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BUZZ. My phone rattles in my pocket. I look at it to read the new tweet that hit. “Better respond to that.”. Then I remember that I am not sure the last time I was on Facebook to let everyone know about my weekend. Next the snowball begins in my brain…I have not been to Google + in a bit but others are sharing with me, LinkedIn group updates keep hitting my email. Guilt at not participating and then I think about Foursquare and that I hope I travel soon because I only use it then.
Why am I feeling a bit guilty about spending more time with one App vs. another?
It feels like I am having one of those anxiety dreams I had when I was a performer. The one where I was not in the right costume and it was time to deliver my line but I could not remember ever rehearsing this play? Or it is as if I was walking down the lane at an open market, with vendors all calling to you about their wares and how they are the best. They show it to you and let you hold it maybe, even sample, and then hit you with “and everyone cool is using it”.
Why am I feeling stressed out as I stare at my IPhone?
Now I am in the business of Digital Marketing so I am not sure I am allowed to get burnout at times but I am just like everyone else who can’t keep up with the newest app, tool or social media platform to help my life be better a) organized b) simplified or c) entertained.
God forbid you are the socially connected person in your group. Then it is another layer of guilt because you feel you need to set the example and know about the next new app to track your cat’s eating habits. 🙂
How do I share my self with all of these platforms?
Every day there are new apps, new ways to connect and if you are not careful you will be so overwhelmed you will then go cold turkey, throw the IPhone (or Droid ) away and go to the extreme of (insert most painful alternative)
So I asked a few of my more “socially at peace” friends what they do in terms of using the different platforms or apps and here are some of their responses:
“Know your bandwidth. It is better to utilize one or two social platforms vs. trying to be everywhere. Social Media is about engagement not sporadic posting”
“Try each of the platforms or apps that interest you and find the ones that you like and can use vs. trying to use something because everyone else is. It’s not high school”. Wow.
“Whatever platform you use, there are rules. Can’t post from one platform to another. That’s cheating. It’s like giving everyone the same present.”
“Once you’ve decided what to use, schedule your time. Maybe FB in the morning or at night, Tweet after lunch and then Google + later in the day. Having a schedule helps you to not be pulled one way or another”
After speaking with the wise Yodas of Social Media I felt a sense of calm and order return to me.
Social Media is supposed to be fun and about sharing. Don’t get too hung up on being everywhere. Find the outlets that you like and fit your style of communication so you can let your personality shine.
Let me know your thoughts.
Oh damn…..forgot to Pin this article.
Glenn Pasch is the current COO of PCG Digital Marketing as well as a writer, National Speaker and Trainer.