From Technophobe to Social Media Madness!

Task 2 is over and the end of our first FDSM module on social media platforms draws near. It really has been a journey of unexpected discovery for me. A technophobe and social media novice at the start of this course, I can't believe how much I have learnt over the past two months. So what have I achieved in this time frame?

Having evaluated many social media platforms, for their relevance and effectiveness in my business Chrissie Designs Jewellery, I decided to focus my attentions on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. To begin with I did not appreciate how these platforms worked in a business context, let alone how to use them as part of a social media marketing strategy. However, even with this confusion I found myself  hooked on the research and development of these three platforms and my new business web site.

The online research for the two course tasks increased my learning curve exponentially. This, linked with the timely launch of my web site spurred me into further action. Suddenly, how to use Facebook clicked. With the help of the analysis found in Facebook Insights I began to write posts that people engaged with; a competition to increase 'likes' and 'shares', engaging photos of unusual jewellery and celebrity jewellery, photos of my latest jewellery designs and video from You Tube on jewellery trends. I even experimented with the new Facebook Timeline movie. All of a sudden I was engaging in some great communications with my followers. It was fun!
  A Google seminar and free one to one analysis of my new web site gave me even more to think about and take action on. Having already set up Google analytics myself my new web site was given the once over and found to be in great shape, according to what Google is looking for. Some advice on SEO and how to create  effective links with other web sites and to all my platforms also helped.

So what have been the tangible achievements of this first module in my foundation degree in social media?

1. The launch of my web site linked to the social media platforms that are right for my business - Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest
2. A Facebook presence that in one week saw my 'Likes' increase by 56%, 'Friends of Fans' up by 72%, My 'Weekly Reach' up by 949% and the 'People Talking About' up by a massive 2,500%
3. A Facebook Timeline video, a poll and a competition to engage people all created by myself
4. Registration and profiles put on several relevant directories
5. Invitations by two other online businesses to guest blog for them about jewellery.
6. Best of all I have had my first online customer!

Not bad for an eight week course! None of it would have been possible though, without the help and support of our tutors Paul and Adam or without the University of Glamorgan leading the UK field and developing this pilot degree course in the first place.

Thanks guys you have been inspirational!.