Social Media Monday—A List of Social Media Platforms and How They're Used

by Edie Melson

I've shared a breakdown of social media platforms, along with how they’re used, on my blog in the past. But things change frequently in the digital world so it’s time for an update. 

When we know what the focus of particular network is, it’s easier to evaluate if it’s a valuable addition to our personal plan. 

So today I’m sharing a new list of social media platforms and how they’re used.

FACEBOOK: This platform prides itself on being a network that’s socially driven. It allows people to connect in an informal setting, using photos, videos, and text content to interact with friends, family, and lastly, businesses.

Median Age: 46-51

Engagement: driven by how many comments, shares and likes a specific update receives.

Edie's Notes: One of the largest platforms and one of the most clunky. The differentiation between user, creator and advertiser is not well-defined, leading to a difficult medium to gain traction in any but a social-driven focus.

TWITTER: This is a text driven platform, although it is possible to share images and videos. Users are encouraged to interact in microbursts of information with a 140 character limit. There is more meaningful interaction than might first be imagined.

Median Age: 20-30

Engagement: driven by hashtags and retweets.

Edie's Notes: A well-developed chain of connections dominates the value of this network. Utilize the lingo, including hashtags, and it’s simple to engage and grow a fan base.

PINTEREST: This platform is an image driven network that allows users to pin images from the web to virtual bulletin boards. Users are primarily women, and especially popular in the Midwest and southern areas.

Median Age: 28-35

Engagement: driven by repins and follows.

Edie's Notes: Although there are a lot of uses for writers and businesses, this is still primarily a site driven by the female psyche. But do not underestimate this platform, it is, and has been for over a year, the fasted growing platform on the web.

INSTAGRAM: This is primarily an image driven platform. Users snap photos, apply special image filters, and even text overlays. They share these images with followers, as well as over other social media networks like Facebook and Pinterest.

Median Age: 18-25

Engagement: driven by image quality and likes, as well as hashtags.

Edie's Notes: This network is a great way to connect with the younger crowd. The general user is open to finding new connections and eager to share images that resonate.

YOUTUBE: This video driven platform is a place where users can view, upload and share videos. Users can create their own channel and subscribe to others as a way of interaction and engagement.

Median Age: depends on content

Engagement: driven by subscriptions and shares.

Edie's Notes: This is a network that understands how thing work. There are clear definitions of creator, user, and advertiser. I think this is an under utilized network for writers and bloggers.

GOOGLE +: This is what’s known as an integrated social network. It has multiple ways to connect and engage, including everything from video chats to streams of information. Users can connect with others through text, images, and video.

Median Age: 30-50

Engagement: driven by categorizing connections into ‘circles’ of influence.

Edie's Notes: This network tends to attract a more techie crowd. But I still have high hopes that it will someday augment and/or replace the Facebook users.

LINKEDIN: This is a business platform. Users can strengthen and connect with others within their own sphere of influence. The tone on this platform is generally more formal and business focused than other networks.

Median Age: 30-50

Engagement: driven by established connections.

Edie's Notes: This network is generally most valuable to freelance writers and speakers, rather than novelists.

These are the main networks that are useful for engagement. This is NOT an exhaustive list, and it contains my personal opinion of what works and what doesn’t with each one. Yesterday I did some research and discovered approximately 201 social media platforms. That number changes daily.

I’d love to know what network(s) are your favorites and why. Just share your thoughts in the comments section below.

And don’t forget to join the conversation!

Blessings,

Edie

Important Note: This post is only an informational post. I'm NOT changing my advice. I still think it's only necessary for writers to have  Facebook and Twitter. Anything you want to add beyond that is fine, but that is the foundation to build from. Whatever you choose, be sure to restrict your major social media to no more than 30 minutes per day.

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