Most of you have seen this video about the social media revolution at some point in the not so distant past. It was updated in June, and I watched it again at the Social Media for Nonprofits Conference in Washington, D.C. While the sold-out audience was heavy into social media, there were still murmurings from the audience about some of the statistics.

What stood out?

• Some universities have stopped distributing email accounts.
• If Wikipedia were a book, it would be 2.25 million pages and
  would take 123 year to read.
• Kindergarteners are learning on iPads.
• eReaders have surpassed traditional book sales.

Take a look again. What caught your eye?

I’m not an expert in blogging, but I am a blogger. Two years ago I started this blog knowing very little about blogging. Over time, I’ve learned a few things – either through research or through feedback.

Thanks to everyone who has shared with me what they like and don’t like. It helps me shape future blogs. So here are my 5 steps –

1) Write a great headline: This one is tricky for me because when I was in the newspaper business I relied on copywriters for this. Also, if I write a clever headline that draws you in, it might not have any value for SEO, or search. I do want people to be able to find my blog from an Internet search. I probably spend half as much time on the headline as I do on the blog.

2) Write short: I’ve heard often that what my readers particularly like is that they can read it quickly and come away with a nugget of information. That’s my goal. It often means that I’m reading a 15-page report and culling out those nuggets. It’s worth it. In general, keeping a post under 1,000 words is a good rule of thumb. Keeping it between 500-800 words is ideal. I try to keep mine under 500 words.

3) Make a list: Blogs that include lists – like this one – are popular because they give a clear reason to read to the end. The key points also are easy to identify.

4) Include multimedia: I’ve only just started adding video to my blogs. I’m really looking forward to the NFPW conference in September so I can conduct several video interviews for future posts. I try to always include a photo because when I do, readership shoots up. Of course, that requires planning. It also means I can be creative with my images and play with my digital camera. Videos, photos and graphics all make the blog visually attractive.

5) Include links: I am not an expert on the subjects that I discuss. I am someone who does a lot of research so whenever possible I include links to others who cover the same topic.

Thanks for reading and sharing your views about my blog.

My cousin lives in Seattle and, if not for Facebook, I would have little contact with her. I’m also in touch with my high school journalism teacher. He continues to teach me all these years later, but if it weren’t for Facebook we’d have no contact.

By hanspoldoja

Thanks to Facebook my social connections are stronger than ever. Yet there are those who questioned whether social networking sites would isolate people.

The Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project examined social networking sites in a survey that explored people’s overall social networks and how use of these technologies is related to trust, tolerance, social support, and community and political engagement.

The report is the first national survey of how the use of social networking sites (SNS) by adults is related to people’s overall social networks. The findings suggests that there is little validity to concerns  that people who use SNS experience smaller social networks, less closeness or are exposed to less diversity.

Here’s what they learned about Facebook users:

• Facebook users are more trusting than others
• Facebook users are more trusting than others.
• Facebook users have more close relationships.
• Facebook users get more social support than other people.
• Facebook users are much more politically engaged than most people.
• Facebook revives “dormant” relationships.

Are you more social because of social networking sites?