Open and Closed Social Media Networks

All social media networks have their pros and cons.

Instagram showcases stunning pictures but doesn’t allow link sharing in captions.

Facebook is great for long posts but is limited in its reach (outside of paid advertisements).

Twitter is great for short posts and punchy catch phrases but isn’t great for longer post.

The list could go on.

One of the fundamental principles of social media is that the social media network you use should help you grow your audience. Novice entrepreneurs, however, tend to ignore this fact and flock to the social media networks they think will produce the best results based on popularity. 

There are two critical features of a social media network that you should pay attention to if you want to grow your audience:

1. The ability to easily find your page on search engines.
2. How frequently your audience uses that social media network.

The first feature highlights the importance of understanding the difference between open and closed social networks.

What Are Open and Closed Social Networks?

Open social networks allow internet users to view content through search engines and interact with anyone who uses the platform. Pinterest is a great example of an open social network. Let’s say that you type “wedding dėcor” in Google’s search engine. One of the top search results comes from Pinterest. Those who have Pinterest accounts can then comment on the posts, repin them or save them for later despite not being in the network of the post’s owner.

In contrast, closed social media networks are restricted. They set limits on who can see your content and you won’t find content on those networks unless you specifically search for them. Facebook and LinkedIn are examples of closed networks depending on the personalised setting you use on each site.

What Is the Best Social Media Network Choice for My Business?

Ultimately, your social media network choice depends on your target audience and how visible you want to make your profile. Open networks help your social media pages grow at a faster pace, but they limit your privacy.  Closed networks help you create a community filled with customers who are highly engaged with your brand. In fact, they are best used when you already have an established customer base that you can invite to join your network. 

The choice is yours but remember that the social media network you choose impacts:

1. The growth of your social media channel
2. Your ability to generate leads and win new customers
3. Be viewed as an authority in your niche

Final Words

It’s important to choose the right social media platform for your brand so that you can get the highest return on investment (ROI). Closed social networks are more restricted and less visible than open social networks. Schedule a free consultation with me so that I can help you determine whether a closed or open social media network is right for your business.