Give a little, Get a lot

GIVE A LITTLE, GET  A LOT

Social Media should be just that...social.

Today I want to talk about the power of pressing 'Like' either the heart or the thumbs up button.  That millisecond touch to tell someone you like their post is so powerful.

How is saying you like something so powerful?

You make others feel good and they are more likely to make someone else feel good.

There is an amazing sequence of events that happen when you make someone feel good.  YOU feel good knowing you are making someone else feel good and THEY feel good because you have told them you like their post.  When someone feels good, there is a snowball effect that they will in turn be more likely to then 'like' SOMEONE else's post.

See what you've started?  A feel good cycle of events with just a quick little tap!

Here are some other positive events that happen when you like or comment on a post.

You engage in the real world.

The difference between social media and looking at a hard copy magazine, is that you can engage in the real world.  You can reach out and tell someone you like their idea, their photo, say hello or that you wish you were with them.  You can ask them a question or give feedback (helpful feedback please).  That person, or company, then can respond with a thank you, a comment or a resolution to a problem.

Some people due to physical or emotional circumstance cannot leave their home.  This can be a positive lifeline to the outside world.

You get noticed and possibly get more followers.

Everyone likes to see their followers increase.  When you 'like' or 'comment' you get noticed.  Someone may see your comment then click on your site to see who you are and decide to follow you. 

My message is this, engage with social media.  Don't just scroll and stalk.  Make someone happy and like their post.  You will feel good too and may even get a new follower or two.

Be social.  That is why it is called SOCIAL media.

Follow this Blog to get more Social Media tips and check out my website at:
http://www.jennxsocialmedia.com/ to learn more about how I can help your business.

Follow me on Instagram for more Insights and Tips.


Have a great day!

Cons and Pros of Social Media

Cons and Pros of Social Media

As you are well aware, I love social media because it is just that... social.  I am a stay-at-home mom and it is a way for me to interact with people out there on the world wide web.  I watch posts that give me great ideas for fitness (Scott Fournier; Fit Mums Motivation), make me laugh (F***K Jerry, Girls Think I'm Funny), some fashion and yes, pet accounts.  I post professionally for +Bergo Designs both on Facebook and Instagram:  Bergo Designs.  I also tutor individuals on social media.  

But for people struggling/living with eating disorders, social media often is a scary place that not only perpetuates the illness but makes the suffering all the more painful.

Social Media: The Dark Side:

People struggling/living with eating disorders and disordered eating behaviours are often already struggling with life stages such as: work, school, family, relationships, as well how they feel they look.  Living in this inner-world, comparing themselves to those seemingly more successful, continues the inner struggle of low self-esteem and perpetuates feelings of shame (www.thedailybeast.com “Social Media and Eating Disorders). 

Scrolling and searching through social media pages can bring up feelings of envy.  People post perfect photos of themselves to the world regarding work (achievements, employment status), school (how many friends, parties, awards), family (happy family photos, vacation, big family gatherings), and looks (fashion, pout, smile, happy silly face, physical achievement).

We judge our own life by comparing where we are to where ‘they’ are and what we feel is ‘better’.  This can often lower self-esteem if the person scrolling is having difficulty in any of those situations.

There are also sites that assist people in perpetuating their eating disorders with ‘pro-anna’, ‘thinspirational’ and ‘fitspirational quotes’, encouraging photos, tips, and reminders.  There are impossible physical challenges: thigh gap, bikini bridge, arm wrap, or the paper challenge.


THIS IS NOT THE SOCIAL MEDIA I WANT FOR THE WORLD!!!

Social Media: The Bright Side:

To put it bluntly, we are in charge of our own social media.  We can control what we post, who we follow, what we share, and who we interact with.  We can add friends and block people.

The truth is we are all addicted either to FOMO (fear of missing out) or to the sense of looking for compliments and images that make us feel good.

If the real world is logged on, we need to be too so that we don’t miss out on events but we must surround ourselves with real friends and family of choice who affirm our struggles and self-worth, who make us feel good.

When we get positive comments, likes and shares, they boost our self-esteem (think of Shirley MacLean’s Academy Award Speech:  You like me, you really like me!)

Likes and Shares create a positive social interaction between us and our followers.  According to an Instyle study of 1,000 people aged 18-49 there is a domino effect.  Once you give a compliment, it is more likely someone else will too (www.instyle.com “Feeling Beautiful?  InStyle study finds social media actually helps our self-esteem).  So while you are looking at your real friends, be free with your likes and positive kudos!!

More and more campaigns are gaining momentum #likeagirl and #nofilterproject and more platforms are banning #thinspiration #thinspro as well as discounting unrealistic physical challenges.

Surround yourself in positive affirmations, pictures, fun videos and loving friendships and family.

Follow Doctor Nora or Hello Giggles

           

Social media should be that, social.


Don't forget to subscribe to this blog for all the latest social media ideas.
My website is www.jennxsocialmedia.com if you have any social media questions or need social media support.

Have a great day and have fun!

Hashtags (#)

HASHTAGS

(#'s)

I've been thinking about what confuses people the most about posting on Instagram and Twitter and it seems to be hashtags (#'s).  Not only do people not fully understand what a hashtag is but also what it does and how to use it.

Through networking, I have looked up companies and individuals who are on Instagram and are often amazed that they have posted a great photo but without any hashtags.

These people are losing out on a simple and effective marketing device:  The HASHTAG. 

WHAT IS A HASHTAG?

A hashtag is the # symbol which is used before a word or phrase to identify a keyword or topic of interest. A person can click on your hashtag and will be brought to a page that aggregates all the posts with the same hashtagged keyword in real-time.

This is great for Twitter when searching for a current news issue.

Funny, one of the top trending # right now is #nationalpetday with 43.6 tweets.

#mondaynotivation is at 88.4K tweets.

Ok, so these are not exactly current news issues, but you can see how far a # can reach!

Instagram will bring people/companies together who use the same # word i.e. #kitchensupplies (3,374 posts) #doggiedaycare (161,785 posts)  #torontocupcakes (3,867 posts) #torontofashion (223,684 posts) #torontorealestate (40,566 posts)  #torontocondos (9,070 posts).

In a search window, if someone looks up a #, they will find all posts with that # theme.  Once a keyword picks up enough momentum, it becomes known as 'trending'.

You can create your own hashtag and hopefully it will generate a trend among your circle of followers.  Companies use it to generate buzz about a new feature, a contest, or a new logo.  Equinox gyms are using #committosomething.  Think about the media success of the mental health awareness Bell has done with #belltalk.

You can also use popular #'s to fall into other people's searches.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A HASHTAG?

Hashtags serve 4 purposes: 

Gain visibility from users searching that trend (others will find you)

Show you other pages that are of similar interest to you

Join in on a conversation

Show off your sense of humour or your personality

# can be used as a search engine.  Just look up a topic you are interested in
#torontoshopping, and you will see all posts who used that #.

You will be found by the millions of people on social media if and only if you use hashtags.

You will get new likes and new followers if you use hashtags.

HOW TO USE A HASHTAG:

Using hashtags is simple.  Just place a # in front of the word or theme you want to highlight.

Do not use spaces.

Don't string too many words together.

Don't use too many in a sentence.  (I prefer to place them at the end of a post)

Use #s that are popular.  If only 200 people have used it, it may not be found as opposed to 3,500,000 +.

In instagram, as you start typing, popular # appear that you can choose from.

Also be specific.  You could use #dogsofinstagram or you could use #poodlesofinstagram.  If jumping in on a conversation related to the Maple Leafs, their twitter account specifically asks you to use #TMLtalk.  People also use #thesix, #leafsnation, #maybenextyear.  Don't just use #hockey.

Here is a beautiful example of how hashtags can get over the top:

Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake

#havefun, #bespecific, #generatebuzz, #getfound.

#itseasy

Don't forget to follow me on Instagram and to subscribe to this blog for all the latest social media ideas.

My website is www.jennxsocialmedia.com if you have any social media questions or need any social media support.

Have a great day and have fun!

Why aren't more small businesses connecting?

I started this company JennX because I realized that between the generations younger and older than me many Generation Xers were not connected to social media.  And yet, there are so many 'mompreneurs' who should be.

Why are we not connecting to the virtual world like others?


Here are 4 reasons I have been told of why they are hesitant.


HESITANCY/MYTH:

#1  "I'm doing fine without it"

Maybe-- for right now-- but companies have to keep moving forward or they will get left behind.  If your competition is on Instagram, LinkedIn, and/or FaceBook, you need to be too.  Simple as that.

Successful companies introduce new ideas to society and are creative in executing them.  Companies want to be innovative not just 'fine'.  In everything you do, you can't grow without extending your comfort zone.

#2 "I don't understand social media"

It is not necessary to understand all the different platforms and how to post and build networks.  What is important is to understand why it is important.  Understand that it can create a stronger brand, reputation and sales.

Like most Presidents and CEOs of companies, they don't need to know how do to every aspect of their business but they do need to hire the right team around them who can do the work they know they need done.

#3 "I don't want to see bad publicity on the internet connected to my business"

Social Media helps build connections to people and customers appreciate this.  At the moment, there is no 'dislike' button.  Only 'likes'!  But if there is a negative comment, you can address it immediately and resolve it.  You have the ability to immediately turn a negative situation into a positive customer relations experience.  This can go very far!

#4 "What a great idea!  I will get my daughter/son to set me up"

Though your child (teenager, young adult) has the knowledge and ability to initially start you off, they do not have the time, interest, or patience to manage it for you.  You need someone who will dedicate themselves to getting to know your brand and represent that on an ongoing basis.


FACTS: 

Here are some numbers for you...

There are 1.44 billion people on Facebook and 150 million people on Instagram.

With 150 million active users on Instagram.
55 million photos are up loaded daily.
43% post more than once a day.

There are 8500 likes per second and 1.2 BILLION likes daily.

Connecting your brand to your audience is a regular reality.

It takes approximately 2.5 hours a week to make a difference in your social media branding and you should see a difference within six months.



GO FOR IT!  HAVE FUN! GROW AND CONNECT WITH YOUR AUDIENCE!
No reason not too.



Don't forget to follow me on Instagram and to subscribe to this blog for all the latest blog posts.

My website is www.jennxsocialmedia.com if you have any social media questions or need any social media support.

Have a great day and have fun!

Music with Media

MUSIC WITH MEDIA

Hello Everyone,

Hope you are all having a great day.  In today's post, I am going to show you some fun apps you can use to add music to your photos and videos.  Again, like other posts, these are all free apps from iTunes and Google Play.

Shuttersong allows you to add music to the photo you would like to post to your social media site such as Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp...  

Though this is a free app, there are in-app purchasing opportunities but I have not seen the necessity.

After making an account (name and password), press the rainbow at the bottom of the screen, and choose if you would like to use an existing photo or take a new photo.  You can then either add music or record your voice.  Using the arrows your can select where in the song you want to use and for how long.  Once you are done, press 'done' and it is now saved to your phone.  I found posting directly from the site a bit confusing.  It was easier to save it to my library and post from there.

On the home button, you can press the clip you just made.  Press the ... and edit or delete if you want.

If you like, you can join a community, get followers, earn points for rewards etc but to be honest, I have other things to do with my time.  :)

This is an easy, fun and unique way to share your photos.

Check out my Instagram account to see the Nutella photo with music I uploaded.

Nutella

Sounds. app is another app for photos.  This apps gives you free musical choices, ability to choose from Spotify, iTunes store or your own library.

First choose your music then press the Instagram icon.  Press 'Edit and share'.  At the top of the screen, press the camera icon and choose a photo and you are done.  This app allows you to use videos too but you have to 'Invite a friend' first to unlock it.  I have not tried this.

Here is a photo of my dog, Baci, after a long run.

Tired Dog

Flipogram allows you to make a slideshow with multiple photos (or a video) and put music behind it.  First press the + icon at the bottom.  Select photos (or video) and press Next.  You can edit speed, add music or voice narration, filters, and post.  Easiest of the bunch!!

Here is a Flipogram I made just before Thanksgiving : Feeling Grateful  and one I made during a beautiful fall run:  Nine Shades of Red

You get the idea...

Audio Video Mixer puts music behind your videos.

Press the + to 'Add video' from your library.  Press Choose, then 'Next and then add music.  Click on 'Merge' and it is now successfully in your phone library to post as you like.

Lots of ads on this site.  Though it is a bit annoying, it has a fun effect.

Check out Shake It Off for a laugh and a demonstration.


Ok, last one for today...

Here is another audio Video Mixer which uses your videos and puts music behind it but also allows you to add some neat effects.

No account needed but like the one above, too many adds that you need to constantly wait for and ignore.

Tap to create a new project, choose portrait (free), click on the video icon to choose a prerecorded video in your library.  Choosing effects is fun but at the same time a bit frustrating because many need the in-app purchase of the upgrade.


Have fun experimenting with your music, photos and videos.



Don't forget to follow me on Instagram and to subscribe to this blog for all the latest blog posts.

My website is www.jennxsocialmedia.com if you have any social media questions or need any social media support.

Have a great day and have fun!