Social Media Tricks of the Trade

If you surveyed people based on the question "Do you feel like you know your favorite social media platform well?" many people would probably be inclined to say yes. 

However, social networks are coming out with new layouts, formats, tricks, looks, wallpapers, buttons and apps constantly. How could someone possibly know all the idiosyncrasies of a platform without being one of the platform's creators? That is why I started searching the Internet for a few tricks to my favorite platforms, which are listed below to improve your social media prowess...or to tell you something you already know. If you're in the latter category, feel free to shake your head and mutter "I thought everyone knew that."

Haley Grigsby's fabulous tips and tricks to navigate and personalize your social media experience:

1.) Twitter has instituted the ability to personalize your page. When I first saw this trick I flashbacked to my Myspace days, when junior high Haley was worried about her top friends, but, surprisingly, not many social platforms actually allow you to do this simple task.

To personalize your page, go on you or your company's - yes this works for business too - Twitter page and click the "Edit Profile" button (on the desktop view, not available on mobile view). Once the menu pops up, look for "theme color." Once you click on that button, personalize your page by picking theme colors or upload a pattern true to you or your brand. The theme you choose will color URLs, hashtags and other users' handles.

This is a great way to personalize your company from a marketing standpoint. It makes your Twitter page more personal and furthers branding efforts. The Ohio State University football team has a Twitter page and has branded their Twitter page scarlet, which makes the page look much cooler and official than if the page was set in Twitter blue (check their page out at Twitter handle @Buckeyes).

2.) I'm going to talk to businesses now. Pinterest can be a wonderful marketing tool, it is visual and now you can buy select pins right on the app! This cuts out the middle man, though as a business it may cut down traffic on your website. However, don't be alarmed; instead look if your traffic to Pinterest has increased.

To address some of the Pinterest newbies, the first step to a business getting noticed on Pinterest is to get on the site. I would recommend Pinterest to any fashion or jewelry retailer out there - no matter how big or small. Also, Pinterest is great for furniture makers, designers, artists and chefs because this social network is extremely visually driven.

My tip to businesses on Pinterest is to make sure your privacy settings are public. It can be very easy while making a profile to click some form of private privacy setting. Pinterest can boost your business's search engine optimism (SEO) on Google. It allows your pins to pop-up in Google images more easily and many more people can find you this way!

* Important to note: For a personal Pinterest, or any other private social platform, always be aware of how your privacy settings are set - your page may not be as private as you thought.

That is all my tips and tricks for now. I will continue talking abut social media tips as I write on this blog, but if you cannot wait until later, check out the website that has more helpful tips here. My challenge to you is give me a tip to talk about or send me a trick you didn't know before. The point of social for both businesses and personal is that you interact because of that you can learn a little something new everyday.