We’ve all been there. Left scratching our heads in confusion as the next “better” microblogging platform makes it’s way into our lives. To make it even more perplexing is the fact that microblogging is a major social/marketing entity. One could say that microblogging is essential to a successful marketing presence.

But, with the rapid introductions of new microblogging websites the question is always with us, “Should I even bother with more than one?”

Quick answer: Emphatically… “YES!”

Websites like Twitter, Pownce, Plurk, Identi.ca, Jaiku, and ReJaw are all available and should all be used.

Microblogging websites all have multiple personalities

The thing with all the different sites dedicated to short, quick updates (microblogging) is that they all have their own distinct flavor, or personality. None are the same. Out of all the microblogging networks that are live right now, and in the future, not one of them has the same look or feel. Each one is distinct in how they engage the user in the conversations.

Twitter has a vertical timeline, Plurk has a horizontal time line, Pownce is vertical but more compact, while Identi.ca is also vertical while staying compact and very simple. Each one is different. Each one allows the user to engage with their followers in different ways.

For the most part, most of the microblogging networks have a different tab to see the replies to your updates, while Plurk allows replies to be threaded into the actual update and ReJaw has a notice showing how many replies there are to the thread.

Each has it’s own style, feel, look, flavor, and mindset. And each one is incredibly valuable to your social media marketing.

“But It’s No Twitter!”

A very frequent cry among the Twitterites is that there is nothing that stacks up to the king of all microblogging platforms, Twitter. While I do admit that Twitter is an amazing tool, it’s not the only one.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the “It’s not Twitter” mantra every time a new network went live. The problem with that is that people are limiting themselves, being too one-dimensional, in creating a broad web presence. Even the “top marketing experts” will stick with Twitter, and forsake all others, behind the “need to keep the noise to a minimum” excuse. What they are really doing is becoming a social snob.

Networks like Plurk, Pownce, Identi.ca, ReJaw, and Kwippy all have their place in your social networking. However, they aren’t all equal in terms of how you use them.

Multiple Networks Means Multiple Uses

I have an account at every microblogging website I come in contact with. And I use them all differently. Here’s why;

1.) At each website I meet someone different. I love this aspect of it. I’m not just limited to one group of people.

2.) Each new person I meet I connect with at other websites too. If I meet someone on Plurk, I then connect with them on Facebook, LinkedIn, Digg, or some other social website.

3.) Each microblog I join I have different friends so we talk about different topics. Sometimes it’s the same thing (notify about blog post, Olypmic results, etc.) but most of the time the conversations are entirely different. You need that. It’s not an issue of noise. That excuse just doesn’t fly. You listen to what you want and cut out what you don’t. If I don’t want to “hear” the noise on Twitter, I don’t open Tweetdeck or Twhirl. No noise. You need the varied stimulation you get from talking with different, and new, people.

4.) I receive different interaction with each website. A few weeks ago, Darren Rowse of ProBlogger.net wrote an amazing post about the difference between Plurk and Twitter. In the post he said;

“On average I’d say that when i post a question Plurk AND Twitter that I get more responses on Plurk despite having less than a fifth the followers. This is because conversations on Plurk tend to stay alive longer as they are put on your followers timelines not only when you write them but when people respond to them (a feature called ‘new responses’). This means people tend to reply or comment not only once on your initial plurk but later on as others comment.“

I have pretty much the same experience. When I ask a question via Ping.fm (which broadcasts one update to a ton of social sites all at once) my Plurk replies are much more engaging than what I get on Twitter.

5.) On some websites I am more business like, while others I am more me. That’s just because of the way that the microblog is being used overall. Again, Twitter is more business like and to the point, while Plurk, ReJaw, and Pownce are more laid back and fun. I feel more comfortable letting more of my personality out in some of these sites and others. The atmosphere, for me, dictates how I will interact. I see that in others also.

Some of the people I follow on each of these sites all do pretty much the same thing. There are some things that get broadcast to all the sites, but there are those things that are said specifically on others.

6.) My traffic goes up when I participate in different social networks. It’s just common sense. If I participate only on one website, let’s say Twitter, then I am severely limiting my exposure. However, when I participate on several other networks the traffic goes up accordingly. And by different people.

Don’t be a Social Snob!

Interact with different people, in different areas, among different topics. Don’t get to rigid (“I have to keep myself focused and cut out the noise”) and forget that social means social. Not snobbish. And, yes, that’s exactly what it is. Snobbish.

Broaden your web presence, and meet new people, by taking a look at the different microblogging networks that are available. Test them out for awhile. You’ll get use to them. And you’ll see why it’s so important not to limit yourself to just one.

Add me as your first follower

I try very hard to refollow everyone who adds me to their network. Sometimes I miss the notice, but for the most part I believe in the “I follow you, you follow me” philosophy. With that in mind, go ahead and check out the following networks and add me… I’ll follow you back.

Twitter
Plurk
Pownce
ReJaw
Kwippy
Identi.ca

That’s enough to get you started.

Social media websites revolve around on central theme. Conversation.

The conversation between friends, followers, listeners, plurkers, etc… is they key that turns the entire social media machine. Without the conversations you don’t have social. Without the social you don’t have a network.

In the marketing world, the conversation is also the key element to a successful marketing campaign. Marketing within the social networking environment is therefore conversation heavy. In other words… you have to be a part of the ongoing conversations in order to have maximum impact for your marketing.

But how? How do you do that? More importantly, how do you do that and not look like you’re marketing anything?

Creating conversations in social media

Add something useful Whichever social media website you’re engaging on at the moment (Twitter, Facebook, Plurk, Pownce, MySpace, etc.) the key to your success in joining in the conversation is to add something of value. When someone asks a question, if you can, provide an answer. When someone states something about their day, comment with something encouraging, constructive, or equal to their own statement.

If someone posts a blog link thank them for it. If someone says something you disagree with engage in a non-hostile way. Just state your view and leave it at that. No need for arguing, name calling, bashing, or otherwise ruining your own reputation.

Just add something useful to both that person and for the others who will also see it.

Reply when the situation merits it. There are so many times when I’ve sat there and asked myself whether or not I should, or actually have to reply. For instance, when someone says ‘Good morning’ on Twitter or another microblogging network, should you reply? Here’s when I would reply to something like that.