Conversation leads to conversion.
As our social networks grow, it becomes difficult to find truly meaningful conversations online.
Some of the best interactions are occurring outside of Facebook right now. You just aren’t having any of them.
Powerful, smaller social media platforms have emerged, garnering millions of users quickly. Few of those users, however, are leaving comments the way they do so freely on Facebook.
These “smaller than Facebook” sites are hyper focused on things like pictures, business, food, where people are and what they are doing right now.
Smaller social sites spawn poignant and focused discussions.
In comparison, on Facebook, it can feel like an “everything but the kitchen sink” newsfeed.
An additional thing to consider when looking at alternative commenting opportunities is email and mobile push notifications.
Have you turned most of yours off from Facebook? I have. Partly due to being overwhelmed, partly because I am checking Facebook so often I don’t need them.
For many, if not all, of the sites outlined below, notifications for new comments are likely still on. All of mine were.
I’m not suggesting to stop commenting on your friends’ status updates on Facebook.
Just suggesting that you think outside the box a bit. Before everyone else does.
Betting you will see some unexpected, meaningful conversations emerge.
1. Pinterest
Everyone on Pinterest is “Pinning” and “Liking”, very few are leaving meaningful comments. The entire purpose of Pinterest is for people to curate items and ideas that inspire them. Starting discussions around that premise seems logical.
2. Foursquare
The common usage here is “checking in” at restaurants, airports, sporting events, etc… Some go further and leave tips at places they are checked in at as well as a photo. Very few people, however, are leaving comments on their friends check-ins. Commenting within Foursquare is a great opportunity to interact with your sphere, while they are doing something important to them.
3. Instagram
Their recent acquisition by Facebook for a billion dollars combined with the release of their Android app has skyrocketed Instagram’s user-base past fifty million users. The photos stitching together the quilt of our lives are flowing. The comments are not.
4. LinkedIn
Everyone wants business from social media. LinkedIn is a business focused social media site. Commenting on what your connections are sharing on LinkedIn will keep the discussions business centric. Not always a bad thing.
Are you on all of these sites but not leaving comments?
It often isn’t the platforms fault when you do not see a return on your time invested with social media.
How you use them and thinking differently is what really counts.
