How Many Social Media Sites Should I Be Using?

by Crystal Collins on January 27, 2012

Social Media is relatively new, and is constantly changing. It’s easy to feel spread too thin, if you’re trying to be on all social media channels.

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Stumbleupon
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Digg
  • Flickr
  • YouTube

These are just a few of the hot social media sites you could be engaging on. I’m currently at the Social Media In Action (SMAC) conference in Nashville, listening to some great speakers: Steve Chandler, John Morgan, Jason Elkins, and Dan R Morris to name a few.

Social media in action

One of the key points that they talked about was an answer to that plaguing question: Do I really need to be on Pinterest? Do I really need to be on Google+? Will it help my business to be on LinkedIn?

The answer isn’t a clear cut one: Go to where your audience is. If your audience is on Google +, then go there. If your audience is on Pinterest, then definitely start pinning and engaging with people there. Google + is huge, but I’ve noticed that it’s mainly social media people that hang out there. So if you work in social media, or want to, you should definitely be on Google+.

And the key to making this work is to continuously watch the trends. Facebook could end tomorrow, so are you prepared for that? If you really want to be savvy with your social media, watch the trends and go to where your audience is.

One speaker mentioned to just focus on three social media channels. Dan countered with, “Be on all of them, but utilize your three main ones.” This is a smart strategy for any savvy blogger.

What social media channels do you focus on and why?

{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }

Heather January 27, 2012 at 11:24 pm
So good it hurts. Loved this! There is so much “noise” in social media, it was refreshing to hear that you should filter it & focus on a few main outlets. Thanks!

[Reply]

Penelope January 28, 2012 at 6:24 am
I agree about Google+. StumbleUpon isn’t engaging my readers. LinkedIn is more for professionals. Facebook is great. Twitter began working when I consistently started using a niche hashtag with the Tweet Old Posts plugin. Next attempt will be Pinterest.

[Reply]

Brianna January 28, 2012 at 1:34 pm
I’m on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. For me and what I do, that’s enough. I know the latest trend is Google+, but I just don’t see the point of it. It seems so similar to Facebook and Twitter.

[Reply]

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