Social media is the bane of an introvert writer’s existence. For the extrovert writer, social media is a personal time siphon. Either way, social media has become an obstacle course every writer must negotiate, whether as a hobbyist looking to learn more or as a professional trying to build a platform. Here are a few suggestions for your writing life:
Explore all the options.
Facebook is the largest of the social sites, with Twitter and Instagram right on its heels. Pinterest, Tumblr, and Linkedin also have large followings. Don’t overlook YouTube and growing Facebook cousin, MeWe.
Trying each is the only way to find which site you naturally gravitate to as your main choice. Twitter is not the site I would have predicted several years ago as my go-to, but that’s what it’s become.
Keep a hand in on each site, but strive to build a community at your site of choice.
Yes! It’s possible to cultivate true relationships with people you don’t know in “real” life on your favorite site.
Try posting at around the same time every day and make a point of “liking” at least ten other posts by users you don’t know every day. Search out communities built around writers and readers, of course, but also all your other interests.
Follow those users who post interesting content that you can mine or share on your own posts. Before long, as your “follows” follow you back and you build up your content, you will have your own growing audience.
Vary your content and share small pieces of your “real” life.
As the old saying goes, give a little to get a little. Your growing friends list is genuinely curious about your life.
Judicious sharing of your passions and daily life lets other users relate to you safely and allows them to share their own happiness and woes in return. It’s my honest opinion that social media is fueled by individuals who just want to know that they are not alone in the world in regards to their love or hate or curiosity about “fill-in-the-blank.”
Share your interests, what you are researching, a character tidbit, a book you are reading or plan to read, and news from the writing world, such as links to other writers in your genre, up-coming books they might like in your genre, and news regarding book fairs or signings
If you are a professional or aspiring professional, gear a significant portion of your content directly toward readers.
Actively think about what a reader might like to know about you personally and in your writing life. Social media is bursting with ready-made writing friends and mentors, but don’t go all-in on the writing feast, it’s readers that you need.
If you’re a hobbyist, social media is a virtual ocean of writing communities. Leap in, type in as many tags or hashtags as you can think up related to writing, favorite authors, genres, craft, and all the rest. Soak it in. Take nothing to heart. Use only what is relevant to you and your writing and toss the rest.
No matter what your goal as a writer, try not to over-post at any site.
Each has its own standard etiquette. Pay attention to the largest user accounts you’ve followed and figure out what the customary unspoken rule of posting is for the number of daily posts, timing between posts, and general content.
Don’t post only to promote yourself or your books.
Don’t post promotional material or entreaties to buy your book daily, let alone several times daily.
Your posts should be reflective of you as a person and genuine human being. Seek motivation, inspiration, and friendship from your friends list and you’ll no doubt find a much wider audience and interest in your occasional promotional offerings.
Please share your thoughts on, or your experience of, using social media as a writer. Join me on the first Friday of each month for exploration, discovery, and discussion of the writing life.
