Originally posted by H. Sapiens As for FB/Instagram vs. their own "channel". I totally understand the aversion towards FB etc. But for Ricoh to build their own international community ... Well, that will take time and require quite an effort from them. If not, it will end like a sad, abandoned place. So Big Mack and others might have to cut back on the FB/Instagram resentment, if they want Ricoh to have some success with this. I think you guys underestimate how many people it will require to build and run this internet community (programmers, moderators, content creators). FB/Instagram offers a massive shortcut.
Yes and no. From pro PoV (I am IT sitting in web development) FB/IG offer one shortcut: platform, and while it is huge one as you get website, mobile apps, communicator etc. it is also as big of a trap. FB is not worldwide, China = no FB. So you need two platforms. You still need moderators, content creators, photographs etc for FB and second platform. Third and fourth too (I suppose Weibo/Weechat or maybe Renren/QQ) if you want FB/IG duo equivalent.
It also ties you to not only platform, but also its demographics. You are dependent on people who are using FB. And younger people are moving away from it which means you can be left with older generations and no access to new customers unless... you get yet another platform.
Also it limits the way you can present yourself and your ideas and to communicate. Webpage is open for everyone, FB need you to be registered to do anything.
Going FB only for client communication is not as easy as it looks like and requires a lot of thought and preparation. And I saw companies with heaps of money backing away from FB as main communication channel. Sure, they still keep presence and their FB accounts are pretty alive but it is not main channel to present ideas. It is more of an info board pointing to their own websites, blogs etc.