A recent news byte from the Huffington Post reported the results of a social media poll conducted by Rutgers University. After following the Twitter activity of 350 users, it was determined that eighty percent primarily used social media to update readers on their personal lives, while twenty percent used the forum to post links to breaking news. and other articles of interest. Those who “tweeted” for personal use were tagged as “Meformers”, becoming the current news of the day, while the rest were placed in the group “Informers”.

An interesting note on this survey found that “meformers” tended to have fewer followers than those who primarily use Twitter to spread news of a more global concern.

While the sample of Twitter users studied for the purpose of this survey does not seem large compared to the millions of registered users on social networks, it does raise an important question for people who integrate any social media brand into their marketing strategy. online. . Should I exist on Twitter as a “trainer” or “informant”, and what are the pros and cons of adopting either paradigm? How well should the need to promote yourself be balanced with the need to maintain the general interest in the Twitterverse?

To determine the answer for yourself, several factors must be considered. What leads readers to your profile and asks them to click the follow button? What do you have to offer the people who will want them to follow your feed? The “meformer,” as defined by the Rutgers survey, comes across as somewhat self-indulgent and cocky, possibly using the social platform to entertain the world with even the most mundane updates: what you had for breakfast, how are you waiting at a stoplight, etc. While close associates may be interested in the details, is it a good marketing strategy if you use Twitter to promote products and services?

Constant connection to a website or strong sales could also result in the churn of regular followers. While companies integrate Twitter and Facebook into marketing, they don’t necessarily have to be completely relied on to sell. Finding the perfect medium between the personal and the professional: A little “me” and a little “them” can balance your profile enough to encourage you to retweet your posts and attract more followers.

Don’t be afraid to share off-topic items or links related to your business that don’t belong to you. Show your expertise in your field and work on a two-way approach to social media; In other words, don’t constantly talk to others, talk to them. Make good use of the reply feature and let other people know that they are being heard.

Is it better to be an “informer” rather than a “trainer” when it comes to social media marketing? There really is no short answer. The best approach to social media is to do it naturally. Let your unique voice shine through, that will attract followers.