How to Use Social Media Productively In 10 Steps

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Do you feel that your life revolves around social media? In a world where 60% of the population uses these platforms, you can easily get lost in cyberspace. Your daily habits may focus on scrolling, liking, sharing, and commenting on any and every single thing on your feed.

However, social media isn’t the only aspect of your life that needs attention. You wouldn’t want to miss out on building connections or becoming your best self because you’re too busy online. To show you how to use social media effectively, here are ten steps to a balanced digital life!

1. Set a time limit on your app usage.

Did you know that on average, people use social media for 2 hours and 24 minutes every day? While scrolling through your profile can be harmless, spending so much time online can take away from your priorities. Many people end up browsing their feeds instead of finishing their tasks at work. You can’t learn how to use social media effectively if you can’t control yourself!

One way of learning how to use social media effectively is to set a time limit on your apps and platforms. You don’t need to spend two hours on Facebook when ten minutes will suffice. The less time spent on social media, the more focus and mental capacity you free up for other concerns. For example, why waste time on Twitter when you can clean out your closet? It’s productive, easy to do, and gives you time to relax your mind!

2. Review your privacy settings.

One reason you should know how to use social media effectively is your online privacy. You wouldn’t want strangers checking out your profile or posting something that others might misunderstand. When you’re online, the safest way to stay connected is with the people you know and trust.

To do so, examine the privacy settings on each platform. Make sure you know what kind of access your online posts give. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing it with the world, limit your audience to those you trust. Knowing how to use social media effectively also means knowing who sees it.

3. Think carefully before posting.

Before you click the “post” button, stop and think it over. One of the most incredible features of the internet is that nothing truly disappears. Unfortunately, this is both true for your best and your worst moments. People can look up your previous posts and use them to slander your name. If you want to keep your online life as stress-free as possible, always think carefully about what you post. This way, you learn how to use social media effectively without hurting anyone.

For example, you might rant online about someone you dislike. But consider what happens if you post it. Sure, it might be satisfying for a short while. However, imagine how embarrassing it is to see your dirty laundry in the next year. Not only would you feel bad, but people might assume that you’re unpleasant. If you want to know how to use social media effectively, always consider what each post could become.

4. Stay connected to people you know and care about.

Earlier, it was mentioned that privacy can be a great way to help you manage your connections online. However, the flip side of that equation is the number of connections you build. Learning how to use social media effectively lets you stay in keep in touch with people with a single click!

To know how to use social media effectively, you also have to know who you want to stay in contact with. The best way to do so is to choose your friends online carefully. Think of the people you like and trust with your honesty and opinion. Building a community of those who matter to you can be more meaningful than having a billion followers online.

5. Streamline your feed to fit your interests.

Remember the song from The Sound of Music about their favorite things? Thanks to social media, you can build an entire feed that covers your favorites! When you know how to use social media effectively, you can make your feed feel wholesome and meaningful.

For instance, fans of classical music might get suggestions for pages about their favorite composers. To show how to use social media effectively, look at your feed and see how many of those things fit your interest. If they don’t, you have the power to keep them away from your timeline. That way, your profile will always be full of interesting, insightful, and inspiring content that suits your tastes.

6. Stay genuine in all your responses.

It’s not easy to know how to use social media effectively when you’re not acting like yourself. Many people put on a persona when they post online. They might act happy and carefree even though they’re worried or concerned about events in their life.

While you don’t need to pour out all your life details, it’s important to know how to be genuine. Honest remarks or comments you send can help others understand who you are and what you believe in. Sharing a personal story can be more meaningful than showing off dozens of your best photos. Remember that learning how to use social media effectively also means knowing how to show yourself in public.

7. Take time away from your feed.

One of the most important ways to know how to use social media effectively is to know when to step away. A big issue with digital technology is that people are spending more time online than ever before. Studies show that users spend an average of 2 hours and 24 minutes on social media every day. What’s worse is that some people can spend up to eight full hours online without stopping.

If you want to avoid internet addiction, you need to know when to shut off your profile. Sometimes, dedicating no more than one hour a day to social media can be enough. You can also take certain days to do a social media detox. This is when you shut off all your apps and focus on your life outside the internet. Through a proper detox, you’ll better understand how to use social media effectively.

8. Stop comparing yourself to others.

Keeping up with the Joneses is different from the mindset you should carry in your life. Many people use social media to show off their lifestyles. They might have selfies in the latest cars or with the biggest houses. However, knowing how to use social media effectively means seeing what matters and what doesn’t.

If you’re feeling self-conscious about these things, take a moment to step back. As said before, people like to put on personas when they are online. Learning how to use social media effectively also means focusing on yourself. In other words, you need to stop trying to meet others’ standards or expectations!

9. Think of a purpose for your social media use

If you want to learn how to use social media effectively, always start by envisioning a purpose for it. You can use it to reach out to friends, explore your hobbies, and learn new and insightful things. By giving it a reason, you’re less likely to use it without any reason or plan. In other words, you’ll use your time wisely instead of letting it slip away!

Sometimes, going on social media turns from a habit into a mindless reflex. Even those who are trying to stay offline sometimes head online to browse the latest news. The problem here is that they end up using social media to waste time.

10. Remember that social media is only one part of your life.

While you’ve been learning how to use social media effectively, there is one truth you must always remember: social media is only one aspect of your life. There’s so much more beyond the apps and your online profiles. One of the best ways to use it effectively is to know when to focus on your other priorities in life. Don’t waste your time trying to look good for your followers when you can go outside and enjoy the outdoors. Social media can be useful, but it’s not the only way to live!

Takeaways:

Many people use social media nowadays, sometimes more than they should.
Learning how to use social media effectively can help you achieve a balanced digital lifestyle.
Start by limiting your daily social media usage. Control how much time you spend online to avoid overuse.
To learn how to use social media effectively, check your settings and control who can see your posts and personal information.
Remember that the internet doesn’t forget. Choose your posts wisely or you’ll have many regrets in the future.
Stay in touch with people you genuinely care about, instead of strangers.
Learn how to use social media effectively by having it reflect your interests. Follow and engage with pages or people that align with your passions.
Be genuine in all that you do online, from comments to posts. Authenticity goes a long way.
Take breaks from your digital life now and then. It’s good for your mental health.
Don’t compare yourself to the people you see online. Everyone has their own pace and path.
Avoid mindless scrolling by setting a purpose for your social media usage. This can help you understand how to use social media effectively, not aimlessly.
Ultimately, social media is only one part of your life. Learn to prioritize your offline experiences, too.

Article Sources

Chaffey, D. (2023, May 11). Global social media statistics research summary 2022 [June 2022]. Smart Insights.
Jackson, A. (2023, April 13). I’ve been hooked on social media for 15 years: How I’m finally breaking the habit. CNBC.
MindHandHeart. (2020, January 23). Nine tips for healthy social media use. MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
MindWise. (2017, July). How to Have a Healthy Relationship with Social Media.