Blogging tips: on social media

5.09.2016



Fact: I find juggling all the social media from a blogging standpoint overwhelming and quite odd.  So keeping up with the theme of truths on my blog this week, let's just lay it all out there:

  1. I loved Instagram, Twitter and Facebook before I had them linked to my blog- simply because it was personal.

  2. I currently love SnapChat and so do my kids.  You can find me on there - ShoestoShiraz

  3. As a blogger, I feel pressured to have big numbers to feel more...legit. Sigh.  I hate getting sucked down that rabbit hole.

  4. I feel like growing my numbers is easy to do, all you have to do is follow people and they follow you back, but then it feels somewhat unauthentic, doesn't it?  Especially when you get followed by the ItWorks mafia, who are just trying to sell things all the time.  I also don't enjoy the automatic DMs you get from people once you follow them.  Feels too fake to me.

  5. But at the same time, I have found some really neat people by reaching out, so there is a silver lining.

  6. I have only been concentrating on one social media platform to learn about and grow per month, as authentically as possible.  Last month was Instagram, this month is Pinterest.  I like this. Feels less stressful and plus I like learning.

  7. I have used the following tools in my learning: Archie, Tailwind, BoardBoaster, Likestagram, Crowdfire, Hootsuite.  In the end, it's the apps that help with scheduling that I like the most (Tailwind, Hootsuite) because I like to be organized on the weekends and get my whole week planned out.

  8. I have since made separate, personal Instagram and Twitter accounts so I could actually see the posts of people I care about in Instagram or follow up any Blue Jays news on Twitter.  You know, the important things.  Which has been a strange outcome as now I find I spend less time on social media, scrolling through random people's random posts.

In the end, I struggle with social media and I am sure that it will continue to be a roller-coaster. On one hand, I don't want it to occupy too much of my time, but on the other hand I do enjoy the challenge of growing my blog.  And you know, I think this has to do with social media in general too, right? Spending your life on Facebook is not living.

Hop on over to Jill's blog to see what great tips she has to share!

49 comments

49 comments

  1. Marta C09 May, 2016 22:02

    I totally agree social media is totally overwhelming! I really love your tip about focussing on 1 per month to keep it authentic, that's such a great idea!! I really need to try some of those tools, I haven't as of yet so thanks for sharing those.
    Marta
    www.sweatersstripesandsweets.com

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  2. Jill09 May, 2016 22:10

    I'm trying to focus on FB and Pinterest but love the idea of focusing on one platform every month! I also need to get on board with a scheduling tool. Thanks for sharing these ideas!

    Jill
    Doused In Pink

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  3. Sarita G09 May, 2016 22:16

    I've heard wonderful things about hoot suite! I need to try it!

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  4. Nicole Miller09 May, 2016 22:45

    I hear ya. I also find it overwhelming. Twitter is the worst for me. Having the Photography media stuff plus my own, plus my blog, I don't even know where to start sometimes. I love how honest you are here - also. I'm old and have no clue how to use snap chat. I don't even have the app - is it worth it??

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  5. Whitney @ Whitney à la mode09 May, 2016 23:08

    I also have separate accounts for my personal and blog social media. I think that's part of why I have smaller numbers of followers...I'm not advertising to everyone I know. But I'm really ok with that (most of the time).

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  6. Living on Cloud Nine09 May, 2016 23:24

    Bha ha ha... The ITworks mafia, so true!! I know what you mean about overwhelming, the whole social media thing, I know I may be doing myself and injustice but I do not have Facebook or Insta. But I do love Twitter and Pinterest, what I do with my Twitter is just go through and delete anyone that is something sponsored, something that I would have no interest in, but usually only follow people are in my niche who I find truly interesting so trying to keep the little More real, ha ha!! Great tips!!

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  7. Beth Newman10 May, 2016 00:08

    #4 hits the nail right on the head for me. Sometimes it just feels like more than I can keep up with too.

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  8. Christy10 May, 2016 00:26

    You speak truth. All of it.

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  9. Becky @ bybmg10 May, 2016 00:32

    Yes... there are so many forms of social media. It's so hard to keep up! Honestly, Snapchat is just really fun right now, so sometimes I just go where the fun is! :) I'll add you later today!

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  10. Ashley White10 May, 2016 01:06

    It can be a full-time job just trying to keep up with social media! I totally hear you- scheduling tools save my life. :)

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

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  11. Sarah @ Foxy's Domestic Side10 May, 2016 01:23

    I always feel like social media is a full time job...I just need to learn all about each social media things and then figure out what works best for me...So hard to keep up with everything, Do people not sleep?

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  12. Laura10 May, 2016 01:25

    Social media is hard for me too. I like to focus on my blog posts and don't feel like I have time to properly do social media. Learning Hootsuite is on my list this summer because I think it would be really helpful to me!

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  13. Lisa @ Daily Style Finds10 May, 2016 03:15

    Thanks for your honesty, Deena. I agree - following can be so "fake" sometimes. I've gotten the weirdos that like a post - only to promote their business (like men's speedos - haha!!!!)

    Lisa
    Daily Style Finds

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  14. Lana L.10 May, 2016 03:21

    Couldn't agree more. So much to do. I really like Instagram because I like seeing everyone's pictures. Unless they're It Works Mafia members.

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  15. Jordan Hamilton10 May, 2016 05:22

    Still haven't tried SnapChat. Might have to take the plunge.

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  16. Whitney10 May, 2016 06:10

    Social media can be just as time consuming as blogging. Great points and perspective!

    Xoxo,

    Whitney & Blaire

    Peaches In A Pod

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  17. Amber Shannon10 May, 2016 08:02

    Interesting social media review!! I think it's a great idea to have separate accounts so you see the posts from your loved ones... I don't follow too many people on IG, though, so everyone once in a while, I scroll through the list of people I'm following and check to see if I missed any posts by my friends/fam!

    ♥
    Amber
    All the Cute 🎀
    Today's Post: Novelstyle Shop Photoshoot

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  18. Shaunacey11 May, 2016 00:55

    YES it's so so hard to keep up with social media. I am such a small blogger and I have no freaking clue how others do it. Baffles me. I've backed off a little bit lately and have just been doing what I can when I can and I find that it working for me. I was getting too caught up for a little bit and it was stressing me out.
    As always, I love your voice and your honesty friend.

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  19. Shaunacey11 May, 2016 00:56

    and we ALL know how I feel about It Works. hahahahahahah it's the reason the internet hates me

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  20. Dana Ivy11 May, 2016 06:42

    I TOTALLY agree with you! I tell my husband all the time that I need a social media assistant and he looks at me like I'm nuts. But other bloggers get it. It's not easy! And new things continuously become popular and it's really hard to keep track of it all. The fact that bloggers have to wear so many different hats is difficult! But I love your idea of focusing on one platform each one! I might steal that from you!!

    Xox Dana Ivy // www.iadorewhatilove.com

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  21. Deena Simair11 May, 2016 10:19

    And the thing that I should have added about focussing on one a month is that I find time for it when I can and I allow myself to not worry about the others. Makes it fun and less stressful.

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  22. Deena Simair11 May, 2016 10:20

    Very overwhelming, indeed....I would love to snap with you.

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  23. Deena Simair11 May, 2016 10:20

    Definitely worth the look! I really like Tailwind for scheduling pins.

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  24. Deena Simair11 May, 2016 10:20

    I really need to look at my stats and see which platform actually drives the most traffic.

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  25. Deena Simair11 May, 2016 10:21

    I tell lies, here and there. Beware.

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  26. Deena Simair11 May, 2016 10:21

    I think that's why I have been enjoying the scheduling ones.

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  27. Deena Simair11 May, 2016 10:21

    And you know, I love that you have completely mastered the platforms you like- makes me feel inspired

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  28. Deena Simair11 May, 2016 10:21

    Hear, hear!

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  29. Deena Simair11 May, 2016 10:23

    I keep forgetting to find you on it...I find it hard to find people and navigate in general.

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  30. Deena Simair11 May, 2016 10:24

    I feel like my blog is the center of what I do and takes enough time as it is. So frustrating because I want to do IT ALL.

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  31. Deena Simair11 May, 2016 10:24

    I think they do it while they sleep

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  32. Deena Simair11 May, 2016 10:24

    I am so curious to know how much time the bigblogwigs put in with social media....do you have a favourite platform?

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  33. Deena Simair11 May, 2016 10:26

    bahahhah- so very true!

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  34. Deena Simair11 May, 2016 10:27

    bahahahhahahahah. I miss chatting with you.

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  35. Deena Simair11 May, 2016 10:27

    That's a great idea!

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  36. Deena Simair11 May, 2016 10:27

    SO VERY TIME CONSUMING!

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  37. Deena Simair11 May, 2016 10:27

    Get your students to teach you.

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  38. Deena Simair11 May, 2016 10:27

    lol

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  39. Deena Simair11 May, 2016 10:28

    Do you have a favourite platform?

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  40. Dana Ivy11 May, 2016 10:56

    So I focus a lot of my efforts on insta and Facebook but I know I should be doing more on Pinterest!!!

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  41. Becky @ bybmg11 May, 2016 12:20

    Just added you!

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  42. Leslie Clingan11 May, 2016 16:47

    Need to check out this Tailwind business. I recently learned about Hootsuite and what a glorious time-saver and help for someone who can't remember anything from one minute to the next.

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  43. Emily Green12 May, 2016 02:49

    I think it is alwaysss going to be a struggle! I love your idea of picking one a month to do that! I try (pinterest was my goal this month... I haven't started off well) but always end up dedicating so much time to Instagram and Twitter. I have personal accounts too though, that I use for family and such. Love reading this tip posts!
    Emily
    Darling, Dearest

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  44. Mommy Logs12 May, 2016 03:00

    Haha agreed! Spending your life on Fb is definitely not living! Social media is a hard one to stay consistent with..some days I'm really in the mood to post and some days I just go missing ..,for days. Thanks for listing the apps that's been helping you...I'll have to look into those!

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  45. Deena Simair13 May, 2016 09:08

    Thanks for stopping by- I have a hard time with Pinterest mostly because I find it hard to follow people- it's not as user friendly as Instagram or Twitter are. Or I'm just blind.

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  46. Deena Simair13 May, 2016 09:08

    Tailwind is awesome for Pinterest and would probably benefit you with all the work you do for the Blended Blog on Pinterest!

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  47. Deena Simair13 May, 2016 09:09

    I like the idea of going missing for days! I need to start doing that.

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  48. Making the Most of Every Day13 May, 2016 22:43

    I really need to start scheduling social media. I'm growing away from it because I now follow so many ppl I don't know that I just don't care. I'm talking about IG. I've gotten away from FB and I never liked Twitter. Summer is when I'll focus on Pintrest. Snapchat is just for me and my friends. I'm not opening it up (yet). (Had a good laugh about the ItWorks mafia! So true!)

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  49. Jane Doe21 May, 2016 02:19

    I struggle with social media as well. I think it can be both wonderful and horrible. You have the benefit of connecting with like minded people, but it's also time consuming and there is the occasional negativity.

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Have a lovely day!

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