S is for Social Media ~ by Wendy L. Macdonald

 

For writers who are also introverts social media can be a dirty duo.

I get that.

If our goal is to get traditionally published, divulging our dislike of using social media can get us canned. (I may or may not have learned this by experience.)

I don’t think social media is detestable. It’s like a seasoning that’s best used in moderation. It adds zip to an author’s platform. But too much time spent on it can overwhelm the writer and dilute their ability to write long-form projects. 

An emotionally exhausted author can’t create well when her well is dry.

Using social media to enhance a writer’s platform looks different for different personalities. An introvert with a limited supply of social spoons must find out what works best for her. Social media is about serving our target audience without making ourselves targets for overwhelm.

One person’s formula is one person’s formula. It can also vary throughout the year. For example, I cut back on my posts because I was teetering on the edge of burnout. Posting once a week on my main platforms restored my love of sharing and renewed my genuine love for my followers. (I didn’t have the heart to take a full sabbatical because I didn’t want to alarm my devoted readers. I love them.) As it turned out, posting once a week is my sweet spot for using social media. If I sense a nudge to add more posts in the future, I will.

What does serving your audience look like?

Serving means sharing what we've learned our followers like best. Mine prefer flower photography and encouraging words. Staying away from politics or other divisive topics serves well too. There’s a place for those things. At present (and maybe always), my platform isn’t it.

Social media is also a place to socialize. Several years ago, I stumbled upon what works best for me. Since I find the home feeds overwhelming, I often skip them and simply visit back those who recently visited my page. It helps me be social without getting exhausted. I do this mostly for Instagram and X.  

Social media is a wonderful way to find good reads we may otherwise miss. Think about the last few books you read. How did you find out about them? When I get to know and admire an author via their social media presence, it often leads me to download a sample chapter of their latest book. If that goes well, I buy it.      

Social media is a great way to discover readers and what blesses them best. Once we realize what passion of ours meets their needs the most, we’re wise to focus on it. I regularly pray that the words on my posts glorify God and encourage readers. It’s wise to invite God’s help. Always.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14 KJV   

What do you think of social media? What do you love about it? What do you find challenging about it? I’m nosy to know.

Wendy L. Macdonald is an inspirational blogger and YouTuber who loves to do nature photography on Vancouver Island. Her happy place is making junk journals to sell in her Etsy shop. Her byline is: “My faith is not shallow because I’ve been rescued from the deep.”