SOCIAL  MEDIA  OVERLOAD  

 

Feeling   a   tad   overwhelmed   with   all   these   social   media   platforms   nowadays?  

Having   trouble   sorting   out   your   tweets   from   your   statuses?   Never   fear   fellow  

social   butterflies!  We   understand   how   hard   it   is   to   keep   up   these   days   in   our  

social  media-­‐filled  world.   So,  we’ve   examined   the  most   popular   and   successful  

channels,  and  then  explained  it  in  simpler  terms,  so  you  can  decide  what’s  worth  

logging  on  to,  and  what  can  benefit  you.  (And  to  understand  what  people  are  talking  

about.)  

To  begin,  here’s  a  simple  way  to  put  it:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Starting  with  the  most  obvious,  Facebook.  

I’m  sure  EVERYONE  is  familiar  with  the  little  blue  and  white  icon,  so  we’ll  go  over  this  

one  briefly.  Being  today’s   largest  social  media  platform,  with  approximately  1.4  billion  

users,   Facebook   (FB,   or   Facey)   is   the   way   to   go   if   you   want   to   be   connected   with  

everyone   around   you.   Comprising   of   sharing   photos,   sending   messages,   checking-­‐in,  

scrolling  through  news  feeds,  and  updating  statuses,  FB  has  everything  you  need  for  you  

to  network  with  others.  

PRO:  It  has  the  largest  number  of  users.  

CON:  It’s  slightly  addictive.  #cantstopscrolling  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next  we  have,  Twitter.    

This  popular  form  of  microblogging  broadcasts  messages  to  the  world.  It  allows  

members   to   use   140   characters   to   write   a   post   known   as   a   ‘tweet,’   which  

everyone   can   read.   (Similar   to   writing   a   status   on   Facebook.)   But,   unlike  

Facebook,  it’s  not  really  used  between  friends  and  family,  but  rather  people  you  

want   to   communicate   with   from   around   the   globe.   It’s   a   simple   way   to   learn  

about  the  world  through  someone  else’s  eyes.  

Don’t  forget  to  use  hashtags  on  trending  topics  so  more  people  can  see  your  post.  

#socialmedia  #tweet  #news  

PRO:  It’s  a  great  platform  for  breaking  news.  

CON:  You  have   to   fit  your  huge  rant  about   the   latest  political   issue   in  only  140  

words.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Following  behind,  is  LinkedIn.    It’s   the   largest   network   for   professionals   and   business   people,   as   it   is   more  

serious   in  nature   than  Facebook  and  Twitter.  You  won’t   find  any  embarrassing  

drunk   photos,   or   silly   comment   wars   here…   just   a   place   to   build   professional  

networks,  and  business  contacts.        

PRO:  LinkedIn  Groups  –  a  place  for  people  with  similar  interests  to  connect.  Plus  

the  groups  can  have  thousands  of  members  so  you  receive  a  signification  amount  

of  exposure.    

CON:  It  can  be  seen  as  a  resume  so  you  have  to  be  mindful  of  what  you  put  up.    

 

 

                                                 

Next  is  the  oh-­‐so  popular,  Instagram.    Why  has  this  grown  so  rapidly  you  ask?  It’s  simple.  People  like  to  be  social.  We  

like   to   tell   others  what  we  are  doing,  what  we’re  eating,  who  we’re   seeing  etc.  

Instagram  allows  you  to  do  just  that  by  easily  sharing  your  favourite  snaps!  Plus  

you  can  let  your  creative  side  run  wild  with  filters,  and  special  effects.  Now  who  

wouldn’t   love   that!?  Everyday  objects   can  be   turned   into   trendy  artworks,   and  

then  shared  with  the  rest  of  the  world.    

PRO:  You  can  make  your  life  look  amazing  with  a  few  Instagram  filters.  

CON:  Deciding  which  filter  to  use…    

 

 

 

                                                 

Pinterest,  is  next.      This   platform   is   a   great  marketing   tool,   helping   brands   grow   rapidly  with   the  

sharing  of  photos.   It’s  different   to  what  we’re  used  to  seeing,  such  as   texts  and  

status  updates  as  it’s  completely  visual.  It’s  also  a  great  time-­‐waster  if  you’re  like  

me  and  like  looking  at  pretty  things.    

Business  wise  however,  it  wouldn’t  be  for  everyone.  This  would  be  more  suited  if  

you  have  amazing  pictures  to  share  from  your  business  as  it’s  focus  is  on  photos.      

PRO:  It’s  super  simple  and  so  easy  to  use.    

CON:  It  has  too  much  link  spam.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last  but  not  least,  let’s  look  at  Youtube.  

It’s   a  destination   for  videos,  because   let’s   face   it;   sometimes  we  all   get   tired  of  

reading.   It   acts   as   a   forum   for  people   to   connect,   and  allows  anyone   to  upload  

content,  which  can  then  be  viewed  by  anybody.  We  have  seen  many  entertainers  

go   viral,   and   gain   fame   from   YouTube   videos,   from   singers,   to   people   filming  

tutorials.    

PRO:  They  have  endless  videos  of  ‘funny  cats’  for  your  entertainment.  

CON:  So.  Many.  Ads.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now  those  six  platforms  are  the  most  popular  used  today,  and  the  main  sites  you  

need  to  know  of.  However,  if  you’re  wondering  about  the  not  so  common  ones…  

here’s  a  quick  breakdown  just  so  you’re  in  the  know.  

 

Foursquare   –   a   forum   where   people   ‘check   in’   to   locations,   and   often   leave  

reviews  about  the  place.  Your  Foursquare  friends  can  also  see  where  you  are  at  

that  time.  It’s  handy  for  reading  honest  reviews  about  attractions,  or  businesses.    

 

Lastfm  –   is  for  music  enthusiasts  that  can  record  your  musical  habits,  and  then  

gives  you  a  recommendation  of  similar  things  to  listen  to.  

 

Google+  -­‐  is  a  network  that  builds  off  your  Google  Account,  bringing  together  all  

users.  Very  similar   to  Facebook,   it   allows  you   to  create   ‘circles’  or  groups  with  

friends  to  chat,  check-­‐in,  upload  photos,  or  video  chat.    

 

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The  socialsphere  is  constantly  expanding,  and  no  doubt  we  will  be  introduced  to  

even  more  ways  of  connecting  with  others.  But  don’t   let   it  overwhelm  you!  For  

now,  all  the  things  you  need  to  know  have  already  been  covered.    

Social  media  has  been  ingrained  into  our  everyday  lives  so  it’s  best  to  immerse  

yourself  as  much  as  you  can.      

 

Happy  posting!    

Sara  x