Change is often difficult. Yet, without change, we don’t merely stagnate, we get left behind. So many of my clients come to me because they don’t want to be left behind.
Their professional colleagues talk about making great connections through LinkedIn. Their friends get and stay in touch with their family and friends through Facebook. And all kinds of people are using Twitter to stay up-to-date on current events
Yet, sometimes my clients resist getting involved in social media because it feels like just one more thing to do, one more thing to learn, one more they don’t have time to do, one more thing that will frustrate them.
Trust me, I can relate.
In the last few days, I have become savvier about using Skype and got more familiar with Google Drive (which is now much more than just Google docs). I also committed to creating my first webinar. And yes, one can be savvy on social media, but not with other “techie” kinds of things.
In each of these situations, I felt the way I know my clients feel, saying to myself “Do I really have to do this?” Yet, I know I need to move forward and embrace these technologies if I want to grow personally and professionally.
At the same time, I need to cut myself some slack and realize that each of the things I have chosen to investigate has a learning curve; that I won’t be comfortable with them overnight.
Steps to Use When Embracing A New Social Media Site
- Start with just one new social media site.
- Create an account on the site, being careful not to allow the site to send automatic invites to people you are connected with through your email address book.
- Begin adding information into the profile including only what you want others using that site to know about you.
- Review and adjust the privacy settings, making sure they meet your needs.
- Start connecting with others, but be discriminating about who to accept as a Facebook friend, LinkedIn connection, etc.
- Explore the site to see its various functions.
- Use the site’s help center as you learn the terminology and the capabilities. Also, ask questions of your friends and colleagues who use the site.
- As appropriate, like or comment on the posts that come up in your news feed.
- If you wish to share what’s happening in your life, be aware that the appropriate place for personal posts is Facebook, more professional ones on LinkedIn, and a mix on Twitter.
- Be authentic and conversational in your writing style.
- If, after a while, you find the site doesn’t really suit you or meet your needs, you can always delete your account.
How About You?
What was it like when you first started using social media? What kind of a learning curve did you experience? Do you have any tips about a specific site that might be helpful to others?
About Joyce
Joyce Feustel helps people, especially those age 50 and up, to become more comfortable using social media, especially Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter.
She works with business owners, business development professionals, leaders of nonprofit organizations, job seekers, retired people, consultants, and many others. Find her at www.boomerssocialmediatutor.com.
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