Blogging is so much more than just creating posts and maintaining a website. Social media plays a large roll in both sharing the content you create and building a following by showing bits and pieces of your day-to-day life. It can be overwhelming with so many different outlets, but each one has its specific purpose and should be used in a different way. I learned a lot about this when I worked at a PR agency. I managed about five accounts (various Vegas restaurants) and would schedule their social media posts every week. It was a love/hate relationship—I liked the creative writing aspect, but it got tedious writing 100+ posts a week (there are only so many funny food puns!). It was a great experience though, and I’ve applied a lot of what I learned to my blog. Below are my favorite social media platforms and how I use them.
Instagram (@treatsandtrends). This image-based outlet is all about sharing beautiful photos, whether it’s of an outfit, a snowy mountain or your morning coffee. These pictures are filtered or edited more than they would be on other platforms, like Snapchat. I try to keep the style of my images consistent (use the same filters, etc.) so that when people look at my feed as a whole it has a cohesive look. It only takes people a few seconds of looking at your feed to decide if they want to follow you or not. I also try to vary the content of my posts (i.e., not posting too many outfit photos in a row). I try to mix in some food or scenic shots, so that it’s not all photos of myself.
Snapchat (treatsandtrends). This photo-sharing app is quickly becoming my favorite. I love seeing the more candid side of my favorite bloggers and getting a behind the scenes look at their life and upcoming posts. On Snapchat, no one cares if you don’t have any makeup on or if you failed at making a recipe—the more “real” the better! I also like how instantaneous it is and how I can share my thoughts or what I’m doing at the moment without it needing to be picture perfect or “blog worthy.”
Facebook. I see Facebook as the main way to share links to my blog posts (both past and present). Every morning I share my most recent post and I also schedule older posts if they are relevant again, like a Valentine’s Day recipe in February. It’s helpful to vary content on Facebook, too, and not just promote your posts. I try to share interesting articles or links that I think my readers would enjoy.
Twitter. Twitter is another great way to share links to your posts (although shortening the URL is usually necessary!). When you tease the post people are more likely to click the link thus driving more traffic to your website. Twitter also allows you to keep up with what’s trending and connect with other bloggers/brands that you don’t actually know in person. It’s all about short interactions, so get involved in the Twitter universe and start up conversations. I’m guilty of just having automatic tweets with a link to my latest post, but I try to also retweet things my followers might like and reply to interesting articles or other bloggers.
Pinterest. This is a great way to drive traffic to your blog. I pin photos from my most recent blog post as well as other images that inspire me from various websites/blogs. It’s important to mix in content that is not yours, people won’t want to follow someone who is clearly just promoting themselves. Instead, pin images that fit with your brand and aesthetic. For example, I pin a lot of style inspiration and beautiful cakes. When pinning from your own site, choose only the best photo from a post because no one likes to see five photos of the same outfit or recipe on their feed at once.
I hope you fellow bloggers found this helpful! What are some of your personal social media rules?
I think much of my blog’s growth can be attributed to social media. Therefore, every blogger should use these social media sites!
xo,
Abby of Life in the Fash Lane
It’s so true – social media is very important for blogging! Thanks for these tips, lady :)
xx http://www.qustomquinns.com/blog
Glad you find them helpful, Quinn!
Your post is too good !
Thanks for sharing this great ideas and tips :)
http://travellingcolors.com
Thanks! So glad you liked it :)
I love insta! :) I’ll def follow you.. I am @jamieeverafter
Aw that’s so nice! I’ll look for you too :) thanks!
These are such helpful tips! Thanks so much for sharing :)
http://www.tailoredandtrue.com
Of course! So glad you found them helpful :)
Good tips! Thanks for sharing :)
Mishelle
http://www.nowthatschic.com
No problem! Glad you liked it!
I love using Facebook and Instagram! Great write up on how to effectively use each platform.
http://www.mintnotion.com
Glad you liked it! Instagram is definitely a favorite :)
Great tips. Instagram I have more traffic on instagram than any other sm. So I have to say it’s my fav. http://Sempasite.com
Same here! It’s my favorite to use and favorite way to follow bloggers/brands
Really great tips!
http://floralsandsmiles.blogspot.ca
Glad you liked them!!
Great tips love. I am more than in love with instagram!
http://www.kmeetsstyle.com
Me too :) thanks, so glad you enjoyed the post!
Love your blog! It is so beautiful and your pictures are gorgeous ♥
My favorites are definitely instagram and pinterest!
xx
Selina | Selinas Inspiration
Thank you so much, Selina!!
Great post and thanks for the advice!
http://www.footnotesandfinds.com/
Thanks! Glad you liked it :)
Great post and tips!
xo
http://thepinkporcelaindoll.blogspot.it/
Thanks, Carina!
Great post!! I have a love/hate relationship with social media, but I know it’s necessary for blogging. XO
Lauren-Blair
http://www.prefertobedemure.com
Super helpful, Jaime! Great tips and I LOVE Instagram too! Probably my fave social media app! Snapchat is fun too but sometimes I don’t see the point of using it! I will awkward talking to my phone! :) LOL
Happy Weekend, love!
xoxo, Vanessa
http://www.WhatWouldVWear.net
haha I completely agree! I rarely post videos like that because I feel too awkward. Typically i just share funny things i see or just random snapshots from what I’m up to.
This is so helpful. I just started on social media after creating my blog. I mainly had instagram and then added a pinterest account. I actually just opened a twitter account this week and have no idea what to do so this post really helps. My kids don’t want me to be on snapchat since they are on it all the time and don’t want their mom on it as well so I will probably pass that one up. Thanks for sharing this post with us. It was extremely helpful.
Kathy
http://www.glamsimplified.com
Thanks, so glad you found the post helpful!!
agree!! insta is my favorite!
http://www.prettyinleather.net
Mine too :)
Agreed – social media is so important – I didn’t start using it until a year into blogging! Great round up!
Annessa
http://www.seekingsunshine.com
I definitely find myself spending MORE time on social media than I am creating my posts. Once you make something live (whether it’s a post or video) then you have to push it on social media because that’s really how it’s going to be picked up by current & new readers. So much goes into blogging & vlogging and social media is definitely a huge part of it. I have all of the networks you mentioned too! xx, adaatude.com
Love your really helpful tips! Sounds like your position at the PR firm was a great learning experience for your own ventures! Have a wonderful weekend!
http://www.laurenfarrellny.com/blog
These are great tips and I totally agree! Growing a social media presence is super important!
http://www.rosyoutlookblog.com
Great post and very helpful!
– Bailey Chauner
http://www.hotdresshotmess.com
Social Media is important for a blogger, as I’ve come to realize. Personally, I focus on Instagram and Twitter but I’m trying to use Facebook and other sites. Thank you so much for this informative post, Jamie! It’s incredibly helpful <3
xx Bash | H E Y B A S H | bloglovin’
Yeah, and I love these, love the posting photos, I think photo can tell us more about the word :)
XX
http://www.missydress.com.au
It is true. However, blogging is far beyond more than just posting pictures. Is also about communicating the story behind it.
Check out my blog: http://www.theminxivixen.com
xoxo
Gianina
Great post! Really very helpful!!
Hugs,
Love from http://www.trangscorner.com {a lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and food blog}
I agree with this list and definitely say Facebook is the one I am most active on sharing blog content and Pinterest definitely drives the most traffic!
xx Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
I love this round up! I am new to blogging and not really comfortable with social media as a whole. i quit FB a few years ago because it started sucking up too much of my time and since i am in sales (aka not at a desk) i never got into interest, not sure why i never did twitter either. i have always love instagram and i totally love snap chat now too. i would LOVE if you did a tutorial on either twitter or pinterst – the way you use them, how to link things, when you schedule it, etc. i do feel all the outlets are so overwhelming, especially since i have 3 kids and work part time! thanks for sharing. i love your blog!
Xo, Tara
http://brunette-ambitions.com
Hi Tara! I’m so glad you found this helpful! Those are great ideas! I’ll definitely keep them in mind for future posts :)
cute post! cant go wrong with some social media fun!
kelseybang.com
Agreed, thanks Kelsey! :)
Great post!
xo
http://www.dylanasuarez.com
Thanks, Dylana!
This is actually really helpful! I just started all social media a few months ago, so I’m still trying to figure everything out haha!
Good karma,
Tatum || AbstractAphrodite
Yay I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks, Tatum!
Great tips! I love using Instagram and Pinterest!
xo, Lily
beautywithlily.com
Thanks, Lily! Glad you liked the post :)
I’m a huge fan of using Instagram and Twitter!! Still not that into Facebook but I think it’s because I never really use my personal account anymore!
http://thecourtneydiaries.com
Instagram is definitely my favorite :) I agree, Facebook isn’t the first thing I check when I’m killing time on my phone
This is so helpful. Social Media is something that I really need to work on when it comes to blogging! Great tips.
https://forsevenseasons.wordpress.com
Glad you found it helpful! I always like learning from other bloggers, so I thought I’d share some of my tips :)
These are great tips to keep in mind! It can definitely be a challenge managing all of these accounts — and doing it well. I love Instagram and enjoy seeing photos from other bloggers. I also really need to join Snapchat!
http://www.livinginsteil.com
I definitely use Instagram the most out of all of them! It took me a while to figure out snapchat, but it’s really fun now that I understand it better!
I actually love Instagram! I am all about pictures
Candice | Beauty Candy Loves
Me too! That’s the one I use the most and how I follow most of my favorite bloggers
I also have these 5 accounts where I share my blog posts. Instagram is the most used and Facebook is the least :)) Great post :)
Have a great day! :)
xoxo,
SHAIRA // http://www.missdream-girl.blogspot.com
I agree! Instagram is my favorite and the one I like to follow bloggers on the most