The digital age has transformed the way we approach genealogy. From online databases to DNA testing, technology has made it easier than ever to trace our roots. But with the rise of technology comes the rise of social media, a tool that can be incredibly powerful for genealogists—if used correctly.
Why is a Social Media Goal Crucial?
Measuring Effectiveness: Without a clear goal, it's challenging to determine if your social media efforts are paying off. Are you gaining followers? Sure. But are they engaging with your content? Are they potential collaborators or distant relatives with shared ancestry? A goal helps you track these metrics.
Choosing the Right Platform: The genealogy community is vast and varied. Some might be on Facebook groups, while others prefer the visual storytelling of Instagram or the quick updates of Twitter. Knowing your goal can help you decide where to invest your time and energy.
Crafting Relevant Content: A clear goal guides your content creation. If your aim is to connect with distant relatives, then sharing family photos and stories might be the way to go. If you're looking to collaborate with other researchers, then sharing resources and asking questions might be more appropriate.
The Pitfalls of a Lack of Goal
Wasted Time and Effort: Without a clear direction, you might find yourself spending hours on social media with little to show for it. Time that could have been spent researching, collaborating, or even just enjoying the fruits of your genealogical labors.
Missed Opportunities: Social media is a two-way street. Without a goal, you might miss out on connections, collaborations, or resources that could have been beneficial to your research.
Lack of Engagement: If you're not sure what you're aiming for, your audience won't be either. This can lead to low engagement rates, with fewer likes, shares, and comments on your posts.
Setting Your Social Media Goal Start by asking yourself what you hope to achieve with your social media presence. Do you want to:
Connect with distant relatives?
Share your research findings?
Collaborate with other genealogists?
Educate the public about genealogy?
Once you have a clear goal in mind, everything else—choosing the right platform, crafting your content, and measuring your success—becomes much more straightforward.
Conclusion Social media offers a world of opportunities for genealogists. But to make the most of these opportunities, it's crucial to have a clear goal in mind. So before you make your next post, take a moment to consider what you hope to achieve. Your research—and your followers—will thank you.