Social Media for Writers
Some writers are reluctant to engage with social media, and while it does need to be used carefully, there are many benefits to using social media effectively.
Online security
One of the main reasons for reluctance to engage with social media is to do with online security. Identity fraud is a real and growing issue. It is possible to stay safe online if you are careful
- If it is so sensitive you don't want anyone to know, ever, then never put it online. Nothing is completely hackproof, so be careful of what you share.
- choose secure passwords which you can remember easily. Create a formula for yourself which could be something like: four digit date (anniversary or birthday) / first four letters of website / four letter word or name with a capital letter = 1012wixWrite This gives you a twelve digit password with a capital letter and a mix of numbers and letters. It is complex enough for most criteria, and easy to remember, as only the middle section changes on each site. You also then have a unique password for every site you use. Your formula can consist of any combination of things you find easy to remember (Postcodes, phone numbers etc)
- Don't enter your real date of birth unless you have to, and then hide the info. I normally use a fictitious date of birth. This is a key piece of data hackers use.
- Chose the right platforms, and decide what you want to use it for. I use facebook for friends and family, and don't connect to people I work with. I use Twitter for writing, and LinkedIn professionally, and I tend not to mix my audiences.
- Check your privacy settings: these seem daunting at first, but most platforms offer a high level of customizable security. On Facebook for example, you can set it so that people can't even search for you. If you don't understand the settings, take time to research them, or even watch a Youtube video to help
- Lastly, be careful what you click on and share. Never sign up to anything you found via a link you clicked on in a post or email. Google the link instead if you really want to sign up, so you don't accidentally use a fake link. Don't click on links from people you don't know.
- Anti virus software: ensure you install good anti virus software on your devices, and keep it up to date.
- https on a website indicates a secure site - don't enter banking info if it's not an https site!
Creating an Online profile
- You'll need a good quality photo, which reflects the image you want to project as a writer. This is part of creating yourself as a brand. Do you want to appear professional / quirky / creative? Chose your picture carefully. (And make sure you own the rights to use it online)
- You'll need a tagline or strapline to describe yourself, along with enough of your bibliography to introduce yourself to people, and sound interesting.
- On this site, I have a brief bio, and a list of published work, to establish my credentials as a writer. On my LinkedIn site, I have my CV as I use it to find jobs.
So why should a writer bother with social media?
Marketing
It's a great way to market yourself and your work, and it's free!
It proves to publishers that you are a marketable commodity, and prepare to engage with an audience. They need to know you will help sell your work.
It allows you to establish credibility, and a reputation as a writer of note (provided you share carefully!) Learn how to create your own profiles on social media sites, create a Youtube channel, and even create your own Website. If you don't know how, there are plenty of Youtube videos that can teach you.
Networking
Social media is a brilliant way of networking with other writers, allowing you to share information and ideas. I follow a number of writers on Twitter, and I enjoy their advice, encouragement and information.
Increasingly, jobs are advertised on social media - both Google and Amazon allow you to apply for jobs with them by using your LinkedIn profile.
Competitions, agents and publishers put information about their markets, calls for writers and writing on social media.
Research
Lastly, social media is a hotbed of information for the writer. As long as you bear in mind it is opinion not fact, you can gauge public opinion on a range of issues, see what people are talking about, see how they say it.
Conventional media is way behind. If you want to know what's happening in the world, social media picks it up way before the BBC. Check out what's trending on twitter. If you're stuck in traffic or on public transport, do a Twitter search - it's the fastest way of finding out what's going on!
Used well, social media is an invaluable tool for the writer.