Social Media for Writers

Introductions

1. Who you are.2. What you write.3. Why you chose this class.4. Which 2 social networks you use

most.

The 250 Follower Rule

“Agents will now tell young writers, ‘I won’t even look at your manuscript if you don’t have 250 followers on Twitter.’”

Principles of Social MediaSocial media is the least important

part of your job as a writer.Do what you enjoy!Social media is a conversation, not

a billboard.Social media lets you control part

of your online footprint.What will you offer your followers?

“I see people who ought to be spending their time developing their craft and people who used to be able to make their living as freelance writers. I see them making nothing, and I see them feeling absolutely coerced into this constant self-promotion.”

What to Listen ForFrequency of posts.Posts on- vs. off-topic.Percentage of posts on- vs. off-

topic per network.Number of social networks

present.Number of social networks used.

Ask yourself:How do I feel about sharing

personal information?How much time am I willing to

devote to social media?What do I want to share? Is it

something people want to hear?What will participating do for me?

Meet the Networks

The most important service to be on for networking.

Connect with: other writers, editors/agents, readers/bloggers.

Easy to manage.

TipsFollowing/Followback.

◦Loren Ridinger vs Jennifer WeinerGet a management tool: HootSuite,

TweetDeck.◦ads.twitter.com

Use lists.Get to know hashtags.

◦#amwriting #amediting #mglitchat #1k1hr #askagent #askeditor

Use RTs and MTs. Manage your time.

Where are you in your career?Listen. Like pages. Create

interest lists.More potential for cross-

pollination.

TipsHow will you handle friend

requests?Public page.Subscriptions.What can you give your

followers?◦Jill Shalvis◦Dean Koontz

15% of internet users.5x women as men.18 – 49.Image-only social bookmarking.Easy to create content.Great for non-fiction, esp. design,

home, cookbooks.Searchable, good shelf life.

TipsScheduling more difficult, less

important.Following/followback

works differently.◦Individual pins.

Remember the audience.Megan Crane/Caitlin CrewsStephanie Chandler – non-fictionElizabeth Gilbert

Beware! Porn!Image and GIF-heavy.Easy to create content, keep an

up-to-date blog.Small audience, but can be a

tool.Heavily YA and 20-something.

TipsJohn GreenCassandra ClareJami Attenberg

Image-only.Mobile-dependent.13% of internet users.Heavily YA and 20-something.Celebrity-focused.Small book audience.Hard to make relevant.

TipsJames FrancoJohn KrakauerErin Morgenstern

YA Writer on “I follow all my favorite fandoms. Teen Wolf, Doctor Who, Avengers, Lord of the Rings, anything Benedict Cumberbatch, Star Trek, and more…most of the time, not all, these IG accounts are run by teenagers. It’s quite awesome, too, because as a YA author, I find that it helps me get in the head of the younger generation…especially in dialogue.

They have their own language! I’m sure we did, too, when I was a teenager, but it’s changed since then. Lol’s are out. Ha or Haha’s are in.

They “ship” certain characters that have good chemistry between each other, no matter the gender or orientation of said characters.

They use the word “perf” instead of perfect. UGH for just about anything they don’t agree with or if they feel terrible.”

-Emerald Barnes

Good features, smaller audience.Go where your people are.Nonfiction authors, esp.

technology and social media.Search results: “paleo

family recipes”Hangouts.Communities.

TipsLynette YoungRon CharlesRobert ScobleWriting Fantasy Novels communit

y

Social networking for readers.Author profile.How can I be present as a reader

and as a professional?

TipsNews feedAuthor profileGiveawaysGroups/discussionsLiking/commenting on reviews of

your book?Reviewing books?

Where Are You?

Where Are You?Hobbyist/Writing for

Pleasure/ReaderThinking About Publication“Small” PublicationTraditionally PublishedIndependently (Self) Published

Hobbyist/Writing for Pleasure/ReaderListenPersonal Facebook pageTwitterGoodreads(Any other network that makes

you happy.)Follow your faves

◦Make lists

Thinking About PublicationEverything a WfP writer is doing ANDFollow industry folks:

◦Publishers Weekly◦Shelf Awareness◦Editors (book/journal)◦Agents

Locate role modelsJoin Twitter

◦HashtagsCreate a blogroll (feedly.com)

“Small” PublicationEverything a TAP and WfP writer is

doing ANDLocate people in similar places.Locate relevant hashtags or

communities.Locate relevant blogs/communities.Facebook professional pageGoodreadsBook bloggers

“Small” Publication

Jenny ShankFacebookTwitterGoodreads

Traditionally PublishedAll of the above, AND:Confirm publisher’s expectations.Facebook professional page.If YA, Tumblr/InstagramIf NF, Pinterest, blog, Google+Connect with book

bloggers/reviewers

Independently (Self) Published

All of the above, AND:Social media is more important.Find people in similar places.Find thought leaders.Find book bloggers who review

indie titles.

Social Media Survival TipsDress for the job you want.People will be wonderful. People

will be rotten.Be practical: use lists, don’t be

afraid to unfollow/unfriend, schedule posts, use metrics.

Be conscious of your time.Do what you can with what you

enjoy.