Personally, I would have to say Facebook. By the end of March 2012, Facebook had over 20,000,000 active users in the Middle East. Due to its popularity among users in the Middle East, and the ease with which marketing plans could be carried on Facebook, it is probably the best starting point for attracting user engagement in our region.
Facebook for the majority of brands but for certain niches, Twitter works better. Go where the users are. A Dubai-based electronics startup initially focused all its time on Twitter because that's where all the Apple/Android fanboys are. When it expanded its offerings, Facebook became a more important tool.
If your content is more visual and original video content can be created, YouTube would be the more effective medium considering the amount of usage.
As I'm living in Syria, I really believe that FB is the most successful social media especially
in the period of war !!
Facebook now is not important to meet only ur relatives and ur friends whom they are far away, but even to contact the near friends and even ur neighbors too.
It's now the safest way to contact, inform, share, comment, meet...and to console as well.
There is no such thing to be called the best social media channel for marketing, if this was the factor then you would find most of the companies focus their attention to this specific channel. Every channel has its own way of branding.
And the best way to brand a company is by following the customers to the channels they prefer.Giving them the feeling that they are always connected to the brand.
Plus all channels must be giving the same amount of time and interest it turns people off from the brand if they didn't found the company brand on their favorite channel.
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Marina Abaza , Project Assistant (Case Management) , International Organisation
Facebook and twitter.
Facebook is offering exceptional and low cost marketing opportunities that are best suited for any small business. No one can ignore the fact that this social network currently has more than 300 million users that are scattered around the world. In that regard alone, it can qualify as the best social media for small business. Many businesses now recognize that using Facebook is an effective way to build online presence.
Twitter has undoubtedly grown tremendously over the recent year. Many analysts and experts assert that it is the best social media for small business. The microblogging site serves as an incredible marketing platform. Any business, big or small, can leverage the network for its projects, products, and brand activities.
To use social media for marketing purposes you should know where you are most likely to find your target audience (Facebook, twitter etc.); Only then can you decide where you want to be. There is no single answer that works for everyone or all businesses.
It is important to make sure you are very clear on the objectives set, on the message you would like to convey and the audience you want to reach. Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Blogging are all channels you can use for social media marketing but each will have a different strategy and a different way of communicating your message.
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Amit Amberker , Looking for Creative Designing Projects which needs to be Done on Photoshop, Illustrator, CorelDRAW , Freelancer and Self Employed
Hello Roba Al-Assi,
I believe, the best Social Media Channel for Marketing in the Middle East or India or any other Country are:
~ FaceBook
~ Domestic FREE Classified Web-Portals
~ Adv Inserts in Newspapers
And yes, I agree with George Durzi that everything depends on the Target Audience based on their Business Plans and Strategies.
I agree with some of the people who said it depends on the target audience. Yes, Facebook could defniitely be one of the channels for Marketing but what about Twitter? LinkedIn? Let's not forget the new kid on the block (Google+).
My answer would be once again, depends on the target audience :)
