I've had lots of questions about this stuff lately, so I thought I'd have a little chat with you about Social Media and how I use it. Who uses Social Media?
What IS Social Media?
Where do I get on to learn about Social Media? and
How do I use Social Media?
Who uses Social Media? Anyone. everyone.
What IS Social Media? Here's how I see it:
Twitter is like a quick-fist bump-high five- kind of a place. You say hi to your friends really quick just to let them know what you're up to... A few fist bumping tips:
*follow your friends or people that Tweet about stuff you're interested in.
* Tweets are only allowed 140 characters, so you have to be concise!
*You call your friends by their Twitter handles which is their name with the @ sign in front of it.
*Twitter has things called hashtags that start with the # sign. Hashtags are anything you want them to be: a trend, an idea, a subject...you name it.
*When you want to shout out what someone else says you Re-Tweet it or RT.
Facebook is more like a sit down-have a drink-catch up-with a little more detail- kind of place...like you are meeting your friends at a cafe or coffee shop to chat it up. A few chatting tips:
*You 'friend' someone or accept their friend request to be able to see their wall & all their info.
*You update your status & tell friends what you're doing. Discussions can occur & it's fun!
*You write on your friends' walls. Remember, everyone can see those messages. If you want to be more discreet (leaning over the table & whispering something only you can hear) you'd send them a Message.
*Facebook has become a place where you can have 'fan pages' since you can only have up to 5,000 friends.
*You can quickly keep in touch with FB friends by 'Like'ing their status updates. You can post pictures, links, etc. very quickly.
Blogging is more like you're coming over to my house, we are in our comfy PJs & sit up all night talking, laughing, sharing, & really getting down to the nitty gritty.
A few blogging tips:
*It's your personal blog, so really...you can blog about whatever you want. You decide what your blog is about: you? food? crafts? giveaways? photography? writing? trends & fashion?
*Keep it positive. My whole mantra is: uplift & inspire. enjoy the journey. so I try try TRY to keep it upbeat & positive. I know...life is not always like that. But, this is my PERSONAL tips & trick about Social Media...After all..Social Media can be used to bring women together...empower & do GOOD in the world! I'm just telling you how I use it! LOL!
*Tag or label your entries so others can find or search your blog. There's a WHOLE bunch of other stuff like SEO & jazz...but that is for another post.
*You can also add RSS feed to get the updates on the blogs you follow OR just follow it to get the update in your blogger dashboard.
Instagram is an APP that is a visual way to share your journey. It's now offered for iPhone, iPad, iTouch, & now Android. Facebook bought them out & is not connected to FB.
You take a picture on your phone & then IG (instagram) has various frames & filters...You upload or post these pix to the Instagram feed on your phone. A few Instagram tips: *You can also use other apps to add more filters, text, etc. I've shared some of my fave apps HERE & how to use them HERE> THEN...after you have your photo how you likey...you upload to instagram. voila!
*You can follow friends, like or comment on their photos, & add friends to see their feed.
*When you want to add or tag someone onto a photo you put their username & @ so...if you wanted to post a pic & make sure I saw what you said or did you'd add: @rhonnafarrer to it, then it comes up in my feed & I see it!
Pinterest (you need an invitation) is a social 'pin board' used for inspiration. There, you can go & get ideas for anything! From fitness to cooking to creating to photography to humor! I see it as a huge bulletin board where I pin up something that inspires me or I want to remember. Then, I make different boards so my friends & family can see.A few Pinterest tips:*Learn the etiquette of Pinning. You can go HERE & HERE to learn, but please educate yourself. There's a lot of 'ignorant pinning' going on out there! *Pin & create your own boards to uplift & inspire. Keep in mind that you can follow your favorite people.*Your 'feed' will show 'Pinners You Follow'. But, if you go on 'everything', beware. You may (or your kids) see something you didn't want to see. I'm amazed at the language & images that are pinned. No thank you. That's not uplifting OR inspiring to me. So, be careful!*Keep updated on new updates & improvements by checking out their official blog. Here, they will tell you any changes, or great things coming!*Be mindful of copyright. THis is mentioned in the etiquette, but there's a lot of infringement going on & needs to have it's own bullet point. Many people will find an image, pin it & not give proper credit. This started a big hubaloo in the artistic community & is still under going lots of controversy! Just be careful. Be respectful. & don't pin something w/o proper credit or links. I've had images of mine pinned & floating around Pinterest that weren't even linked or associated with it. Luckily, some of my followers noticed & commented on the pin, giving credit! Thanks, girls! We can help one another in Social Media!*These boards are not private (yet)...anyone can see, so when I pin or repin something, keep that in mind.
Where do I go to learn about Social Media? Google. search. you will find.
Now...you might be asking:
How do I use Social Media? Think about what YOU want to do? promote your blog? site? product? talent? make friends? do good? spread joy?...decide & then learn about that niche.
It takes time. There's a whole community right there on your computer & phone...& the best part is: it's free. fun. & can be really creative & you can DO GOOD in this world! That is my favorite part about it...see? I found out what I wanted to use Social Media for...for becoming more creative. learning. sharing. & yes..promoting. But, isnt' that cool? all at your fingertips.
Personally, Twitter is where I do most of my 'sharing'....So, if you aren't following me...get on & follow! :)
Set up your accounts so they are all intertwined: i.e. I have my Instagram connected to my Twitter connected to my Facebook. So, if I upload or post a photo onto IG, it automatically goes directly to Twitter & then FB, so I only have to do one post.
And, if I'm not posting a photo, my Twitter goes directly to my FB, so-again...only one post.
Now, my blog is a bit different...I don't have it connected to anything...I have my own reasons for that..but, I have found how it works for ME.
You can do that, too. Just figure out what YOU want to do, what your purposes are & what you want out of it...then, set it up!
There's so much more I could go into...but- that's for another post.
For now....
