I enjoy spending time on social media and would spend more time if I could. Social media opens doors to information and make connections that I would never have any other way. This is not to say social media is easy. It is not. If you have not used social media before, I recommend that you start small with one network. Pick one (Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram) and use that one. Under most cases, Facebook is probably the first place people will start, I’m not sure that it is the best, but Facebook is where most people exist online and maintain. My experience says that Instagram is probably the best place to start because of its simplicity and visual nature. You are always welcome to follow me and see what I am doing.
In order to manage several different social media networks, I have a plan that I try to maintain–just to keep me engaged.
On Instagram: I try to place a photo here daily. Most of the posts revolve around family—simple because this is where I spend most of the times that can be photographed. I do not take many work photos because I do not always feel comfortable taking photos of other Soldiers and posting them. I also do not take photos of anything even remotely sensitive to maintain an awareness of operational security and force protection. I also do take many work photos because my work does not transfer well onto social media—I am a Chaplain and it is hard to be confidential if I am taking photos of people that I pray with or counsel. So, mostly everyday there are family or tourism photos.
On Twitter: I am more sporadic than I would like. I would like to be active daily, but lately I have been running into time constraints. I tweet most often about subjects that I’m interested in. I will tweet messages about different disasters that are happening around the world mostly. But, as a close second, I will tween about running. I try to be involved in the #runchat on Sunday nights when I am able and tweet with my #runchat friends through the week. I would like to do more with twitter, but lately I am focusing energy my classes.
On Facebook: I actually try not to post too much here. I use Facebook to inform friends of big events—half marathons, kids events, or special photos to share. I read Facebook daily and see what everyone else is doing but post sparingly as opposed to my daily Instagram.
As much as I am on social media and even as I try to use other new platforms. I always think that it is best to think the strategy out and allow myself to take charge rather than social media to drive my life and my concerns.