BLOGWORDS – Monday 24 September 2018 – NEW WEEK NEW FACE – GUEST POST – ANGELA ACKERMAN – AUTHOR CONFESSIONS: WHEN SOCIAL MEDIA IS NOT MY COMFORT ZONE
NEW WEEK NEW FACE – GUEST POST – ANGELA ACKERMAN – AUTHOR CONFESSIONS: WHEN SOCIAL MEDIA IS NOT MY COMFORT ZONE
Author Confessions: When Social Media Is NOT My Comfort Zone
Everywhere you look there are blog posts, webinars, online courses and websites all shouting the same message: Join social media! Engage, connect, network! Build your audience! Everyone says that authors must navigate the social media waters to be successful. Is this true?
Well, unless you happen to be a celebrity or are gifted with a giant promotional push from a publisher…then probably yes, if you hope to reach a wider audience.
And herein lies the problem: many writers are introverts. They like having the computer screen between them and the world, thank you very much. They don’t want to get involved in every newfangled social media platform, or blog with no idea what to say, or try to find an ‘in’ on a site when it seems like everyone knows each other already.
When it’s been decades since you’ve had to walk the playground and make friends, the idea of entering a giant online cocktail party can be hive-inducing. So what is a writer to do when they feel they are not suited for social networking or are simply terrified by the very idea of it?
Stay Within Your Comfort Zone
If the idea of social networking is overwhelming, pick something contained and more likely to be in your comfort zone. Forums may feel less intimidating than the biggies of socialization like Twitter or Facebook. In a forum, rather than being bombarded by hundreds of people, interaction is more intimate. Joining conversations in a forum (either with other writers to network, or on focused topics that tie into your book’s audience) will put you together with only a few people at once, and the topic is focused. You can learn, share and make friends at a slower pace.
If you want to find your potential readers, run a google search for a subject of interest that ties into your book. Chances are, if you like it enough to write about it, there’s a forum for it somewhere. If you’re struggling to know who your audience is, read this post. You can also search Goodreads, and look for discussions about books that are similar to your own that you’ve read. This is a good way to start a relationship with people through discussion on something you all enjoy.
Become A Lurker
Rather than be pressured into jumping into the fray, do some lurking. Think about the blogs you visit for book research, the ones that will help you improve your writing and marketing, and other blogs that tie into your interests. Read the comments so you can understand how people engage.
Check out how other writers interact on Twitter by searching up some hashtags like #writersroad #ontheporch or #writechat. See what they share and click on some profiles to find people who interest you. Run searches for your interests. If you like cycling, you’re not alone. Try #Cycling in twitter search. If your book is for dragon lovers, search for #Dragons and you’re sure to find fans.
If you have Facebook, check out a few groups! Again, search by interest to find groups that have interests or passions that tie into your book in some way.
Dip Your Toe In…On A Trial Basis
If you did some lurking and found a social networking medium that seemed like it could be within your comfort zone, then step in, slowly. Reach out and share a bit–it can be things that inspire you, what you find funny, or something about writing (if you want to connect with other writers for support and community).
Friend or follow a few people and comment on what they share. If you’re looking to connect with your direct book audience, then share content that you know they will enjoy (as it ties right in with topics you touch on in your books). Soon, conversations will start and you’ll be off to the races. If you find you enjoy it, great! And if not, then you can walk away, wiser for trying. Just be authentic and open – be yourself!
Social Networking can seem intimidating at first. Some worry it will chew up all their writing time and that they need to be everywhere to be successful–Twitter, Blogs, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr and more. Honestly it is much better for you to choose one or two and do them well than scatter yourself across all networks. And remember, YOU are in control. Engage as much or as little as time allows. Writing should come first.
What tips would you share with people looking to start using social media but who are a bit nervous about it? Let us know in the comments!
ANGELA ACKERMAN is a writing coach, international speaker, and co-author of six bestselling resources including The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression. A proud indie author, her books are available in six languages, are sourced by universities, and used by novelists, screenwriters, editors, and psychologists around the world. Angela is also the co-founder of the popular site, Writers Helping Writers ®, as well as One Stop For Writers ®, an innovative online library filled with unique tools to help writers elevate their storytelling.
I’m great at lurking, LOL! I need time to make up my mind first.
Blessings~💖
you sneaky lurker you!! ha ha! love ya my friend
LOL! Love ya, too sweet one!
Blessings~💖
Nothing wrong with lurking! It will give you a chance to see how everyone interacts and if people seem friendly and interested in the things you are interested in. 🙂
LOL, that’s usually why I do it! Glad someone understands!
Blessings~💖
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