Is There A Faster Solution for Social Media?

[Lashley]

I must admit, the time required to build and maintain the power-list of social media accounts required to stay connected is daunting. I use "Share This" on my blog posts but you still have to have an account on each social media platform for that to work.

Anyone know of a faster way to manage social media? Its a whip and I'd rather spend time on the blog content.

[Bloggeries]

Originally Posted by Lashley

I must admit, the time required to build and maintain the power-list of social media accounts required to stay connected is daunting. I use "Share This" on my blog posts but you still have to have an account on each social media platform for that to work.

Anyone know of a faster way to manage social media? Its a whip and I'd rather spend time on the blog content.

You are right it is daunting and it DOES take time. Ultimately to be successful in social media you have to LOVE social media. There are sooooo many people and no barriers to entry so ...

If you really just love creating content then go create the best darn content you can and social media lovers will share it as they come across it.

Still doesn't hurt to get setup on some of the networks. Which are you on now?

[Lashley]

My main one has been Twitter. But I spent the better part of two days trying to understand the other 20 options available through my "Share This" feature. I'm going to go to Facebook, Stumble, etc. but every time I start down that path I just look at the work and say, "I'd really rather write!"

I do love the interaction with people once that stuff is up but it seems like I need to take a week to set everything up and populate it with enough people to put wind in the sails of the content.

Thanks for the advice. I'll get my favorite beverage and settle in for a few days of solid interface setups and database population.

Shane

[mystikmedia]

That's my problem. I want to benefit from it, but it does not interest me in the least. :/

[sukosaki]

The fastest form of social media is "email this to a friend" link. It's immediate and you don't need an account

It might only reach one person at a time, but if you are submitting to all the others with required accounts, bet the number that see your entry is the same.

At least the "friend" that gets the content, might send it to another and so on.

A simple "email this" link works wonders. There are many people that refuse to get the, sometimes not so valuable, traffic from social media they won't even sign up. That of course, is the downside and in my opinion, it's a huge downside.

[myqute]

I am not sure if this is a fast "approach' for social media. Someone revealed this to me. Say someone wrote about one of your blog entries. And link your entry as <a href="http://www.site.com/somecategory/tag/travelbags" rel="tags">Linda's tale of Travelbags</a>. And someone sends that blog (with your link) to Digg.com or Stumbleupon it, your site will appear at #1 in the Digg's "travelbags" category until someone else digg or stumble another page with the same tags.

Don't know how true this is! But if it's true, then it makes sense to talk about OTHERS' blog entries I think! I've not tried this yet in my blog but if someone has done so, please feedback!

[deadman]

The whole purpose to social media is to promote cool stuff you find. I know for a fact Stumbleupon are clamping down hard on people who submit about 3-4 sites only. Unfortunately, like anything - people take shortcuts & want instant success. Social media isn't one of those things.

The only faster solution is to be more agressively social. Speak to people, message/comment. Same as you wouild for blogging. That way you're more likely to get links.

[myqute]

Originally Posted by deadman

The whole purpose to social media is to promote cool stuff you find. I know for a fact Stumbleupon are clamping down hard on people who submit about 3-4 sites only. Unfortunately, like anything - people take shortcuts & want instant success. Social media isn't one of those things.

The only faster solution is to be more agressively social. Speak to people, message/comment. Same as you wouild for blogging. That way you're more likely to get links.

Good tips there DeadMan!

Agressively social is good. But sending a message that says CAN YOU CHECK OUT MY PRODUCTS right after someone follows you is a boo-boo. Have seen it happening a couple of times on Twitter.

Sometimes it's not what you use - but how you use it.

[sadiessay-so]

The quick answer is "no". It takes time. I've been working on it for months and I'm just scratching the surface. I wasn't interested in it at all at first, but now that I'm starting to understand it better, I'm really starting to enjoy it.

[flashgordon]

Yep, social media has huge potential but it can be a time drag. The key is to find a couple good networks in your niche, and then become an active member. Really, it is no different then forums, just with a different structure, layout, and features.

Also, don't go spamming your friends - I hate that and pretty soon I just end up blocking that user.