It seems like yesterday that I was creating my very own AIM screen name to gossip with my friends and chat with boys. It all started in 2000 when I began using AOL to play games, search for music, and most importantly chat with friends. This was the beginning of my social media journey and I was hooked from the minute I heard that dial-up tone…
I began using MySpace in 2003 as a way to stay connected with my old and new classmates. The new social networking site allowed users to customize their profiles with pictures, music, and personal information. I was able to create a personal online identity that my friends and peers would see. I remember the thrill of getting a new friend request or a new post from a friend. The initial excitement of MySpace wore off after a year or so, and I found myself using it less and less.
During my freshman year in high school, my friend Erika’s college-aged brother introduced me to Facebook. At the time, it only allowed college students to join but luckily in 2005, Facebook launched a high school version and the social networking world changed forever. The clean layout and simple features made the site easy to use and connect with friends. I use Facebook to chat with friends, share my pictures, and keep up to date with events. Although I sometimes think life would be easier without it, I don’t know if I could actually part from a site I have used daily for 7 years.
I joined Twitter in 2009 as another way to connect with friends. Twitter may be my favorite social media platform because I can instantly connect with people and information I am interested in. I get most of my news and current events from Twitter because it is all right there with the click of a button. I also use LinkedIn, Instagram, and Pinterest. Pinterest is a great tool for businesses and brands to market their products and drive traffic to their websites. The concept is simple and appeals to users because they can create their own content on their boards.
During my summer internship at public relations agency, Company Agenda, I used Facebook and Twitter to promote and gain press for their clients and events. I also maintained a fashion blog and Twitter account for Buttoned Up NYC style consulting, which gave me the freedom to write about relevant events in the fashion world. Social media is bringing the fashion world together and making it more accessible, which is beneficial for designers and the consumer.
Although my social media journey began as a way to connect with friends, I now use it as a resource to build my professional and personal brand. I have learned the importance of maintaining my digital identity through my COM 400: Social Media course, as well as COM 500: Producing Cross-Platform Messages. As more companies incorporate social media into their business plans, I feel very fortunate to have been able to take these classes and hopefully use my social media skills in the corporate world.
Check out my video on Pinterest here!
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