Wow, it's kind of a miracle, two discussion posts in one week! In case you missed it, last Sunday I had 'Tips for a Successful Blog'. Today I want to talk about social media. Actually I have a whole series of posts about social media because I think it's something that could use some discussing. I would like to get an idea of other people's opinions and the strategies that work best for them.
My original plan was to start with discussing Facebook, but I've decided to go with g+ since it's the one I know the least about. I don't actually have a lot to say about it, and am hoping to get a lot of input in the comments and hopefully get a bit of help.
I don't use g+, though I am on there. It wasn't until my mother, brother and sister in law added me today that I actually started giving it more thought. I finally added a little background and finished my profile. I added some people to my 'circles' and I looked around a bit. It's like visiting a foreign country, it's just all so alien to me!
I have discovered that having the different 'circles' is kind of nice since things don't get quite so buried. For example, if I wanted to check out just my families updates I could do so and not weed through a million posts. I like this. At least at first look since I haven't really spent time on there yet. It also looks like you can make different circles so if I wanted one for 'YA book bloggers' I could one, or 'Authors', etc. This might be handy. I still am not sure I totally understand everything regarding this, so please feel free to discuss this further.
I don't understand yet what +1 is. What exactly does this do?
I've noticed some have a g+ commenting system on their blog. From looking at my g+ feed I see these comments and I think this might be a good potential for bringing more readers to your post. Opinions on this?
They say (random articles I've read) that g+ has immense potential for finding new readers for your blog. I'm not exactly sure how this is yet and is perhaps something I'll understand more as I navigate it further. If you have some ideas how this works, please let me know. {Edit: I see that there are communities. I'm guessing that being active on some of these would be a great networking tool.}
My concern is this: Time. When I get up in the morning I spend 2+ hours just commenting, tweeting, facebooking and pinning the tour posts as well as my own. Adding in another is going to be insane. Commenting on blogs is one of my priorities, I think it's the best networking tool, but I also like 'spending time with my friends' because that's what it is, it's my socializing and it keeps me going sometimes. On the other hand I just can't always keep up with it like I would like. If I'm adding on another networking tool to work on, it's going to cut into my commenting. So is it worth it?
I want to know, do you use g+? Is it worth it? Have you seen results by it? Has it changed your life? Yes, I want to know EVERYTHING! Learning a new thing can be tricky and confusing, but if we work together, it makes it so much better!
BTW, I think this is me. Let me know if that doesn't work.
I'm on g+ but I haven't really explored all the features and I know I'm not using it correctly. For me, it's the time thing. Between work, reading, blogging, commenting, and other social media networks, the thought of adding one more thing to do for every post is enough to make me want to take a nap. :-) But I do hear wonderful things about it, so perhaps I just need to explore one rainy sunday afternoon. I love these discussion posts, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'm also on g+ but I made it and sorted out my profile and that's it. I have never really tried to understand it. For me +1 is something as like on facebook. I think, but honestly I'm not sure. I have also seen that people have comments feed from g+ on their blog and it's trick as not all have g+. Great post Candace :)
ReplyDeleteI'm on g+ but don't know what it will do. Since I use blogger it automatically shares my posts whenever I write one.
ReplyDeleteI don't use Facebook and Twitter because I don't have the time to do it. Blogging and reading take so much time that I don't have time for social media. I have to little kids and it's hard to find the time to do the things that I love, but I just try to find time, because I love blogging, commenting on other blogs and reading. It's the only thing I do for myself these days...
I'm not even on g + and am not sure why I should do it. Like you, I'm having trouble keeping up with the reading blogs and commenting and trying to get on Facebook and Twitter. I fail with the last 2 a lot because I work full-time and am busy. I'd love if you have any suggestions on how to stay on top of those things. I read blogs 1-2 hours per day and it's hard to find time to really stay on top of Facebook and Twitter. But I feel I'm missing a lot. Sorry I don't have advice on G+
ReplyDeleteI'm on Google +, but I am still unsure how exactly to use it. I think the +1 is like a "like" on FB. Now I do like being able to make different circles, but most of my family just sticks with FB. *shrugs* I have an android phone, and everything Google just comes along with it. lol... I still tend to stick with the social outlets that I understand how to use. :)
ReplyDeleteSocial media is really important in blogging but it takes up so much time! I wish time would slow when I went commenting.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! <33
While I'm on g+, I don't use it at all. Seriously, I've got to cut something out. I can't do everything and g+ is one of the things I'm strategically abandoning.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't use mine either, I did at first but now..not so much. I know if you +1 a post it gives it a rating and puts it "out there" but I am not sure what else it does except show up under your profile as you liking it.
ReplyDeleteBetween, blogging, Goodreads, and Twitter, I really don't have time to add one more thing of my list of stuff to do. Like you, I spend at least two hours a day replying to posts, tweeting, updating info on Goodreads, answering emails and creating new blog posts and still trying to stay connected to what is happening in the world of books. Some days it is exhausting trying to keep up with it all!
Honestly, I don't use Google +. I think the best social media for blogger is Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Those I have gained followers on.
ReplyDelete"My concern is this: Time. When I get up in the morning I spend 2+ hours just commenting, tweeting, facebooking and pinning the tour posts as well as my own."
ReplyDeleteTHIS CANDACE! That's actually why I'm not on Facebook either. Commenting is always my priority too, and after I've posted the review, tweeted it, replied to my blog comments and then commented on the 30+ blogs I visit every day (this is not a complaint, I love you guys!), I just don't want to do anything else:) The thought of having to update one more thing, even if it gain me a couple new followers, makes me want to cry a little. I'm not too interested in google+, but I'll get on Facebook one day Candace, I swear!
I used to use g+, but I didn't see it as worthwhile after a few months. I feel like Facebook and Twitter are easier to use, and more people are using those two platforms.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
I'm not a big fan of G+ because when you click on someone's name on a blogger comment, it takes you to their G+ page where it can be hard to find their actual blog.
ReplyDeleteYES! I agree with this 100%! That's why it's not hooked up to my blog.
DeleteI'm on g+ but I don't really use it much. And I agree -- time is short for me and I don't often have time to commit to all different social media platforms. But if you figure out really cool stuff to do on g+ let me know!
ReplyDeleteJen @ YA Romantics
Every social media analysis that I've read ranks them (in terms of impact) like this:
ReplyDeletePinterest
Facebook
Twitter
everything else
Google+
This is really interesting because I just (weeks ago actually) read an article saying it was the best in terms of impact. That was really the only thing that had made me consider using it more. But it sounds like it's not really worth it. I wish I could find that article, it on a site about marketing I believe. I'm sure I'll never find it again since it was a few weeks ago when I read it. But you've been very helpful!
DeleteI use it lightly. I've been considering adding FB to my bloggy social media, but nah... Still, it is a great way to promote. *sigh* I just don't know... I'm trying to have it consume LESS time not more. LOL
ReplyDeleteI've never been a fan of G+. I was on it for a bit but it was just confusing and kind of messy - at least I found. +1 is like favoriting a tweet, basically. But yeah my main reason for not using it is time, too. I have enough with Twitter and Facebook I don't really feel the need to branch into a 3rd social network that basically has all of the same people anyways.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I'm pretty bad with social media. I'm on a lot, but I really don't have the time to use it much. I wouldn't say it's terribly worth it though, but I don't know much. I prefer facebook for some blogs, but again, I'm a social media novice. haha
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty clueless..I have an account...I post my blog posts to google plus assuming they will appear in my friends/followers stream but that is the extent of my activity there. I have so little time for anything beyond getting a post up! I need to cut back on things to make more time for what I love and have been missing lately...visiting and commenting on blogs!
ReplyDeleteI rarely use G+ other than to promote my posts. +1 is them sharing your post on your profile.
ReplyDeleteI have a Facebook profile but I rarely use it to interact. I'm the stalker kind of member now, just checking out what people are saying and all that. I'm more inclined to interact via Twitter but I'm rarely on there too. Goodreads I use to keep track of books and sometimes play voyeur on what people are reading or their comments on books that I want to read.
Overall I'm not very much into social media now. I used to be but not anymore. The maintenance in terms of time is just too much! Which is a double edged sword if you're a blogger but to an extent it's needed and it helps get readership. So I guess it's all about balance.
I have a Google account, and +1 shares a post kind of like a like on facebook. I am more active with my blogs Google+ page. I enjoy the chatting ability. Out of all the social media formats I use, it is the one I utilize the least.
ReplyDeleteI am on Google+ and btw I added you to my follow circle. I post my blog links on there but that is about it. I haven't figured out the secret to using and managing all the social media platforms and time yet. If you find the secret let me know! :)
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I am on Google plus, but I still don't understand it that well. I'll follow people and such, and I think my posts are on there to. I agree with Megan R. Unless the person has a blog post promoted with their google + comment, unless you know the person or they have a post promoted there it's hard to find their blog. Still not quite sure how it all works.
ReplyDeleteI do have a G+ account that I post stuff to, but that's it. I don't interact on it or check other pages. Honestly, I suck at social networking in general.
ReplyDeleteA very educational post, Candace. I also flounder around G+ I just don't know enough about it to be active. I also have a profile on there that I don't use. I might be persuaded to use it more now after reading this.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a massive fan of g+ because if I want to use it, I have to use my real name in full. I simply have to keep my blogging life separate from my work life and I therefore post under a handle. I set up a community Facebook page so I could avoid the issue there. There is nothing terribly salacious about my blog but publicly reviewing romance & urban fantasy books would probably be seen as a bit frivolous. Plus, as everyone else mentioned, there is the time factor.
ReplyDelete+1 is basically like a "like". I ONLY use G+ for the Book Bloggers community, and now there is a Bloggiesta community, so maybe I'll be active there too. I really don't think it matters which social media outlet you choose to use - #1 for any of us will be the one we're most active on.
ReplyDeleteAnd time is a huge factor - so I pick commenting on blogs over Twitter and anything else.
Tanya Patrice
Girlxoxo.com
Honestly, G+ way better than Facebook. Google has made it a lot easier to use, as well. So when you comment on something, you get an email, and you can reply from the email, so you don't have to go to the website, like FB. And there isn't as many ads hitting you everywhere.
ReplyDeleteThe communities of Google is where I find the power. I've gotten into a lot of writing (and cooking and weight lifting and dog . . ) communities that are SO supportive. The people are G+ have always been kind. It's a bigger platform for me than FB, and my discussion posts always get a lot more attention from total strangers on G+. Also, I've made a lot of G+ friends that are just awesome. One of them is sending me 3-4 books in the mail because she thinks it'll help me with my story, and we've never met or anything.
I have g+ but it's associated with my real name not my blogging name so I never comment on blogs that have that commenting system (just fyi). I choose to comment on blogs over using anything else; that's why I love feedly so much-it gathers all the posts from my favorite blogs and stores them until I have a chance to click through and comment.
ReplyDelete