[Libs-Or] Tech-Talk: Bluesky Basics – Check Out the Social Media App Everyone’s Talking About

Tue Apr 8 14:23:56 PDT 2025

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Learn about this new social media app

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Webinars for You

NOTE: Webinars begin at 3 pm ET / 2 pm CT / 1 pm MT / 12 Noon PT and are one hour long.

April 9: [SOCIAL MEDIA] Exploring Bluesky: The Next-Generation Social Media Platform Why attend? Learn more about this new "X" competitor.

April 23: [EXCEL] How to Edit Charts Like a Pro - Basic Techniques Why attend: You use charts in Excel but want to learn more about customizing.

May 14: [GMAIL] Inbox Zero Strategy - Managing Emails Efficiently Why attend: You want to take control of your Email instead of it controlling you.

May 28: [GRAPHICS] Design That Captivates: Creating Effective Flyers, Web Pages, and Presentations Why Attend: You want polished-looking documents.

View Webinars and Register Here<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ny-a3c75sGJXT4t0wDHqyjOAFVLBHIyV76k6JhKueDBzOTYlpeLuss5Pgi-6O8RJfWf3Nl7mkWjgLV87VIlzsfx7kkAi6YMBT71xvOgAuVJtsV5Zz_7PAszaSu40ELeB_-FjLPhu-ZJBVRTEjbfaJoq2fWuxGIWg4Sv3g5qplfA=&c=BBfOo-ljYFkdJLiF9D_kt7o_lCYyp3XepAhrHi4qiGLrJ7ZZtFmHtQ==&ch=P62O-5Xn8ruBg8h7Wo7cQU872CWVzp7G2xeVn_-Y25bnpcWwPNjT9A==>

Bluesky – Check Out the Social Media App Everyone’s Talking About - Part I

Intermediate

[Smartphone screen displaying the Bluesky app with a butterfly logo and the text Bluesky Whats up on a sky background]

Curious about the social media app Bluesky and what sets it apart from other platforms where you can share posts, photos, and videos?

Bluesky was initiated in 2019 by Jack Dorsey, co-founder and former CEO of Twitter, as an internal project to explore decentralized social networking. In 2021, it became an independent company and was officially launched to the public in 2023.

While it is set up uniquely and designed to be a decentralized platform, it's currently managed by a central team - for now. Bluesky plans to move toward full decentralization over time gradually.

So, what does "decentralized" mean?

It is designed so that no single company, government, or person is in charge. Instead, the platform is run by users working together. This gives people more control over individual data, content, and how people interact online.

Some key features of Bluesky that make it different from others include:

·     You Own Your Data – You have more control over your content and personal information. No company can sell or restrict your data without your permission.

·     More Freedom, Less Censorship – Moderation is often done by the community.

·     No Algorithms – Bluesky does not use a central algorithm that feeds you posts based on your viewing patterns or ad placement.

·     Structured as a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) – It is legally obligated to prioritize public good over pure profit.

·     No Ads (yet) – At this time, there is no advertising on the platform. They are emphasizing user control rather than monetization.

Who is Using Bluesky?

If you're wondering just who is using this app and if you should start, consider 1) Are you looking for something new and different to try? 2) Are the people you want to reach and connect with using Bluesky as well?

We found the majority of current users fit in these categories:

[Four people sitting at a cafe table focused on their smartphones with coffee cups in front of them]

1. Tech-savvy users and early adopters - People who are interested in decentralized platforms and open-source tech.

2. Journalists and media professionals - Many moved over during the upheavals on X (formerly Twitter). Bluesky offers a cleaner, less chaotic experience, which appeals to writers/reporters.

3. Artists, creatives, and niche communities - Bluesky has become kind of a chill, artsy space compared to more mainstream platforms.

4. People leaving X (formerly Twitter) – There's been a wave of general users looking for a new social space with less moderation and drama.

It's important to note that Bluesky has experienced rapid growth, with user numbers increasing from 9 million in September 2024 to over 20 million by November 2024 (3 months). This surge reflects the platform's rising popularity, particularly among younger, tech-savvy individuals seeking alternatives to existing social media platforms. As of April 2025, Bluesky has surpassed 25 million users.

The age distribution shows that a significant portion of Bluesky users are under 35 years old.

·     18 - 24 years: approximately 37.2%
·     25 - 34 years: around 26.8%
·     35 - 44 years: about 14.8%
·     45 - 54 years: roughly 9.5%
·     55 - 64 years: approximately 7.1%
·     65+ years: around 4.6%

And the gender distribution at this time suggests that it is a male-dominated user base with approximately 63.1% male and 36.9% female users.

Although the app was launched in the US, it is gaining popularity in other countries like Brazil, the UK, Japan and Germany.

[Cloudy sky in the background with icon of the Bluesky app and text showing and upcoming webinar on the topic]

Register Here<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ny-a3c75sGJXT4t0wDHqyjOAFVLBHIyV76k6JhKueDBzOTYlpeLuss5Pgi-6O8RJfWf3Nl7mkWjgLV87VIlzsfx7kkAi6YMBT71xvOgAuVJtsV5Zz_7PAszaSu40ELeB_-FjLPhu-ZJBVRTEjbfaJuvbVD4M9uSGZosySgpVwUo=&c=BBfOo-ljYFkdJLiF9D_kt7o_lCYyp3XepAhrHi4qiGLrJ7ZZtFmHtQ==&ch=P62O-5Xn8ruBg8h7Wo7cQU872CWVzp7G2xeVn_-Y25bnpcWwPNjT9A==>
Want to See this Social Media Platform in Action?

WEBINAR: Exploring Bluesky: The Next-Generation Social Media Platform

Wednesday, April 9th 3 pm (ET)

Discover Bluesky, the social media platform making waves in the digital landscape.

Getting Started

This platform is very basic and intuitive if you've used Twitter/X or Facebook. However, we're going to go through the basic set up so that you can get the most out of Bluesky.

From a desktop computer, visit bsky.app<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ny-a3c75sGJXT4t0wDHqyjOAFVLBHIyV76k6JhKueDBzOTYlpeLusqBiSYdl6inNK_QYw0DtA5oMhJc5s88GD2QRqCdKg-J7CkXWmWoVBidVYFiaV2qjb3P0WB3kU4dEKU8YrOgp7R0=&c=BBfOo-ljYFkdJLiF9D_kt7o_lCYyp3XepAhrHi4qiGLrJ7ZZtFmHtQ==&ch=P62O-5Xn8ruBg8h7Wo7cQU872CWVzp7G2xeVn_-Y25bnpcWwPNjT9A==> to create your account.

[App search result for Bluesky Social showing a butterfly icon 4-star rating open button]

Or on a mobile device find the app in the iPhone App Store or Google Play.

Then...
·     Under Hosting provider, pick the default Bluesky Social option.

·     Follow the prompts to add your email, password and birthday.

·     Create your User Handle (your unique name on this platform). Use only letters, numbers and hyphens. (see image below)

NOTE: You can use a website domain as your Bluesky handle if you own your domain. For example, instead of using @Tech-Talk.bsky.social, we could set up our handle as @tech-talk.com to brand it. This does require adding a new DNS record to your domain. See the details above to attend the webinar to see how to do this.

In the image below, you can see the difference in user handles. The top one uses the basic option, while the organization TechCrunch has enabled the use of their website URL.

[Profile images of Loretta Robinson and TechCrunch from social media showing follower counts and descriptions]

Part II - From Sign-Up to First Post: How to Navigate Bluesky

Now that you know more about Bluesky and have set up your account, you can do two things: 1) Join the Tech-Talk webinar this Wednesday, April 9, 2025 (if you can't attend live, when you sign up we'll let you know when the recroding is ready) and 2) Watch next week for Part II where we'll be digging into using the app, including:

·     Connecting with Others – Using a Starter Pack, discovering new Feeds, finding followers from your "X" account

·     Posting – Media types, interaction options, posting strategies

·     Interacting with Others – Commenting, "Skeeting" and more

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/e565d7d1-215e-487a-8e78-f332113e7825.jpg]

Communications: Presenting

Ask questions when presenting

You're standing up in front of a group. It may be a formal presentation or a team meeting. You have information to share. Here's a tip that will make your presentation more effective.

Ask questions of the group. This technique isn't just a way to fill time—it’s a powerful tool that boosts engagement, encourages participation, and enhances learning.

When you invite your audience or team to respond, you create a two-way dialogue instead of a one-sided lecture. This shift helps maintain attention, especially during longer sessions.

Questions can also clarify understanding. By checking in with your audience, you can identify confusion early and adjust your approach in real time. It shows that you value their input and encourages active thinking rather than passive listening.

Effective Ways to Ask Questions

1. Use Open-Ended Questions. In the right situation, instead of yes/no prompts, ask questions that encourage thought and invite different perspectives. For example, “How might this apply to our current problem?” or “What challenges could we face with this process?”

2. Pause for Responses. After asking a question, wait. Give your audience a few seconds to think and respond. Silence can feel uncomfortable, but it's essential for processing and encourages participation—especially from more reflective team members.

3. Incorporate Polls or Quick Activities. Use tools like live polls (e.g. Mentimeter or Zoom polls). You could also ask for a show of hands. These interactive elements make it easy for people to contribute and help you gauge interest, understanding, or opinions in real time.

A Large Group or Formal Situation

If you're speaking to a big audience, or it's a more formal presentation, you can make your questions rhetorical. You can also ask the question and then answer it yourself.

Example: "What's an excellent way of getting real time feedback from employees? Holding an executive roundtable!"

Sometimes the question itself is just one word.

Example: "You want employees to be fully engaged, right?"

This technique involves the audience and helps people stay attentive.

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When was the last time you visited the Tech-Talk online resource? It has all kinds of fun ways to solve issues, discover new ideas, and hone your skills!

[Ask a question]

We're here to help!

Tell us what you are unclear about ... a new technique you'd like to learn ... or some fun tool you've heard about. Use this form!<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ny-a3c75sGJXT4t0wDHqyjOAFVLBHIyV76k6JhKueDBzOTYlpeLusrWQx2b7wvh3Nlu3ydbkq3Hti41Av7VNSXVWjr03FGqQZIyvgElVNDmSbo44-9KTtOqjgSEfbQEz86xzAU756zphDlohePNZMF3iE9amD6w2fhhI6Mf51co=&c=BBfOo-ljYFkdJLiF9D_kt7o_lCYyp3XepAhrHi4qiGLrJ7ZZtFmHtQ==&ch=P62O-5Xn8ruBg8h7Wo7cQU872CWVzp7G2xeVn_-Y25bnpcWwPNjT9A==>

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Cheers,
Darci Hanning, MLIS (she/her/hers)
Public Library Consultant / CE Coordinator
Continuing Education Resources: https://slo.oregon.gov/conted/
State Library of Oregon | Library Support and Development Services
971-375-3491 | darci.hanning at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:darci.hanning at slo.oregon.gov> | www.oregon.gov/library<http://www.oregon.gov/library>

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