Social Media: An Introvert Writer’s Dream or Their Woeful Demise

Are we on week three of the blog hop already? To be honest, I’ve not been looking forward to this one. It’s going to be the hardest question for me to answer.

Do I love social media? No. But I don’t hate it either. I see its value as a marketing tool, which is why I’m using it. I would probably not use it if I didn’t have to.

I have, however, limited my platforms. I only have accounts on Twitter and Facebook, and a Facebook author page. Plus, I have my lovely website and I appreciate you taking the time to visit. (Oh, and I have a MeWe account so I can be part of the fabulous Rom Critters critique group for romance writers, but I don’t use it for anything else.)

That’s it, that’s all I’m going with. It’s tempting to have an account for every social media platform available because we believe we need to reach the widest potential audience, right? Some say yes, and others say no.

After working in marketing and communications, not in this industry though, I’ve learned you need to know where your ideal audience is and narrow it down. So, after doing my research, I think my ideal audience is on those two platforms, so that’s what I’m going with. However, after Bridgerton has opened historical romance to a wider audience, I may have to re-assess my strategy.

Another reason for limiting my accounts is I struggle to keep up with only Twitter and Facebook. With a part-time job, plus my writing, and then that much-needed family time, I dare not add another item to my to-do list. I am in awe of people with full-time jobs, families, and writing careers, but I’m on a tight schedule here, and my main issue with social media is it’s a time thief.

It’s so easy to say, “Right, I’ll do a bit of social media engagement.” Before you know it, you’ve been scrolling for thirty minutes or even an hour. That’s valuable time that I could have spent on my many works in progress.

The other problem is I’m not good at engagement. I’m not shy but I’m not one for telling strangers what’s going on in my life. My social media accounts, both personal and professional, reflect this. I know these days readers like to form a connection with their favourite writers but I’m not comfortable sharing personal stuff. This may prove a sticky issue in the future, but I’m trying with posts like this.

Ideally, and I know it’s been said a lot, I would love to go back to when writers could be reclusive.

But I know those days are over and, whether independent or traditionally published, authors have to get their hands dirty and do the marketing, and that means joining the social media band waggon. There’s no escaping it.

I try to write engaging posts about my writing progress, and my relevant hobbies such as history and reading. I have a moan sometimes (who doesn’t) and I have used social media to promote my only forthcoming publication.

Ah-hem… Austen Tea Party, a short story anthology, is available to pre-order now. All proceeds go to Breast Cancer Research Foundation. (Don’t judge me—I’m trying to get the promo in where I can!)

Now I’m trying to build my brand, get my name out there, and give some little snippets of what my writing is like, ready for my first release—which I still don’t know when will happen, I’m afraid.

I have more engagement with other writers rather than readers on social media, and I do value that. On Facebook, there are lots of writing groups to join that help you feel part of a community. There’s also a supportive writing community on Twitter.

The Rom Critters have a Facebook page for romance writers, too. You can ask questions and even have a moan when you’re having a bad day. It offers lots of help and advice, and I appreciate that aspect of social media.

I find social media a trial to navigate; some days it’s uplifting and supportive, and others, when the only engagement my posts receive is from myself or my mum (Thanks, Mum. Keep those stats up.), despite hours of writing, scrolling, and trying to engage with others, it can be disheartening.

So, social media – I don’t love it; I don’t hate it. I’m trying my best to keep my head above water and not let social media drag me down.

How do you feel about social media? Leave a comment and check out the other author’s posts on this week’s blog hop.