connecting on social media
Why Social Media?
Social media is the environment in which communities can blossom. This is far different from websites which are largely one-sided.
Websites are great. It takes a lot of work to pull together the wealth of information to sustain an informative and current website. When done well, they can be great repositories to which readers will return, and refer others. And generally websites list ways that you can contact them, although some make it really hard to find.
What difference does social media offer? The major important difference I see is that social media provides the opportunity to connect with the authors quickly and have a dialogue right on the site. And social media is by definition informal–you know the social aspect. Social media presents fresh usually stamping the posting date.
Some people fudge the dates. But there are also those who completely disable the date function on their blogs. I think it’s an important distinction between blogs and websites, and I think many people look for that. If I want to know how current something is on the internet, I’m going to check for date and/or version.
Dates can creates a measure of urgency to generate more content. When I look at my calendar and see I’ve not posted in a while I start to get antsy. Regular posting means your blog has a pulse, and I want mine to live. And of course the definition of regular is relative to what your goals are.
What the Personal Draw of Social Media?
When I first learned the term social media, my question was what is that. Media designed to let users be social, right? Yes but the internet extends your reach globally. You can call a person to connect over the phone. Or, you can write to friends anywhere in the world, simultaneously, and connect for a conversation.
My first introduction to social media was through a work setting. Before that, I had tried my hand at blogging by setting up one at Yahoo, then later in MySpace. I didn’t do much with them, and never thought about them as social media. What drew me to it were some of the same things I’ve read and heard from many bloggers:
- Social media people believe they have something helpful to share with others.
- Most of us have a need to be seen, to be open, and this inspires a lot of good, authentic content.
- People who participate in social media have the desire to dialogue in a larger community; they seek the exchanges that are possible.
- Business owners may or may not understand, but they respect the fact that their public responds to personal connections.
Connecting and having something to share are reasons I embrace the practice of blogging and social media. I recognize and accept the fact that I need to be seen from time to time.
My Social Media Perspectives
I find that people who maintain blogs and participate in social media really want to be in touch. And that’s why I joined them.
1. Twitter: @sharils
Twitter is the most work-oriented group I’ve joined. It feels like work, in part because that’s how I was introduced to it. Like anything else, you get from it what you bring to it. It’s networking with a relaxed twist. You don’t have to dress up to meet the group. In fact, you don’t have to dress at all. I’ve often tweeted in my pj’s and felt very much on top of my game.
2. StumbleUpon: njw-ss
StumbleUpon is for bookmarking sites that were of interest. It takes some of the pressure off my bookmarks and allows me to share them with other people. A quick review (you have a space for that) reminds me what I liked about the site/post when I first came across it.
3. Facebook: Shari Smothers
My brother made me do this. I’d heard about it for yeas for college students, (not old people like me), so I ignored it. A week after my brother told me about it and to do it, I was amazed. And it feels just like what I brought to it, it’s full of family and friends, who just want to be in touch.
4. MySpace: Shari Smothers
MySpace has largely run its course for me. It was one of the first places I joined and it’s now one of the last places I visit. I don’t keep up with that blog anymore, since I have this one and Telling Stories. It seems to lend itself to musicians and such, and has a large number of musicians who post their work for all to hear. Artists can put up their music easily for sharing and selling. I visit because I have friends and family there.
How to Choose Your Social Media Sites
There are a lot of social media sites today. The above four are some of the most popular. But take a look at Digg, Mixx and other social bookmarking sites. You can try them on and see which one(s) best meet your needs.
Mashable: The Social Media Guide is another great resource for details and insights about social media. It answers questions and provides other resources to get answers you may be in search of.
Social Media: Learn by Doing
Do your research, and then join a few to see how they work for you. You can only get so much theory before you do it. Besides applied theories yield the best and fullest information.
You can’t feasibly join everything. But you can join a few. It’s how you learn their inner workings, and what works for you and your goals. Social media is the current big thing in networking, promoting, and marketing. And there is a definite sense of community if you want that.
There are many reasons you may want to connect. Remember that, like all things, what you bring to social media, informs what you get out if it. You can be conspicuously you, using your name and face, so that you can be identified easily.
However, if you prefer to be anonymous, these platforms make it easy to do so. Whatever identity you choose, always remain true to yourself. Authenticity is what will keep your community viable. And have fun with it.
If you should join any of the sites I’m on, by all means, look me up and connect with me.
Tell me about your connections on social media. Which are your favorites and why? Leave a comment or link to mine in your post.
Related Post:
twitter: you have to use it to learn it
