The other day my customer Sally wanted to start tweeting. She asked what is the difference between tweeting away and posting on Facebook. It's a lot different I started to say. It is SO different!
If you post too much on Facebook people will either make you an acquaintance vs. close friend so your posts will not show up in the feed as often; or worse, they could unfriend you! And if you post too much on your Facebook business page they will just your Facebook page. I don't think you would want that I told Sally.
Adjusting for the Algorithm Changes
Now posting and tweeting away gets even more complicated today with both Facebook and Twitter tweaking their algorithms more frequently. If you don't post on Facebook feed or your business page several times a week your postings could be seen by less friends and followers.
Why is that? Facebook has changed their algorithm. They want to see engagement, relevancy and timeliness. Facebook doesn't want to rate those users that don't post to their Facebook walls or pages to show up more than their engaged users.
With engagement being a key element on Facebook not only must you post but you must like, comment or engage with others on their feeds too to rank higher. You cannot just be a lurker on Facebook if you want to get results from a Facebook page or a post in your personal feed. It just does not work now on Facebook. They will even let you know now.
Facebook takes a leaf from the LinkedIn school of "engage with me I'm needy" posting prompts https://t.co/3z35e4IFCT
- James Clark (@Ronin_Jim) February 29, 2016
Twitter too has now gotten into the act with their own Twitter algorithm tweakings. You can now choose which tweets you want to see first. Twitter sort of picks them for you but you can check off that feature in your Twitter settings.
How often should one post on Facebook?
That's the 10 million dollar question Sally and others have often asked. One has to be careful not to post too much or not at all or very little. It's like a secret sauce recipe. Some people today still claim to know the optimal times to post.
Posting and tweeting away really is an individualized thing. It depends where you live, how many friends and followers you may have, what you post, images you use, etc. It is very hard to say what works for one person will work for another. You must check your Facebook Insights for info on your Facebook business pages and Twitter now offers great analytics as well. If it's your personal page it may be how many are liking your posts or commenting.
Some people may just be addicted to posting on Facebook
A recent study found "Effectively presenting oneself to others, which includes the sharing of self-related information, is a crucially important social skill, playing a role in occupational success, romantic attraction, making friends, and other desirable aspects of life."
How Often Should One Tweet Away?
Now on Twitter it's a bit different. But I must clarify that. If you have only a few followers it is similar. Tweeting too much could become a turn-off and you could get muted or unfollowed. But when you have a lot of followers - like over a few thousand you can tweet much more than you can post on Facebook. People expect you to be active on Twitter. There are many tools you can use to check your Twitter stats to see how you are doing with your tweeting away.
Posting to Twitter From Facebook - A Big NO NO!
This is my biggest pet peeve is when folks post every Facebook post to a tweet or every tweet to a Facebook post. Now an occasional one is okay. It could be something special, unique, important, etc. But each and every post to a tweet? If you forgot how it this habit started, go to your Twitter profile on a desktop (it doesn't work on mobile) and then to apps - you can revoke your Facebook app to stop sending out those updates on your Facebook feed. See to the right-->
For Facebook you would have to go your Facebook settings. There is a great tutorial here if you cannot locate it.
"Focus on how to be social, not on how to do social." - Jay Baer Click To Tweet
Marc Guberti wrote a great post on why posting from Facebook to Twitter is not a good idea.
Facebook Business Pages - 13 Must Know Tips!
Check out this infographic on how to have a successful Facebook business page. See reason #2 for folks to unlike your page! Number 1 is being uninteresting, don't be caught being boring with your Facebook page....
How do you use Twitter and Facebook differently? Or do you just post from one and let the other duplicate? I'd love to know your opinion in the comments below!Top Twitter image from http://www.iconspedia.com/
