales.

[svborgman]

It seems to me that facebook can be used much like twitter: as long as you are leading with value for others, and not pushing your product, I think it can be very helpful for building long term win win business relationships.

[JayXtreme]

I've never gone the facebook route..

I don't care for it too much, dunno why?

Twitter, on the other hand, makes me sales every single day since I passed 1,000 followers, and some before that. I'm probably one of the most promotional yet social people on Twitter..

MANY of my tweets are promotional, but then again, MANY are social.. I spend so much time goofing off there, that my business falls right into it because I am usually goofing off from business when I'm there so I drop my daily workings into tweets..

Works a treat..

Peace

Jay

[krishananda]

I love facebook and twitter, and its true the fact that facebook is more popular at least in my country, not many know about twitter.
And people offline and on TV much talk about facebook.

What I don't like is that I have to wait for the loading time just to do simple things, unlike in twitter.
Yea, I know I don't have that much speed for my internet.

In twitter I just like the simplicity of it, I've been promoting my services with both twitter and facebook, both give me good amount of clients.

[Dana_W]

Originally Posted by krishananda

I love facebook and twitter, and its true the fact that facebook is more popular at least in my country, not many know about twitter.
And people offline and on TV much talk about facebook.

What I don't like is that I have to wait for the loading time just to do simple things, unlike in twitter.
Yea, I know I don't have that much speed for my internet.

In twitter I just like the simplicity of it, I've been promoting my services with both twitter and facebook, both give me good amount of clients.

Well, that's good to hear. I'll try promoting my services on Facebook too - couldn't hurt!

[D Ambrose]

Originally Posted by Dana_W

Are you guys noticing this? And do many of you market on Facebook? I've put most of my effort into Twitter and the Warrior Forum but I'm going to start working on some Facebook stuff soon. Facebook 2.0.

Hi Dana,

I used to market on Facebook - however I must have done it ALL wrong because it didn't help me at all. I would be more than willing to buy a product off you which shows how to utilize facebook properly

Daniel

[Dmitry]

How exactly do you socialize on Facebook? I never really got the idea - maybe someone could explain?

I understand forums (being old school probably) - you read stuff, ask questions, see which people you seem to like, based on their responses, write them a PM and you go on from there.

But Facebook - what's the approach to meet people there? Based on their photo?! I'm not looking for dates...

If it's to keep in touch with old friends - I prefer phone and instant messaging...

So please shed some light on me...

[Dmitry]

Originally Posted by mm365

Hi Dana,

I used to market on Facebook - however I must have done it ALL wrong because it didn't help me at all. I would be more than willing to buy a product off you which shows how to utilize facebook properly

Daniel

I'll give it for free - don't market. Make friends, help people, create a following - NATURALLY. Don't force it, don't push it.

[Dana_W]

Originally Posted by mm365

Hi Dana,

I used to market on Facebook - however I must have done it ALL wrong because it didn't help me at all. I would be more than willing to buy a product off you which shows how to utilize facebook properly

Daniel

All riiiight! That's next on my list.

I suspect that I would have to do it the same way I do it on Twitter - give away free, valuable, information so people see me as a knowledge source and expert in my field, and make my contact information available so people can easily contact me.

[Suthan M]

I personally do facebook marketing.. i have released after reports on this as well.

The key to facebook marketing is to build relationship. Everyone throws a link in Facebook and expect to drive hundreds of sales. It dont work that way.

Important aspect is.
1. You connect with a client
2. You build relationship with that client
3. You connect with client's friends
4. You join their "buddy list"
4. You suggest a product, and then make sales.

I have a post in Warrior War room if anyone is interested in building Facebook subs the fast and right way in the shortest amount of time. Take a look there.. (there you go, another reason to join War Room )

[Suthan M]

just saw the post on Joel Comm's facebook limitation. You see, they dont suspend accounts becouse once you reach 5k friends. I have a number of 5k profiles and nothing is wrong with them.

Let me tell you what migt had happened. Joel might tried sending number of messages more than what facebook limits his account for. When that happens, they limit an account. Well, that fairplay, as they dont want anyone to abuse their system than normal everyday uses. In fact, even WF has the system on poct count and message timing for PMs. Same theory apply.

About Joel saying its "shoot then ask" policy, i beg to differ. I am pretty sure Facebook provided warnings when his limit was approaching. I know this pretty well, as i am a constant user of Facebook.

Hope this helps clear the air on Facebook, and make other Warrios dont get too concerned or worried about Facebook.

Joel Comm.. no offense to you too..

[Dana_W]

Well, I only have a couple hundred friends on Facebook, so no worries for me yet!

Here's an excellent free Facebook info resource by the way - love this site - Why Facebook? Social Networking for Fun and Profits! by Mari Smith

[D Ambrose]

Hi Dana,

I just purchased your twitter report... Looking forward to the new followers (as of today I only have 66 followers and don't do much on twitter).

Just a quick question: how much time do you spend on twitter? Is it a time consuming thing to keep thousands of followers stay following you?

Thanks,

Daniel

[Dana_W]

Well, I only have a couple hundred friends on Facebook, so no worries for me yet!

Here's an excellent free Facebook info resource by the way - love this site - Why Facebook? Social Networking for Fun and Profits! by Mari Smith

[Mark Kaye]

I've been on Facebook for quite some time. It waned a little but has recently seen an burst of new faces.

For whatever reason a whole new crop of people are using it and signing on for th first time.

I host a radio show in Florida and I use Facebook mostly for market research and finding content. In an '
"IM" world it can easily be used for the same purposes.

Here's how:

1. Read People's Stus Messages: See what they are up to and what interests and hobbies they have.
2. Post a comment about a new product you have in your status message and try to get some feedback.
3. Check groups to see which have the most members. Adds great insight into popular niches as well.

[aaronlamont]

I like facebook but I have never tried facebook ads, decided to give it
a go the other night only to have my entire account banned because
my ad was declined, strange that they would ban entire account without
giving me a chance to make changes and put the ad right.

[mhobbs25]

I believe Twitter is the trend for 2009, Facebook was 2008, Myspace was 2007...

Twitter is BlueRay, Facebook is DVD, Myspace is VHS. Its good to stay up to date with Technology...



.

[Dana_W]

Originally Posted by mm365

Hi Dana,

I just purchased your twitter report... Looking forward to the new followers (as of today I only have 66 followers and don't do much on twitter).

Just a quick question: how much time do you spend on twitter? Is it a time consuming thing to keep thousands of followers stay following you?

Thanks,

Daniel

No, once someone follows you and you follow them back - most people would never bother to unfollow you UNLESS you:

post nothing but lists of links to affiliate products
Act hostile and combative and pick fights with people
Use a lot of obscenity

Not saying you would - I'm just saying that most people will not un-follow you unless you give them a reason.

I spend about 20 minutes at a time on there three times a day - so about an hour. I respond to people's Tweets, post tweets of my own, etc.

[krishananda]

Yup most people wont unfollow other people unless because of the reasons as Dana said, especially if you got hundreds or thousands of followers.

And also another reason others would unfollow you is when you don't follow them back.

[VegasVince]

Originally Posted by Dana_W

Before I started internet marketing a little over a year ago, I was intimidated by Facebook and thought it was just for college students. I felt that if I joined it would be seen as weird and I'd be one of the older people on there.

I think Facebook has lost that perception and is getting more and more of a mainstream crowd. Yes, I know it was hugely popular before but that was more of a Myspace crowd.

In a lot of ways I like Twitter better because I find it less cluttered, and also you can have all the followers you want, as opposed to Facebooks 5000 friends, but that doesn't mean I should ignore a potential market.

Sean McAlister, who I work with on some projects, has had great success with forming a Facebook group and getting a TON of members to join really quickly.

Sweet screamin...you know what!

With that avator of yours Dana....

I highly doubt you'll be getting kicked out of too many "social media cliques" for being too old.

Christ...you'se look younger then some of these college chicks.


xxx Vegas Vince
Keepin' it real.

[Josh Anderson]

It seems to me the more effective way to network would to be to build a network of business associates, potential partners, and affiliate promoters. Keep them up to date, exchange ideas with them, and then let them endorse you to their client bases.

I wonder about the answer to questions like how long did it take some guru to make 5000 facebook friends?

Can't that same guru kick off a JV deal with a big list owner and capture 5000 new email subscribers in a day?

How much more responsive are email subscribers than facebook friends?

I got more than a 50% open rate on the last email I sent out.

I have been using linkedin.com for business contact networking which I like as well.

I wonder how much more effective time could be spent participating in a targeted specialized targeted forum in your industry than on some of these social networking sites?

Of course the main difference is the ability to establish your own publishing channel where people can come and keep up with you and people like the toys and communication devices these sites offer that make them "sticky."

I bet though that some people are just not interesting enough or cute enough and that their time would be better spent networking in other ways.

[Sean A McAlister]

Hey Josh...good points and I would agree.
I also use LinkedIn..

There are many ways to market and it comes down to what you do...what you are marketing and Social Networking may not be needed as part of everyones Marketing Mix. However a good Integrated Marketing Plan incorporates a host of marketing vehicles to broadcast the message.


The time spent on these networks can be and is intrinsinctly valuable. More importantly ...they are a form of free promotion. The key is to detail a plan of action...a Marketing Plan... Formulate a message and then systematically broadcast that message, build the relationship. Social Networks are becoming the catalyst for this..

There are Several Federal and State emergency management services opening accounts on Twitter and Facebook to help bridge the gap with emergency updates.

News Organizations such as FOX News, MSNBC and CNN have been making a major push with Twitter and Facebook. The amount of air time given to these social network sites is unbelievable. More importantly they discuss their Twitter Responses and People who chime in on their Facebook pages on National Television.

Imagine if a person became a regular on one of those news Pages? Imagine if you worked your way into the communication....offering valuable posts and insights...building a relationship. And then your name gets mentioned on National Television. Sure...your site is not but your post on the Facebook site would include a link.

Not for everyone I realize this...but for those who are promoting their services and products Social Networking is an important aspect to developing relationships with your clients. And should not be viewed as a means TO SELL all of the time...rather a way in which you can build credibility and trust with your peers and help to solidify your positioning in the market place.

Online Social Networks are no different than Offline local chamber of commerce meetings or After Business Meet and Greets or Networking Events. They are a place for people to come together, constituents, peers, friends, clients etc.

It comes down to how a person uses the platform.

The more exposure any business can get the better. We are tought to Write Articles, Submit RSS Feeds, Spend Money on PPC, Build Lists etc.

Social Networking is one more piece to the puzzle. One more piece of a well executed Integrated Marketing Plan.

And not everyone has a list of 5000 people to mail too...so they can't just go do a mailing

Social Networking is a great way to help build those lists.

Highest Regards,
Sean McAlister

[Dana_W]

Originally Posted by VegasVince

Sweet screamin...you know what!

With that avator of yours Dana....

I highly doubt you'll be getting kicked out of too many "social media cliques" for being too old.

Christ...you'se look younger then some of these college chicks.


xxx Vegas Vince
Keepin' it real.

Awww, you're great for my ego!

[Sean A McAlister]

Originally Posted by Dana_W

Awww, you're great for my ego!

And you definitely need help in that area!

By the way......have i ever told you.............YOUR THE BEST!

[Barbara Eyre]

I have an account on Facebook, but that site runs so slow for ... no matter what computer I'm on or the internet speed.

I have connected with several high school friends on there, but because the site is to heavy with scripts (or whatever it is that makes it impossibly slow), I can't get any enjoyment out of it.

Twitter is much easier, faster, and uncluttered.

[perrybelcher]

Hey Dana, For me it's all of the above, Twitter to Facebook to Blog & Youtube, then after they decide if they like me...to my business sites. I think too many people rush the process, It's like proposing marriage on a first date

[Dana_W]

Originally Posted by perrybelcher

Hey Dana, For me it's all of the above, Twitter to Facebook to Blog & Youtube, then after they decide if they like me...to my business sites. I think too many people rush the process, It's like proposing marriage on a first date

Hey Perry, welcome to the WF! I didn't realize you'd just joined.

Do you find Facebook works as well as Twitter for networking? So far I've found Twitter incredibly easy and Facebook, not so much.

Whatever site that I'm on, all that I do is give out good advice based on my background and experience with journalism and writing press releases - and then let people come to me. It's worked brilliantly on twitter, and here on the Warrior Forum for that matter.

[Sean A McAlister]

Originally Posted by perrybelcher

Hey Dana, For me it's all of the above, Twitter to Facebook to Blog & Youtube, then after they decide if they like me...to my business sites. I think too many people rush the process, It's like proposing marriage on a first date

Or trying to french kiss your cousin....

(only if you live in West Virginia..."Gooooo Eeers")

-sean

[Dana_W]

Originally Posted by The IM Reporter

Or trying to french kiss your cousin....

(only if you live in West Virginia..."Gooooo Eeers")

-sean

I was NOT going to go there. After all those sheep jokes I made on our radio show.

[Dave Ward]

Hi Dana,

yes also finding many of my non internet friends are now coming to me and telling me about " this new facebook site " Twitter, they don't know at all yet.

[Dana_W]

Originally Posted by Dave Ward

Hi Dana,

yes also finding many of my non internet friends are now coming to me and telling me about " this new facebook site " Twitter, they don't know at all yet.

Isn't that astounding? Talk about your LATE adopters!

[Jason Moffatt]

Twitter has a very long long long way to go before it ever becomes anything like Facebook.

Have a peek...

Google Trends: facebook, twitter

[Scott Spooner]

For me, the real question isn't how much traffic, views, or "friend requests", but rather, how does one effectively focus and channel each of these.

Both Twitter and Facebook offer opportunities for getting your message in front of vast numbers of people. The challenge, of course, is (and always has been) how to reach a targeted group.

Your thoughts?

Scott

[KristenArnold]

I actually cringed when I had friends from elementary school popping up and tagging photos of me from 2nd grade.. and worse.. proms..

I was only using Facebook for networking and connections until they "found" me.. but surprisingly, they have become a huge set of helpers, placing their own orders and spreading the word and asking for consultations.. so it just shows you never know how connections will come back to work with you.. even after 15 years and knowing what you looked like with bad hair and braces

I have a few people in my network that have been pushing me to get more marketing focused on my Facebook profile.. I guess I'll have to move that up on the priority list!

[Dana_W]

Originally Posted by Jason Moffatt

Twitter has a very long long long way to go before it ever becomes anything like Facebook.

Have a peek...

Google Trends: facebook, twitter

Very interesting. For practical purposes though - so far, I have found it very easy to find new clients on Twitter and not so much on Facebook.

I'll have to try harder on Facebook - that is a huge potential market out there.

[Jason Moffatt]

Originally Posted by Dana_W

Very interesting. For practical purposes though - so far, I have found it very easy to find new clients on Twitter and not so much on Facebook.

I'll have to try harder on Facebook - that is a huge potential market out there.

I agree with you that Twitter has been much more favorable to me then Facebook. I make anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 per month from Twitter, and maybe only $1000 (if I'm lucky) from Facebook on a given month.

However, in terms of sheer size, Facebook still pounces Twitter by a long shot.

Check out this article... It says....

Report Says Twitter Would Take 36 Years to Catch Facebook - If Facebook Stopped Growing Today - ReadWriteWeb

[Dana_W]

Well, there's proof that size doesn't matter - when it comes to number of followers, anyway. Ahem.

Facebook has many more members than Twitter, but in terms of making money it doesn't matter - Twitter is still a better money maker. I'm not saying I won't try to figure out a way to use Facebook for networking, but it still makes sense to concentrate more on Twitter.