Hey, don’t forget to sign up for my Massive Giveaway! It’s way too good to miss!
And you can get in on Mug Rug Swap v.2, or you can leave a link on Manic Monday Linky Party!
Help?: This is kind of a rambling, lots-of-questions-because-I-am-apparently-mentally-challenged type of post. Sorry! I’m blaming it on the fact that my back tooth broke earlier and I am in poop tons of pain right now. I am going to the dentist, then both my tooth and wallet will hurt. Yay. (Update: they gave me a temp filling and an appt for late July. Not kidding.) And I’ve given up on posting a tutorial this week. I am so so sorry.
Facebook: Ok, first off – do you guys use your Facebook pages much? My problem with Facebook is this: I get on it, and in less than 30 seconds I’m pissed off because some ignoramus has copied-and-pasted some bullcrap political or social commentary message that they clearly have neglected to research or even think critically about. It. Drives. Me. Crazy. And those people who use fb to broadcast how wonderful their lives are, how deep their every thought, etc.
Am I the only one who feels like this? I can’t be, because I know a lot of you guys, and you seem like pretty intelligent people who aren’t afraid to question and analyse stuff. If you do use fb, do you just overlook the rubbish to connect with the people who are important to you? How do you use it for your blog/business? Does it work for you?
Twitter: Thing is, I really would like to connect with you guys, more than just blogging and commenting. Especially those of you who comment regularly and are kinda my friends. Maybe Twitter is the way to go? I never use my Twitter either, even though my mobile phone is all set up to do it and stuff. I even have followers! When I first signed up for Twitter, I ‘followed’ this blogger who literally tweeted if her kid fell asleep in the car while they were on the motorway. Honestly, I like you guys and all? But that’s not really the kind of crap I want to read – a conversation about your thoughts on this or that issue or idea, and a bit of getting to know each other better – that would be ideal. Needing to know when you or your offspring use the toilet? Not so much.
So do you use Twitter? How do you manage it all? Doesn’t it end up taking up loads of valuable time and energy? I don’t want to get caught in that loop where I spend so damn much time online that I end up only crafting in theory and not in reality. Could someone explain how Twitter freakin works? Or point me to a great tutorial? I think I know what a # is for, but is it the same as an @? Help? Is it really worth it?
I am sorry this is so long. I try very hard to keep posts short and sweet, because I’m aware I might bore you. I’m just a bit confused, that’s all.
And if you want to have a conversation/meet on Twitter, leave the link or name and I’ll follow! For whatever good that will do, lol. My Twitter name is (no surprise here) SewHappyGeek.
And here’s a pretty picture of a bag I finished for a pattern I drew up, because posts should always have a picture:
© J C Excell, 2011
Jenna,
I really enjoy facebook to keep up with my friends from high school, college, my kids, etc. I am normally pretty good at just ignoring the copy/paste posts. At this point, I don’t have a blog or business although the blog is on my someday wish list. I do enjoy keeping up with my favorite fabric shops as I tend to check facebook at least twice a day when college is in session. As for twitter – I do have an account but the posts I follow just tend to annoy me (I don’t care if a black cat ran in front of someone, etc.) Sorry I’m not more help. 🙂
Hope
I second your frustration with FB! I no longer have an account because of the kind of thing you just described, plus everyone’s need to continually update their status. Also, I don’t feel the need to become a “friend” of people I went to Kindergarten with or any other random person. I prefer to keep in contact with my actual friends and family in more personal ways. That being said, I do see the value in it, especially for someone like you who has a business and a need to connect with people. I do have a Twitter account now, only because I wanted to sign up for Pinterest! No tweets yet though, but I am following people I like/am interested in. 🙂
Oh! And I can definitely empathize with you on the whole dentist thing. I’ve gotten lots of work done in the past couple years, and every time I pay for it, I wish I could go back in time and become a dentist! I have insurance now, thank goodness!
Ugh! I’ve been waiting for you to bring this up! Not utilizing Facebook and Twitter is leaving a HUGE whole in your potential IMO. I’m not a twitter fan, but I love Facebook for connecting to the cloth world; I assume everyone has their preference. It’s my understanding that having a business account will keep most of the nasty copy/paste crap away, but even if you don’t do that, just bypass your news feed and concentrate on your own wall. I think linking your blog posts is wasted space, and encourages people to “hide” you, chances are they already follow your blog and will quickly get into the swing of how often you post. Of course, reminders to get over to the blog are good every now and then, but I think you want to be using fb as an arm of the blog. You can use “liking” or twitter following as extra entries in giveaways, somewhere to promote other people’s blog entries you’re reading, sales you’ve found on fabric or other supplies, etc. Again, I really think this should be on a separate Sewhappygeek page. I’d guess most of your college mates won’t care, and you’ll be missing the target audience. There’s no denying it will take some extra online time, but when you show up in people’s news feed, the word spreads faster and farther. Want some help from you’re loving sister? Just holler, I’ll help you get going. XxxX
Okay, I can’t really help because I’m laughing too much. I do want to though. I’m sure I could, given a minute to catch my breath.
Okay, I’d love to help but I’m laughing too much. I’m sure I could though, given time to catch my breath.
I don’t use facebook anymore for similar resons, and Twitter never entered the equation – but I have been considering it lately…..
Let us know when you figure out the answer to all this – and I’ll just do what you do! 😉
Now that’s a lovely bag! 🙂 Glad you included it!
I do facebook, it’s so convenient. And on my personal page it’s only real friends/family allowed, so don’t really have to deal with too much drama. 😉
My biz page is just biz. And my blog page is all about my blog/sewing. So I guess I separated it out and that kind of sifted the “crap” a little….since I totally know what you mean!
I don’t twitter. Just don’t need another thing to keep up with! lol!
Jenna…..First off…sorry for the dentist drama. July…seriously, that sucks! Hope you’e feeling better. I have a personal FB page and an It’s Sew Kiki FB page….I just ignore all the drama and all the “cut and paste this to your status if you agree” crap. I don’t have Twitter…yet. Still undecided…like you I don’t want all my time to be computer time. As far as getting to know each other better…e-mail may be the way to go for the people that really interest you (Like me! LOL!)
I agree with what you wrote….don’t need an update on peoples every move. Bt the way….GREAT bag….love the style and the fabric choice!
Yes, I fb. But I’ll be honest. Every few months I delete all the “friends” who haven’t even said “hello” since they requested to be my friend. You can’t say hello, then you don’t need to see what is happening in my life. I don’t need stalkers. Also, there are some friends who ramble on and on about policital nonsense etc and I just keep them on “hide” status so I don’t have to look at it. I have 3 friends who are absolutely hilarious and we met on an apron swap blog. We have a seperate “group” that is hidden from view where we chat on and off all day long. It’s awesome and I’d miss them like crazy if we didn’t have that. The only things I do on open fb is post pics of the grandchildren for family members who live in other states. I also update fb with my blog posts. I don’t twitter. I don’t see the point.
Wow, are you friends with some of the people I am? Just today I had the same thing. . . so thank you for expressing it. I’m drifting away from facebook because of that. I’m not sure how to use twitter to my advantage yet. I guess a group of people would be best, but I’m not sure how to do that! I’ve found people through their blogs and then through flickr. I do miss the quick bantering back and forth.
I’ll be interested to see what other’s post here and what you come up with. I’ll also add you on my twitter acct. 🙂
I second what Karen said about facebook only I ignore friend requests of people that are just friending everyone and anyone or people I don’t want to know all my beeswax. Like after my class reunion….a zillion requests….I accepted like three. LOL
I hide ramblers (so I guess that means a few hide me too lol)
And the private group with your besties is fabulous!!
I don’t tweet, I am getting to be blog-o-holic and I don’t flickr all that much.