Social media uses Internet Applications that allow people (and bots) to communicate, share ideas and content. You’re probably familiar with Facebook®, Twitter®, LinkedIn®, Instagram® and TikTok®. These platforms have changed the way we “talk” to one another, provide information and stay connected. There are good and bad things about this instant and sometimes anonymous technology. With privacy on the line and possible dangers, are there positives to putting your business or personal views out there? In our #USAMfgHour Chat led by Julie Basello of Radwell International and Whitney Koch of Welker, Inc. in honor of Social Media Day, we discussed this topic.
Julie Basello of Radwell and Whitney Koch of Welker began the chat by sharing: Before we dive in, did you know that Mashable® started #SocialMediaDay in 2010? Social Media Day gives us the opportunity to recognize the impact social media has on communication and celebrate it every June 30. And we couldn’t think of better way to do just that than to host a #USAMfgHour chat about it!
They then led off with the first question, “What’s your favorite social media platform for business use and for personal use and why?”
Dan Bigger of @OptessaInc and @DanBiggerUSAMfg commented, “for business, it’s LinkedIn for networking, for business humor, Twitter.”
VirtuDesk @virtudeskcom wondered, “Hmm. We think it actually depends on your objectives and where your audience stays the most. For professional use, we prefer Linkedin while for personal, we love Facebook and Tiktok.”
StratMg @stratmg_results commented, “Though we’re on Twitter, I’ve got to say LinkedIn has been our best business social platform. Personally, I enjoy Instagram, though I have more success making connections with Facebook groups.”
Teitsch Kent Fay Architects @tkfarchitects said, “Instagram for interacting and engaging with local businesses.”
While Nicole of Donnelly Marketing Group @donnellymgroup had this to say, “LinkedIn is the only SM platform I visit regularly. It’s the only platform that encourages real authentic conversation and community in my opinion. The others seem to be polarizing echo chambers that tend to go negative.” Julie of Radwell International @Radwell_Intl replied, “There is a lot of truth to that-when you can make algorithms work for you it helps that issue on some platforms.”
American Repair Maintenance @ARMFacilities shared, “For business, @LinkedIn because our target market uses LinkedIn the most. For personal use, I like #TikTok because I learn a lot of new information on the platform.”
Rebecca Prox with DSI/Dynamatic® #eddycurrent USA @DynamaticOEM commented, “Business: LinkedIn (it’s where most of our customers are)
Personal: Facebook (it’s where most of my family and friends are)”
Pavel Stepanov @pavelStepanov77 said, “Linkedin for professional. Facebook, IG, Tiktok, and Twitter for personal.”
Chase Bodor with Plastics Plus Technology, Inc @PPT_Molding felt that, “For networking it’s definitely LinkedIn. Don’t sleep on community forums like Reddit though. Even industry specific like SPE (plastics).”
JD with Cleveland Deburring @cdmcmachine shared, “Twitter for personal and depending on the business, Facebook. It’s easier to engage with people on Twitter in a personal way but Facebook provides better options and metrics for business advertising.” Julie with Radwell replied, “Facebook is great for advertising–amazing reach and engagement” and then asked, “Do you get a lot of engagement on Facebook? We’ve seen ours go down.” JD with Cleveland Deburring responded with, “It’s a mixed bag. I have a staffing agency client so they get quite a bit of engagement and I can boost a post for less than $20 and get pretty good results. However #mfg engagement leaves a little to be desired.”
Missy Moorefield of Southern Fasteners & Supply, Inc @SFandS_inc said, “I like FB for my personal life. As for business – it’s probably IG.”
We had even more input from these #USAMfgHour participants:
Kati McDermith @KatiMcDermith:
“I love #LinkedIn bc it gives me the ability to connect with people in a meaningful way. I can cull my feed and talk about things that are important and relevant to me and my job.” To which Whitney Koch of Welker replied, “I love LinkedIn more and more!”
Nigel T Packer – Digital Customer Experience, with Pelatis, @NigelTPacker had this to say with a bit of humor to finish his comment. “LinkedIn has been my go to since I joined in April 2005 for business. I also use Twitter for business networking. For social I usually go to the pub!”
Sue Nordman @SueNordman the President of Obsidian Manufacturing commented, “I’d say, in my opinion, the best for business would be LinkedIn right now. At one time I thought it was Twitter. Personally speaking, I don’t really have a favorite.” And Julie with Radwell replied, “Picking the right platforms for where your audience is very important. Not every business needs every platform. Choose the ones that work best for your company goals. And go where your target audience spends the most time” and then Sue Nordman @SueNordman Replying to @Radwell_Intl, “I was just discussing this the other with a couple of marketing firms. Each platform has different target audiences for us. Our product users are on Instagram, TikTok. Our employees on Facebook. Our product purchasing agents-LinkedIn. It varies but each has a purpose”
Before moving on to the next question, the hosts provided their official answer, “Julie: For business my favorite platform is probably LinkedIn and personally my favorite platform is hands-down, TikTok. LinkedIn is amazing for making connections and a great resource for so many business-related topics and TikTok is both entertaining and educational (plus it makes me buy things I never knew I needed). Whitney: I’m also Team LinkedIn for business! I’ve made wonderful connections there and get to learn so much just by attending LinkedIn Live events and engaging with people in the chat. Personally, I spend the majority of my time on Instagram because I enjoy the mix of media types and seeing what creators are doing with their platforms.”
The #USAMfgHour continued with Q2, “Using social media for business is very different than using social media personally. Do you spend more time on social media for business reasons or personal reasons and please share what your goals are for the time you spend on social media.”
Kati McDermith, “I spend most of my social media time on work stuff. Even when I am “off the clock” I prefer work socials. My goals are to reach more people with social media to spread the word about manufacturing.”
Sue Nordman, “I don’t really measure the time I spend on social media. Some days it is more than others. I try to make my rounds and check each day but can’t always accomplish that. I do take breaks for mental health. I’ve learned a lot from social media!”
Plastics Plus Technology, Inc @PPT_Molding, “Depends on the time of day. For biz I block time for doing different activities. Ex: 30 minute engagement periods, 45 min research periods, 60 min writing. Personal I send my friends videos and songs. Engage in group chats, stuff like that.”
DSI/Dynamatic® #eddycurrent USA @DynamaticOEM, “I definitely spend more time on social media for business reasons. When I leave my day job, my side job begins and social media is a big part of that. Goals: Education & awareness for both.”
Brash Inc @be_brash, “I would say both! Social media is super helpful when it comes to staying up to date with everything going on.” Radwell International @Radwell_Intl Replying to @be_brash “It can be a great way to stay connected.”
Nigel T Packer – Digital Customer Experience @NigelTPacker, “Research, observe, learn and educate. I have two shifts. Morning: UK and Europe. Afternoon” USA. I limit time to 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the afternoon. In the evening I spend my time chatting with the USA.”
Cleveland Deburring @cdmcmachine, “During the day, business reasons. In the evenings if I’m bored I’ll get on Twitter or Instagram but I try to limit the time. Social Media can kill brain cells.”
Welker, Inc. @WelkerInc asked, “What type of content do you look for when you’re on—entertainment? Connecting with friends?” Cleveland Deburring@cdmcmachine Replying to @WelkerInc, “Entertainment mainly. I cut the cord so I’ll follow sporting events live on Twitter for example.”
Velavu @velavu_tech, “A2) Always using it for both personal and business! Helps us stay up to date.”
Pavel Stepanov @pavelStepanov77, “I actually spend more time on social media for business reasons. It’s because I want to grow my accounts and build my audience.”
Obsidian Manufacturing Industries, Inc., “Considering most of my workday consist of being on social media…. I would have to say I am on social media about even between personal and business. Instead of watching TikTok all night before bed, I actually started getting into reading more.” DSI/Dynamatic® #eddycurrent USA @DynamaticOEM Replying to @ObsidianMfg
“Reading an actual book? Yes… love that! I do that often, too.”
FreightPOP @FreightPOP, “I spend more time using social media for business, but also try to spend some time to connect with friends and family on social media in my free time!”
Hosts official answer, “As people who manage social media, we both spend a lot of time on social media for business. From promoting business services to online networking to making connections, social media is a great tool. Personally social media can be a great way to keep up with friends and family, a source of entertainment and a resource for information.”
Q3-How do you build in breaks and set boundaries to protect your mental health?
Val W @ValW70999230, “I sometimes go on a social media fast from Friday evening until Monday morning. I only allow myself to use my tablet for ebooks and language lessons.”
DSI/Dynamatic® #eddycurrent USA @DynamaticOEM, “I’m really, really bad at this. BUT, I’m practicing setting my phone face down far away from me when I’m at home (and my work is done). Nigel T Packer – Digital Customer Experience @NigelTPacker Replying to
@DynamaticOEM, “I only have SM on my PC so I have to be in my office to post and reply.
I pop into my Twitter and LI channels when I want a break from my work.”
Obsidian Manufacturing Industries, Inc., “I really don’t have boundaries set as I should…. but I think holding myself accountable on my GoodReads app to continue to update the amount of pages I have read helps keep me accountable for reading over scrolling!”
Cleveland Deburring @cdmcmachine, “I use the time alert setting on Instagram and I get off Twitter when I find myself annoyed with the comments.”
Southern Fasteners & Supply, Inc., “I’m very bad at setting boundaries. I’m also bad about letting some posts/comments/threads get under my skin (don’t always respond, but just get fired up). I need to work on all of this.”
Kirsten Austin of DCSC Inc. @DCSCInc, replied “I know, I wish I could fire back tweets from time to time 😡 but that’s not a good idea. I also do not get onto Social Media on weekends, period. #MyTime That’s what Buffer is for.”
Nigel T Packer, “In 2020 I expunged all of the news, political and “celebrity” profiles I followed and suddenly, I could see with clarity. I no longer have distractions from the detritus being published on here each day. Positive vibes from all my wonderful Twitter friends.”
Velavu @velavu_tech, “Sometimes a simple: pausing the notifications, does the trick! It’s more than okay to set time away.”
StratMg @stratmg_results, “Great question! When it comes to business social, I do try to keep boundaries on hours of the day. If I choose to check in after hours then I am intentional about it and get in and get out.”
Teitsch Kent Fay Architects @tkfarchitects, “As often in marketing, I usually find myself caught up in other tasks that distract from constantly being on social media.”
Kati McDermith, “I actually removed everything except LinkedIn and Insta off my phone, that helped. That helped with my mental health quite a bit. My hubs too (If only he would turn the news off now).”
Sue Nordman, “I touched on this in my last answer. I lean towards being an introvert so there are many times that I just have to clear my head and take a break from all of it. When I’m refreshed, I’m back at it. I’ve learned too much from social media to completely abandon it. I also have all my notifications turned off for social media on my phone at all times. I feel in better control of it that way.”
American Repair Maintenance, “Sometimes I set a timer on my phone or do app limits. I also go for a walk during lunch and will not bring my phone so I don’t get on social media.”
A3 from the hosts: “For work, I use HootSuite to schedule posts in advance so I don’t have to worry about posting in off hours, on weekends, on holidays, or when I’m out of the office. I do not check work accounts on the weekend either. I set a time limit for social media app use on my phone so I can’t access those platforms beyond a set time frame. I set a do not disturb time on my phone to silence notifications every evening.
Being constantly online for work can take a toll on your mental health. Having boundaries around social media use and taking breaks is a form of self-care; downtime gives you the chance to fill your own cup and can even help you be more creative.”
Q4-What tools do you use to make your experience with managing social media for business more efficient?
Dan Bigger, “A4) No tools. Plan.”
Brash Inc, “We use a monthly content calendar that helps us organize a strategy for that month! We narrow down goals and monthly focus using that. We also use tools like Canva and Figma for social media templates!”
Cleveland Deburring, “I don’t use any currently. I’ve used Hootsuite in the past when I worked for an agency.”
DSI/Dynamatic, “Hootsuite is our friend at DSI/Dynamatic. We can schedule posts WAY ahead of time if we need to. It’s very helpful if I’m away from the office, or need to use my time elsewhere.”
Velavu @velavu_tech, “A scheduling software like Later is always so helpful! #USAMfgHour
Ruby Rusine, of Social Success Marketing, RUBY🎯Social Selling B2B @SocialSMktg, “I suggest to pick one for each:
~SM Management and scheduling
~Video tool
~Image tool
~Grammar tool”
Southern Fastners said, “I use Sendible to schedule posts. Which is great because I don’t have to remember to post something on a specific day. That’s helpful if I want to post on the weekend/holidays/or if I’m not in the office. I use Canva to prepare posts. I LOVE CANVA!!”
American Repair Maintenance @ARMFacilities commented, “I use Loomly to schedule content so I can focus on engagement, etc. on social media. We follow a content calendar each month and adjust our strategy based on metrics at the end of each month.”
A4 from the hosts, “There are many tools to help with all aspects of the social media and content creation process. Tools for scheduling posts for business such as HootSuite, Sprout Social, Later, and Hubspot are great resources and can be a time saver once content is planned and created. Canva is a great tool for creating content. There is a free version and a paid version. There are a ton of other apps that can help with video editing and photo editing too. Headliner.app and CapCut are great apps for adding captions and creating audiograms.”
Q5: What is something you’d like to try that you on social media that you’ve never tried?
Kati McDermith, “I would like to host a successful livestream. Success to me is just delivering a message that is useful to others and in support of something I love. Like rocks, or manufacturing, or wine.”
Sue Nordman, “I just accomplished this last week with taking over TikTok for Emily! It was a roller coaster ride, believe me! All the feelings!!”
Obsidian Manufacturing Industries, Inc., “Trying to post trends that involves dances on TikTok. I am way too awkward on camera.”
🟣Gail Robertson-ChiefCuriosityOfficer @GailNow
Awkward is what @tiktok_us is all about.., Have you seen my page!!! 😂
And at times my son would say cringy!!!
🟣 Gail Robertson-ChiefCuriosityOfficer @GailNow
Yes. It can also be fun. And we probably need to have more of that especially in #Manufacturing If we want to attract more young people we need to showcase the many sides of this industry
DSI/Dynamatic, “I’m not sure there’s anything I want to try in social media right now, or I would’ve tried it by now.”
Dan Bigger, “Video posts of me and not machines running.”
Radwell International, “Haha do it!”
Teitsch Kent Fay Architects, “Twitter chats were something we wanted to get involved with this summer!”
Radwell International, “You are off to a great start!”
RUBY🎯Social Selling B2B, “For us it is by doing things better at platforms we are at by honing in and deeper into creating personalizing content. Digging deeper; not adding more.”
Southern Fasteners & Supply, Inc., “Personally: making a TikTok video. I guess what would also fit for business too. But, I want to do other types of videos (not just TikToks) for business purposes.”
Radwell International, “Let us know when you are on and give us a follow–Welker too :)”
Brash Inc., “We don’t have TikTok account yet but I would loooove to get that going one day!”
StratMg, “Personally, I am curious about Tik Tok. Brief investigations have not been helpful for me, but I keep hearing that others find it valuable.”
WesselsCompany @WesselsCompany, “As a company we’ve been thinking about getting into Instagram for a couple of years, but not sure it’s the right platform for a manufacturing company.”
Pavel Stepanov @pavelStepanov77, “I have been wanting to try to host a Twitter Space I just don’t have enough time to manage it at the moment. I’ll be needing extra help on this so we will probably hire an extra hand.”
American Repair Maintenance @ARMFacilities, “10-minute @tiktok_us videos! Has anyone else tried this out yet?”
DSI/Dynamatic, “Whoa… 10 minutes? Are people staying tuned in that long?”
Radwell International, “Think YouTube–it all depends upon the content.”
DSI/Dynamatic, “Makes sense! Though I’m not sure it’ll ever surpass YouTube for that purpose. Maybe it’ll prove me wrong someday.”
A5 from the hosts, “ Whitney: I’ve never downloaded TikTok. I watch TikToks reposts as Reels on Instagram weeks after they are popular. I want to do fun, short videos from our brand but haven’t taken the leap yet. Julie: I’d like to try to make more videos for myself on TikTok and to get more familiar with using the TikTok app which has cool features for editing and creativity. I’d also like to focus more on the analytics side.”
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About #USAMfgHour
Anyone who champions U.S. manufacturing can join in on a new conversation each week on Twitter using the hashtag #USAMfgHour. The chat starts at 1:00 CT every Thursday! Join us and share positive blog posts, helpful articles, news, important information, accomplishments, events, and more with other manufacturers and supporters from throughout the country.
Are you interested in hosting a #USAMfgHour chat? Contact organizers @DanBiggerUsaMfg, @DCSCinc, @SocialSMktg and @Radwell_Intl
