SECRET INGREDIENTS / 04

as a blogger, i think it’s pretty important to stay connected. you don’t want to annoy people, but something that is super important is promoting your content and getting the word out there about what’s happening over on your blog. and this means maximizing your social media platforms. they are your friend here.

these are just things i have discovered along the way that can benefit anyone trying to get out there in social media, whether they be a freelancer or blogger wanting people to see their work, or a small business owner wanting someone to discover their shop…this is not an exact science or anything, but here’s what works for me and hopefully this provides you with some insight!

we are going to go through how to use your content/photos in different ways…

facebook: the one that i was so rebellious to start and then i kicked myself for that later. get on facebook and start a page for your blog, it can only help you. i was constantly posting on my personal page about designlovefest when i first started blogging and realized in the past few months how beneficial it is to have a blog facebook page. here’s mine. you can brand it too, which is nice.

when i post to facebook i generally use a horizontal photo. i actually upload the photo and then in the photo caption i say a one sentence about the blog post (what it’s about) and then a link to the actual post. (i have been using bit.ly recently to shorten my links!) i like this way a little better than posting just the link to the post because that way gives you such a small thumbnail and it’s difficult to see.

pinterest: i try to steer away from pinning tons of my own content, but i think it’s okay to do it every now and then – especially when it’s original content. i look at photos as “pinterest friendly” or not. i prefer to pin photos that are graphic, colorful, detailed and vertical. they show up best in a pinterest feed and i find those to be the most captivating when i am scrolling through pinterest. keep this in mind when you are shooting photos for your blog too!

also, if you check your source page (i talked about that here) then you can see what people are pinning from your site. go on, check yours now. it’s mostly the detailed verticals, right? when i am pinning from other people’s sites i try to use the same method…i take a look at their post and decide which one is the most “pinterest friendly” so hopefully it drives people to their site! help your friends out.

twitter: again, late to the game on this one too. but twitter has proven to be the most helpful way to connect with other bloggers, promote your content, and to ask people what restaurants they like in the cities i am traveling in, of course.

when i wake up in the morning, i check that the post went up and that i didn’t make any huge mistakes (ha) and then i tweet the post. i try not to sound too mechanical – that’s why i don’t schedule my tweets. (not that there is anything wrong with that, it’s just not my style!) i keep it conversational and to the point (i talked more about that here too) sometimes i tweet for different time zones, once early in the morning and once later in the evening. but sometimes that feels like overkill. i just do what feels right that day.

instagram: i would say about 1-2 a week i use instagram to promote designlovefest. i like to keep instagram pretty much about my “everyday findings” but sometimes i will have behind the scenes photos or something that feels more personal (for instance, for this style post i instagrammed this photo.) you can think of instagram as a place for outtakes.

you can also use it as a “sneak peek” to get people excited about something you are creating. take this instagram. that is on set for a video we shot for an upcoming post. i try not to show too much, but there’s nothing wrong with little previews of what’s to come!

also, please don’t be afraid to ask questions. all this information sounds overwhelming, i know, but it just takes some practice. i’ve loved posting this series for you guys, i’m hoping it’s been helpful for you! -bri

photography: angela+ithyle
more secret ingredients posts: here, here and here

this post is in partnership with smartwater! smartwater, simplicity is delicious. click here to learn more.

73 COMMENTS

73 Comments

Add your own

1. camille | September 6th, 2012 at 5:09 am

thank you! this post is really helpful in figuring out how to use social media for my blog. I have been posting everything on my personal facebook page, but I think I need to just hunker down and do it all on my blog facebook instead. I am also trying to find a niche for my blog (a task that has seemed a bit impossible!) but I will forge on!

something having to do with the merging of discovery and fashion? I am an avid traveler (currently living in Taipei from San Francisco) and want to document all my findings and explorations here, but with a fashiony base. hmm…

anyway, thanks for the great post! I am very happy to have discovered your blog!
2. rachael | September 6th, 2012 at 5:37 am

this was a lot of help. bri.

thanks!
3. Kateri | September 6th, 2012 at 5:42 am

This post is really helpful, Bri! Thank you! I have a new account with bit.ly now!
4. Tabara | September 6th, 2012 at 5:44 am

Great advice Bri – thank you so much.
I agree with you, twitter has been the best tool in terms of connected with other bloggers, driving traffic to my blog with hashtaging.
For Facebook, i tend to post on both my personal and blog pages.
Great tip ie uploading the picture.

Tabara x
5. Sarolta | September 6th, 2012 at 5:45 am

I love your advice posts as they really make me want to get better and more professional. Thanks a lot!
6. Elisse | September 6th, 2012 at 5:57 am

Thanks for all the great advice. I always feel hesitant to start a facebook page because my blog is still small. But I learned in Blogshop to just go for it in terms of my blog and content, so I know that should carry through in other platforms. Soon! Thanks for the inspiration.

And where did you guys do this shoot? It’s amazing!
7. Leigh | September 6th, 2012 at 5:58 am

These are fantastic tips. Thank you so much
8. Leigh | September 6th, 2012 at 6:08 am

Do you think that the time of day that you put a pin on Pinterest makes a difference?
9. Chick Tyler | September 6th, 2012 at 6:11 am

These are really great tips! I run my own social media business for small businesses and a lot of these tips apply and hold true!

Fab. pictures, by the way!

Cheers!
10. Lisa | September 6th, 2012 at 6:11 am

One of the things I most like about you Bri is that you are not afraid to share and especially your way to success. And that is not found commonly. This post is extra helpful to everyone I think because you keep your points short and clear (to the point). And of course I love the photos you paired it with (the dress rocks)!
11. Sarah | September 6th, 2012 at 6:28 am

Great post! I love the idea of not sounding too mechanical or “overpromoting” yourself. I tend to unfollow people who only tweet their own posts such as “have you seen this post today”? I always look forward to these insider posts as I am starting my own business online in the next coming months.
12. erin | September 6th, 2012 at 6:29 am

So totally helpful! thanks Bri! Do you think that when you add graphics/type to your photos on facebook (that you are using to direct readers to a post) you get more post views than a straight photo without your personal touch?
13. Leigh | September 6th, 2012 at 6:37 am

Thanks for the tips! Posts like this are super helpful… Please keep ‘em coming!
14. Emily | September 6th, 2012 at 6:43 am

Great suggestions! I’m a fan of using bigger pics in Facebook too. It makes the posts way more eye appealing.
15. Allie Shultz | September 6th, 2012 at 7:09 am

As a new blogger, I loved these tips. One of the biggest struggles for a new blog is getting people to start reading it. These ideas were extremely helpful.
16. Kristina | September 6th, 2012 at 7:10 am

Thank you Bri, yes that did help I am also NOT YET on facebook, still trying to resist
17. bri | September 6th, 2012 at 7:13 am

kristina…don’t fight ittttttt
18. Katie | September 6th, 2012 at 7:27 am

I appreciate this series so much—and your willingness to share what you’ve learned along the way! I recently set up a Facebook page for my blog and have been struggling a bit with getting my blog readers to “like” the page and interact with it. I suppose it probably just takes time to build awareness and an audience in the same way it does for your actual blog. Still figuring that out!
19. stephanie | September 6th, 2012 at 7:53 am

Great column Bri! Really helpful. Social medias are overwhelming for me! Just thinking about all of these makes my stomach twist! I guess everybody find an organic way to use them. I am still resistant to Twitter! Arrrhhgg I think it is not graphic enough for me. I have to try it…… eventually.
20. Lauren | September 6th, 2012 at 8:00 am

This was lovely and helpful, thank you Bri.
21. ashley rachelle | September 6th, 2012 at 8:09 am

bri! you are so generous and amazing! i am so grateful that you are willing to post such great information and advice on building and growing your business! it is so very helpful, so thank you!!
22. Ang | September 6th, 2012 at 8:38 am

Great info! And I’m so in love with that yellow tile and your hot tights with that dress. Yikes!
23. Kellen | September 6th, 2012 at 9:42 am

I totally adore this whole post. I am constantly overwhelmed by social media and this helped a LOT!

Thanks!
24. Anni | September 6th, 2012 at 9:54 am

Love this whole post! Twitter has been my main source of traffic, but I find that current clients and their friends/family love love love Facebook.

What I adore about Twitter, too, is connecting with other new-ish photographers. There are some days where I just need a good outlet to say “hey, I usually get fairly steady inquiries, I’ve had zero for two weeks, please tell me I’m not the only one this happens to” and saying it to someone who truly understands – and may have constructive advice – is so, so helpful.
25. Ashleigh @ Jolie Jouel | September 6th, 2012 at 9:58 am

Great tips! I defnitely find Twitter the most helpful…but there are benefits to all of these!

My jewelry blog: joliejouel.blogspot.com
26. Rox | September 6th, 2012 at 10:27 am

as someone who is currently revamping their blog, and about to relaunch all of my social media…this was a very helpful run down! thank-you!!

http://bybun.com/
27. Sister Disco | September 6th, 2012 at 10:42 am

Helpful! Thanks.
Lauren
28. Mfree | September 6th, 2012 at 10:46 am

This is perfect! I have to say that of all the bloggers I follow on multiple social media, yours definitely feels fresh and non repetitive. I really appreciate that! It’s great to get a little insight on how you make that happen.
Thanks!
29. Renee | September 6th, 2012 at 11:11 am

Thanks for the tips Bri! I’m definitely going to start using that Facebook tip to upload the image rather then just post the link.
30. Deliah | September 6th, 2012 at 11:29 am

Love your notes on using facebook. So right! Are we still getting laptop BGs today?? Thursday!
31. Brighton Keller | September 6th, 2012 at 11:33 am

Obsessed with those pumps!! These photographs fun!!

xoxo
Brighton Keller

http://www.brightontheday.com
32. Jamie | September 6th, 2012 at 12:32 pm

You are so inspiring! Your vision is perfectly tuned in every photo you promote on social media. More than these tips, your overall approach to your business is what we all can learn (glean) from xo jamie
33. jaine {brklynview} | September 6th, 2012 at 1:19 pm

great post bri! i also have that TOP love it….
34. Sara | September 6th, 2012 at 2:30 pm

Thank you for the hits and tips. I’ve been blogging for about 3 and a half years now as a diary and scrapbook of what I get up to. Reading this gives me ideas of how to expand and get my blog out there more!
35. Elisabeth | September 6th, 2012 at 2:40 pm

Thanks so much for all these tips! I’m trying to figure out how to brand my blog and then continue to grow it so this was so useful!
36. Camille | September 6th, 2012 at 2:46 pm

Bri, this post is SUPER helpful. Thank you!
37. designstiles | September 6th, 2012 at 3:54 pm

Goodness, I can’t get over how wonderful your blog is. It just continues to evolve in such a beautiful, graceful and stylish way. Content and photographs are inspiring. I love the content, but sometimes I’m just in awe of the photographs. They’re always so original. Thank you for all the great tips too. They’ve been so helpful.

PS – I met you a long time ago for Emily Henderson’s HGTV launch party and you were so nice. I’m pretty sure you don’t remember me though. Cheers!
38. Silkie | September 6th, 2012 at 4:12 pm

Hey Bri,what do you think about automated linking from blog to Facebook and twitter…at the mo I try to keep blog SEPERATE and post about blog to facebook which then links to twitter? Should we keep them all seperate? Thanks a million for your thoughts on this x
39. bri | September 6th, 2012 at 4:19 pm

hi silkie – i like to keep them separate! it’s a little more work, but it feels less redundant when you can post to your different channels at different times of the day. or using an alternative photo. my vote goes for doing them manually at different times!
40. allison { TAYLOR MOSELEY } | September 6th, 2012 at 4:59 pm

That was excellent!
41. Pink Ronnie | September 6th, 2012 at 5:16 pm

This was a great write-up Bri!
I think I need to take the plunge and get a FB page going…
Ronnie xo
42. Nelly | September 6th, 2012 at 9:57 pm

Thank you so much. I was so inspired by you that I went to Italy for a month to study graphic design, and now I have my website which is a blog. I even keep your pic on my desktop, so it will motivate me and keep myself focused on my goals. Big thank you from Armenia. Keep up the good job.
43. bri | September 6th, 2012 at 11:25 pm

nelly that is so amazing!!!! huge smile from that comment get it, girl!
44. I love lists, Friday! &hellip | September 7th, 2012 at 12:01 am

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45. katie | September 7th, 2012 at 12:59 am

your advice posts are amazing! thank you so much for all your help, you are so talented and it’s awesome that you are willing to help out others looking for similar success. Thanks again!

http://kfitzdesign.blogspot.com
46. Virginia | September 7th, 2012 at 5:24 am

Thanks a lot Bri! Very useful information! From Buenos Aires, Argentina.
47. Caroline | September 7th, 2012 at 6:50 am

Bri, thanks so much for this series. This post was super helpful to me—I’m just diving into the social media scene for my blog and trying to figure out what works best. I especially loved what you said about vertical photos on Pinterest ~ I never noticed it, but it’s so true! I’ll definitely keep it in mind as I plan how to promote my content.
48. marissa | September 7th, 2012 at 11:09 am

thank you for this Bri! i found the facebook uploading a picture vs. linking to the blog the most helpful- i see a difference already! you so clever!
49. Sarah | September 7th, 2012 at 12:42 pm

Thank you so much, Bri! I just signed up for twitter and instagram to promote my blog TODAY, so your post couldn’t have come at a better time for me. Great info, I find your site very inspiring!
50. ali | September 7th, 2012 at 1:05 pm

Wow Brie Great post and the photography and design are breathtaking. I love your use of color.
51. Kate | September 7th, 2012 at 5:46 pm

Great post!
Very helpful!

http://www.louiseandcostyle.blogspot.com
52. Color Therapy | Striped C&hellip | September 7th, 2012 at 10:59 pm

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53. Latrina | September 8th, 2012 at 1:39 am

Extremely helpful, as always! Thank you, Bri!
54. Stephanie | September 8th, 2012 at 2:59 pm

Oh so smart! I like the tip about posting a picture to facebook, instead of a link. I keep a personal blog and share things in my life and crafts that I do etc.. but my blog isn’t really a business. I wonder.. do you recommend creating a facebook page? It seems weird to me. I just post links from my personal facebook account
55. Queen Mother | September 9th, 2012 at 12:04 am

Wow, Angela really took some cool shots on this photo shoot!!! : )
56. yaz | September 9th, 2012 at 4:50 am

Really Really helpful and its always good to analyse and do better otherwise you keep doing the same things and wondering why its not working!

Thanks for that Bri X
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58. Melanie | September 10th, 2012 at 12:12 pm

Bri, this post is so awesome in so many ways. Helpful information, killer photographs, and I LOVE your outfit! xo
59. Carrie R | September 10th, 2012 at 8:19 pm

I learned SO MUCH from this post. Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge. It’s rough when you’re just starting out. See you in San Fran for blogshop!!
60. Sally | September 11th, 2012 at 5:22 am

this is such a super helpful post, thank you! i’ll make sure to remember these tips! p.s amazing outfit!
61. Esther | September 13th, 2012 at 11:46 am

this is wonderfully helpful. thank you so much!
62. Catherine | September 13th, 2012 at 6:36 pm

wow! Super helpful – you are totally the expert! I will definitely take your advice to heart – thanks for sharing!
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64. Miss P | September 17th, 2012 at 3:12 pm

Yes, thank you! I’ve been walking around, trying to figure out how to get more readers to my blog. Thanks so much for the great ideas!
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69. rachel | May 21st, 2013 at 11:13 pm

thank you for a this great post, learned that vertical is best and to potentially tweet twice a day for time zone purposes. who knew?! might even contemplate fb even though I really don’t want to…thanks!!
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