A look at how to avoid social media burnout, with some perspective from Neil Young.

1. Why Neil Young Lied
Social Media Fatigue: Is it better to burn out than fade away?
May 24, 2012

4. Stipulated: Burnout is Bad
 The last thing we need is more work
 Resources are scarce as it is.
 Why do something that doesn‟t make you happy?
 “When can I do my real work?” – Others feel
overwhelmed too

5. BUT….
Social Media
is not a fad
It‟s here to stay. We
need to deal.

6. How do we avoid
burnout/fatigue then?
 Excellent Question. Wish I knew the answer
 Not a lot of “policies” out there
 Tips, Tools and Strategies
 Mental Health/Re-energizers

8. Stay fresh
•Take Neil‟s advice: Don‟t be stagnant
•Once sued by his record company for failing to be
himself
•Puts out records doomed to be commercial failures
– electronica, synth music
•“I could do this indefinitely. Willie [Nelson] is over 70. He's out there
doing it, so we'll just see what happens with me. Music is good that
way. So we'll see what happens." He pauses for a second, and then
concludes: "When you don't see me any more, you'll know I've stopped
caring about it." --Interview with “The National”, 2010

9. Find a Friend
• Someone who can
help you learn
• Someone to share
your burden
• An advocate
• Get S.M.U.G., if you
can.

10. The Google Method
 50 minutes per hour tackling a task, 10 minutes
putting out fires/catching up on SM.
 Other methods
 15 minutes in the morning, 15 minutes after lunch,
15 before checking out.
 Give yourself a Social Media deadline– Shut off at
X time
 When all else fails, remember that stuff can wait.

11. Use Technology to Help
You
Social Media Dashboards: Here‟s a list of 40.
Hootsuite, Tweetdeck, Seesmic, Social Mention.
 Overview of multiple platforms
 Don‟t feel like you have to have 37 windows open at
once

12. Better Living Through
Minions
 Student Workers= Best thing since sliced bread.
 Oswego has a student social media team

13. Engage with Your
audience
 Spend time with the people you‟re hoping to serve.
 Listen. Get ideas. Hear what they‟re passionate
about. It can recharge your batteries
 “Look for the positives in your community.”
*Hat tip to Seth
Odell

14. Coping Mechanisms
 debng Unplug. Go for a walk. Take a vacation. Play with my son. Watch a movie.
In other words, anything but work.
 Dayngr Emergency chocolate.
 catykobe By physically getting away… taking a walk around the block, or
otherwise unplugging
 QuirkyBean Lame but I actually have a „Happy List‟ – 50 things to do to cheer
myself up :p Pick one and get on with it
 KellyLux I workout. I read a paper book. I cook. Anything that doesn‟t involve a
screen and other people
 vargasl I now have this written above monitor, “Is anyone dying?” – No? Walk
away, do something to numb brain and come right back.
 SunnyinSyracuse Oh, and I also take out stress in my baking
From Community Manager Chat

15. Questions? Complaints?
 @dtyler321, dtyler@brockport.edu
 These slides are onSlideshare.