To Be or Not to Be… on Social Networks

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Hello, I am Elena and I have the Socially Overwhelmed Syndrome. There are so many things I should be doing on social media, so many tools and useful websites to visit, update and share every day, that I am about to have a panic attack and go back to analog life. Except, the only problem is that I’ll have to look in to cave dwelling, because that might be the only place social media isn’t right in front of my face.

Don’t worry; this is just an exaggeration… I would never actually move to a cave.

Seriously, there is no reason to be so drastic. The trick to fighting the syndrome is to forget about using the tools for social media, and ask yourself: why am I using this tool? You need to realize the real use of the social media resources you are using, and if they help you or your clients achieve the goals. There is no need to be everywhere if you’re can’t even keep your profiles up to date. As inconceivable as it might sound, if you feel that Twitter might not be the right space for you after all, take a deep breath and stop fighting that feeling. There is no need.

As consultants, we need to know what’s out there and the best tools for achieving our clients’ goals. Take the time to know the tools, try them all if you have the time, but choose to be use the ones that really matter for you. Once you’ve identified your chosen few, be perseverant and make the most of them to engage your community and go on with your social life. If you still feel overwhelmed, feel free to choose just one and really focus your efforts there.

You can still be an “expert” on social media – just make sure you  know the tools and the social media landscape so you can keep up to speed with the rest of the world. If you feel lost, check out some websites that guide you through all the tools and resources available. Examples like Overdrive’s Social Map can guide you in this task. It is for you to decide what social media resources suit you best on your day-to-day life, or occasionally for special projects. They are all out there, so don’t be afraid to try. But if you feel that it is too much for now, as the doctor says, take them in small doses…

Visit overdriveinteractive.com/social-media-map for a clickable version of this.