I’m a big fan of healthy boundaries. I’m not so great at maintaining them, though. But I have set a few for my blogging that have been very helpful. The main one being that I will not do all the social media things. I have chosen to keep up with 3. Three isn’t a big scary number that makes my brain feel overwhelmed and frenetic. You might be able to handle more. I have others on tap, but don’t use them with the same regularity and discipline.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Is #socialmedia for your #blog overwhelming? Maybe it’s time to narrow your focus. Be intentional.” quote=”Is socialmedia for your blog overwhelming? Maybe it’s time to narrow your focus. Be intentional.”]
But first, let’s talk about the Top 5. You should really be working to build your social media presence on at least 2 of these platforms:
- Google+
- YouTube
I get that there are oodles of other platforms, some of which may have value to me, but I refuse to chase down and engage on every social media platform. So that means I have to make smart choices about the ones I choose to engage in and be willing to adapt and stay informed on the rest.
A quick google search will turn up tons of social media platforms, most of which are geared to the under 30 crowd. They’re the early adapters and they’re always looking for something better. But even they are hanging on to at least one of the social media’s Fab 5.
Some social media platforms exist for very specific purposes such as business networking, dating, local foods & shopping, but there are many others with very broad uses, such as Instagram.
So how do you decide where to go? First, you need to have decided what your tribe looks like. Then do your homework and find out where your tribe is engaging. (Are they 30-something women? Go to Pinterest!) This is where your Facebook networking groups will come in handy. And of course, the Great Google very rarely lets a girl down these days.
Once you’ve figured out where your tribe is, it’s time to start engaging. And by engaging, I don’t mean doing a drop and dash, posting your link and calling it a day. Pick two or three that you really work on engaging, building relationships, interacting with others, sharing the work of others that your tribe can appreciate and more. Social media can be used like the neighborhood bulletin board, but it should be so very much more…much muchly much more, in the words of Dr. Seuss.
Today’s assignment:
Make a list of all of the social media platforms you are currently using. Ask yourself these questions:
- Am I using enough social media platforms? Too many?
- Am I focused on engaging, or am I doing the drop and dash?
- What two of the “Fab 5” are the best for your tribe? What others might you want to add?
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