I'm sure this question has been asked several times in various ways, but if so I can't find it. So, does anyone have any advice about using social media? I keep hearing/reading that blogs are practically an essential part of being a writer these days, but I've never written one, and never had a website. I also rarely use Facebook and don't have a twitter account at all (shock horror!) So I'd have no idea how to go about any of it.
Advice or experiences anyone?
Thanks! I'm going to check out wordpress, and see how it goes
Dear CB,
I think these days all publishers insist their authors have some sort of social media going. I think the most successful are those who don't talk about their books all the time, but just put themselves out there and let people get to know them.
I like Twitter best of all. It is fast, you can find the people who are interested in subjects you want to talk about by following hashtags and retweeting people you like and so your name gets out there but you don't need to write great chunks of stuff every day.
When I first went on Twitter I just used it to comment on Question Time one night, it was better than shouting at the TV. I used the #bbcqt hashtag so others who were watching could follow what I said. By the morning I had gone from no followers to 159 followers. I had no idea why they wanted to hear what I said but they did. I then started commenting on other things in the news etc., and I now have over 20,000 followers (I use another name for my Twitter account).
Whenever I hear of an author I Google them, so I think a website is a good way of saying 'Here I am, I really exist.' A few great pictures, some reviews and contact details should be enough.
Although I set up Facebook accounts for the authors I help, I find it is the slowest way of getting your name out there and better reserved for friends and family and for keeping fans informed when you have them.
It is a sad fact, but today if you are not on the web people get very confused.
I think a lot of authors make the mistake of just pushing their books, and social media just does not respond to that. You have to put your personality out there, make friends and just have you book news from time to time. The best hashtag for getting in touch with other writers on Twitter is #amwriting. I am sure they can give you lots of advice and you can see what works and what does not.
Wordpress is amazing for blogs and websites and is very easy to use.
Good luck
Cherry
Thanks for the advice Lorraine. I think one of my issues is I don't see why anyone would be interested in what I'm doing or have to say. (As I'm trying to be a published author this is a bit of a stumbling block I'll have to get over!)
I like your point: 'If you don't have anything to say, don't write a blog'! and I know I've found with websites generally that if they're not updated regularly it really puts you off.
Definitely some things to think about!