I Used to Underestimate the Power of Social Media

Have you been a regular Medium user? Are you reading and writing each week on the platform? Are you on Twitter or LinkedIn? Are you connecting and collaborating with others? If you are looking for opportunities, connecting on social media platforms, like Medium, can offer amazing opportunities.
I used to compare blogs and social media to middle school cafeterias. Everyone is talking, but no one is really saying anything. And in some spaces, that description is accurate. You can certainly go down quite a rabbit hole on Facebook. Most of the conversations I experienced on that platform were exactly like the conversations in middle school.
When I explored Medium and other writing platforms, I felt as though some blogs offer no insight or original ideas. Writers just blather on and on in an attempt to acquire claps or views. At times, I have felt reading blogs is a waste of my own time.
So, for the past couple of years, I have been only a casual social media user. I would occasionally write on Medium. I might post once in a while on Twitter or retweet interesting news articles. I had a LinkedIn profile, but I was never on the platform. I was not using the platforms regularly.
Recently, I set some new goals for myself in regards to my writing. I was sporadically engaged on Medium and wrote only when the inspiration hit me. As a result, I was not reaping any quality benefits. This year, I decided I would post a blog each day from Monday through Friday. In addition, I would dive into reading essays on Medium regularly each week and engage as a user with ideas and comments on others’ articles.
In concert with my writing and attempts to further build an audience, I set a goal to also post daily, Monday through Friday, on both Twitter and LinkedIn. I have started to engage more on both platforms and interact on others’ posts. I learned to streamline my own posts to align with my writing, so I am focused on one concept each day. This makes the work less of a heavy lift.
During January, I achieved my goals. I published all of the blogs I intended, and I posted regularly on Twitter and LinkedIn. As a result, I have begun to build some quality relationships. Yesterday, two exciting opportunities came my way as a result of my interactions on these platforms.
I have been writing regularly for the Teachers on Fire publication here on Medium. Teachers on Fire is a quality publication that shares ideas, thoughts, and visions for education. I have connected with the owner/editor on Medium, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and we have had some brief conversations about our field. We have read each others’ ideas and content, so we have an understanding of our philosophies.
He also runs a weekly podcast by the same name. I have been a regular listener as he has innovative guests and thought leaders in education. To my great surprise and delight, Friday night his planned guest canceled for his Friday morning show. He needed someone to fill the slot on his live podcast. He contacted me via Twitter DM to see if I was interested in joining. I was thrilled and said, “Of course!” I had never been invited on a podcast! This was so exciting–who cares if I was chosen in last-minute desperation!
Although it was very last minute, and I had no time to prepare, the experience was very positive. We were able to meet “in person” and have a great conversation about writing and education. I know we will continue to build our relationship, and I am sure we will collaborate in other ways.
In addition to that connection, I happened to see an interesting post by PBS NewsHour Education on Friday morning. I thought retweeting their idea with my own comment would be a shortcut to my daily Twitter post. The post celebrated Inventor’s Day and shared lesson plans on how to incorporate an inventor’s day into your day. I retweeted an expansion of the idea saying, “Why don’t we have inventor’s day every Friday?”
When PBS NewsHour read my post, they retweeted and asked me to collaborate with them to create a unit plan for inventor day every Friday. I suggested I had thought about crafting a blog on the idea, and they agreed to repost it on their site. I was thrilled!
Two unexpected opportunities are born from social media. If you connect with the right people, you will reap the benefits. Engage positively, share ideas and insights. Be authentic. Look for connection and engagement.
Who knows what might come your way?