ALL HANDS ON TWEETDECK--A SOCIAL MEDIA CRASH COURSE FOR SCIENTISTS

Abstract:

You suspect you need to do it but concerns about social media leave you cold. You have a languishing Twitter account, but you don’t understand how to use it. You’re an avid lurker, but you have no idea what to share. You’re already using social media, but your posts just aren’t hitting the mark. Whatever your social media experience, this is the crash course for you.

As a freelancer, I have used my social media platform to build a successful business and strong presence in my field. As a veteran Outreach Officer and science communicator, I am well-versed in applying social media tools to science outreach, the limits of using social media while in the field, and in using simple, engaging short-form posts and imagery to convey complex science to a broad audience.

I discuss the utility of top social media platforms and convince you what you should use and why, for both public outreach, networking, and building your career. I show you how to get started, plus what to consider as you develop your social media presence.

We’ll explore how to acquire a following, what to post, what to avoid, how to use hashtags and threads, how to avoid falling down a time-sucking rabbit hole, troll avoidance, and other ins and outs of social media. I highlight the importance of amplifying the efforts of organizations, individual scientists, and creatives on social media. It’s all hands on TweetDeck--the world needs you!