Connected Celebrate Social Media Day

Tomorrow is Social Media Day.

Now in its seventh year, the annual celebration was created by Mashable.com as a way to recognize social media’s impact on communities around the world.

There are many ways to join the worldwide celebration, including using the hashtag #smday when posting images and messages.

Feel like throwing a party? Get together with fellow social media users to celebrate.

According to the official website at mashable.com/smday, meet-ups happened all over the world in 2015, including events in Egypt, Spain and San Diego.

Meet-ups in the U.S. this year will take place in Chicago, Denver, Des Moines and Chicago. The largest meet-up is in New York City, co-hosted by Mashable, Splash and feedfeed.

I asked social media professionals for tips on how social media users and small businesses might celebrate the big day.

If you own a small business, Cheryl Lawson, CEO and founder of Social Media Tulsa, suggested hosting a workshop.

“Order pizza and or cupcakes and teach your team how they can help the business on social [media],” Lawson said.

“Hold your own social media day awards ceremony,” Lawson added. “Celebrate your most active customers and award them #smday winners. And there’s no need to rent the auditorium. Just post winners on your Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and thank them for being so awesome.”

Dennis Schiraldi, owner of CYO Marketing and co-founder of Youngstown’s first-ever digital marketing conference, DOYO Live, also focused on how businesses might leverage #smday.

“Typically something like [Social Media Day], the trick is to grab the attention of the more connected, typically more social [media] savvy person,” Schiraldi said, describing these social media users as “influencers.”

“Identify your influencers on that particular day, whether it’s a topic or a region,” Schiraldi added. “It would make sense to build a list on Twitter or follow these individuals on Instagram.”

Many events highlight local businesses. “In Tulsa, we have been bowling, we’ve hosted a social media panel for musicians, we have eaten at the newest BBQ joint, hosted a pool party, had a local business owner share his experience, and we’ve had speakers and panel discussions,” Lawson added.

Some fun ways to participate on your own include creating unique hashtags and taking selfies.

Lawson suggests highlighting “all things awesome in your city or school. Try using #smday(yourcity) or #smday(yourschool).”

“Have selfie contests,” Lawson added. “That’s what we’re all doing on social media anyway, right?”

Scott Monty, owner of Scott Monty Strategies and former social media director for Ford Motor Co., asked “Why does social media need its own day? It furthers the notion that social media is a standalone effort. Celebrate every day.” Lawson and Schiraldi echoed this sentiment.

In fact, Mashable.com notes, “Every day is essentially Social Media Day.”

Adam Earnheardt is chair of the department of communication at Youngstown State University. Read his blog at adamearn.com and follow him on Twitter at @adamearn.