Social Media - Jump Right In

People are always telling me that they want to learn more about social media, but don't know where to start. My answer is..."Jump Right In."  Don't be shy with social media.  Try it and see what you like and what you don't like.  There are many social networks that I have joined and tried for a while, then stopped using.  One that comes to mind is StumbleUpon.  I tried it, felt like I was only tagging articles for the benefit of others and not getting anything out of it, so I stopped wasting my time on it.  In the end the return on investment (ROI) just wasn't there for me.  I was spending time using it, but not getting anything in return, so I just stopped using it.  Just like you can do with any social network.  You need to make an effort, use all of the features, and stick with it for a while, before you just write off a social network.  The only way you are going to know if it's for you is to immerse yourself in it...not just dabble in it.   Go Big or Go Home.  If It's Worth Doing, It's Worth Doing All The Way.  Start with one social network and see what you think.

Make no mistake about it, social networks can be a time suck.  Updating your connections on what you've been up to, reading what your friends are doing, and responding to questions, can take a lot of your time.  Time and productivity.  Leverage your mobile devices.  Smart phones, tablets, etc.  Some of the most common push back I get at speaking engagements is from people who say that they have no time for social media.  My response is to use your spare time.  Fit it in.  Make your unproductive time productive.  Whenever you are waiting , pull out your phone and get busy on social media.

Why would anyone want to know what I ate for lunch?  The wouldn't, so don't share uninteresting information like that and bore your followers.  Social media gives you a chance to prove that you are an expert, an influencer, knowledgeable about the topics that spend all of your waking hours focusing on and dedicating years of your life and career to.  Read on your phone or tablet and as you keep up on the topics that you always read about, share the articles on social media with your opinions.  This will establish you as an expert in your field and people will follow you to see what you have to say and share.

Give social media a shot and jump right in.

Socially yours,

Greg

Social Media Greg AKA SoMe Greg
Gregory T Simpson
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