Autumn online cleaning

Spring and autumn cleaning don’t only apply to your house; they apply to your online home spaces as well. Time passes and before we know it changes have happened in our lives that aren't reflected in our online profiles. This means it’s important to make the rounds at least a couple times of year to clean things up.

Here’s a list of the things you might want to check:

First, make a list of all the social networks you belong to. Think hard, there may be some you don’t use anymore. If that is the case you might want to delete them.

Make sure the links you used work.

Is your current job the same as you have listed?

Did you finish school, get another degree, win an award or get certificated in something since you last posted to your profile description? Be sure to get it all in there.

Update your contact info. Do you have the same email or web address?

Clean up your website too. Make sure all the links work and that all the information listed there is current.

Check to see if you have Google+ and Facebook Like buttons on each page of your website and that all of your social profiles are represented there as well.

Happy Autumn cleaning!! Enjoy this new season!

Joanne Elliott of Social Sprite Media Services brings this column to NWCU every week. If you're a creative seeking advice on spreading the good news about your work, we're here to help!

Does your blog have its own Facebook page?

Many creatives like to create many things and so have one blog for their poetry, another for photography, etc.

If you do have separate blogs for each creative outlet you might want to create a Facebook Page for each…especially if you want to sell both or only one.

Here are some other reasons you might do this:

If your blog name is better known than your name. People may be looking for your blog name on Facebook and if it doesn’t have a page to connect with they may get discouraged.

TIP: It is also a good idea to have links to your social media profiles on your blog so you can be found. Make sure they are in a prominent place like the top left right or not too far down on the side column.

To delineate your various brands. With separate Facebook pages it is easier to focus on your various brands or personas.

To broaden your reach. Having a blog is great, but just like any other creative endeavor you want to share with others you need to market it. Social media is the perfect way to get the word out about your work. And with a Facebook page specifically for your blog you can better focus on your target audience.

To gain insights. Facebook pages have the Insights feature which gives you stats on the demographics of your fans, engagement, etc. It’s a great tool to help you market your work.

Joanne Elliott of Social Sprite Media Services brings this column to NWCU every week. If you're a creative seeking advice on spreading the good news about your work, we're here to help!