My Social Media Strategy

My main "positive" uses for social media are:

1. To put a pebble in someone's shoe. In other words, I throw out things that I believe are worth pondering, ideas to mull over.

2. To send up signal flares. In other words, I state things that should be or once were obvious so that people know they aren't alone in thinking that those conclusions are evident. It's a way to reassure people that they aren't crazy.

3. As an idea sketchbook. In other words, I use these platforms to test and work out ideas for podcasts, articles, sermons, books, etc. It's like engaging in loose conversation or thinking aloud with people. The statements are rarely meant to be taken as comprehensive or set in stone. That's also why I don't deeply care about typos.

4. As a way to network with other like-minded Christians. By network, I mean developing "off-line" relationships. This is how I met Chris Wiley (a mentor), Bnonn Tennant (a co-author), John Weis (associate pastor), and many other "real life" friends.

Now, here are a few of my personal don'ts:

1. I don't use social media to engage in detailed or lengthy arguments. In my assessment, it's too transient of a forum for that to be a good use of my time.

2. I don't believe that following someone on social media means you can demand (note the word) that they spend more time defending or proving their assertions just because you make the request. I'm content to simply disagree in most cases.

3. I don't consider social media reflective of "real-life" relationships. Just because we are friends on social media doesn't mean we are friends. The opposite is also true. I unfollow almost everybody (I'm only following a handful of accounts) as soon as I accept friend requests. This isn't about consuming content for me. Heavy consumption kills the creative process and steals your time.

There are various ways to use or not use social media: lurk, post, engage, etc. The key is to be intentional. These are my methods. Find what works best for you.