By Katie Oliver
I’m no slouch when it comes to using social media.
I can Tweet, Facebook, Pin, Google, and post with the best of ’em. It’s not only fun to connect with readers, bloggers, and other writers – it’s necessary. I’ve met loads of great people since I first ventured online, and I’ve made some real – and lasting – friendships.
But still, I have to ask – where does it all stop? When does too much social media become…too much?
I know, I know. I’ve whined about this before. But in order to publish books, a writer first needs to write said book(s). And how in the name of JK Rowling is one supposed to do that with all of the social media demands facing us today?
I recently filled out a survey from my publisher, wanting to know how social-media savvy I am. Do I hang out on Google + (erm…kind of)? Do I Tweet (oh, hell yes)? Do I have a YouTube channel (no)? A Pinterest board (yes)? Am I LinkedIn (no)? Do I blog, post, maintain a website, Instagram (yes, yes, yes, and no). Oh – and include all applicable URLs, please.
When I finished the survey and emailed it off, I was exhausted. If Emily Dickinson or Charlotte Bronte were writing today, they’d run screaming into the internets and never come back.
And they’d probably never have time to write their masterpieces, either.
And then there’s promotion. When a book launches, an author is expected to post links, write guest blogs, host giveaways, set up book signings, as well as grant interviews, roll out a blog tour, and do all of it via social media networks.
So – again I have to ask, how much promo is too much?
Some writers overdo the self-promotion. One can’t escape their book covers, book links, publicity photographs, and blog posts, whether one is on Pinterest or Facebook or Twitter or Goodreads. And you know what?
It doesn’t make me want to rush out and buy (or download) their book.
The truth is, it annoys the living Tweet out of me.
As a result, I’ve been known to turn off my notifications, unfollow, even un-friend a few over-zealous self-promoters. People who constantly push their books at you are just like that irritating kid who won’t leave you alone, the one who keeps grabbing your hand, tugging on you and whining, “But you need to come and see my Lego Optimus Prime! I built it all by myself! Please, please, PLEEEESE come and look at it!”
No. I won’t. Now go away and watch SpongeBob, or something.
It’s far better (in my opinion, at least) to spend more time – oh, I don’t know – writing a better book, maybe? Catching some of those half-dozen typos you (and your editor) missed?
Social media ought to be used as it’s intended – as a social medium to connect with others. It should be used to connect on a personal level, not to sell/publicize/brag/promote oneself ad nauseam.
It’s fine to Tweet the occasional link, post a cover reveal, host a giveaway. We all do it. But the key word is ‘occasional.’ The bulk of our time is better spent getting to know our readers, talking to other bloggers and writers, being supportive, and being – you guessed it – social.
Now that I’ve had my little rant, I’m off to write another chapter or two. And maybe I’ll catch a couple of episodes of SpongeBob afterwards.
Just don’t ask me to take a look at your Lego Optimus Prime, okay?
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