Before you start to worry that I have somehow hacked into your browsing history, I should let you know that I’m talking about the crossover between your Facebook and Twitter accounts. I see you on Facebook with your automatic updates from Twitter, and I’m here to tell you that Facebook is not the place for your #hashtags and @messages. If it were, Twitter wouldn’t exist.
While Facebook and Twitter both offer a social community where you can interact with your listeners, they speak different languages. Many Facebook users do not understand Twitter’s framework or use of symbols and abbreviations, and will overlook your “automatic” posts in their news feed. They assume you’re speaking to your Twitter followers, and may not comment even if they have an opinion. They may be utterly confused since tweets tend to make little sense without the context of Twitter. (On Twitter, followers see the flow of your conversations, but on Facebook they only see your side.) This is counterproductive since your goal is to connect with your listeners, not gain their avoidance and confusion.
Instead of looking for the easiest way to combine your Facebook and Twitter accounts, keep them separated and focus on what each community has to offer. It may take more time to make separate Twitter and Facebook posts, but you’ll be rewarded with more listener engagement.
What’s your posting strategy with Facebook and Twitter? Do you use them in different ways? I’d love to hear your opinion, so comment if you’ve got one.
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