So there are a lot of great things about Social Media if used properly. Then there are things involving Social Media you should NEVER EVER do!
These are my 5 Do’s and a Don’t of Social Media
1. Do Have all accounts: Even if you don’t think you will need them. It is important to have a google plus, an Instagram, twitter, etc. These are great ways to promote your blog, yourself, and get yourself out there. Sharing your information on as many platforms as possible only helps you.
2. Do Make all accounts cohesive: This is mainly for bloggers but if you have a logo or a button or a header you love make sure its present on all of your Social Media accounts. People want to remember you and you want that as well. The best way to do that with Social Media is to have all of your accounts looking similar. They all have different formatting but you can use the same colors, fonts, etc. (Same goes for a Media Kit if you have it.)
3. Do Engage: Ask people questions, post a funny story or article you find interesting. Retweet things from people you find interesting. Share others articles and posts on Facebook. Give people plus +’s on google. Its not just about self promotion. You have to give to get. I like the 70/30 rule. 30% of your self promotion of posts, your own work, articles etc. The rest engagement. Engage with people constantly. Something I hate is when someones twitter is littered with scheduled posts of just their own self promotion.
4. Do Know your audience: This goes with number 3, know what your audience likes and doesn’t like. This takes time. Learn what they respond most to and do more of that. If they like a question of the day ask one. If they love seeing your new posts daily post them. If they like hearing about your life and the silly things you do then share those. Your audience is not going to love everything you do and thats OK but if you feel they have a strong response to something try to cater to that.
5. Do What scares you most may help you most: I used to be terrified of google plus because I did not understand it. I think we all get set in our ways of what we like. Maybe you love Facebook and Instagram so you put all of your focus on that. But google plus will help you with SEO, page rank etc if you are a blogger. So if something scares you, learn more about it. Ask questions, do research. Then you will wonder how you lived without it.
MY ONE DON’T: Don’t over share. Don’t post things that will be too invasive to others in your life. If your significant other does not want to have their name shared, don’t share it. Keep in mind when you share things on Social Media about yourself its one thing but bringing other people into it you have to be OK with their opinions. They may not want their life shared on blogs or Social Media 24/7. Be kind about it and be sure you ask first. They will thank you for that and be more likely to participate when you want that cute Instagram selfie.
What are your do’s and don’ts of Social Media? Did you find this helpful?
Thank you for this, it was helpful! As I’ve become more serious about my blog, I’ve been amazed at the amount of time social media requires! I’ve been just adding one thing at a time so I can try to get used to it and not overwhelm myself. I’ve had Facebook and Pinterest forever, joined Twitter and Google + a few months ago, and just recently added Instagram. Trying to remember to keep up with all of these platforms is a real commitment! I need to get better about number 3 on your list.
This might sound odd, but one of my DONTS pertains to cursing.
I admit I don’t have the nicest language when I get mad and so forth and so on. But on social media I think it’s a huge importance to keep your foul language at bay. Trying to be professional, I feel very few people can take you seriously when you’re dropping terrible language every post/tweet.
Sometimes it works for people, i’m not discrediting that, but for me personally that is one DONT.
I need to work on number 4! And I definitely agree with your one don’t. I choose not to use the names of my spouse, kids, or other family members.
And I really like the comment above about keeping language clean on social media
Great tips!!! I really need to get back into google plus. I still never use it.
Great article! I’ve also found myself intimidated by Google+ and even tho I have an account,I don’t spend a lot of time using it. guess it’s time to buckle down and figure it out
I would say my one problem as a blogger is that I don’t really use my social media sites for my blog that much. I very rarely post about my blog on any of my social media outlets, I definitely need to change that. I like this list, thanks for posting it 🙂
This is great! I agree with the “Don’t Overshare”. My bf recently read one of my posts and was not thrilled that I mentioned him as “the boy”. Lesson learned!
Thanks for the advice! I have been using facebook and flickr for ages and am learning instragram. I have twitter and google+ accounts but have done nothing with them, so far. After I am comfortable with instagram, I’ll work on google+.
I agree with all of this and also with what Kaylin said. If we want to establish relationships with brands we have to use our own voice but also remain professional. Thanks for the great advice, Neely!
Google+ scares me. I know I need to have it, but it just seems overwhelming. I’m scared!
Great tips! I think another tip is to be present on Social Media. You mentioned the engagement and the 70/30 rule. The engagement with others is where your community will come from and build from. You don’t have to be a rock star at all of the platforms, but be really at awesome on at least one. Your community will know that’s where you “are” and will build around you there.
I definitely think you make a good point about Google +. I don’t think a lot of people realize how important it is for SEO. I need to start utilizing it!
I love this advice. You are amazing!! I need to be more consistent on social media. I go all in then get burned out.