If we are going to brand our businesses or ourselves online it is important that we focus on the particular target network that is relevant to our customer or client base. We need to engage with our connections in our chosen network and as the saying goes “Social media isn’t something that you “do”, instead you have to “be” social.”
Facebook, is a true “social” network platform and is designed to encourage people to share and communicate with their friends and family. The adaptation of Facebook to business was a secondary benefit identified and so Facebook marketing for business was launched. While LinkedIn (one of the first social media platforms) has established a reputation for connecting college-educated business professionals, Facebook has continued to build on its reputation for connecting almost everyone.
As a “business” networking tool, LinkedIn has been primarily focused on becoming the online Rolodex or card holder of connections or networks for business people. It is in reality a BNI, TNG or Business over Breakfast of the online world. LinkedIn is often pushed as a salesperson’s best platform when it comes to an online sales and networking tool. LinkedIn users tend to be white-collar university graduates, which makes the LinkedIn environment appealing to the business community, job seekers, and corporate recruiters.
So let us take a closer look at the social reach and functionality of each tool. What are the differenced between LinkedIn vs Facebook?
| Members | More than 1 billion | More than 200 million |
| Monthly visitors | 960 million | 97 million |
| Gender of visitors | 43% male 57% female |
50% male 50% female |
| Age of visitor | 13-17 years: 7% 18-34 years: 26% 35+ years: 66% |
13-17 years: 1% 18-34 years: 19% 35+ years: 80% |
| Site features | Photo uploading Private message sending Public message posting Video uploading |
Photo uploading Private message sending – Video uploading |
| Networking features | Event/activity invites File sharing Groups Instant messaging Multiuser games Private messaging Real-time updates from other users |
Event/activity invites File sharing Groups – – – Real-time updates from other users |
| Search features | Filtering Live search results Search suggestions |
Filtering Live search results – |
| Search options | e-mail address Gender Interests Keywords Location Name Online now School |
e-mail address – Interests Keywords – Name – – |
Since each social media platform has a distinct purpose, it’s important for all businesses to evaluate why they are on a particular social media site, what their goals are for it, who they are targeting for their messages, and how they can best use the medium to advance their business.
For further assistance please contact our Net Branding Team.
