How to Use #Hashtags (Properly)

It started with Twitter, but you'll see it everywhere these days: Instagram, Pinterest, Google+, and—oh, oh—even Facebook. The hashtag. Oh wait, I meant the #hashtag. I already had most of this post outlined, but when Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake's Late Night skit exploded via social media this morning, I knew today was the day to post on this topic. (I'll also just say that I love Jimmy Fallon. I really do.)

I hope you enjoy the following video, which pokes fun at the current hashtag mania. And to throw my linguistic viewpoint out there, the practice of verbally saying "hashtag"in spoken conversation seems to have started in a comical, almost ironic usage but is actually becoming more common. Raise your hand if you've heard someone hashtag something verbally. Oh, and look at me using "hashtag" as a verb...


The video is funny. I can't get over "Hashtag I'm the real cookie monster. Hashtag Nom nom nom nom nom."

I've found it interesting that so many blog posts and articles reference the skit as a reason to stop using hashtags and why they are pointless or make us seem dumb.

I don't agree.

Don't get me wrong, I completely get that hashtags CAN be misused and CAN be quite annoying. Do a quick Google search on the top social media pet peeves, and hashtags are likely listed in every source.

But, hashtags DO play a very powerful role in the social media world. They are a great tool when used correctly. So take a quick read below and stop performing hashtag faux pas. (Full disclosure, I also misus hashtags.)

Understand Hashtags:
If you know why people are supposed to use hashtags, you'll understand how YOU can and should use hashtags.

Hashtags are used to organize information. Using a certain hashtag allows people who might not see your original pin, tweet, or post, to find it later. Specifically when they are interested in the topic associated with that hashtag.

Use Sparingly To Categorize Your Posts:
Hashtags are super powerful for businesses, events, or even social trends. If you want more exposure to your posts, choose one or two categories to hashtag.

DON'T OVERDO OR ABUSE THE SYSTEM. Don't use a hashtag your post is not related to. Don't go crazy. And don't be the person who hashtags every word. A single word does not always classify as a category. Which brings me to my next point.

Use the Hashtag Within The Text:
You can typically tell if you are overusing hashtags if you have to clump them all together at the end of your post. Say you have a vegetarian recipe you tried and would like to share. Instead of following your post with things like "#vegetarian #recipe #spinach #mushrooms #yumyum #icantgetenough." Try incorporating that in your text. Maybe use "I just tried this #vegetarian black bean enchilada #recipe."

Have a Reason to Use a Hashtag:
I support being creative and making your hashtag usage your own. For example, I personally tend to post a lot of feet pictures via Instagram and use #theplacesmyfeethavebeen to organize those photos together. I also use #siblingtime for posts related to activities with my brother or sisters. And there are others. But the point is, I use those hashtags to help me organize my social media activity. My purpose is organization. (Yes, I am the type who looks back over my past activity.)

Only Use a Hashtag That Could Be Used More Than Once
There is no point to using a hashtag that you or anyone else will NEVER use again. There just isn't. So don't do it.

Don't Hashtag Your Whole Caption
Most likely you can't use that whole caption again, but this faux pas happens enough that it needs to be addressed separately. Again, just don't do it.

Tutorial: How to Share a Doc on Google Drive

Today I'm doing a quick tutorial on sharing a document in Google Drive. Google Drive is an online (or cloud-based) program connected to your Google account that allows you to store, access, share, and collaborate on a variety of files. And you can access these files anywhere, at any time.

The main thing to note in this tutorial is that Google Drive can both STORE (upload) files and CREATE files. You might store files in Google Drive to access them anywhere, from any computer. Just as you go to "My Documents" to find files, you would go to Google Drive to find the files you saved there.

When you store a file on Google Drive, you can also choose to share that file with others. Sharing a stored file is like e-mailing an attachment with others. You are essentially duplicating the file.

The main part of this tutorial focuses on how to convert an existing document to a collaborative Google Doc.

How to Convert a File to a Collaborative Doc

First of all, a collaborative document is one that multiple people have the capability to edit and save.

Step One. Upload the document to Google Drive. Click the underlined arrow on the left side of your window. Select the file from your computer files that you wish to upload.

Step Two. Once you upload the document, you will see it show up in your list of documents in "My Drive." Please note the different icons that show up by your files. If you uploaded a Word document, you'll see the "W" icon shown to the right. (The blue square means the file is a Google Document.)

Step Three. Click the box next to the file you uploaded. Click "More," scroll over "Open with"and select "Google Docs."

Step Four. Go back to "My Drive" and now find the new document with the Google Doc icon next to it. Click on the name to open the new file. (It will still have the same name as the original file.) If you are concerned with organizing your files, you might delete the original file that you uploaded since it is backed up on your computer. 

Step Five. Find the blue "Share" button on the top right of the page.

Step Six: Type in the e-mail address of anyone you'd like to share the document with. If you have Google Contacts, type names. You can also make the doc accessible to anyone by changing the privacy status.

Crossfade Your Music in ITunes

You've heard the phrase: "There's an app for that." Yes, yes, there usually is. But sometimes you don't even need a special app; the feature just might already be available in a program you use and are familiar with.

Today I'm sharing the VERY simple steps to add a crossfade to your iTunes playlist. 

"Crossfade" definition: fading one song out while fading another song in. This eliminates any gaps between music. 

In the group fitness world, using a crossfade on your playlists helps keep the energy up and create a seamless class. And a lot of people don't know that they can add a crossfade to any playlist just in iTunes. Keep in mind that this option creates the same crossfade for every transition. You might need to try another program or research apps (I'll try to share more later) that offer more options. But for basic needs, iTunes does the job.

Here's what you do. 

Step 1: Open iTunes

Step 2: Click "iTunes" in your menu bar and select "Preferences"

Step 3: Select "Playback" in the popup box

Step 4: Click the "Crossfade" box

Step 5: Place the cursor where you'd like it on the glider. For a more gradual crossfade, move the cursor towards the 12 second range. 

Step 6: Choose a playlist to test the crossfade. Jump to the end of the song, so you can see how the crossfade sounds. Go back to Step 5 and adjust as necessary. 

That's it! Pretty simple, right? This is great for parties or background music too! In the choreographed group fitness world, you'll want to make sure the crossfade doesn't affect music cues at the beginning and end of songs. 

Did you also know you can change when a song begins and ends? I'll share that next week! 

Replace Google Reader: How to Transfer to Feedly

Today is your last day with Google Reader. Last week I kicked my procrastinating self into gear and focused on exploring the options to replace my Reader addiction.

Check out my posts "So Long, Google Reader," and "5 Steps to Export Your Google Reader Data" for some more info.

I'll walk you through the very easy setup options for the programs BlogLovin (click for post) and Feedly. I'm not sure if you'll be able to directly export your info after July 1, 2013, so I'd suggest setting up accounts TODAY or exporting your data to transfer later. You can always play around with the programs and choose which you'll use later.

Feedly

Here are some steps to import your data. It is very, very easy.

Step 1: Go to Feedly.com. Click button that says "One-click Google Reader Import." If you are already signed into a Google account, the popup will let you select which account your Reader is currently associated with. You will then accept Feedly's request to your info and such.

Step 2: That's pretty much it! That one-click button is pretty accurate. Once your import is complete, you'll see a screen that looks like this.  

Feedly is very straight forward (which I like about it). It has several view options. The above view is under "All." 

Or you click "Today," you see something like this.

You can also click "Index" and see a view like this with the capability to organize your feeds and such. (I desperately need to do that.)

You can also customize the themes and set your preferences. (So you can set your default view to whichever option you prefer.) 

And don't forget the Feedly mobile app. It operates pretty much exactly like the website. 

This is the main view:

In the categories, you can select the view options. (See the tiles above "Refresh")

Anyways, that's pretty much it! I'm very much liking the simplicity of this program. What do you think?

Replace Google Reader: How to Transfer to Bloglovin

Today is your last day with Google Reader. Last week I kicked my procrastinating self into gear and focused on exploring the options to replace my Reader addiction.

Check out my posts "So Long, Google Reader," and "5 Steps to Export Your Google Reader Data" for some more info.

I'll walk you through the very easy setup options for the programs BlogLovin and Feedly (click for post). I'm not sure if you'll be able to directly export your info after July 1, 2013, so I'd suggest setting up accounts TODAY or exporting your data to transfer later.

BlogLovin

For the personal blogging types (specifically a lot of craft, mommy and fitness blogs), Bloglovin seems to have been promoted in those communities as the only option to replace Google Reader. Great marketing, Bloglovin!

Here are some steps to import your data. It is very easy and very self explanatory.

Step 1: Go to Bloglovin.com. Click button that says "Join Bloglovin"

Step 2: Set up your account either through Facebook or an email. (I'm one of those who does not like things all connected to Facebook...I don't know why.) If you select Facebook, it will pop up with an option to grant access. Otherwise you'll enter your info and click a link that is set to your email account.

Step 3: Once you verify your account through email or Facebook, you'll have the option to import your blogs from Reader.

Step 4: Walaaa. You are done. Check out the home screen. 

Bloglovin's features do a lot more for blog promotion than a simple RSS feed program. For example, even when you check your feed's, you'll be able to see it in the blog frame, i.e. you'll see the blog design with a Bloglovin bar across the top. 

You'll also be exposed to a lot of different blogs (and as a blogger, you'll be able to promote your blog in different ways). You'll find options to visit popular posts and many featured categories and more. Bloglovin has a lot to offer if you want to explore some more.

5 Steps to Export Your Google Reader Data

You've heard the news. Google Reader will officially say "So, long" Monday. If you are a procrastinator like I am, you probably haven't taken any action on your Reader account. But now is the time! You don't want to lose your info!

Today's "How To" shows how to export your Google Reader data. This is a great option to have on hand if you don't know what program you want to use quite yet but want to make sure not to lose feeds. (If you DO know what program you'll use, you'll likely have the option to switch the data directly, i.e. go to the program site and see if there's an obvious "Import from Reader" option. I just don't know if that option will be available after July 1.) I'll go over basic steps for some programs tomorrow

OK, here goes:

If you don't know what program you want to use as a replacement for Google Reader:

Step 1: Sign into Reader and click the gear icon in the top right corner. Then click Reader settings.  (Gear icon = )

Step 2: In settings, click the "Import/Export" tab.

Step 3: Under "Export your information," click on the "Download your data through Takeout" link. (You can also go to https://www.google.com/takeout/#custom:reader directly.) Remember, you will have to enter your Google password again. 

Step 4: Once Takeout shows 100 percent, click the "Create Archive" button.

FYI Step: Takeout also provides these services for any Google product. Just click "Choose services" and select what information you'd like to export. 

Step 5: Takeout will prepare your data for download, and you'll see a screen like the one below. Click "Download" (and know where'll you save your file). You now have this data to upload later if needed.

So long, Google Reader

I feel as though I am losing a close friend. Pretty much every person in the blogging world knows that Google Reader will no longer be available after July 1, 2013—which means come Monday morning, my go-to source for following blogs and news feeds will be gone. Gone. Gone. Gone.

Aw, now I'm getting all nostalgic. Anyone remember the post I wrote in 2009 (WHAT??) about using Google Reader and setting up your subscriptions? Good times.

When Google made the announcement of Reader's demise back in March, I quickly started researching what I'd use as a replacement for Google Reader.

Admittedly, I didn't get very far and have been operating these last several months in complete denial. Until that lovely popup showed again last week.
Here are some articles I've skimmed: 8 Google Reader Alternatives, Google Reader Alternatives: What's the Best Replacement, Google Reader is going away, but here are some options to replace it, the ReplaceReader.com poll for favorite programs, 6 Feed Readers to Replace the Google Reader Void, and Turns Out Google's Reader Replacement is Pretty Much Useless.

Some of the most popular suggestions are Feedly, The Old Reader, NewsBlur, Bloglines, Pulse, Digg, My Yahoo, and, the program getting the most hype for the bloggers: Bloglovin.

I've already imported my data to Bloglovin but actually loved what I saw on Bloglines and will be looking into that program a bit more.

Come back Saturday morning for some last minute tips to transfer your Google Reader info to the new program of your choice. Next week I'll also explore some of the features of Bloglovin and probably Bloglines.

Don't Forget Anything! (Auto Reminders)

You know those nagging feelings that occasionally make themselves present until you finally follow up on something?

I had been having a set of those regarding my car registration for a couple weeks before I finally remembered when I was by my car to check my expiration date. I know, I know—this is a simple thing to check, but it would only cross my mind when I was far from my car. And when I say "far," I mean not immediately inside or standing outside the car. 

So I wasn't exactly surprised when I saw my registration was expired. Great. And I admit this happened to me last year as well. Turns out, if you don't move every year, you might actually get the renewal notice in the mail. 

I've got everything squared away, but this whole ordeal made me think of how I can best set up automatic reminders for things just like this. 

Google Calendar Reminders

If you are an avid Google user like I am (Gmail, Reader, Music, Play, Calendar), a Google Calendar reminder is a pretty safe way to go. I'm a little leery of relying on apps that I might not be using months from now. So, I've set up a reminder for the beginning of December for myself to get my registration on my radar. This will send me an e-mail and pop up on my account until I completely dismiss the reminder. Now I can sit back and relax about the issue until then. I've also set up periodic reminders for rent and phone payments, to check certain accounts, and for tracking personal goals.

Question: What apps or resources do you use for reminders or to help manage tasks?