This document provides an introduction to social media. It outlines that 73% of online adults use social media, with Facebook being the most popular platform at 71%. It then discusses how mobile usage is also key, with 58% of Americans owning smartphones. The rest of the document offers advice on using various social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for personal and professional purposes. It emphasizes the importance of engagement, developing a social media strategy and staying up to date on new platforms and trends.

1. Introduction to Social Media
Cindy Royal, Ph.D
Associate Professor
Texas State University
School of Journalism
and Mass Communication
croyal@txstate.edu
cindyroyal.com
@cindyroyal
slideshare.net/cindyroyal

2. Social is here to
stay
• 73% of online adults use a social media
platform of some kind.
• 42% use multiple platforms
• Facebook is the most prevalent with 71% of online adults
• Different sites skew toward different niches or
demographics
• Facebook has high levels of engagement; 63% visit once
a day; 40% visit multiple times per day.
• Instagram and Twitter also have highly engaged users,
although smaller user bases.
http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/12/30/social-media-
update-2013/

3. And mobile is key
• Smartphone users are young
(18-29; 83%), educated
(college; 71%) and have
high incomes (81% make $75k+)
• 58% of American adults have a smartphone; 42% own a tablet
• 34% of cell Internet users go online MOSTLY via their phone.
9% of adults have texted a charitable donation from their
phone
• While overall charitable giving in the U.S. grew 4.9% in 2013,
online giving grew 13.5%. Sixty-two percent of Generation Y
donors said they would contribute to charitable causes by
mobile phone.
http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/mobile-technology-fact-
sheet/

4. Start a Blog
Blogging allows you to tell stories, engage in thought leadership,
have a focal point for your activities.

5. Facebook • Facebook is a fun place to share with
friends
• One of the most popular social media
platforms
• Companies, brands and celebrities
use Facebook to connect with fans

6. Twitter
• Twitter is free and simple
• Allows you to develop your brand, engage with followers
• Use widgets to repurpose
to your Web site or blog.
New content all the time.
• Respond to questions
• Retweet interesting items
• Tweet blog content
• Desktop and mobile applications

7. Photos
and Visuals
• Instagram - add filters to photos (Facebook
purchased in 2013)
• Pinterest – another visual platform; pin items;
grouping
• Tumblr – a blogging platform that relies heavily on
the visual (Yahoo purchased in 2013)
• Other photo sharing sites still exist like Picasa and
Flickr
• Selfie crazy!

8. Video
• Use your phone
• Learn to use simple editing software
like iMovie or Windows MovieMaker
• YouTube
• UStream

9. Go Mobile
• Find apps that will allow you to expand
your social media activities
• News apps help you stay in touch
• Twitter apps – allow you to Tweet
when you are on the go.
• Qik and Ustream – live stream video
from phone

10. LinkedIn • Your LinkedIn profile can connect you to
thousands of professionals
• Search for connections at companies of interest
• Create a LinkedIn profile that reflects your
interests and background much like a resume
• Include your Website on your LinkedIn profile

11. Location-based
• Foursquare (NYC)
• Location as part of other apps, like Yelp,
Facebook, Twitter, etc.
• Share location, photos with friends
• Get tips and recommendations
• Locations can provide
incentives to users
• Integration with Facebook,
Twitter, Tumblr, etc.

12. Messaging
• WhatsApp
• GroupMe
• Threema, Line
• SnapChat
• Whisper, Secret

13. Analytics
Use Google Analytics or those associated with your blog platform
to get information about users, locations, link referrals, etc.

14. Future
• Wearables
• Virtual reality
• Data
• Drones
• Platforms in
media
• Second-screen
engagement
• Coding for
everyone
• Sharing economy
• Bitcoin,
cryptocurrency

15. Brands and Social

16. Brands and Social

17. Brands and Social

18. Brands and Social

19. Brands and Social

20. Leveraging Social
• Be where your customers, clients, users are – may require
presence in multiple spaces
• Develop social strategy to integrate messaging
• Engagement
• Make sure everyone knows their role, their responsibilities
• Don’t leave social to an intern or a pr company – voice must be
authentic
• Seek inspiration from others, follow other organizations and
brands
• Stay up-to-date conceptually
• Try new things, have fun!

21. Resources
• SXSW Interactive
• Read Tech blogs like Mashable, Read Write Web,
TechCrunch, SmashingMag, 10,000 Words, Wired.
Tech section of NY Times and FastCompany.com
• Online Journalism Review Archives - ojr.org
• Convergence Culture by Henry Jenkins
• The Long Tail and Free by Chris Anderson
• Digital Riptide – digitalriptide.org
• KPCB Internet Trends –
www.kpcb.com/internet-trends
Pew Internet – pewinternet.org
Non Profit Resources
• 50 Non Profit Statistics – www.npengage.com/nonprofit-
research/50-fascinating-nonprofit-statistics/
• Blackbaud Charitable Giving –
www.blackbaud.com/nonprofit-
resources/charitablegiving
• Blackbaud Generational Giving –