Create content on social media that sticks

The power of creative visuals

Most of us learn by reading blogs like this or observing a great example by someone else and then adopting the idea.

Google Plus (G+)

In my opinion, Google Plus (G+) displays images the best.  I was fortunate to be one of the initial adopters of G+.  What I like about G+ also is that the stream is not crowded unless you are following bazillions of people.

Guy Kawasaki

Guy is the first person I first initially noticed always had a strong visual to compliment his posts to emphasize his posts on G+ and whom I adopted this idea from his lead.

I've written about it, and walk the walk all the time by including strong visuals.  I do like powerful photo images and keep a folder on my PC desktop to host some of my favorites.

Art

Creates strong visuals also and artists can always use the boost when you credit them for their creation.

When I'm in a certain mood, I will pull them out, look for a quote from a Google search that I feel compliments the image.  Then I have it for posting on Twitter, Facebook or Google Plus mostly.

You can do a Google Search on anything.  I will do the search and then pop into the images tab across the top of the page (not just the answers Google has supplied) to see what goodies I will find.  It's not always foolproof and sometimes I have to hunt a little harder.

Google search result for "Best of Pinterest Images"

PINTEREST

Is like my file cabinet that I want to keep to reference later on.  You can sort things by topic or categorize however you are inspired.  When you pin anything, it is displayed on Pinterest's main page, so it can filter across the screen of unknown Pinners who can like or rePIN it themselves.  It can attract new followers.

FIND ME ON PINTEREST

QUORA

Asked me this question to answer:  "How do you create content on social media that gets noticed?" and this was my answer, unedited, fresh from the source:

1. Include powerful images. Visual creativity can be another talent that is rewarded by using images in posts.
2. I like to find images around the web and use them for my blogs. Along the way, when I find an image that appeals to me, I will adopt it, add either my own quote or one that resonates with the message I’m trying to convey.

• HOW TO ADD TEXT TO IMAGES: I’m not an elaborate user, have had to experiment a fair bit, and apply trial and error to get it right. I use MicroSoft PAINT. Lately, I’ve experimented with adding borders to include my quote so as to avoid ruining the image or if I don’t want to have text running across it.
• PEOPLE LOVE QUOTES: I can be inspired to create a quote while I’m blogging and extend it to share across social media.
• IDENTIFY yourself on your creations so that if your quote/image is shared, your name is carried.
• IMAGE SOURCE: I try to include the photographer or artist to give them credit and recognition as often as possible.

By invitation

What I have found to be cool is that after creating these quotes with art or photos for a while, you may find yourself invited to groups to add or share content.  That is a nice reward for being prepared to do trial and error. This can increase awareness tenfold because the likelihood is that others who share the same interest, are likely to LIKE or SHARE your stuff.  If you customize it, then it should stand out.

Gratitude

Using your manners and going out of your way to thank people, attracts notice.  As with KARMA, you attract what you send out.  Never underestimate the powerful attraction of being polite.

How to use Paint to add text:

I will show you how I create the right atmosphere to 

share a quote.  Here are a few tips when using Paint:

  

You can get a pretty close match to your text 

color by using the dropper 

Just add text:

1) Select TEXT icon

2) Create Text Box

3)  Select color (click on dropper icon {the color you selected before for the border should still be saved} then choose the font, text size, boldness, you want.

and VOILA!

Give it a try

Certainly, there are apps and software out there to help you create your unique masterpiece like CANVA, etc.  However, since I started using PAINT, after trial and error, I've become more adept at using it.  I may not be a graphic designer, but I know what I like when I see it.  PAINT allows me to fiddle around and be creative.

Experiment

Sometimes, I admit, I don't always find what I am looking for, so I just create it.  I use my mouse as my drawing tool, whether to create or enhance an image.   Obviously, I need more practice.

I certainly have fun fooling around on PAINT.

Surfing around the curiosity yonder

Just answer the question DAMMIT!

I have this underwritten rule, that has been private up until now.  Because I recognize that in order to become a voice others trust, I have to be honest. 

Truth be told
 The rule is that I don't read much on other people's take on social media.  The reason being, I don't want my own interpretation by tarnished or skewed by someone else.  I confess that I was really tempted to go look at Marie Smith (Facebook Guru referenced on right sidebar under "Social Media" references) to see what Marie would say, but I dug deep and realized it was not unlike trying to sell magazine ads to someone.  

What can you expect?
They are asking what to expect and leaning on their network to find the answer.  Thinking someone would step up and stand out with a strong, accurate answer.

The answer business
is a fine way to bring to attention your strengths and attributes.  One of the reasons I was willing to escape Linked In Group discussion was after finding someone practically cut and paste part of an answer from me.  

On the brighter side
The good ones stand out and the shady ones also.   You kinda get a strong sense you're on the good side when you get invites to connect from strangers in unique industries you are not as familiar with.

Stand out
So you can stand out, if you know your stuff. I still exchange tweets or message some of my best and still-current connections from Linked In to this day.  It was mutual admiration society or similar interest ville. 

Refreshing honesty
seems to be a welcome introduction to newbies and war-weary veterans of surfing around, doing research, comparing, accumulating facts, looking stuff up, passing the time, gaming, watching mindless dribble, FAILheaven, and so on. 

Ah Quora Quora QUORA
Since I blogged about the sprinkling of requests to have more people answer questions properly, Quora is sorting through its people of subscribers and members to weed through to ask some to answer questions.  It can subtly flag it to others, or other questions it wants to send your way.

Since I talked about this value added feature yesterday, I have had 15 requests to Answer Questions emailed by Quora to me as Notifications in the last 24-hour period and counting (yeah, that was the jist of the article where I suggested people like numbers and lists, eek).  

Curious warriors
strength in not always in numbers, but the strength of the numbers can carry a lot of weight.  Quora's value proposition is it is a beauty trap for all the curious minds out there, opinion seekers, third opinion needers, answer-ers and not necessarily blowhards.

Alas, a question I discovered tonight was under a new group I'd joined for social marketers.  As I was about to close the page, like a beacon or a candy to beckon me, I went into the group.  The first question caused me to feel compelled to answer, taking a rest from Quora, and seeing how the responses are received over here:

Q:

Social Media Marketing

Could you please advice me a strategy to run successful Ad campaign on facebook. Thanx

Manju Singh

Marketing Professional

A: my answer~

There is a really important common point here:  who do you want to reach (i.e. aka target audience)?  

I get where you are coming from however,  Manjusha. It's kinda like asking a yes or no question and getting layered with excuses and/or seemingly unrelated or incorrect information and/or all.  

The right kind of social media partner should be able to identify what to expect from a Facebook advertising spend;  it's not that difficult for me to pinpoint because I sold magazine ads in a newspaper town, so I get how you must be feeling.

There are organic ways to grow within Facebook.  I'm a fan of this method because, although it is much slower paced, your connections tend to be more memorable and long lasting.  

Under this guise, I would suggest you join GROUPS, a really powerful feature and offering of value add by Facebook. 

The optioneerJM dictionary and reference to the wired side

Saturday, September 17, 2016

SOURCE:  http://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/Domain/10844

QUORA SAAS ... what else?

24 hours ago could be a week for many other people. Under my meanderings.ABOUT blog, I've carried on about the theory of being a mental energist.  That is someone who, if their brain looked like the inside of a hamster cage, the wheel would continually be going around and around, albeit much slower during sleep.


EXAMINING EXAMINATION

Before Friday, I was the hamster turning and turning around, never uphill, thankfully not down either.  It must come at a certain age or just pop out at peak moments of awareness in our lives, possibly, if lucky, more than once.  What 10 years from now seemed like 25 from then, only to feel like it means only 5 now.

I guess I was doing a lot of self-evaluation to figure out what I really want.  I'm more used to being on a roller coaster ride, sometimes hanging on to my hat, other times letting my hair just blow.  Then all of a sudden you can feel like a hamster, still moving ahead, no speed bumps, no standstills or traffic jams.  Still a little sweat, just not in magnitude any more.


What does SAAS stand for?
I did have a mini rant a few years ago about people who work for companies, feel like it is a medal of honour to use the same acronyms from within that dynamic culture, began including it in every day language.  Soon after, nobody stopped anyone to ask what the meaning of it was because it just seemed like everybody knew it like a noun more than an acronym.

An exchange with a SAAS genius
See, I'm pretty much like anybody else, perhaps more curious than most.  It seemed like there was a mutual admiration for each other's background and successes or failures.  We didn't get on to talk about any failures.

Attention!
Immediately,
like anyone in the military does
instinctively
You stand at attention when
there is this BWAMB !
kind of reaction
when I think,
this is a pretty
smart dude
(in this case guy).  

He just stood out to me like a superstar.  You see, I've been on Linked In for over 6 years now.  The hungry entrepreneurs of then, are the talked about success stories today.

Like any self respecting professional would do, I clicked on his Linked In profile.  Just about talking to anyone anywhere I will try to cross-reference them with a Linked In profile.  What I mean, is I verify their name and just a few personal profile details I make a mental note of, on Linked In.  

Cool, coolio or cooler?
What is really cool sometimes is that someone's professional profile is just that poised, polished, professional presentation of one self.  Who they really are, night and day from what they carry on their shoulders.

Yeah, like another powerful drug, that instinctive feel that this person's PPPProfile is one side, yet the other singular most powerful ingredient on the other, you may not say on the conservative side, is
P-E-R-S-O-N-A-L-T-Y .
That is my true gift.

Interests and gifts divide
You can have one singular gift, time consuming, heart consuming, head consuming gift or you could say talent, but the interests on the side are sparse and not very frequently occupied.

CHARISMA
is a word we most often associate with powerful country leaders: think John F. Kennedy, Pierre Trudeau, Barack Obama, Justin Trudeau.  I don't think you qualify for charisma until you've dusted off a few brush ins, dusted off, and stood a little taller and prouder after.  That's how I think we should consider that meaning.

I think there is a certain vibe and invisible energy that emits into the atmosphere by those impacted by watching or meeting a charismatic person.  An inaudible pulse like a mist surrounds them.  Profoundly rare, charismatic people are the beacon to the evil and cannier sharksters.   

I don't think you can emit charisma unless you have some sort of humanity that you may be aligned with.  

JOHN F.KENNEDY> was the greatest benefactor for race relations: to conquer and overcome racial bias and discrimination.  

SIDEBAR<<

John F. Kennedy 

was the first 

American President

 who was able to

"make America GREAT again" 

inspired by others

who had to 

build a country

 from scratch,

 accounted for more

who carried it on their backs.

He had to take it on as a

 belief and vision after

 wars, stock market crashes,

 famine, drought, floods,

 fires, hurricanes, tornadoes,

 tropical storms, blizzards, danger,

 John F. Kennedy 

was leading the country,

 making believers out of

 the stomped on,

 to start feeling

 optimistic

 about the future

 without bias,

 discrimination,

or racism.

Who does that

remind you of?

YES

I agree

the BIG B-O!*

BARACK OBAMA>outspoken for women, as an advocate creating a better future for his daughters' tomorrow.  The threat of ISIS with bursting bombs surrounding the world and his presidency.

PIERRE TRUDEAU>made the ladies swoon.  He was a world class eligible bachelor.  A challenge of so many women.  Honey who attracted bees and buzz.

JUSTIN TRUDEAU>and his wife, Sophie were the belle and prince of the ball hosted by the Obamas at the White House.  They stole away with the glass slipper:  the adoration of millions around the world, not like anywhere else have the fairy tails shown the "Happily Ever After" but now we can to watch it unfold by Justin.

Linked In ..... I flitter on and off my social media sites to check on the stats and see if anything pops out at me, shows me something new, informs me with more knowledge.

I wrote about onboarding two years ago, interesting or curioser and curioser.  (Who says that in Alice in Wonderland?) Scavenger Quiz by optioneerJM

I was really impressed with this background:  said very smart technology person.

Certainly, this person won't be revealed.  I'm not a journalist or a reporter.  I'm more of an observer and intake specialist.  

* NOTES:
1)  I am permitted to have an opinion about a current, past or candidate for the presidential responsibility of running the powerful U-nited States.
2) Yes, I do have at least a high school education.
3)  No, I have never had to live in poverty, but have felt the threat of it more than once, which can be just as devastating as living it.
4)  Now that President Obama is coasting to the finish line, feeling comfortable with the legacy he will leave, upholding the responsibility to the best of his ability, his advisors, empathetic to his people.  He has to get used to poking a little more fun at himself, and stop using his stable of "Michele opinions" to lighten up a tense situation.
5) No, I did not intentionally or otherwise, utter or reference a presidential candidate as to express any kind of endorsement of either candidate, especially the one who will lay claim to it or start calling me names on Twitter, unless a murmur of a mock instead
6) Not naming names and steering very clear of controversial references at most, should excuse and misleading or misunderstanding of favoring one candidate over another.

Reminds of the saying:  "Try, and try again."
 Not exactly your dynamic duo IMHO 

And Americans are afraid of a Dictatorship with Trump?

                                  ~Jeannette Marshall                                         @optioneerJM                                                                #quote

IMAGE SOURCES:  #Google