Over the last few weeks I’ve been soaking in all kinds of great info from bloggers I admire at Alt Summit and the IFB Conference. One conversations that came up a lot was social media: When do use it, how to use it, how much time to invest, what the tricks are. Here’s two of my favorite takeaways that I’ve started embracing and implementing in my own business.
1. Pick 3 Platforms
This advice came from Erin of Design for Mankind and I cannot tell you how grateful I was to remember it when my Instagram feed suddenly blew-up with people screen-grabbing their new Vine profiles.
My three are Instagram, Twitter & Facebook. They’re my favorites. The ones that come most easily to me; I interact on them without having to think about it; I’m already there because I enjoy it.
Pinterest, which I use sporadically, is not a part of my daily or even weekly rhythm. So, guilt be gone!
Then there’s Vine which, if you are loving, then love on! But I visited it for the first time and wanted to fling myself upon the bed wailing. Another thing to add to my day? Another skill set to figure out how to do well? I didn’t see anything I loved; wasn’t terribly inspired; it just didn’t click. And so, I rose gloriously from my bed of weeping when I remembered Erin’s advice and realized that I do not have to be everywhere.
There is no girl scout badge to be earned for most social media profiles.
Feeling overwhelmed is something I write about a lot because I think it’s a way many of us suffer silently, thinking everyone else is somehow doing it better. This is one way to mitigate that. You have permission to not be on every platform every day or week. Pick three. Go in peace.
2. Use Each Platform Differently
When Liz from Late Afternoon started talking about this, it totally clicked for me. I already knew there wouldn’t be reason for a reader to follow me on all three platforms if I was just sharing the same thing 3 times over. So each is a little different.
However, I had never sat down to think: What is someone getting from following me on Twitter vs. Instagram vs. Facebook?
For me, I see it like this:
Twitter is where we’re friends. I’m live tweeting my thoughts on the Oscar red carpet, finale of Downton Abbey, or that even a hot model guy does not have my permission to be flat-out wearing plaid pajama pants in this coffee shop at 11 a.m. thankyouverymuch.
Instagram is where I offer style tips and inspiration. Since I can’t blog my outfits & style tricks 5 days a week, I share as much as I can on Instagram, breaking down why an outfit works, how I styled a thrift find, or giving inspiration through my #StyleMe Instagram challenge.
Facebook is where you go for a lovely break during work. Whether inspiring quotes or pretty Pinterest images, it’s a five minute coffee break and I’m giving you things you can share on your own page with your friends and followers that they’ll thank you for.
On all three, I do link to blog posts or announce new classes and offerings. But even if you already read my blog that morning, there’s many things that week you’ll miss if you’re not also following me on all three platforms.
So, I’m doing more with less. Which makes me feel like jumping on that bed instead of weeping upon it. How about you?
There are so many different social media platforms out there now and using 3 seems like a very reasonable and doable thing. Different platforms require different types of information and different ways you can connect with people. A great article.