Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Thoughts on Social Media

I am hardly an expert on Social Media. This whole idea of social networks like FaceBook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, and so on just throws me for a loop. The main thing is, I don't have time for it. I don't want to make time for it. I don't like to do it. But here I am, on FaceBook and Twitter. FaceBook isn't so bad, I suppose, but Twitter just defeats me. I am now "following" 100 people, and have a whole 29 people following me. But I've just decided I'm going to delete some of those I'm following, like book publishers and agents.

The whole idea behind all this social networking business is: selling yourself. Not your book, YOU. I'm on an Authors Forum, for my publisher, and I'm getting all kinds of advice about how to be on Twitter. Good advice, like how to use Twitter to YOUR best advantage. But my Lord, it takes time. A LOT of time. Usings Lists to catagorize people. One author told me she keeps her lists to 100 PEOPLE, because any more takes up too much time. Even thinking about that sends my brain into a spiral. Another way is to "favorite" Tweets and "retweet" them. That is how you interact with people, and get them to interact and "know" you. Another brain spiral, this time into a brain freeze.

When, in the name of Heaven, do you have time to write?

With all that's going on in my family, I don't have that time to spend. Except, of course, between midnight and 6 AM, which my husband suggested. Sleep? Who needs sleep?

So what do you think? Do you believe that the only way you are going to sell your book is through Social Networking? Do you believe that is the very best way to go for Marketing and Promotion? How much time do you spend on selling YOURSELF, not your book, on Social Media? Is it really worth it? I hope you'll send me your comments and what you think about Social Networking.

Until next time,
That's a wrap.