I found the readings this week so exciting!!!!!!!!! The possibilities and creativity just leap off the page. However, I'm still only on the outer edge…I haven't used Tumblr, Pinterest or Instagram and still don't feel I really understand how to even get started….but I am beyond convinced of the potential! I was particularly fascinated by the "Instameets" and the way product was combined with art and community events…..
Although I need to attract customers first, I tried to "think big" about where I would like to be or could be…Initially I didn't think any of these would apply to my business…where would the visuals come from?! However, as I read about each of the four major visual social media platforms, I did have some ideas….the "possibilities….
TUMBLR
Mini Book Reviews…picture of book and a mini review….perhaps creative ways in which the book was discussed by a Mother Daughter Book Club. Loved the NPR example...
PINTEREST
Group Boards around specific age groups or even types of books…novels vs. memoirs (maybe more challenging to discuss but lends itself to special "guests….")
YOUTUBE
Didn't remember it was owned by Google…now that I know, it makes sense that videos make your name/website rise in the SEO numbers….I could be giving tips about how to make a Mother Daughter Book Club successful….I believe there are "devices" that would allow me to film myself…these are what people are using for "selfless?"
INSTAGRAM
I could use the "Carousel Ad" format to showcase a book (its cover) and a brief summary…it would be great if I could somehow attract live "mini reviews" by girls reading featured books…there could also be calls for book related activities….Would love to organize an "Instameet" where Mothers and Daughters would read a book, and meet in a related place and post the photos….
Since I am just learning about all these platforms, it is difficult for me to know what is used the most. I know FLICKR is not really used anymore. I think there is a slightly older market that uses Pinterest as it feels like the "bulletin boards" of the last century. I think it is easier for individuals that did not grow up with technology to adopt this digitized form….I think YouTube may be a younger market as they are more comfortable with being in front of a camera…either themselves or making a YouTube. I think Instagram crosses age groups. Reading about the TUMBLR applications was so enlightening. I had no idea so many companies were using this platform.
In my business, I still need to attract the customers by convincing them this activity should be part of their lives and I can lead them along either in person locally or via the web which I am very slowly putting together. I don't feel I can yet choose a form of social media which would be best as I see ways I can use all of them. It seems that YouTube (with initially myself giving some "mini-tips) and either Tumblr or Instagram with mini book reviews as social media forms I could use in the absence of many customers.
I'm excited by your excitement! I feel the same way as I'm doing the reading for these assignments and light bulbs are going off all over the place. I had no idea that social media could be fun. For some reason, I saw it as a waste of time and fake. It doesn't have to be and you can actually get as much out of it as you put into it!
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