Improving your social media footprint; The Dos’ and Donts’.

     Not too long ago, I attended a social media training which targeted non- governmental organizations.  The take-away knowledge did not only apply to an organizational set up, but individuals’ too.

For most people, social media  gets us thinking of face book, or twitter, or Pinterest, flicker, linked-in, YouTube, google share, or blog sites or email chat windows such as google chat, or yahoo messenger, or windows live messenger and so on. Today, we also have smartphone applications dedicated to chat. These include whatsapp, viber, skype (also for PC). There are probably a million plus social media handles or sites each designed to serve different users. Social widely used and fed by young people who may account to at least 60 % of the users. For some regions, adults aged over 45 years may not even use social media with the assumption that “it is a tool for the youth who like idling”. Now that’s a bad mentality and understanding of social media.  

For starters, social media is not only important to you as an individual. It is a necessity! We are in a digital era, there are things that we have little to no choice on embracing. Because by default, we happen to have been born or raised in a generation where communication media have radically transformed. However, just how many of the billion plus users of social media do actually know how to use each of these handles appropriately?

I will mention just a few areas or issues which I feel are a must know for every social media user. Especially for bloggers and users of twitter and face book. Maybe because, they are my most favourite handle.

Branding of one’s handles is very important!

How do you want people to identify with you on your twitter handle, or face book account or page? It is very important that you maintain consistency in the manner that you post through your account. This also applies to the topics you choose to dedicate your blog to.

           The Dos':

•  Have a profile picture that identifies with the person you are. Avoid vulgar shots for your profile, because that is what people will associate you with.
•  For timeline photo (face book) or header photo (twitter), use a picture that tells a great story about you, or your work. For example, if you have attended a major international event to represent youths, you could a good shot of all participants. Or for an environmentalist, a speaking nature clip could be used. Or if in fashion/art, you may use one of your works. 
•  Use your real/actual / official names (for personal handles and the actual name of your organization if an organization handle).
•   A disclaimer should be written under your personal info on twitter to inform the world that the views you express therein are your own. This would be very relevant for professions such as journalism or law. 

·         Posting on your handles: how frequently do you post? How timely is the post? How relevant is the post? Who is the target audience?

• Social media is not for posting updates for the sake of posting. Unless you are not targeting any audience (which is not the case since social media, just as any communication tool is there to be used for purposes of communication). Before you post, one needs to think critically over what he/she is posting. Much as we use twitter and face book to share updates, the update should be sensible, and communicating.
• If your posts never get anyone talking about it, then there is a problem! You are not communicating! You are simply taking advantage of media to pour yourself out to no one in particular. That almost sounds like self-monologue at a public forum!
• Some people dedicate their handles to share events as they happen or trends in the society. Based on what you like posting or sharing links about, learn how to ensure you share the information at a good timing! If your audience is highly school going students for example. Know when best to tap onto these people when sharing information meant for them.

Do not post content in the wee hours of the morning, or late in the night if your audience is never active then.

• For bloggers, learn to be regular in your posts. I have the challenge of posting once in 3 months or so. That is wrong, especially if I call myself a blogger. Especially for organizations (I say this because many young people have organizational blogs), try to ensure you keep your blog active. Because away from your website, which is a non-rapidly changing site, your blog is the only tool that you keep your clientele or the stakeholders informed of the impacts that you are having. Use it to share success stories of beneficiaries as they happen. Keep it dynamic.