Social Media Changes

One of my resolutions for 2017 is to cut down on social media. I’m not someone who uses every type of social media (and there’s nothing wrong if you do) but I have my preferences and want to use the ones I enjoy more wisely. It seems like the right time to organise and tidy up my online presence. Social media and blogging go hand in hand and it’s only right I update you with where you’ll be able to find me from now on.

1. Facebook

After much deliberation I have decided to delete the Chanelle Hayley Facebook page. The page has always been the least popular of my social media. I don’t use the page apart from sharing blog post links and some photos from Instagram. The blog post links will still be shared on Twitter and if you follow me on Instagram you see my pictures anyway.

2. Pinterest

I’m not deleting Pinterest but I will be removing my blog link from my profile and will no longer have a board for my blog posts. I don’t visit Pinterest very often and would rather keep it for inspiration, creative purposes and personal use. You’ll still be able to see my other boards and any new pins.

3. Twitter

I had @ChanelleTheSats as my username for over 5 years. Needless to say I was very attached but I felt like it was time for a change and I wanted to make it similar to my blog and Instagram names. My username is now @chanellehayley_ so feel free to pop over and tweet hello!

4. Instagram

My Instagram account isn’t undergoing any major changes. I don’t have any Insta rules as such, I post when I like and what I like and I don’t have a theme. I am trying to reach 300 followers by the end of 2017 and I’m almost there. If you don’t follow me yet, you can do so HERE. Leave your username in the comments and I’ll follow you back.

5. Last but not least, YouTube?

For the past year I have been contemplating starting a YouTube channel. At the moment it’s not something on my immediate to do list but I have pros and cons that I wanted to share and hear your thoughts on.

Pros:

• Some things are easier to show on camera than describe with words, e.g makeup.
• I get to try something new and learn new skills.
• I enjoy watching YouTube videos and seeing other blog friends branch out into video.

Cons:

• I’m RIDICULOUSLY camera shy. It took me years to be comfortable with selfies.
  
• I don’t have a DSLR or any equipment to film with.
• Some weeks I find it hard to find time for the blog so I wouldn’t want the channel to go downhill. I’m the type of person who likes to do things to a high standard and I aim for perfection. If I’m going to commit to it I want to be able to keep it up.

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Are we connected on social media? What social media do you use and do you have a favourite?

P.S. Have you taken my blog survey yet? *CLICK HERE* to do so.

Follow me:

Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Hey, It’s Okay… If You Don’t Like Facebook

Hi everyone, I can’t believe it’s time for the fourth Hey, It’s Okay… post already. I am so pleased you have been enjoying the series and I really appreciate all the thoughtful and supportive comments I have received. One of my first ever blog posts was about Facebook and my feelings towards it. This month’s topic may seem lighthearted and less serious but under the surface there’s much more to it.

My Facebook journey began in 2008 after making the switch from Bebo and encouragement from friends who had already joined up. My first stint on the site lasted around three years until I deleted my profile. I didn’t delete my profile because of anything that had happened or to create drama, in fact my friends knew I was thinking about it and tried to convince me not to. I deleted my profile simply because I didn’t enjoy using the site. I had a small number of friends (87 to be exact) and wasn’t using my account except to play games.

In 2012 I created a new Facebook profile which is still the one I have today. One of the biggest factors in me rejoining was due to feeling out of the loop. Let’s face it, everyone’s a little bit nosy. I gained more friends this time round (numbers aren’t everything), made an effort to post regularly and enjoyed keeping up to date with my friends. I played the odd game here and there but it wasn’t long before the old feelings of disappointment and unease started to reappear.

I think now is the time to point out my mum has never been a fan of Facebook and vows never to join. I admire her for this because she’s not conforming and isn’t worried what other people are getting up to. Part of me has always felt like I’m defying her by using the site and maybe that’s some twisted explanation for why I’ve never really liked it. I always felt like an outsider at school (which partly was probably my own doing) but in most ways I like who I am and I like being different. I’ve mentioned before I’ve never been a party girl and didn’t go out to get drunk. Facebook seemed to turn into who had the best party that weekend or who could get the most friends and be the most popular. Even though I had my group of friends and my own interests it seemed even social media didn’t have a place for me.

Eventually these feelings bought me to the place I’m at now. I’d be lucky if I post to my timeline once a week because I know no one is going to read what I have to say and it’s easier to say nothing. Forgive me if that sounds desperate and exaggerated but it’s the truth. Take my two most recent statuses for example, they have a combined total of five likes. Perhaps it’s because I don’t interact with my ‘friends’ enough but conversation is a two way street. I hardly ever get Facebook messaged and the only notifications I get are to tell me it’s someone’s birthday.

Recently I have been thinking about deleting my profile again. Facebook isn’t an accurate representation of my life, I’m more than words and images you see on a screen that have been crafted purely for other people’s benefit and approval. Some of you may then ask, “Why do you have a blog?” but I can honestly say I don’t feel like I have to try to be liked and fit in and I can be myself. If you know anything about me, you’ll know how much consideration goes into everything I do down to the words I speak and choose to write.

That’s why I can’t leave this post on a negative note. I don’t blame Facebook for not accepting me and for me not liking it because the principles behind it are genius (even if I think social media can make us more antisocial – a post for another time perhaps?) You can connect with friends and family all over the world in one easy to use platform, you can share photos, memories and even meet new people. I don’t know what this means for me on Facebook or the page I set up for the blog and whether I’ll keep using it  – I’m still figuring that out.

Do you use Facebook? Leave any thoughts or comments you have below!

Social Media, Are We Friends?

Hi everyone! I have seen a few of these types of posts before and want to take the opportunity to do one myself. Social media is such an important aspect of blogging and it can really help you to get your name and blog out there. Being a social butterfly can be difficult at times with all the different platforms but I always find time to log on and catch up with tweets, Instagram likes, pins etc.

I thought I’d do this post today to check in with my old followers and let any new followers know where they can find me if they haven’t already. I enjoy chatting and getting to know you all better and I hope you feel the same.

Connect With Me:

Twitter: @chanellehayley_

Instagram: chanellehayley_

Pinterest: chanellehayley

And of course, good old fashioned email: chanelleblogs@gmail.com

Do stop by and say hello and I’ll be sure to respond! Feel free to pop any (or all) of your links in the comments below so we can check you out too! Also, let me know if you have a favourite social media platform.

Wishing you all a lovely week!

Chanelle Hayley is on Facebook!

Hey lovelies, I’ve got some exciting news for your Friday installment! Chanelle Hayley now has it’s own blog Facebook page which you can visit by clicking HERE or on the image above. It would mean the absolute world if you gave it a ‘Like’.

I don’t use Facebook a lot and in all honesty it’s not my favourite social media outlet, but I thought I’d create a blog page in an attempt to change that and see what happens. I can share all of my posts in one place and post little updates as and when I need to. I’d love to be more chatty and interactive with my readers. I have also linked my Instagram account so all my photos will be shared there as well as on Instagram.

Sorry for the short post today. I hope you’re all looking forward to the weekend, let me know if you’ve got any plans!

REMINDER: Don’t forget to submit your questions for my Ask Me Anything post which went up last Friday. I’m in danger of scrapping the post completely as I’ve only received two questions. I can’t do a Q&A without any questions people!

 

I’m Back! Pt.2

Whilst I was on my break I came up with the idea to do this ‘I’m Back’ post in two parts. I posted Part One on Monday explaining my reasons behind the break, and this part, part two discusses my presence on social media.

Before I get started I want to say a huge thank you to everyone for their lovely comments and support after Monday’s post – it means the world to be welcomed back with such kindness. ❤

Twitter and Pinterest

When I announced my break I briefly mentioned joining Pinterest and setting up a blog Twitter account. I decided not to set up a blog Twitter account as @ChanelleTheSats is what everyone knows me as and I’ve built my followers up over the years. I’m also pretty attached to my username (which comes from my love for The Saturdays) and it would be funny being tweeted @ something different.

I did however join Pinterest and I’ve got to say I’m loving it! At first I thought it would be mega confusing but now I’m a total convert! It’s so easy to set up and use and I like how pins from topics you follow/like automatically show up on your homepage as well as having the option to search for them. I’m a typical girly girl so I’ve created makeup, nails and fashion boards as well as ones for a few of my other favourite things. Be sure to pop on over and have a browse!

Feel free to leave your link in the comments below and if you’d like to follow me you can do so HERE*.

*(I’ve also included a social icon that links to my Pinterest account in the sidebar).

Facebook

On Thursday morning I posted on my personal Facebook page about my blog and Twitter account for the first time. I think part of me was scared to share my blog with people I know in real life because I thought they’d think it was stupid or wouldn’t understand my reasons for starting it in the first place. I finally decided to stop stressing and let how other people might feel control how I was thinking. I’m so proud of this blog and I’ve had such amazing interactions on Twitter with my favourite celebrities and people I’ve come to know because of it. I don’t feel like I have to keep this part of me a secret anymore, I do it for my enjoyment and too bad what other people think!

This is positive Chanelle and she’s here to stay! (I hope).

Facebook – It’s Complicated

As a regular user of social media I admit to having a Facebook account. I first joined Facebook in 2008, deleted my account and created a new profile in 2012.

The reason for deletion I hear you ask? I had a small number of friends first time round (not that it bothered me) but I wasn’t really using my account except for playing games. After feeling out of the loop and friends encouraging me to rejoin I did.

The concept behind Facebook is genius; a free place to connect with all your friends and family (well almost all) throughout the world but I agree that sometimes social media makes us less social. You start worrying about the number of friends you’ve got or how many people ‘like’ your status.

Not so long ago I too was one of those worriers, but now a couple of times a day I check to see if I have any notifications and don’t fret if I don’t.

Facebook has taught me:

1. There will always be people posting what they had for breakfast, lunch or dinner, maybe all three!
2. Random people will add you as a friend. Don’t be afraid to decline them.
3. Don’t get caught up in other people’s drama. It’s best to stay out of it and say nothing at all.
   AND
4. Most importantly, have fun! Enjoy interacting with those who are closest to you.

What I’m trying to get across is Facebook is a tool we use to represent ourselves. You shouldn’t feel you have to use it or post about certain things to fit in with others. Post about things you’re passionate over and share snippets of your life you’re proud of and want to share.

Chanelle x