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?
Hi, CB,
I have two blogs: one about life in France, and one about writing, or more specifically grammar and punctuation. They are easy and free to start up, and can be as simple (mine) or as technical as you like. My writing blog links to Twitter and in theory to Facebook, but I'm not convinced that part is working yet. Take a look at it: https://wordsunderoneroof.wordpress.com/ (There's a link there to the other blog too.)
The purpose of a blog is to get your face out there. I've recently been asked for my website details from someone in search of an editor, encountered through another writer friend on FB, so I may change the writing blog to a website for professional purposes. It's your shop window, if you like - a place to showcase your abilities as a writer.
There are millions of bloggers, and it's up to you to promote your own in any way you can - hence the links to Twitter and FB. Published writers naturally use their sites to promote their catalogue, and to develop a fan base.
Another reason for having one is that agents and publishers say that you should - and that's down to the fact that they don't have the funds (or the desire) to fork out for publicity for an unknown author, so expect you to have a public face already. What that means is that you spend your time doing the donkey work yourself, and it doesn't cost them anything. (So not only do they take a huge percentage of the earnings from your work, they don't want to spend any of it on you!) It may help your chances of getting representation if you already have a blog and the next person doesn't, but I have my doubts about that.
I know a lady who advertises her proofreading service on Twitter and picks up a lot of work that way.
If you have nothing to say, don't write a blog. If you have access to all sorts of info about competitions, or reading events or writing matters, for example, that will be of interest to someone else, then you have a reason for devoting time to blogging. The possibilities really are endless.
Whatever you do, you have to update these things regularly - give people a reason to come back to you. It's quite a buzz to know that people want to read what you write.
Blogger and Wordpress are easy; there are other blog sites out there, but these are the ones I know. Bear in mind that I am not at all technical or computer-savvy, and I managed it, so it can't be hard!
Hope this helps.
Lorraine