Social Media is a great way to interact and socialize with people across different virtual platforms.  It allows community engagement via the Internet, plus you can share information immediately and frequently to a vast number of people and networks.

Internet users continue to spend more time on social media websites than any other type of site.  And, this phenomenon has moved far beyond just the communal aspects of sharing; it has become a means of growing and marketing a business; provided many unique career opportunities and allowed a steady stream of income for many, especially among mothers.

Some of the most influential online consumers are moms.  Mothers are privy to the hottest trends in fashion, health, fitness, and more, which puts us in the perfect place to promote a business, endorse a brand, or simply take up a fun online hobby.  So, if any of those things sound exciting and you’re ready for all the free flowing information that comes with being a social media insider, then check out 5 ways to get started.

1.     Start a Facebook Fan Page – According to a 2012 Nielsen report, 3 out of every 4 mothers visit Facebook on a daily basis.  Many describe this time as “me time” for themselves.  So, since you’re probably already using this fun site, now you can tailor your interests by starting a Facebook Fan Page.  If you’re good at crafts you might customize your page accordingly and name it Crafty Moms, or if you’re a big coupon clipper it might be called Coupon Guru.  The key is to start with something you love and are passionate about sharing, then the work won’t feel like work at all.

2.     Join Twitter – There is a vast community of “in the know” moms on Twitter, so this is a great forum to share and network with other social media mommy’s.  Once you join, try to build your fan base by commenting and following other people with similar interests.  You can “tweet” about what you know and cherish, and soon you’ll begin sharing at a rate that feels comfortable with your busy schedule. 

3.     Join Pinterest – According to reports, Pinterest is the top family and lifestyle site for mothers.  And, why not?  With all of its beautiful imagery and hot finds this is a platform that is easy to pass along information on a regular basis.  Check out my article on why every mom needs to be on Pinterest, to further prove my point. http://www.workingmother.com/blogs/hollywood-mommy/5-reasons-why-every-m...

4.     Start a Blog – Blogging has been on an upward swing among mothers.  A blog is a website where you record opinions and information on a regular basis.  Studies have shown that mom bloggers, with kids under the age of 18, represent over 50% of all bloggers.  That’s a staggering percentage that I predict will only grow bigger with each passing year.  And, starting a blog is easier than it sounds; it’s also relatively inexpensive to begin.  You can either start your own site, or you can hone your skills by becoming a contributing Blogger for an established site like WorkingMother.com (http://www.workingmother.com/content/become-workmom-blogger) or, you can do both!

5.     Find a Social Media Routine – Being active on more than one social media site takes a real commitment.  And, trust me, I understand that with the life of a mom, it’s hard to find the time to take on another project.  My advice… take baby steps.  If you only have time to post every Saturday, then make that your routine.  If you can commit to every Monday and Wednesday then make those your days.  The point is, find a habit that works best for you and your schedule, and stick to it.

There are numerous, other, social media sites out there like Instagram, Linkedin, Flickr, Google+, and more, but as you begin to feel your way around this new terrain, you’ll grow comfortable and soon add more platforms to your repertoire.

The social media frenzy can be a hugely rewarding endeavor, both creatively and, in some cases, financially.  If you follow a few simple steps and find a routine that works, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a social media mommy the web will be buzzing about!

For more mommy tips check out: http://careermommy.hubpages.com/ or, follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TinseltownMom