The Four Top Reasons Not to Use Social Media Marketing for Your Writing (and why they’re wrong)

It seems these days, when writers aren’t talking about writing, they’re talking about social media. When to use it. How to use it. Whether it’s the greatest boon to writers since the personal computer or a plot to destroy what little dignity we have left.

I’m often surprised at the number of writers who don’t merely dislike social media, but resent it and refuse to use it. And yet, I shouldn’t be. I know where they’re coming from: I used to be there myself.

A few years ago, I had a host of reasons why I didn’t want to market my work on social media. Setting aside those objections was one of the best things that happened to my writing career. Once I realized that my reasons for rejecting social media were merely excuses, I roled up my sleeves and got to work. I built a community—and found an enthusiastic readership for my work. And I had a ton of fun doing it.

If you’re not convinced, let me go through the four reasons I had for disliking social media. I suspect they’ll sound familiar.

I don’t know how. 

I used to find social media bewildering. Despite being an avid user of Facebook with personal friends, I had no idea what to do with my author’s page, so I just let it sit there. I didn’t understand how to blog, so weeks would pass without a post. Twitter seemed like little more than a jumble of voices, so I wouldn’t even use it.

Yet, there is really no excuse for not knowing how to use social media. There is information all over the Internet, and scores of books, blogs, articles, and courses—including many specifically for writers. You can find answers to particular questions with a quick Google search, as well as helpful Q & A forums. If lack of know-how is your reason for not getting yourself out there, knock it to the curb now.

I’m too shy, private, and reserved to blab about myself on Facebook.

Let me get this straight: You’re not too shy to send your heart-felt poetry to strangers, but you’re too shy to tell readers about it online. You’re not too private to publish the story of your life, but you’re too private to tweet about it.

If you can send your work out (and if you can’t or aren’t, that’s a whole other blog post), then there’s no reason you can’t help that work sell using social media.

I’m an artist, not salesperson.

There are two responses to this question, and they’re both no. No, you’re not a salesperson and no, this isn’t selling.

Seeing social media merely as a venue for advertising your work is just as soul-destroying and counterproductive as it sounds. Instead, see it as a way to connect with others who share your interests. Get the image of the used-car salesman in the cheap suit out of your head. Instead, imagine going to a café to share ideas, frustrations, laughter, triumphs, and tips with a diverse group of interesting people. Turn your online experience into that café.

You’re right, authors of yesteryear didn’t have to deal with social media. Poor them! With no control over the marketing of their books, no way to light a fire under lagging sales, and no way to get word out to potential readers, they were at the mercy of the marketplace. The life of most books was painfully short. A book’s success happened in a few weeks or not at all. And there was nothing writers could do about it.

Today, there is a lot we can do about it. Thanks to social media, people who might never know about our work can easily find and communicate with us. Far from being a bane, social media is a blessing to 21^st-century writers. If you’re not embracing it enthusiastically and using it fully, you’re not taking advantage of the fastest, easiest way to build a readership that has ever existed.