Social Media Monday—Get a New Perspective on Social Media

by Edie Melson

I post a lot of information about social media here on TheWrite Conversation. Beyond that, I field a lot of questions about etiquette. I try to get to everything in a timely fashion, but sometimes you need the information right away. Today I’d like you to get a new perspective on social media and show you how that may give you the insight you need.

As writers, we tend to use social media from the perspective of people wanting to get information to an audience. We also use it to grow our platforms. We evaluate the time we spend online from the perspective of ROI (return on investment), looking at time and money invested.

Today I’d like to invite you to evaluate your own social media interaction from the point of view of the audience. 

To do that, we have to put ourselves into the shoes of the consumer. We must understand why they’re online in the first place. In general, there are several reasons that aren’t work related:

• They’re here to have fun.
• They’re building new relationships.
• They’re looking for entertainment.
• They need information.

So how do we analyze what we’re doing on social media in relation to what our audience is looking for? I’ve come up with a short list of things to ask yourself before you hit the post button. 

• Would I share this update if I saw it posted elsewhere?

• Does this update answer a question my audience has?

• Will this make someone’s life better?

• Is this something that builds a deeper relationship?

• Will this make someone laugh?

• Does anyone really care about this?

I know this may seem like a small shift in the way we view social media, but it can make a big difference.

Now it’s your turn. What kinds of social media updates are you most likely to share? What is one that you’d NEVER share?

Don’t forget to join the conversation!

Blessings,

Edie

Tweetables

A change of perspective may be what your social mediapresence is lacking.  (Click to Tweet)

Are you looking at social media all wrong? @EdieMelson has achange of perspective that can help. (Click to Tweet)