Have you taken a shine to social media?

This past week a very interesting question was posed, one I had not really thought about but now has got me thinking. Paul PC4T asked the question " Are more and more radio amateurs are using social media such as Twitter and Facebook"  Paul had checked the stats on his blog traffic and it was down....due to what, was the question?? I will be the first to admit I am really not up on the social media scene at all. I do have a Face-book page and Twitter account but I really don't understand them or use them all that often.  Here is my question to the bloggers out there....

1. Do you see social media taking over for blogging?
OR
2. Can social media and blogging work hand in hand?

 How about those who have jumped into the pool of social media how is it working for you? Where and how does it fit in with Amateur radio?
Mike Weir, VE9KK, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from New Brunswick, Canada. Contact him at [email protected].

8 Responses to “Have you taken a shine to social media?”

  • Matt W1MST:

    I love the bumper stickers and t-shirts that say, “Ham Radio: The First Social Network” — how true!

  • Mike Ve3wdm:

    Good morning Matt, never thought about ham radio that way but yes it would seem very true.

  • Tom. Kb3hg:

    Social media Via the net or cell is something I do not care for. I prefer the radio. If I need to get a hold of someone there is the telephone.” How about those who have jumped into the pool of social media how is it working for you? Where and how does it fit in with Amateur radio? It doesn’t.

  • Jerry - KD0BIK:

    I see social media and blogging co-existing. I believe both depend on each other (to an extent). I also view social media as being an important tool to promote amateur radio. Don’t get me wrong, social media is NOT ham radio.

    As an active amateur radio blogger and podcaster, I use social media both to promote these initiatives…but also use Twitter, Facebook and Google + to promote the hobby. I lost count a long time ago on the number of emails I have received from individuals who heard about ham radio through my blogging, podcasting and social media activity and now share the hobby with us. This is a win-win for all.

    I never let social media take the place of amateur radio. But unfortunately, at this time Denver is under a severe thunderstorm warning so my antennas are disconnected and I’m catching up on my reading of blogs and my social media activities.

    73,
    Jerry
    KD0BIK
    http://myamateurradio.com
    http://kd0bik.com/blog

  • Mike Ve3wdm:

    Good evening Tom, as I said I do have a Twitter account but it’s really to just to get breaking local news. I have had some interesting feed back as to how it can help ones blog gain readership. Also how it can be used to attract new young hams who check out your twitter feed and follow it back to your ham radio blog.

  • Mike Ve3wdm:

    Good evening Jerry, I am very impressed how you mix all the social medias and allow it to focus on ham radio. It’s nice to also read that it really works for you in that you get emails. As for Twitter it sure is the way of the young!! It’s true young people are not going to be hunting for ham blogs but through Twitter their interest can be pricked. It was good Denver was under a thunderstorm warning or your great insight may had not been shared. I have to begin my adventure to understand social media once that happens I will be able to use it more wisely.

  • Marty AG3EK:

    I saw a blurb the other day that said that about 1/3 of Facebook users were getting bored with it and have started using it significantly less than they had been.

    Combine that with the drops in revenue that Facebook has been seeing and it would seem that people just aren’t using it like they used to.

  • Mike Ve3wdm:

    Good afternoon Marty, yes it seems that these days certain things have a life span. When new and better comes along that band wagon is jumped on. It would seem Facebook has not really tried to update it self with the times. I will say it sure has had a real good run that’s for sure.

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