Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about community and how we stay connected to the people and things that matter to us. Not just in business but across the different parts of life that make us, well… us.

It feels like social media is constantly shifting under our feet, right? One minute, we’re all on one platform; the next, we’re trying to find and learn alternatives like Bluesky. But through all this change, I keep coming back to the same thought:

The tools we use shape the way we connect.​
And if we're intentional with our software, we can make those connections stronger.

Bluesky: Make Your Handle Truly Yours

Bluesky is quickly becoming one of those places where people are regrouping. And if you’re on there (or thinking of joining), I highly recommend setting your handle to match your website domain. It instantly helps folks recognize your brand, which is even more critical for maintaining connections as your community shifts platforms.

I wrote this tutorial to make this easy for you:
💻 Using Your Own Domain on Bluesky.

How I'm Finding My People on Bluesky

I’ve always struggled with finding people I already follow elsewhere when joining a new social media platform. So, I started using this tool when I set up my Bluesky account:
🌐 Sky Follower Bridge.

It scans the list of people you follow on Instagram or Threads, searches Bluesky, and shows who’s already there. Definitely take the time to read through the list instead of just clicking "Follow All." I noticed several accounts where the username or display name matched, but they were not the same people!

❗Quick Tip: Make sure you use an App Password for this tool!​
I can’t stress this enough—don’t give your primary password to any third-party app. Instead, create an App Password through Bluesky. It’s a safer way to connect apps, and you can revoke access anytime.

Here’s Lifehacker’s guide to creating an App Password on Bluesky:
📄 Why You Should Be Using Bluesky’s ‘App Passwords’​

Thinking of Starting a Website or Newsletter?

If you don't have your domain name yet but are considering getting one to create a website or email newsletter, it's a more straightforward process than you think and a great time to get started!

If you want to start building your list (or want a clearer picture of the tools out there), check out my Email Marketing Cheat Sheet. It breaks down what services to use and how to connect them:
📋 Download the Cheat Sheet Here.

Don't Forget to Back Up Your TikTok Profile!

This might seem random, but hear me out:
I don’t regret deleting my X account, but I do regret not saving the list of people I followed before I left. It’s been a real challenge to find those folks again.

So, with TikTok's ban slated to kick in next week, take a minute to back up your TikTok profile. It takes some time after you request the data to be able to download it - so take a few minutes and do it today! Here’s TikTok’s guide on how to get your data:
🔗 Requesting Your Data​

Why This Stuff Matters

This isn’t just about social media handles or follower lists. It’s about keeping our connections alive.

We’re all part of different communities—our professional networks, online spaces for hobbies, and circles of friends who chat about niche interests. The internet gives us incredible tools to build and nurture these communities, but it also demands that we stay proactive.

Taking control of our software (even in small ways) can make a big difference. Whether it’s:

• Creating a newsletter to stay in touch,
• Finding your people on a new platform, or
• Backing up your data so you don’t lose those connections.

I hope this inspires you to take one small step today to strengthen your digital world.

Over to You!

What’s been your experience navigating these new platforms? Have you found your people again? Are you starting fresh somewhere new?
Hit reply and let me know—I’d love to hear how you stay connected.

Did you know that Bluesky’s name comes from the open space of possibilities, and its butterfly logo stands for change and transformation? I kind of love that hopeful, expansive vibe, and I'm trying to highlight more of those moments in 2025.

Here’s to more connection, more community, and more intentional choices in how we show up online. 💙