With 62 percent of men and 71 percent of women Internet users using social networking sites and
18- to 29-year-olds ruling the ranks with 83 percent using social
networks, it’s no wonder new networks are created at a rapid pace.
As communicators and marketers, it’s important we understand not only the most widely used sites – like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn & Pinterest – but also the up-and-coming ones. Below we’ve outlined some social networks that are new to the scene, and explain what they offer to our very social world.
Snapchat - This app allows users to send pictures that disappear moments after the recipient opens it. With 150 million images sent on the app daily, brands have been trying to find ways to reach the app’s young demographic, and some have used it to send coupons or other exclusive materials.
Quixplore – Follow friends & organizations to see and join activities and events. There is only a web version and a waitlist to join, but Quixplore makes it easy to share events across multiple platforms and link accounts. For instance, if your Facebook page is linked, events you accept there will show up on Quixplore. You also can filter and find events by type of activity or location.
Thumb – Available in web or app form on iPhone & Android, this network offers “Instant opinions.” Created for those who need a second opinion while shopping, people use it to give and get feedback on music, artwork, hairstyles, relationships, food and movies. Perhaps a way to get quick, unscientific market research.
Chirpify – Perfect for those in the retail space, Chirpify allows members to sell in-stream on social media. “People purchase instantly by replying and commenting ‘buy.’ No linking off social media, no shopping carts or checkout process. Instant sales,” the Chirpify site says. The feature is available on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
While it’s impossible to maintain a presence on every social network, it is important to be present on those that your audience is on. Often times the best approach is to create a placeholder account and listen. See what the audience is saying and who the average user is, and then decide whether it’s worth it to devote time there.
Have you joined any of these networks?
As communicators and marketers, it’s important we understand not only the most widely used sites – like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn & Pinterest – but also the up-and-coming ones. Below we’ve outlined some social networks that are new to the scene, and explain what they offer to our very social world.
Snapchat - This app allows users to send pictures that disappear moments after the recipient opens it. With 150 million images sent on the app daily, brands have been trying to find ways to reach the app’s young demographic, and some have used it to send coupons or other exclusive materials.
Quixplore – Follow friends & organizations to see and join activities and events. There is only a web version and a waitlist to join, but Quixplore makes it easy to share events across multiple platforms and link accounts. For instance, if your Facebook page is linked, events you accept there will show up on Quixplore. You also can filter and find events by type of activity or location.
Thumb – Available in web or app form on iPhone & Android, this network offers “Instant opinions.” Created for those who need a second opinion while shopping, people use it to give and get feedback on music, artwork, hairstyles, relationships, food and movies. Perhaps a way to get quick, unscientific market research.
Chirpify – Perfect for those in the retail space, Chirpify allows members to sell in-stream on social media. “People purchase instantly by replying and commenting ‘buy.’ No linking off social media, no shopping carts or checkout process. Instant sales,” the Chirpify site says. The feature is available on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
While it’s impossible to maintain a presence on every social network, it is important to be present on those that your audience is on. Often times the best approach is to create a placeholder account and listen. See what the audience is saying and who the average user is, and then decide whether it’s worth it to devote time there.
Have you joined any of these networks?
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