Before I came to know Origami Owl, I have always had a fascination of how people are able to communicate themselves out into the world via the internet and via social media.  I recall exhausting my mom’s credit cards just so I can be on AOL as much as I was. Being online was a way for me to take in what the world had to offer and meet people, both at very little cost.

Eventually I realized I had something to offer too. I started blogging about me and my life at JennylouRaya.com and whenever there was a new social media platform, I jumped in on it, even though I really had no idea what for. I just wanted see more of the world an its people.

Then Origami Owl came along and I eventually carried over my social shenanigans to a new persona named ‘LocketsNcharms‘ to share my life as an Origami Owl Ind. Designer.  First, it was LocketsNcharms on Facebook (FB is the gateway drug to social media addiction).  I started doing YouTube because it was easier to show and tell, rather than write when it came to Origami Owl. Then, I decided to start blogging at Locketsandcharms.com (another  ID took LocketsNcharms). While I was building up and adding content on to these platforms, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram came out.  Of course, I had to get on these too and in these platforms, I stayed as ‘LocketsNcharms’.  My latest social platform I joined is Snapchat and I am really enjoying that I am able to share video snaps of whatever it is I am doing at the moment. I joined Periscope – the latest craze – prior to Snapchat but I really find Periscope annoying to me as I am not a fly by the seat of my pants type of talker.  I am on Periscope as ‘LocketsNcharms’ and Snapchat as ‘LocketsNcharms5’.  What’s the deal with the 5?  Someone took ‘LocketsNcharms’ on Snapchat and doing nothing with it.  Even if they did, anything that person would do would bring attention to me. Type in ‘LocketsNcharms’ on Google Search and see. I win 😉

My latest fascination is not a new platform but a new thing I am doing on YouTube. It is called daily vlogging.  It is where I share what I do on a daily basis. Why do I do it?

1. To remember my days and have them documented via video. I was coming across old baby videos and was a bit sad I did not have more. I also had not recorded much in the last years (just pictures because of smartphones) and I wanted to do it again. I loved reliving the emotions as I watched my babies. I also sense I have early signs of dementia and this would be a gift to my future self (or I could just be a tired forgetful mom).

2. To share life to friends and family near and far. They are all over the country and in the islands somewhere in the Pacific. My mom, I only see her once every three months or so, if that and this is a way for her to see her grandkids.

3. To shine light, be of use, and a source of smiles to those who watch. I try to post things that are helpful and useful or at the very least, something that would make someone smile.

I recommend people use social media. Why?

First reason: To help people connect with you after meeting – or verify you are real before meeting. This is a legit reason in personal and business life. Have you ever searched online for a boss, teacher, person you are about to hire?  What about to following up?

Second reason:  To keep the conversation going.  Nothing beats the phone for conversation but not everyone has the time for that. Being on social media lets you let others know what you are up to and talk to you on their own time.

Third reason: It is free.  It is a free way of marketing or advertising one’s business, but I highly recommend keeping #3 above as the mindset of why you are online on social platforms.  Even major companies that sell things know not go on social to push products. Be social to be social on social media.

I mentioned daily vlogs earlier.  My daily vlogs are at youtube.com/JennylouRaya.  It is on there and not my LocketsNcharms YouTube Channel because my days are not consumed with Origami Owl.  If you are interested in seeing my life beyond Origami Owl, you are welcome to my other YouTube Channel while you remain a subscriber to LocketsNcharms.

Here is my vlog for Sunday October 11, 2013: