PT 2 Confessions of a Social Media Addict

Yes, I am an addict.  I hope you will take this as a cautionary tale and save yourself.

So, I want to start a blog, but there’s no time.  Well, drop the games use the time to start a blog.  About what?  Well, blog what you know they say.  What I know could fill a library, large library.  But, OK, I know tech.  In fact, I have been dubbed the family Geek.  So, blog about technology, gadgets, resources, reviews and trends.  Got it.  But some stuff I have to say doesn’t fit into the tech category.  Start a new blog about culture, politics and news.

Now the cat wants in on the action.  He has much to say and demands a voice.  Since I have the opposable thumbs, I have to do the typing.  He’s snarky.  Hey, I have a new family addition coming.  Blog about that.  Brain about to explode.  Must add Empire Avenue and Klout to keep up with stats and add followers to Twitter and Facebook.  400 followers, have to keep up and engage.  Send thanks, mentions  and RTs.  Need to organize these, add Crowdbooster, Tweetdeck.

Uhmmm, real life calling, I have customers who need work done.  Tweetdeck keeps popping up to let me know about tweets and mentions.  Made mistake of linking blogs and Twitter to smartphone.  Now, beeps keep coming all day.  Catch up on blogging on the run, what was that great idea?  Can’t recall, start new post, find links make pics and post to Facebook pages.  Oh No, don’t invite me to Google+, I have no time, HELP!.

The shiny new toy is now tarnished, ribbons tattered, wrapping paper shredded.  The buttons are worn and dirty and the toy isn’t so pretty.  But like your favorite teddy bear, I’m compelled to keep dragging it around until all the stuffing is gone and the eyes are lost.  My Intenet love affair has become routine and we take each other for granted.  It wasn’t supposed to be this way, but like all true love, lasting relationships take hard work.

So, now my friends I have to make some hard choices as to which of my playthings will get the hatchet and which will be shined back up to full usefulness.  The toys are all so pretty even now it is hard to choose which to put away.  Help me if you can, if not save yourselves, choose the toys wisely and keep the list small.  Gotta go, Tweets coming through phone.

Click here to read part one.

Even More Social Media

Previously I wrote here about the need for social media to be managed correctly so that it will be a tool and not just another frustration.

Now I want to introduce two new social engagement tools that can be used to increase exposure to blogs, videos and networks.  They are helpful in broadening your subscriber base.  First up is Crowdbooster, a site that can provide analytics of your Facebook and Twitter accounts and also allow you to schedule posts to your Twitter feed for when you may be busy.

Next is Empire Avenue, this is both a social connection tool and a game as you create yourself or your business a company and buy and sell stock.  Your social activities on Twitter, Facebook, blogs and YouTube gain you stock points and money.  The more you grow, the more others take note and buy your shares and endorse you.  The down side: do not start this site if you cannot regularly post and interact, even for a few minutes a day.  One day’s missed activity can tank your shares.

The fun part is that you can register as a person or business so your activity reflects your goals; fun or networking.  You meet like minded people as the interests are a prominent area on the profile of each.  And getting to play stock market with no real money at stake is great fun.

Come join Techsnoop on these sites, we are listed under DKemp Designs.