I have no wisdom for you today, just some questions.
I am overwhelmed with social media! EVERY application out there claims to be able to pull your links together into one place, cross-post, etc. So, here are my burning questions. OK, my whining questions.
How do you prioritize your time/effort?
I do my blog and my writing. But others do blogs, twitter, Facebook and more. Yes, FB has great traffic, but can’t you get lost in all that traffic? And why would anyone want to be a Fan of a page about a children’s book? (OK. Twilight, I get. But just a picture book?)
Similar, is it strategically useful to camp at one spot and send out messages to other social media?
For example, if you love Facebook, does it work to make that your main activity online and just send out re-Tweets, occasional blog posts, etc.? Does it help your name recognition, book sales, etc? Or, do you really need to integrate intensive efforts on all fronts?
Is there an etiquette about cross-posting?
Do you think it’s too much self-promotion when I pull my blog postings into my Facebook page via Networked blogs? What if I automatically Tweet about a blog post? Is that bad etiquette? (OK, it’s not even a real Facebook PAGE; it’s just my regular profile. How many of you have a Fan Page?)
I just want to write. Fiction. Posts that teach writing. But in today’s market, you have to market, too. I wish someone would just tell me what to do and I’d do it blindly and not have to “develop goals,” “be strategic,” “optimize your efforts.”
How do you deal with the blessing and curse of social media? And still get your work done?
Related posts:
I actually appreciate the Facebook post because sometimes I’m at the point then to do a bit of clicking around. That’s not always true with my email feed.
But there is a point where self-promotion can get annoying such as when a person only posts to a list with news about a release instead of being a part of the community.
In case it helps…
I have a window of time in which I post my blogs, skip through my social networks, and then pre-format blog posts for the future. I revisit these all once more–quickly–before I sign off at the end of the day.
It’s a commitment. But I don’t look at it as promoting my books.
I look at it as participating in the conversation of books and publishing. I really want to know who’s got a new release and that people are debating the change in Lambda award eligibility and where we’re all at in terms of royalties for e-books. I’m interested. If I weren’t, I would do less of it.
That said, I think you should go with what you enjoy. Big picture, I spend more time on twitter because I like twitter. The writer in me enjoys the challenge of conveying my thoughts within the character limit.
As for syndicating a blog onto facebook, I think it depends. If your blog posts are all about you, I’d say maybe–especially if your contacts are all personal.
But a great blog like this one is of interest to the many publishing folks among your friends. I’d say go for it, and if you can, set it up so that only your writer/editor list receives those posts.
I’m a fan of Rita Williams-Garcia’s ONE CRAZY SUMMER page because I love it. I’m rooting for it. I want to read every piece of good news about it.
And I have a fan page because, at this rate, I’ll soon top the 5,000 person limit at facebook (I’m at about 3,500 and getting over 10 requests a day). Also, a lot of teachers/librarians prefer to point their YA readers to a fan page rather than a personal page.
That said, everyone is different. I think a web page is required. And you’re already doing a lot more than that and with great substance and style.
Cynthia:
Definitely the key is to see it as being part of the community! I am very interested in the conversation, too, but don’t always want to express a public opinion. But I definitely enjoying reading the range of comments on different topics.
Didn’t realize you liked Twitter so much!
And yes, a Fan Page is definitely better at some point, when you’re topping Facebook’s limit of 5000 maybe be as good an indicator as any that you need that Fan Page.
DArcy
I have a pet peeve. Someone I follow on twitter (Backpacker magazine) posts tweets with links…only these are links to the REAL post which is on their Facebook which has the link I actually want to click on. This is too much effort. Streamlining is one thing, making the reader work is another thing entirely.
I also hate it when people don’t understand the SOCIAL aspect of social media. The point is to talk to people, not just promote your stuff. You let fans/viewers/readers/listeners know that you are there and actually responding. Sometimes if someone follows me on twitter I check to see how many @twitterperson are in their feed. If they never respond to anything I choose not to follow.
PS If it isn’t obvious twitter is my chosen social media experience.
Cassi:
That sort of circular linking would be very frustrating!
Yes, you join Cynthia in preferring Twitter. Interesting!
Darcy
I enjoy doing my blogs,reading select blogs, and commenting on blogs that I learn from, and I love getting comments back. I have received so much helpful information and help, and chatted with authors.Good feed back. Yes, I just started on facebook. It is slow at this point, but again I have a new friends.
I try to limit my time and not
socialize, for I am too busy for that.
Mary Nida Smith
Try them and see which one you prefer. I thought ‘socialise’ more on Twitter but it hasn’t been the case yet – I try not to presume how someone is like by their posts – if someone prefers to chat that’s cool but they prefer to provide useful links about writing that’s cool too. Sometimes I get chatty, sometimes not – there’s always a lull – you can’t force it. But I will always try and respond if someone RTs me or is reaching out. I found Linkedin gave more opportunities to participate and found having 2 Facebook profiles a bit too much. So I stick to one. I tried forums but prefer Twitter for quick info, Facebook for a more personal touch and Linkedin for a more professional feel. I was blogging almost every day but found it took too much time and have reduced to a few times a week.
How to manage? Set some time in the morning to check through the medias and respond if necessary. Set time to blog. Set time to write. Then at the end of the day – or during – check again. Before you start Twitter or any social media application – do some research on etiquette in terms of self-promoting etc and then decide what you’re comfortable with and start. Then later if it’s not something you’re keen on doing, keep it but cut down, just in case one day, you want to pick it up.
The most important is managing your time and giving writing your book the priority. It’s not easy when you’re juggling so many things but you’re not alone. Good luck.
Jessie:
Thanks for the thoughtful response. I can’t even think about doing LinkedIn. Oh, I have an account, but haven’t really done anything with it.
I know what you mean about doing research on etiquette for each form of social media. And everyone says you must listen for a while to get to know the community. But really, isn’t that the main problem? To set up a great Facebook Fan Page, you must spend time or hire a designer. To learn the etiquette of each community, you must spend time. It’s the time drain that I mind the most!
Because, as you say, managing your time and giving your writing the priority is the key.
Darcy
Darcy–
I resisted FB and Twitter for a long time, but recently jumped in with both feet. I have to say, I’m surprised by how much I enjoy FB. There’s something about the quick-scanning quality that makes me feel informed, up to date, and entertained in a very efficient manner. The sense of community is immense, and I’ve met and gotten to know so many new people in a very short time. I feel more informed about the publishing world now than I have in years. I didn’t know what I was missing. I’m definitely pleased I took the plunge.
And all those old school friends finding me on FB. What a bonus!
-Deborah