Social Media vs. Social Network

Did you know that the terms "social media" and "social network" aren't actually interchangeable? I know, crazy! In our ever-increasingly globalized and interconnected society, we hear these words thrown around each and every day. But what do they really mean? Could learning how to distinguish between various social platforms actually change the way that we view marketing?

Let's begin this discussion with some simple definitions. Social media is defined as a website or application that enables us to create and share content. A social network is alternatively a website or application that enables us to communicate with one another by posting information, comments, and messages. So, what do these definitions mean? Well, content for each platform should be tailored for the type of content that the platform was designed to carry. For example, social media channels should be used for sharing information about your business. A social network channel should be used for community and relationship building. Examples of some social media channels would be Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok; and examples of some social network channels would be Twitter and Linkedin.

Now you can use this information to evaluate what pieces of content you will share on each of these different platforms to effectively promote your business!