#WrongAllAlong: Rethinking Everything I Knew About Social Media

Learning how to navigate social media has always been terrifying to me. I love just scrolling and using it as a form of entertainment, but the background information that goes into it was just not my thing. That was until I took this class. As we started this semester, I came in believing that I knew the ins and outs of social media and that I could easily run a business account, but now that I reflect, I feel that was completely wrong. I had no idea all of the new information I would be learning and how eventually I would actually need to apply it for real!

Posting times? I would have never expected that Sunday is the worst day to post! I am a frequent user of social media, especially on the weekends because I do not have anything else to do. When I learned that some platforms have a better performance rate on weekdays I was completely shocked. The more I've thought about it and the more I see that each platform is the same, it's not as shocking as I originally thought due to the fact that Sunday is typically a religious day and people come home from work or school on the weekdays and want to stay caught up with everything they missed.

Hashtags have been and always will be all the rage. When I was in middle school, it was pretty typical to have as many hashtags as possible in your captions no matter what platform you were posting. The more hashtags the more views right? Wrong! For all social media posts, it's recommended that you use only 1-3 hashtags. This can help narrow down your audience as well as boost your performance due to not overcrowding the caption and tags. Now I'm really going to have to think about what is the most important for me to put into the description of the post to get more views!

Reflecting on everything I've learned this semester, I realize just how much my perspective on social media has changed. What once felt overwhelming now feels manageable. While I used to think social media was all about fun scrolling and spontaneous posting, I’ve come to appreciate how strategic and thoughtful it really needs to be, especially if you're using it for a purpose beyond personal entertainment.

Looking ahead, I feel more confident, not just as a user of social media, but as someone who could actually manage a brand’s online presence. So while I used to be scared of what went on behind the screen, now I see it as an opportunity. And now, I finally feel like I know how to use it.

How a Social Media Workshop Sparked My Summer Goals

I know I am super late in posting about this experience but it is still something I am so excited to talk about none the less! On April 11, I was invited to attend a Social Media Workshop through my social media class at Ohio Northern University. It was so insightful as a student who is new to navigating the "behind-the-scenes" of social media. I have secured myself an internship over the summer where I will be posting on Instagram and Facebook for upcoming events so the workshop was so helpful to me.

I made so many new connections not only through the speakers but through other attendees as well! It was so fun to talk about different experiences and bounce ideas off of one another. I think that my favorite speaker of the whole session was our keynote speaker, Jason Therrien. Jason is the current president and CEO of thunder::tech, a brand that helps other companies with their marketing strategies and grow in the business world. He also provided us all with a social media digital workbook and calendar for the 2024-25 year with tips about when to post and what some good things to post about are on specific days!

Later that night, as a new Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) member, I was also invited to the alumni dinner! The food was absolutely delicious and once again I was able to make more connections, these ones a bit closer to me than the non alumni at the social media workshop. It was fun to talk to a recent graduate and see what she was doing after college and how it has all been going for her. She gave me so much advice and plenty of inspiration to do whatever makes me happy in life, even if it does not match what my dreams were when I first started my college career. 

Overall, a day that seemed very long and hectic on my calendar seemed to be one of the most exciting and resourceful days as a Public Relations student. I am so excited to see where this will take me in the future and I also really look forward to attending the Social Media Workshop at ONU in the next years to come! If you are a student in communications, marketing, or PR, events like these are so worth attending, even if you do not feel like spending the money. You never know who you will meet or how inspired you’ll feel afterward.

I also want to add that all the pictures in this blog were taken by the amazing Evie Megery whose blog you can check out here!

Why Social Media is Too Hard to Disconnect From

Social media apps are structured to keep you on them as long as possible. You heard that right. They are designed to entertain you so long that you do not realize that so much time had just passed. Here is some information about social media that you may not have known all together.

1. Social media doesn't give up information

If you thought that all social media apps would sell all of your data, you would be wrong. Instead, they actually keep the vital information so that they can predict what you want to see online. They use your data to create almost a model of yourself that shows you on your media feed exactly what will keep you on the app.

2. Its not just TikTok

Some people think that TikTok is the app the started all of the addiction to social media but the addiction to our phones started way before that. In The Social Dilemma, one of the app developers for large companies admitted that it partially started with Gmail. Due to that being most people's communication online when cell phones first started coming out, they would just wait for the app to let them know when they received a message. Then came along Myspace, Facebook, Instagram... which are also apps that use up most peoples time of day now.

3. Major increase in anxiety

In The Social Dilemma, they also mentioned how anxiety and depression has had a major influx ever since social media has existed. If we don't have our phones near us but we hear a notification, we become very anxious to see what we are missing. As human beings, we are very curious and always want to know what is going on. Social media has only increased this now that we have everything right under our fingertips.

Overall, social media can be a more dangerous place then expected. After watching the first half of The Social Dilemma, I am challenging myself to lower the amount of time I spend on my phone each day. My goal is to lower my average daily use from eight and a half hours to only five hours. I know it is going to be a challenge for me, but I am going to do my best. I recommend that anyone reading this should also limit their time on their phone, but also on social media as well.

Can a Social App Be a National Threat or Just a Political Tool?

TikTok is by far one of the most popular platforms of social media for younger generations. Many of us just spend hours doom-scrolling when we have nothing else to do for the day. But recently, there has been a lot of controversy with TikTok and politics, so here is the breakdown.

What once was named Musical.ly was bought out by the company ByteDance in 2018. However, due to ByteDance being a Chinese-owned company, there is a lot of speculation that the app is being used to spy on Americans. In 2020, under President Donald Trump's rules, there was an executive order for a possible TikTok ban claiming that the app was a national security threat.

This idea resurfaced until Trump was reelected as president in 2024 when Congress passed a banning bill if ByteDance did not sell the app to an approved company. On January 18th when the clock struck 10:30 pm, users tried to open the app and were met with a message on the screen reading, "A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can't use TikTok for now. We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!"

After a grueling 14 hours of no TikTok for all American users, a message popped up. "Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump's efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!" It was at this point that users began to realize that the entire ban on TikTok may have been a purely political move.

If Trump had originally called for the ban in the first place, why would there be an unbanning of the app only a short 14 hours later? Eventually, Trump said that the new date for the company to find a new buyer approved by the government was April 5, 2025. But on April 4th, Trump announced another extension of the sell-by date to mid-June. 

Overall, the whole situation between TikTok and Donald Trump is a mystery that still has not been solved and continues to leave users wondering if the app will ever go dark again.

Why YouTube Videos Go Viral (And Why Some Totally Don’t)

Did you know there’s actually a whole strategy behind which YouTube videos show up in your feed and which ones never see the light of day? Like, you could make the funniest or most helpful video ever and it might still get hidden if it’s not set up the right way.

YouTube is basically a giant search engine, second only to Google. This means when someone types in “how to organize my closet” or “best coffee shops in NYC,” the videos that pop up first aren’t there by accident. They show up because YouTube thinks they’re the most relevant. And how does YouTube decide that? It all comes down to keywords.

If a video’s title, description and tags line up with what someone’s searching for, then it’s way more likely to be recommended. It’s not just about throwing a video online and hoping people stumble across it. Some titles are so interesting you just can't pass up watching the video but others do not pique your interest in general.

And then there are the sneaky features creators use to keep people watching, like when a little box pops up during a video recommending something else to watch, or when there’s a screen at the very end that leads you to more content from the same channel. I’ve definitely fallen into the trap of watching one video and then suddenly it’s an hour later and I’m five videos deep. YouTube knows what it’s doing.

Honestly, learning how all this works made me appreciate the whole platform more. Like making cool content is important, but it’s also about playing the game and understanding how the algorithm works and using it to your advantage.

So if you’ve ever wondered why some videos blow up and others disappear this is probably a big part of it.

How LinkedIn Transformed My Perspective on Networking

As a student who was introduced to LinkedIn during my junior year of high school, I never really saw much value in it. The only reason I even created a LinkedIn account was because my business teacher encouraged our class to do so. He wanted to connect with us on the app and teach us the importance of professional networking. However, since I had no real use for it back then, I created my account, filled in a few basic details, and never touched it again. It felt unnecessary at that point in my life since I had no job experience, no real professional network, and no understanding of how the platform could benefit me. 

But now that I’m in college, I have started to see the significance of LinkedIn. Unlike other social media platforms that are focused on entertainment, LinkedIn is about personal and professional growth. It is a space where people showcase their career accomplishments, share industry insights, and connect with others who have similar career interests. Since becoming more active on LinkedIn, I have realized just how powerful networking can be. Whether it is keeping up with old classmates, connecting with professors, or following professionals in my field of study, LinkedIn has provided me with a glimpse into the real-world workforce that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. 

It is not about creating a perfect online presence but rather about sharing real accomplishments, discussing professional experiences, and celebrating milestones. I love opening the app to see what my peers have been up to, whether they landed an internship, started a new job, or attended a networking event. It is inspiring to see people my age making strides in their careers, and it motivates me to put more effort into building my own professional path. 

Another great thing about LinkedIn is the opportunities it provides. Before college, I never realized how important it is to start networking early. I used to think that job opportunities came from simply applying through company websites or job boards, but I have learned that networking plays a huge role in landing internships and jobs. Many of the job opportunities now that I am in college have all stemmed from who I know or how people I know speak of me.

Overall, my perspective on LinkedIn has completely changed since high school. What once felt like an unnecessary platform now feels like an essential tool for my professional development. It has opened my eyes to the importance of networking, staying informed and actively engaging in my career.

Is Pinterest the Secret Weapon in Social Media Marketing?

When people think about social media marketing, platforms like Instagram and Facebook usually come to mind first. These platforms are popular in conversation, making them seem like the best options for reaching customers. However, I believe Pinterest is a platform that deserves more attention as a marketing strategy.

I feel the biggest advantage of Pinterest is that people don’t just browse for entertainment, they go there with a purpose. They use it to plan future purchases or ideas, whether they’re searching for outfits, home decor, or even travel destinations. According to the textbook, 93% of Pinterest users say they use the platform to plan purchases and 87% have actually bought something because of Pinterest.
This is huge for brands because it means they’re not just throwing out ads and hoping for engagement. Instead, they’re putting their products in front of users who are already looking for these specific products. 

While Instagram and Facebook focus on social connections, Pinterest functions more like a visual search engine. Instead of scrolling through links or generic ads, people can see actual images of exactly what they’re looking for. This makes Pinterest feel more engaging than typical advertising, as businesses can easily sneak their products into a user's search. Brands can even optimize their Pins with relevant keywords, hashtags and fitting descriptions so they appear in search results. A Pin promoting a new pair of shoes doesn’t feel like an ad, as it feels like a recommendation for someone looking to update their worn-out shoes.

Pinterest isn’t just a platform for DIY projects and home decor inspiration like most people think. It’s an under rated marketing tool that more businesses need to take seriously. Instead of relying solely on platforms like Instagram or Facebook, businesses should consider the benefits Pinterest brings to the table.

Snapchat: A Bad Marketing Platform

Snapchat has become a major social media platform, with over 406 million daily users. While it does have some unique marketing advantages, I think Snapchat is actually one of the worst social media platforms for marketing and here’s why.

1. Limited Audience Reach and Demographics
Snapchat’s users are mostly younger being around 18-24 years. While this might be great for brands that specifically want to target younger audiences, it’s a huge disadvantage for businesses that need a broader reach. Other platforms like Instagram, Facebook and TikTok provide access to a wider range of age groups and demographics, making them more effective for brands trying to maximize engagement.

2. Poor Visibility
One of Snapchat’s biggest problems is its lack of searchability. Unlike other social media platforms that allow users to search for content through hashtags, keywords, or trending topics, Snapchat’s search function pretty much doesn't exist. Most interactions happen between friends and less through direct engagement with a brand’s account, making it really difficult for businesses to gain new followers organically. Without strong discoverability, it’s hard for brands to grow their audience without relying on paid promotions.

3. Bad Advertising
While Snapchat does offer advertising options like filters, the return on investment isn’t great. It may be cheaper to advertise on Snapchat compared to other platforms, but the engagement levels are extremely low. According to Gupta Media, only 0.46% of Snapchat ads even get clicked on. Additionally, Snapchat is designed for quick, private interactions as people open the app to chat or send pictures and they don’t stay on it for long periods like they do on Instagram or TikTok. 

4. Other Platforms are Better
Snapchat is also facing intense competition from other social media platforms that offer similar features. Instagram Stories, for example, provides nearly the same experience as Snapchat Stories but with better engagement tools and discoverability. TikTok has completely changed the game when it comes to viral content and brand exposure, making it a much better choice for businesses looking to build a strong social media presence. Since other platforms have adapted many of Snapchat’s best features while also offering superior marketing tools, there’s no reason for brands to use Snapchat.

While Snapchat might work well for brands targeting young audiences with highly visual and interactive content, it falls short in many areas for effective social media marketing. Its limited audience reach, poor discoverability and unreliable advertising make it a weak choice compared to platforms like Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

How Businesses Can Win on Instagram

Instagram is more than just a place for food and beauty pictures. It is a powerful marketing tool for businesses. With more than 2 billion users and 200 million businesses, Instagram has become a go-to platform where people discover products, interact with brands, and shop. But how can businesses use Instagram effectively?

First, every business should have an Instagram Business Account. This allows features such as analytics and advertising tools, which help brands track performance and sell products on the platform. Once the account is set up, businesses should focus on posting good photos and videos that show their products. These posts should have captions with emojis and relevant hashtags to improve visibility and reach the right audience. Since links are not allowed in captions, adding a “link in bio” is a great way to drive traffic to a website.

The book also highlights different ways to increase engagement, such as using Instagram Stories, Reels and Live Videos. These allow businesses to connect with their audience in real time and keep content interactive. If the budget allows, Instagram ads can help target specific audiences and reach potential customers.

Overall, Instagram is one of the best platforms for businesses looking to grow their audience and boost sales. As the platform continues to grow, now is the perfect time to create an Instagram account for your brand.

Mastering Facebook: Essential Strategies for Growth and Engagement

As someone who doesn't use Facebook as my main platform, Chapter 4 of Essentials of Social Media Marketing was very interesting to read. Facebook is a large company in digital marketing, with over 3 billion active users. Whether you're a small business or a large brand, using Facebook effectively can boost engagement, increase sales, and strengthen your online presence. 

What stood out most in this chapter were the key strategies for successfully managing a Facebook presence. From setting up a business page to creating engaging content and navigating Facebook’s challenges, here are the major takeaways:

1. Setting Up a Facebook Business Page

• Provide an informative description, contact details, and business hours
• Integrate other services like X and Instagram for connectivity

2. Building an Audience

• Inviting friends, family, and existing customers to like your page
• Following industry leaders and engaging with their content
• Sharing valuable, engaging, and appropriate posts

3. Creating Engaging Facebook Content

• 140 characters or fewer
• Visual content like photos, videos and GIFs
• Use 1-3 relevant hashtags

4. Overcoming Facebook Challenges

• Post high-value, engaging content
• Use video to drive interactions
• Diversify content across different platforms

This chapter reinforced that while Facebook may not be my go-to platform, it remains a powerful tool for digital marketing. With the right strategies, businesses can effectively build an audience, create engaging content, and navigate challenges to achieve success.