Social Media Etiquette Archives - View from the Front Porch

23 10, 2017

ABCs of Social Media Sharing for Writers

By judythemorgan|2017-10-06T12:57:51-05:00October 23rd, 2017|Make Me Think Monday|0 Comments

Authors want readers. Readers want to connect authors. FB, Twitter, Pinterest, blogs, and other social media platforms can help.

Trouble is using social media can also take time away from writing.

But it doesn’t have to be. By spending a little time on social media consistently, we can make those important connections.

Try these tips to help.

Allocate your time:

Spend fifteen minutes twice a day posting and responding to posts to put your name or book on reader’s mind.
Focus on the primary social media platform where you find your readers.
Use a scheduling program like Hootsuite when you can’t physically be on line.

CAVEAT here: Scheduling can sometimes backfire. In our crazy world today, a post, tweet, or blog might appear inappropriate on a scheduled day if something like Las Vegas or a weather event happens. Be sure to monitor what you schedule.

Be ready – collect ideas for posts/blogs:

Keep a running list of quotes that inspire you.
Bookmark and save funny videos to share later.
Make a list of open-ended questions you can ask.

Connect with these posting ideas:

Ask open ended questions
Request suggestions on something like what to fix for dinner, fashion, or hairstyle
Invite opinions on a movie you’ve seen or book you’ve read
Share things in posts that give readers a picture of who you are

-a hobby or passion you have

-pet pictures or anecdotes

-favorite recipes

-a link to an Amazon review you’ve written for another author

-what you’re reading or what’s on your TBR pile

-participate in day-of-week-hashtags like TBT (Throwback Thursday)

-seasonal pictures or pictures of places you’ve traveled

-vacation photos when you return Another CAVEAT here: I’d never invite burglars by announcing departure dates

It is important to share, but it’s equally important to avoid some topics such as

Negative or derogatory posts. It’s always better to be nice and positive

Political rants (unless you are a political writer or part of an activist group building a following)

Religious attacks

Eeyore-type poor-pitiful-me comments

I’ve only skimmed the tip of the iceberg on using social media. There are a gazillion other ideas. I invite you to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

6 10, 2014

Social Media Etiquette and Guide

By judythemorgan|2014-10-06T06:00:42-05:00October 6th, 2014|Make Me Think Monday|0 Comments

Social media has become a popular tool for presenting your agenda or product thanks to the trend set by Barrack Obama’s 2008 and 2012 political campaigns where he employed the use of sites like FB and Twitter.

Social media sites provide “A seamless communications network that has the power to cross cultural barriers and capture the attention … more effectively than ever before.”

Entrepreneurs frequently use SM as an incredible FREE marketing tool. Personally, I use most of the SM platforms to entice readers to buy my books. It’s a fantastic means for promotion of products.

As a means for getting your message or product out there, social media is priceless.

HOWEVER, social media also comes with red flags.

Stories about stories about social media gaffes by people and businesses are commonplace. The way you and/or your public relations team conducts itself on social media can have a lasting effect.

If we use SM, we must guard our reputation as this Lakota American Indian proverb reminds us.

Our tracks on social media sites are embedded forever. No ocean waves can ever erase their presence.

So how do we do we guard our reputations when we don’t have an Emily Post etiquette book to guide us?

You can find 10 very specific tips to protect your web presence here

You also have to remember that management of your presence varies based on which social media sites you’re using — Youtube, Google Plus, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or Facebook.

Don’t mistake the different social medias platforms as being the same. Each site has its own personality and its own unique platform for various audiences. It’s important to learn the right etiquette for each individual site whether you’re posting for pleasure or business.

Ivan Serrano, a business journalist and infographic specialist, has created this incredible pictorial guide to the most popular social media sites.

CJ Lyons shared Serrano’s infographic on her site along with suggestions for guarding your reputation here

Vocus.com blog also posted an in depth guide to social media etiquette along with Serrano’s infographic here.

Click on the graphic to view a full-sized version of Serrano’s infographic. You may have to click twice to get the enlarged version.