I think it's easy for those of us who like to jump into new activities, to think that "everyone" has this social media thing all figured out. I've heard people say things like "it's so easy - why wouldn't you have profiles everywhere!?" or "you have to be a dummy to not 'get' social media."
Hold on there pardner...before anyone starts talking down to anyone else, how about we recognize a couple of key points?
- Using social media effectively takes real time and commitment
- Once you jump in,there are consequences to getting out...so take the time to strategize what you want to get from your social media involvement
- Choose wisely - not all social media platforms are necessary, and not every one will help you accomplish your objectives
Social media platforms are just tools - nothing more and nothing less.
When building a house, you need certain construction tools, but not others. You pick and choose according to the type of building, location (do you need to dig out a basement, for example? You're going to need some excavating tools), size, materials (metal roof?), etc.
The goal is to build a strong, (hopefully aesthetically pleasing), functional home - and the tools all help to achieve that purpose. While some people might drive an excavator around for the fun of it, most will drive it only to achieve a certain objective.
Same with social media tools. Some are fun, just for the heck of it - Facebook for me. It's great to connect with old college friends and family. I don't want too many work colleagues on there because it's not a work-related platform at this point. Others differ and use it to connect with all sorts of people.
Other tools are more business-focused - like LinkedIn. It's a great tool to connect with work colleagues, networking acquaintances, clients, etc. Some draw their circles tightly around their profiles...others connect with whoever asks. Again, as a tool, what usage makes sense for your needs? If you're job seeking for example, perhaps connecting with a larger range of people is the best approach.
Take the time to strategize what you hope to achieve by using social media tools, and which ones make the most sense for your needs.
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