So, I just came across this question posted in a LinkedIn Internet Marketing group for everyone to see:
“Obviously we use LinkedIn. Why would you use Facebook? Do you use both? Which do you prefer, under what circumstances and why?”
I’ll assume this question was rhetorical, posted for the sole purpose of stimulating conversation. Or maybe I should think that the writer of this question has never been to Facebook. Because I cannot imagine why someone would post this question in an Internet Marketing forum that is–presumably–full of people who practice Internet marketing for a living.
Seriously, it’s like asking “Do you use the telephone or email? Or do you use both?”
I know that there are people in the world who have computers, jobs, kids and far-flung relatives who still resist Facebook. Apparently, they do not buy into the latest news from Advertising Age that predicts that Facebook will be the #1 site on the web in three years’ time. Or maybe they just don’t care.
But I don’t actually know anyone who has been to both sites who does not understand that LinkedIn and Facebook are dissimilar services.
It takes about two minutes on LinkedIn to understand that it is not the place to share information about your kids or your weekend shenanigans (I had to get that word in for St. Patrick’s day). And about two more minutes to discover that Facebook is primarily about personal connections and the social aspect of connecting with brands on “fan pages.”
LinkedIn focuses on professional and industry information–which makes it a prime target for job-seekers and recruiters–while playing down the “social” aspect (though you can see who changed jobs or received a promotion; who’s traveling for business; who’s making a speech, etc.) Facebook is thriving and vibrant with as many status updates, fan pages, kid pics and photos of weekend activities as one can stomach. Oh, and according to the same Advertising Age article:
“Facebook recently became the top source of traffic to major sites such as Yahoo and MSN, surpassing Google. Hitwise said that Facebook is the fourth leading traffic driver to news sites.”
Really, where are the similarities, and who is confused by this? Maybe I just don’t appreciate rhetorical questions online.
Spot on. It boggles my mind to see people who think that Facebook is another marketing channel for their career development – some even complain about the 5,000 friend limit. Who needs 5,000 friends!?!?! Facebook is for your friends and place to report on life. LinkedIn is for business and career development.
True. And Facebook also is an EXCELLENT place for brands to connect with consumers who want tips, how-tos, insider information, coupons, promo codes and the like, on fan pages. But it is not the place for career development, nor will one find a lot of the industry and professional information that exists on LinkedIn.