To Tsu or Not to Tsu? | Social Media Agency

For the past 48 hours I have been working Tsu to see if I think it’s worth my time. Tsu is one of the new social media platforms which were bound to surface. Will G+, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook be the only platforms of their kind? Forever? Of course not. But is Tsu going to be able to make it? Now that depends upon the content.

Everyone knows that great content leads to engagement, brand loyalty, terrific customer service and a solid network. If you know your audience you should be able to solidify your relationship with them through social media. Therefore, all the content that the users of any platform are posting is essentially what makes the platform viable.

I’m on Pinterest because I’m easily addicted and want to feel bad about my cake-making skills. I contribute content, but, as with most who pin, I’m sharing what’s already there. If there was nothing to envy on Pinterest I wouldn’t be drooling over it all. (Have you seen the deep fried candy corn?)

How to make money with Tsu

Tsu’s angle is to acknowledge that we the people are in essence creating and sustaining the platform and therefore deserve some dough. This is how it’s explained in their FAQ: “tsū is a social network with an embedded payment platform. tsū aggregates advertising, sponsorship and partnership dollars, all from third parties (like other social platforms do), for the benefit of its social users. Since users create almost all of the content and interactions (just as they do on other platforms), tsū shares 100% of the economics as royalties for their content creation and network adoption. The algorithm tsū abides by is simple, which creates economics for users based on their content and size of network.”

After 48 hours of Tsu-ing, I’ve earned, wait for it, 24 cents. I can’t cash out until I make $100. Conveniently, like LinkedIn, Tsu provides instant analytics regarding post views.

How Tsu works

As to the look of Tsu itself, the layout is clean; it’s intuitive, and it’s green — the color of money. Minty fresh money.

Tsu lets you easily post to Twitter and Facebook (both or just one) at the same time you post to Tsu. You can Follow and you can Friend. Following means you see their stuff. Friending means they can see your stuff. Liking is an option on posts and that gets you a little heart. Sharing is also an option. However, when it comes to sharing, it is very unlike my beloved G+ in that you cannot add your thoughts and therefore no attribution. That bugs me. You can title a post but you cannot format it. I need italics in my life.

There is messaging but no video, no GIF action, no lists or circles. You can find people to follow but each time I check it seems to be virtually the same 20 suggested profiles. I’ve followed you already, Tsu Creator Sebastian Sobczak, why does it keep suggesting you then?

Verified accounts do exist: LeAnn Rimes Cibrian, 50 Cent, and some athletes. I really can’t say if they’re major athletes because I’ve never heard of them. But that’s more a Jane problem than a Tsu problem. Now, LeAnn has posted on Tsu. One time. Five months ago. Curtis Jackson posted three photos (part of setting up the account) 20 days ago. I don’t get on social media because a celebrity is there. But I would like to see someone who has a huge fan base get on there and just see what happens regarding the moolah. Could it turn into a YouTube alternative with viral content-making Internet superstars? The potential exists.

Google+ vs. Tsu

What Tsu doesn’t have me is excited. For those who keep tabs on me, you know that my heart lies with G+. When I first got on there I knew one person, my husband. Without knowing anyone else I found fascinating posts, blogs and extraordinary photographers. Now, I don’t know every single one of my 61,000-ish followers, but I do have a network, a circle if you will, of those who have something to say that I want to hear. And they know that if there is an eye roll or a sarcastic comment to be dropped, I am there for them.

The ability to be in a video hangout with nine others; to broadcast a Hangout on Air; to help feed the most used search engine in the world — that is exciting to me. It’s also obvious to me that brands, and local businesses in particular, should have a G+ business page. It ties in with Google Maps and Reviews and it’s a no-brainer. (I told you I had Plus love.) Now, if a month from now I’m making decent bank just for being my own brilliant self on Tsu, then I’m sure I will be singing its praises as well.

The final word on Tsu

Tsu has a Multi-Level Marketing aspect with your tree and your descendants. That way everyone gets paid. Something. At some point. Tsu calls it the Rule of Infinite Thirds. I have five “children.” And should you want to be one of my children on Tsu, knock yourself out http://tsu.co/JaneEllen.

So, who’s on Tsu? I haven’t found any numbers, yet, for total users. For me, I see many of my G+ friends on there. It’s like a segment of Plussers all moved as one to try it out because what have you got to lose? There are plenty I don’t know and at this point I’m following everyone. Content-wise, I see a lot of crap. I mean, a lot. Things like, “get $ by liking and sharing this post.” Snore. The Plussers who I do know are doing their usual thing that I have come to know and love.

Should there develop enough Tsu users of quality content populating the platform, then it will be just as interesting to me as any other. It is in the stage where it can become what you want to make it. If it does take off, will G+ start paying me for my content? I would not be opposed to that. I’m also looking at you Facebook and Twitter.

The real question, should you Tsu or not Tsu? The way I see it, you will only lose time by Tsuing. If you want to give it 15 minutes a day as an experiment, and you’re the curious type, I say do it. But a Liz Lemon reaction does lurk within me every time I sign in. Really Nerds? Am I really on another social media network? Will there be cake?