Social Media Networks Brands Need to Know About

The BIG 3: Facebook, Twitter, and, as of 2012, Pinterest. Yes, these three social networks are, by far, the largest. But, there are some new players on the social media scene that brand managers and social media savants alike should know about. Now.

RebelMouse

It’s no wonder that with all the social properties you’re trying to manage, it’s hard to remember when, where and why you posted your latest tweets or status updates. And while some brands may manage their social sites disparately (or with minimal connection), a new social media kid on the block, RebelMouse, helps users see the picture they are truly painting through all their social media channels on one, easy-to-understand screen.



Think of the RebelMouse dashboard as a profile of your actions. It’s not so much for you, but it’s for those who follow you, like a collection of your interests and thoughts. So, go ahead. Let your followers and fans get to know…well, you.

Viddy

Since its launch in April 2011, Viddy, a social video editing and sharing app, has racked up millions of users and has become a favorite of socially active celebrities. Think of Viddy as the “Instagram of video”. Users can shoot, edit and share 15-second snippets of video, allowing their followers to get an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at their everyday life. Brands are jumping on the Viddy bandwagon, too. General Electric is, perhaps, one of the flagship brand users of the network, using the short format to give its followers an up-close-and-personal look at the latest and greatest GE technology.

Medium

Brainchild of Twitter co-founders Evan Williams and Biz Stone, Medium may be the next up-and-coming social network for not only brands, but the masses. The beauty behind Medium lies in its unique offering. Medium takes submitted user content, such as photos and text, and arranges it into graphically-pleasing “collections” of image/text hybrid items or article snippets that are defined by a theme and template. Medium enthusiasts are free to review, add to, and peruse the various collections—if a particular item in a collection is liked by many, it increases the likelihood that others will see it and the poster will be notified of the positive feedback. Think of it as Instagram meets Tumblr meets real life memes. And while many have only seen previews of the network, there will certainly be a line of expectant users come launch day.

Polyvore

Are you a clothing, beauty, or retail brand? Then you should be on Polyvore. This fashion social sharing tool, which rose to fame after gaining popularity on Pinterest, is the web’s largest fashion community site where users are empowered to discover their style and set trends around the world. After discovering fashion finds on brands’ online show rooms, users can create clothing inspiration boards, then share these boards socially. Time will tell if Polyvore has legs beyond the fashion and beauty industry, but this is one network to keep on your radar..