finding support via social media, blogging, and internet communities
DESCRIPTION
Three Mom-Bloggers of adult children with Down syndrome discuss the pros and cons of sharing personal stories via social media. What are the risks? What is there to gain? If you have an interest in spreading awareness and sharing resources, but need the tips on how to get started, how to contribute, and how to grow your own online influence, start here. These three moms were brought together via on-line networking and, in fact, have begun a new, specific community that encourages support, discussion and stories. Are you ready to share yours?TRANSCRIPT
Support & StoriesFinding Support via Social Media, Blogging,
and Internet Communities
Folks Putting Themselves “Out There”
Why Share On-line?
Stephanie“I started my blog because I wanted to share
stories about Josh to add to the “social history” of real experiences – not just all happy / extreme success stories, or all sad /grief
stories, but a balance of everyday life stuff.”
Karen“It's the best way to reach a large amount of people to share JOSH'S HUMOR, LOVE, LIGHT, LAUGHTER, JOY and the few times
when he or we are down.”
Why is it important specifically for
advocates and people involved within the Down syndrome
community to share their stories publicly?
Some of the Reasons…“Therapy” write for yourself
Updates for Family/Frien
ds
Advocate
Offer resources to new parents
Educate outside the community
Connect within the DS
community
All of the Above
What about You?
• What social networks are you currently on?
• Website or Blogs?
• Questions
Pro’s to sharing on-line
Over 1.1 billion+ Facebook Users - for exampleReach
•At last check – the internet is world wide AdvocacyCreating Awareness
•Good News •Fighting stereotypes and limitations
Sharing informationConnecting
•Help and Advice•Resources
Con’s of Sharing On-line
TrollsUnkind People
•Negative responses•make me doubt myself/ my parenting•Open to hateful public
Unauthorized sharingGiving up Privacy
•Pictures and information used out of context•Pictures used inappropriately •Out of your controlWhat are
you afraid of?
Tips to “battle the cons”
• Control What You Can• Share On-purpose
• Understand you do not have full control
• Balance priorities
• Go to your why?
• Is your mission best served by sharing with the public or chosen audience?
• Assert your power• Delete/moderate comments
• Block/report offenders
• Pictures• Prevent Google Crawlers
• Digimarc
Just Joshin’ YaFacebook Page
• Why Facebook?
• What is the difference between a profile and a page?
• When did you start your page?
• How have you grown followers? Do you use ads or “boost posts?”
• What are your most popular posts?
• What are your personal rules for posting?
• How do you acknowledge commenters?
• What’s your best advice for beginners?
Other Social Networks
Listly Google+
Storify
ScoopIt
Blog Talk Radio
RebelMouse
Blogging
• Storytelling
• Control the conversation
• You’re the Expert/ Platform
• Springboard Connections
• Bustling Community/support and interaction
#1 Choose Your
Medium
.
What’s Your Goal?Private Options
Guest Post
For Yourself and Your Family
ScoopIt and Listly
Tumbler and Pinterest Boards
Blog Pages and Links
Resources for
Families
Blog Resources
Facebook Groups
Website Communities
Connect within Communit
y
Blogs
Publish
Social Platforms
Educate and Advocat
e
Get startedContributeInfluence
#1 Choose Your
Medium
1.Fill Your Pages/Platform
2.Be Genuine
3.Give and Share!
Get startedContributeInfluence
#2 Share your
Stories +
1.Local Newspaper
2.Guest Blog
3. Blog Hop/Twitter Chat/Forums
Get startedContributeInfluence
#3 Connect with the
Community
1.Comment on blogs, ask follow-up questions
2.Interviews – Both sides of the table
3.Share across Platforms
Quick note about improving SEO
1. Internal links
2. Name your photos
3. Key words – what do you want to be found “for”
• The Real #1 about SEO is this:
The “rules” change all the
time! – Content First!
Get startedContributeInfluence
Think Bigger,
Dig Deeper,
Speak Louder
Support & Stories and Connect!
Come by and say Hi!
• The Road We’ve Shared: http://roadwevesharedgzp.weebly.com/
Facebook:
• The Road We’ve Shared: https://www.facebook.com/TheRoadWeveShared
• Just Joshin’ Ya: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Just-Joshin-Ya
• Walkersville Mom: https://www.facebook.com/Walkersvillemomblog
• Mardra Sikora: https://www.facebook.com/Mardraspage
Blogs and Contact:
The Road We’ve Shared: http://roadwevesharedgzp.weebly.com/
Walkersville Mom: http://walkersvillemom.weebly.com/
Grown Ups & Downs: www.grownupsanddowns.com
Now…You!
• We want to support you in your journey to share.
• In the forum of The Road We’ve Shared, Community: http://roadwevesharedgzp.weebly.com/forums.html#/20140301/support-stories-321-friends-3716972/
• Share your blog, your Facebook, your Twitter, your whatever – So we can find and support one another.
• See you there!