Facebook vs. Twitter: Which is Better for What?

Facebook and Twitter, both are too important to miss when it comes to social media marketing communication. However, when we need to closely strategize when to use which, an essential question would be: Facebook or Twitter? Which is better for what? That is to say, which social media platform offers the best strategies for the specialized needs of business, market and the key publics?

A recent analysis by Irbtrax may help answer the question. The highly triangulated study compares social media marketing strategy benefits of Facebook verse Twitter. Results are summarized as below.

Facebook wins in these areas-
1. More effective in driving traffic;
2. Better social media intimacy, or interactivity;
3. Direct Internet communication from a client contact and human resources management perspective;
4. A better platform for Business to Consumer marketing.

Twitter wins in these areas-
1. Better for viral marketing;
2. More effective in market research and trend identification;
3. A better platform for Business to Business marketing.

I think the comparison analysis is very interesting and useful, especially when social media choices are made for a marketing communication project with specific objectives, timetables, budgets and evaluation criteria. After all, the desired mutually beneficial relationship needs to be cultivated using the most appropriate tool. It's important that we understand each tool we have.