Whenever I talk with writer friends about abandoning social media, the issue of “platform” nearly always comes up. Writers need, we’re told, a solid social media following so that their stories can be seen, noticed, read, and shared. Most of all shared. If their stories are shared, they can get more followers and the platform will grow until it’s unassailable, leading to speaking engagements and book sales.
This is my eternal struggle. I think the hook that social media keeps in me is when organizations pay me to do a panel, or any kind of event, I feel an obligation to do my part to promote it. And there aren't too many other ways to do that. I'm curious to know how much pressure your publisher put on you to promote your book via social media?
Thank you for this, Antonia. Social media is a personal choice, of course, but I've found on balance it is a timesuck that distracts from life and creates more harm than good. And... the siren song of "building a following" or a business doesn't pan out for most.
This is my eternal struggle. I think the hook that social media keeps in me is when organizations pay me to do a panel, or any kind of event, I feel an obligation to do my part to promote it. And there aren't too many other ways to do that. I'm curious to know how much pressure your publisher put on you to promote your book via social media?
Thank you for this, Antonia. Social media is a personal choice, of course, but I've found on balance it is a timesuck that distracts from life and creates more harm than good. And... the siren song of "building a following" or a business doesn't pan out for most.
Thank you for your writing!