Maybe I should call this INTERNET CONNECTIONS instead. But everyone is always saying "social networking," aren't they?
The basics, for me, are the conversation loops I belong to, almost all of them as Yahoo groups, and my webpage, KayeGeorge.com. Those can't be called social networks, but they certainly figure in and are ways for me to network.
Of the ones I use, I've been on Facebook the longest, since my son informed me all the grandkids' pictures would henceforth be there. He thought better of that after posting one batch, but by then I had been found by a co-worker from 12 years ago and my massage therapist who is remarried and moved out of town. I'd also discovered my cousin's wife, whom I have only met twice, is a hoot.
Soon, I decided I wanted a Facebook account for my family and another one for my writing life. This was easy for me, since I don't write under my real name. Now I use the writing account a lot and have met some interesting people there, too.
I made a New Year's resolution to start a blog in 2010 and, instead joined one and started two. So I'm firmly both feet into that world. I now follow a bunch of blogs and have made new friends that way.
Twitter? I resisted Twitter as long as I could. I use it less than the others, so far. Maybe I'm just too wordy to fit easily into Twitter. It's not for the verbose! Although, again, I made a valuable connection with some people interested in archeology and Neanderthals (I've written a Neanderthal mystery, still unsold).
I signed up for Goodreads and I thought I was on Shelfari, but I don't seem to have a presence there. I barely have one on Goodreads. LinkedIn is another one I recently joined and have no idea what to do with.
Why do any of these? As a writer, the idea is to get yourself known, and to sell books. For this, the connections should be with readers. Most writers I know are interacting mostly with other writers.
But making the connections with fellow writers is a good enough reason for an internet presence, IMNSHO, as they say. Writing is a lonely process and the friends and family of a writer aren't the ones who understand what goes on inside our heads. I'd hate to be without all my writer pals!
I'd love to hear what sites you use and how. Which are your favorites and why?
Hi Kaye,
ReplyDeleteI use Facebook and Goodreads the most. I tried Shelfari, but didn't find it as user friendly as Goodreads. I am on Twitter, and I know it's helpful, but I don't have as much time to spend there as I should. It can be overwhelming keeping up with all the social networks!
HI Kaye--Social media is so important to building your platform as a writer. Something for y-all to consider is which outlet is your specific reader most likely to use. Nonfiction readers tend to be on LinkedIn whereas fiction readers look for their authors on Facebook, etc. You don't need to be on every single media outlet to have a good presence, just do a few really well by being consistent, providing value (keeping self-promotion to about 20% of your posts), and by being "social" and engaging your reader. Kaye, LinkedIn might not be that useful to you. Fiction writers do best on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter (I'm working on some materials for twitter--look for that soon). I am also doing a workshop/panel on social media for writers this Sunday at BookPeople if you want to stop by.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting, Stacy. I guess I use Facebook the most, but it's time consuming!
ReplyDeleteShennandoah, those are extremely good points! I know this is YOUR territory--glad you weighed in. I keep trying to get to the BP workshops. And I'm flying to DC Monday, so I might not make this one, either. I'll be with you in spirit!
I love Facebook. I can connect with family, even long lost extended family. My friends at home and ones I've had in different states we've lived in, my truck driving friends and my writing friends, all with one post. How cool can it get?
ReplyDeleteI interact a lot with writers and authors and if it is someone who pays a little attention to me, I buy their books. LOL Writers are avid readers so social networking with them is also promoting your book. Plus if I really like someone as a person and I enjoy their book, I recommend it to others.