Why Writers Need to be on Social Media

Is it necessary to partake in the social media game?

Can’t you just write and create in peace?

Absolutely.

What you gain:

-more precious time to refine your craft;

-you never enter the vortex of having to post on multiple platforms.

What you lose:

-a jump start to your career;

-a passive income;

-finding your readers directly;

-being introduced to the kind members of the writing community;

-inspiring if not one person to pick up their untouched manuscript and fall in love with their story all over again;

-the badass confidence that comes from doing something bold and uncomfortable no writer wants to be doing.

I personally think it would be a mistake to pass on this opportunity, as it costs no money and has the potential to open up various doors.

Here is how I would approach social media as a writer who’s only starting out:

No one tells you it’s actually required.

Whether you have selected the traditional or the indie route, there is a prerequisite, an entrance fee to a brilliant career if you will. That is:

A list of individuals, likely to purchase your work.

I heard this from the mouth of publishers, editors and other industry professionals:

“An Email list is currency in the publishing world.” - They would repeat.

Showing a number of supporters is often times more important to this business machine than our actual manuscripts.

Which is why I highly recommend building a following early on.

I’m starting out with 5 allies in my email list (whoo!).🎉

My mom, two lovely subscribers who came over from my YouTube channel, and my closest friends.

In exchange for the encouraging comments left under my videos, I want to gift my subscribers with a heartwarming love story to takes away stress and worries for a little while.

Approaching social media with your authentic mission will help you surmount challenges and doubts.

Start with 1 platform

When I first started, I built a schedule to post frequently on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

I soon learned that there was no quicker way to burnout. 😵

I got up on my feet and tried again. Same results.

I then chose to focus only on YouTube, which I saw as a major setback in the beginning. Until I felt so much relief that I knew I had made the right choice.

I committed to one video upload per month, although the algorithm didn’t favour it at all.

But you see … I’ve never really listened to machines.

I'm ignoring my smartphone AND my laptop when they tell me I need to update their software, I’m not going to start listening to an algorithm.

I’m sticking to short form content on two platforms (YT & TikTok - same post for both), one blog post a week, and slowly but surely I am building an exciting Patreon with physical goodies.

To produce more content will require a team.

If you take anything away from today, please let it be this:

There is only so much one person can achieve alone.

Instead of doing as I did, and jumping ahead to do everything at once, I recommend starting out really small and expanding from there.

When we leave this earth, we won’t regret not posting more on social media, I can guarantee you that.

So I hope you slowly ease into posting online.

Start now, start messy, start awkward and inexperienced.

Those who post about their early beginnings are rare, because it can be intimidating especially when you lack credibility. But it doesn’t make you any less interesting!

What’s interesting is when you show slight improvement in between each post; showcasing an evolution. ✨

Since having a following is already required by today's publishing world, post things you enjoy, at a pace you enjoy, and don’t look at the numbers to measure success.

Redefine what success means to you.

Drop your social media handle in the comments and I’ll give you a shoutout in my next video!

Love,

Jess