THIS MORNING’S VIRTUAL NEWS
Google+ Ghost Town © mediatapper.com
This morning, I was reading a blog post, ‘Why Google + isn’t a ghostown and Pinterest over took it’. Since both Google + and Pinterest are two of my favorite social media platforms, I could not resist commenting on the post after I read it. I started off by saying, ‘Don’t get me going or this comment will turn into a blog post of its own.’ Well that is exactly what’s happened and here it is. I warned them.
SOCIAL MEDIA TODAY
The post went on to compare and contrast Google + to facebook. Well in my mind, that’s like comparing a boutique frequented by a select clientele to a huge shopping mall where everyone goes to look, be seen and shop. They are not to be compared. One is not better than the other. They are just different, very different. And money does enter the picture.
Speaking of pictures, then Pinterest was brought onto the scene. Before I go any further, there is one thing I have to mention. All of these platforms have become about advertising dollars and where a business, from a small one to a major corporation, will get the biggest ‘bang for its buck’. GM just dropped out of facebook paid advertising, unimpressed by their paid results.
SO WHAT MATTERS
GM has flown the facebook pigeon coop @ silverlight-zone.com
What I say, what I like and what you might think are all irrelevant to the topic unless we are thinking along the lines of monetizing social media. Next, let me say right up front that I don’t care. Monetizing and going public are not the be all and end all in my view. Look at what’s going on with facebook right now and what happened to Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, just to name two for whom going public may have had a substantial downside.
WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
This doesn’t mean that financial intelligence should be thrown out the window. Of course it is important, even essential. But intelligence and gluttony are at opposite ends of the monetizing spectrum that I see.
So do what you have to do but don’t ruin a good thing. I think Google + is a very good thing. I post on it quite often. I also enjoy being very selective about whom I invite into my circles.
On the other hand, facebook is where I hold my raves. I know they don’t have them anymore. But if they did, that is where I would hold them and that is what I would call them, my big bashes. Everyone would be invited.
Right now, Pinterest is the darling of the social scene. She is much too young to bet on how she will mature. For now, she has class, she has charm and despite a bit of flakiness around her legal/copyright edges, she is everyone’s sweetheart, with one exception.
A CHALLENGE FOR GUY KAWASAKI
Pinterest is ‘Almost’ Everyone’s Darling @ etownian
Guy Kawasaki is reported to have said that he is not impressed with her because all she is about is food and fashion. And we know what he likes. Maybe his hockey skates are tied too tight and that is cutting off the circulation to his eyes because that could not be farther from the truth of the matter in many cases.
I invite Guy to visit my boards on ‘The Pinterest Journalist’. There is not one pretty dress and only a few flowers. They do grow in nature, you know. But Guy, just don’t ask me to meet you in the skating rink for a counter challenge. OK?
MY FINAL VOTE
They all have my vote © lizmelville.co.uk
I vote ‘yes’ for all three, Google +, Facebook and Pinterest. Will I spend money on them? Will I participate in a Facebook purchase the week after the IPO? I doubt it. But as time has value, I have spent a fortune in hours, days, weeks, months and in the case of Facebook, years and I have no intention of stopping. There are no social media ghostowns around my blogging territory.
AUTHOR:
Alison Gilbert is a Digital Age Journalist. She is a regular contributing author to DBMEi, writes The Marketing Byte Blog and is The New York Graphic Design Examiner. Alison is the owner of MARKETING BYTES Solutions 4 Local Biz located on Long Island, New York.
This boutique style – very personal service – hybrid company specializes in helping local/small biz generate sales leads by combining the best of traditional advertising with the latest online marketing technology. Contact Alison Gilbert at info@marketingbytes.biz or call 516-665-9034 EDT/NY/US. MARKETING BYTES serves local/small businesses virtually everywhere.
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