Types of Social Media

The types of social media websites used by social media managers are important for bringing in leads and increasing revenue. Social media managers need to know how and when to use these channels to connect with audience members, gain followers, learn about the needs of customers and strategize based on the research.

The different types of popular social media websites are dedicated to social networking, social bookmarking, microblogging, professional networking, photo and video sharing, location shopping and group shopping.

Social Networking

Social networking is the grouping of individuals who share similar interests on a particular website where they can interact and communicate. The interests can be specific or broad. The most popular social network is Facebook.

Social networks are set-up to allow members to connect and express interests. Members can create profiles that contain basic information, add friends or connections, send messages, and be part of a group. Most social networks allow members to post pictures, video clips, music and have discussion boards.

Social media managers target social networks because that is the primary place they can find audience members, establish relationships, and listen to and engage customers.

Social Bookmarking

Social bookmarking is a way of tagging a particular websites of interest and coming back at a later time. When using a social bookmarking site, you can save websites, send them to friends and see what other people have tagged. You can browse through sites based on specific categories such as music, food, shopping, news and sports.

Many social bookmarking sites are news-based. Sites like Digg or Reddit contain news-related bookmarks. These are often breaking news headlines, current events, technology news and so on. Sites like Digg bookmark specific articles and blogs rather than full websites.

Social media managers can use social bookmarking sites to study customer behavior, see what audience members care about and target their needs. Because social bookmarking is category based and specific, it can help social media managers connect with customers of a particular niche.

Social Blogging and Micro-blogging

Social blogging and micro-blogging are interchangeable terms for the same idea. Currently, the most popular micro-blogging site is Twitter. Micro-blogging combines instant messaging and blogging in one portal. It allows members to create short messages to post on their profiles. These messages can also be sent to mobile phones.

The goal of micro-blogging is to allow users to communicate quickly in real time with short messages. Social media managers can use this type of social media network to connect with people in the same niche and study customer behavior.

Professional Networks

A professional network, such as LinkedIn, is a type of social networking site dedicated to career and professional needs. Members of professional networks can create and maintain contacts, promote professional experiences, find jobs and discover new information and offers for specific companies.

Professional networks are primarily portals for networking with companies and specific people in an industry. Members can make connections based on business and career related interests.

Photo and Video Sharing

While there are social networks for broad interests, there are also networks dedicated to specific interests. Photo and video sharing networks, such as Flickr and YouTube, are places where members connect through media. Users can post photos and videos, write comments and have discussions.

Social media managers working with media and entertainment companies can use photo and video sharing sites to gain followers and engage users.

Location Sharing

One of the latest additions to social networking is location sharing. Location sharing networks allow members to share where they are located at a specific point in time. Location sharing sites such as Foursquare are being widely used by companies for marketing campaigns.

Members of location sharing sites can collect points, coupons, and prizes for being at a certain location. Social media managers can really take advantage of location sharing sites to launch highly targeted promotional campaigns. It is becoming an effective way of gaining new customers, engaging them with interactive promotions, and increasing revenue.

Group Shopping

Group shopping is one of the latest trends on the Web. The most popular group shopping network is Groupon. Group shopping is based on volume and is a way for individuals to take advantage of discounts.

Consumers interested in a specific promotion or discount will group together on the site to purchase a product or service. Once a certain volume is reached, each member in the group will receive the discount from the manufacturer.

Social media managers are using group shopping sites for companies interested in launching promotional campaigns for specific products or services. This way, companies can reach out to and engage current as well as prospective customers.