Should you link Facebook Status Updates to Twitter?
Written by Ron Desi on January 17, 2010 – 3:44 pm -
Linking your Twitter account to your personal Facebook profile or Facebook page is a great way to save time. You update Twitter, Facebook updates automatically. However, I urge you to consider if it’s a good idea given your fans and followers. I use to link the UB/Towson MBA Twitter account (@UBTowsonMBA) to the Facebook page. After all, it was more efficient for me to update in one location. Now, I update both separately. Here’s why.
Different Audiences
I’ve noticed that my friends on Facebook and followers on Twitter are completely different. The same goes for the UB/Towson MBA program. The Facebook fans of the page are different from Twitter followers. Therefore, the message is different. Though I am transparent in both mediums, I share some information on Facebook that I don’t bother tweeting on Twitter (and vice versa).
Different platforms
Twitter and Facebook are obviously different. Therefore, status updates should match the strengths of the platform AND what your friends, fans, and followers expect.
Most of my Facebook friends and fans of the UB/Towson MBA page are not on Twitter. So, when a friend or fan sees a Facebook update written in “Twitter-speak” they are utterly confused. In addition, Facebook is more graphical in nature while Twitter is textual. Take a look at the two Facebook status updates below.
- Example 1: Status update made in Facebook
Example 2: Facebook status update made via Twitter
The first update is what my friends (or fans) expect. The second would likely solicit the following response, “Huh? What’s ‘RT’? What’s up with the pound sign?” In addition, on Facebook, the first update is more engaging and will stand out much better in a newsfeed than the second.
Different Purposes
Though both Facebook and Twitter engage friends, fans, and followers, they do so differently. Fans of the UB/Towson MBA page expect information about the program that is pertinent to both prospective and current students. It is entirely student focused. The MBA Twitter account is meant to engage the business community, entrepreneurs, the local and national media, and other MBA programs. We found that very few students are on Twitter (surprisingly few). Most are on Facebook.
Here’s an example of our Twitter page and our Facebook page. Notice the differences in content. The first is Twitter; the second Facebook.
Twitter Page
Facebook Page
I personally think it’s best to update each separately but you’ll need to decide for yourself considering the factors just discussed.
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