The Next Web’s recent article, “The Social Media Cheat Sheet,” features an easy-to-read PDF with color-coordinated ratings of the top social media websites, created by the marketing gurus at CMO.com.

The sheet details various social media sites and how well they can be used for customer communication, brand exposure, upping site traffic, and SEO. At the top of the list? Twitter, of course, allowing instant interaction and exposure for anything, as well as re-tweeting links and sending traffic your way. YouTube and Facebook rank high, along with Digg, though McLellan cautions that the site’s user-driven rating system eschews any perceived commercial content. “Buzzing up” through Yahoo!’s new service, along with the lo-fi Reddit don’t get high marks in any category, but this doesn’t mean they can’t be utilized by your company, you just need to know your audience. Social bookmarking sites like StumbleUpon and Del.ici.ous are listed with some value, too.

The SSN Take: Diversification in the social media landscape is a good thing; utilize each site’s strengths.

Sam Hartman, March 20, 2010

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