Advice for those using social media
Whether through wi-fi on a bus or at home on the computer, these days the internet is everywhere. Despite their popularity, the recent wave of new technologies and growth of the internet has led to a paradox of connectivity.
There are those who argue that technology, phones in particular, distract people from connecting on a personal level. Yet, in actuality technology and the internet are great ways for staying connected with the world around you. In truth the world has never been more connected than it is now.
One of the most popular forms of connectivity is social media. Young people in particular seem drawn to these sites, though people of all ages make use of them. Social media provides users with a platform for sharing interests and talents which oftentimes leads to the growth of internet communities such as the popular ‘Nerdfighteria’.
This community is led by the ‘Vlogbrothers’ Hank and John Green and their YouTube channel has over two million subscribers. Hank, a biochemist, producer and musician, and John, a New York Times bestselling author, promote positivity and community engagement through social media.
One of their endeavours, ‘The Project for Awesome’, is a YouTube charity movement that raised over $800,000 (€591,200) during its latest campaign. Community is key to their success, and it’s arguably the driving force behind many young peoples’ desire to get involved online.
Social media can also be a great way to keep a record of your experiences. As someone who is bad at keeping a journal, having a blog provides a way for me to talk about and share what I’ve been doing. While having people interact with my posts is always nice, what is most rewarding is the fact that I have a way to organise and keep track of events in my life.
Thanks to the ever-growing list of social media sites, getting involved with one can seem daunting. Here is some advice for those thinking about branching out into social media:
Make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons
It seems like every day a new viral video is being made. Sites such as YouTube and Reddit make the uploading and sharing of these hits extremely easy, oftentimes creating internet fame seemingly overnight.
However, if you start a channel or blog specifically in the hopes of becoming famous, you’re probably not going to have a very positive experience. It’s important to make content that you yourself enjoy and to be proud of it regardless of whether or not it immediately gets 1,000 hits.
Getting views can be extremely slow; with more and more people joining the world of social media, there is a surplus of content being created that tends to exceed the demand.
The general rule of thumb is to make content at least 10 times. If after the 10th time you’re not enjoying the experience you can evaluate whether or not you want to continue.
Don’t break the bank
For those interested in platforms such as vlogging (video blogging) it can be tempting to get the fanciest camera and best editing software there is. However, there’s no need to spend hundreds to make content. Most computers these days come with free video editing software, such as iMovie on Apple computers.
Take advantage of the cheaper options first, and later on down the road you can consider investing further.
Knowledge of social media can boost CVs
Now that the digital age is in full swing many companies are attempting to improve their social media outreach. Having knowledge of popular social media platforms can be helpful in getting internships and even jobs. It can show employers you are prepared to work in the modern day environment.
Beware of cyber trolls
While the internet can be a great place to connect with like-minded people, there are those out there who choose to use it for doing harm. These individuals are referred to as ‘trolls’.
If you find yourself running into trolls online the important thing is to ignore them.
Oftentimes trolls who are being ignored will get bored and move on. The block button can seriously do wonders. However, if you or someone you know is being severely harassed by these wrongdoers, it is important to contact people who can help.
Many websites have ways to report harassment, and it is a good idea to familiarise yourself with these tools as a precaution.
The internet is forever
Remember that whatever you put on the internet, even if you delete it later, still has the potential to resurface. When branching out into social media it is important to make sure you’re creating appropriate content that you wouldn’t mind your boss accidentally stumbling upon.
Keep it in perspective
Despite the fact that holograms officially exist, there’s no substitute for real life. While technology can help improve and deepen our connections with the surrounding world, remember to get outside and soak up the sun. When you’re with friends or family, try putting your phone away and just enjoy being in the company of others.
The most important thing to remember is to have fun. Social media can be a great tool for sharing what you’re passionate about with others and to make connections with like-minded individuals.
If you’re having fun regardless of your view counts, it will make sharingyour content entirely worthwhile.