Where do you even start?
Do you Facebook or twitter?
Do you network on LinkedIn or not?
I too was confused until I started reading, going to conferences based upon social media, and really learning. Because while there are advertising, marketing, and public relation degrees in college, there really is no degree in social media. Although I foresee this changing in the future.
Before getting started with all the tools, we all need to realize that we won't all use the same tools. What one blogger or social media consultant may use or swear by, there is always going to be someone who finds it to be useless and subpar. It is just a way of life, work, and preference.
We all have different needs when it comes to social media, so we aren't going to need the same tools right?
Lets start with being social and using the social aspect of social media!
- Facebook - You can always use your own personal Facebook page, but I suggest creating a "liker" page, or what used to be called a Fan page. It gives you the opportunity to separate work and play
- Twitter - Twitter is a great conversation tool, you can show people you are a real person and build a community. But of course there is a whole other set of rules and etiquette that comes along with the use of twitter. (Post for another time)
- StumbleUpon - StumbleUpon is just another form of sharing your blog posts, as well as helping others and sharing posts you enjoyed reading. It will also help to drive more traffic to your blog if you follow the rules, and of course tag your posts appropriately.
- Google + - Google + is the new google social media platform which is extremely similar to Facebook. There are different perks, as well as downfalls. Perk? You can pick and choose who to share things with. Downfall? There isn't a ton of people there yet. It has also seemed to lose steam.
- Pinterest - Pinterest is a virtual pinboard. A pinboard in which I spend way too much time on. You can post blog posts there, although most of the boards, and blogs on there are craft, or food blogs. But if you blog either of those it is a great way to get exposure!
- HootSuite - HootSuite is probably one of my favorites. You can schedule posts, which is my biggest love of it. Then it covers Facebook, Twitter, and other networking sites like LinkedIn, Wordpress, or Foursquare.
It is a lot to take in, and all of it can be incredibly confusing. Especially if you are new to the whole social media thing. I remember joining twitter ages ago and never using it because I was just so confused. Now I am a twitter pro! It takes time to learn, and it is worth spending the time because of the need when it comes to blogging today. Or even just marketing for a business, or company.
Facebook is another essential tool today. I can tell you as a consumer, and mother... when I find a company I love, or want to research products, I always go on Facebook first to see if they have a page, or see if they have a twitter stream. I look for coupons, specials, customer service interaction because to me the way they handle their customers and "fans" on these "fan" pages is a direct reflection on the company as a whole.
Do I always judge a company 100% like that, of course not, but it is a huge part of forming my opinion.
Social media has just become so helpful, and essential in marketing, as well as promoting yourself, or building your own community... for us bloggers at least. What you put out is your brand. You are your brand!
I know there are a ton more to cover, but these are my favorites, and what I use on a daily basis. Every day it seems like there is a new social media platform to sign up for or learn... but pace yourself. One day at a time, master them all one at a time because if you try to take on too much at once, you will just give up.
