Platforms: How did I get started on each one?

Each platform has something unique to offer. Sometimes it is hard to know which form of social media is best for what you are trying to accomplish. I found an article by Kelly Swee (http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/top-social-media-sites-how-you-can-benefit-from-them/) to be very useful for understanding the advantages to each different platform in business. Swee ranks each platform’s brand exposure, communication, and traffic to your sites. 

While I plan to someday use it in a business setting, I have mostly used social media for personal uses. 

My gateway platform was Facebook. I created my first profile my sophomore year of high school.  I thought Facebook was the only platform I would ever need. What other social media needs could I possibly have? 

Not soon after, my friends spent hours sharing hilarious YouTube videos. I created an account so that I could post my own videos and comment.

I was content. I didn’t need any other platforms in my life. Then, a revolutionary platform made its debut. 

At first I resisted my roommates’ pressure to try the latest trending social media: Pinterest.  I watched them neglect their homework as the clicked on icon after icon of food and clothes and hot men.

I thought it was such a waste of time. Then I got engaged. All of a sudden, I realized the convenience of consolidating all of the cute wedding ideas I came across.

  

My internship in Washington, D.C. introduced me to new platforms of social media.

LinkedIn helped me stay connected with those whom I networked with on Capitol Hill. They were all on LinkedIn so I figured I had better be too. 

I was required by my congressional office to have a Twitter to keep up with our congressman as well as the news outlets. It surprised me how many politicians were actively involved with social media, particularly Twitter. An article by Jane Susskind sites that 75% of world leaders are on Twitter (http://ivn.us/social-ballot/2013/01/12/top-politicians-on-twitter-worldwide-may-surprise-you/). The congressman I worked for would be Tweeting it up from inside hearings and other important events. It kept him really connected to his constituents. 

And I started my first blog in D.C. to keep my family and friends updated on my adventures. It was fun to be able to post all of my pictures and stories where people could see them. 

I have yet to get really involved with anything Instagram or Flicker. I feel like it would be hard to participate in them because I don’t have a smartphone to take pictures of my lunch and stuff with (nor do I really care to show everyone that much of my life).

Although I think it’s totally rad, I also haven’t done much with Google (besides email and docs). I think that will be my next platform to conquer.