Monday, August 15, 2011

No Wonder We Have No Time!



Blogging, tweeting, branching out, linking in, Facebook! I can see the wisdom of using social media, but do we have to use ALL of it? Yes, I know this sounds like a rant, but bear with me.

I've noticed each one appears, and everyone says it's a must to participate. Who wants to be left out if the crowd is all on Twitter? Has blogging peaked, so everyone goes to the next hot trend?

I'm a blogger, Facebooker, and tweeter (a little) in that order. Should I also join BranchOut, LinkIn, and the other smaller social media outlets?

How do you decide which social media to adopt? Which one is your personal favorite?

18 comments:

Linda O'Connell said...

Susan, I am with you, I can;t figure out how much of my time I want to invest, so I dabble on Twitter and maintain a blog and also post on Facebook, but all are time consuming. My best to you.

Karen Lange said...

They are all time consuming, so I think it's a matter of what works for each person. I've joined BranchOut but haven't done anything with it. LinkedIn is another one I belong to, but I do a little more with that one.
Blessings,
Karen

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Linda -

Just blogging eats huge gobs of time. Of all the social media, it's my favorite, but I'm having difficulty keeping up.

I guess we all have to set priorities.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Karen -

At the conference, someone said Twitter was on its way out. They thought LinkedIn was better. Everyone has an opinion.

Perhaps we need to select a couple of outlets and focus on them. Joining too many dilutes our efforts.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Marja Verschoor-Meijers said...

Personally I enjoy Twitter, because NO ONE can write lengthy posts and I don't have to either :)
I use Facebook because it keeps me connected with friends all over the world and it is a great and easy way of sharing photo's.
I love blogging, well, because that's kind of our pulpit, we can still preach, even if no one is listening :)
I use Goodreads because I love books.
I have accounts on Linkedin and some others, so people can find me, but I am not active there.

I think you're absolutely right, you have to choose carefully!

Jaime Wright said...

I don't know if I have a personal fave because I have some friends on Twitter, some on Facebook, and some via my blog - and their paths don't cross. So all three are vital to me. However, a few one liners and I'm off to work or home, so it's not as though I have hours a day to plug into social media!

Melanie N. Brasher said...

I prefer blogging above all, but do use facebook and twitter a little bit. But I agree, it's not possible to do it all.

Good to stop by here again, Susan! I prayed for you the other day.

Mel

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Marja -

Wow! You made some great points. Twitter does limit comments. I like posting short blurbs on Facebook.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jaime -

You've also made some excellent points. By using a variety of social media, you reach different people.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Melanie -

Aw, thanks! I'll be doing a conference report next Monday. I'm hoping to have pics (this coming from the woman who keeps film in her camera for two years).

Blessings,
Susan :)

Sarah Forgrave said...

Oh boy, it is overwhelming, isn't it? I was skeptical about Twitter until I joined earlier this year. It's such a great way to connect with people without consuming my entire day. But blogging and Facebook are great, too, because they allow for deeper connections. So, I guess it all serves a purpose. :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Sarah -

I'm on Twitter, but haven't done much with it. The comments are short, but must be frequent to have an impact.

Blogging and Facebook take more time, but I prefer them.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Susan .. interesting reading .. I only really blog - but if I had a book out or a product to sell .. I'd be on Twitter more and maintain a FB account ..

I don't have a large family to share things with .. so FB is not a necessity in my life.

Google+ .. now that's another one .. but each to his own .. and then only doing what time allows.

Cheers Hilary

Nancy said...

I love blogging. I usually don't have time for Facebook, but try to get pictures on it every so often for the family. It's a very cozy group, I hope.

Jean Fischer said...

Publishers like their writers to be plugged in to social media and build a platform of potential book buyers . I'm most active on Facebook. I'm also on Twitter, and I blog. Linked In is important to me for business-related connections. Whichever media you choose, they say it's important to engage with your followers. Time-consuming, I know, but helpful for marketing.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Hilary -

"Only blog"

That alone takes a big slice of time. I can imagine how long it takes you to research your detailed pieces.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi nancy -

Blogging is also my favorite of the social media. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jean -

I think choosing social media you enjoy and actually use is important. What's the point of joining something if you don't participate?

Blessings,
Susan :)