Do Modern Writers Really Need Social Media?

Some authors welcomed it right from the start.  Others among us have been doubtful, but we can no longer resist.  Whether we like it or not, social media has become deeply embedded in the lives of writers, and it’s not going anywhere.

Diving into social media or experimenting with a new platform can feel daunting.  For writers who haven’t engaged with social media at all, the vastness of options can make it hard to know where to begin.  Those in this situation may feel overwhelmed by the multitude of choices available, which can result in feeling stuck.  When you’re unsure of how to start, it often seems simpler to avoid starting altogether.

Conversely, even writers who treat the internet like a second home may hesitate to explore new platforms or communities.  It requires a significant upfront investment of time and effort to understand the new platform and discover how to maximize its potential.

The reason this occurs is quite straightforward: writers are posing the wrong questions.  They tend to fret about WHERE in this expansive realm of social media they should establish their presence, and WHAT actions they should take once they arrive.  Instead, they ought to be inquiring about something entirely different.  They should be asking WHY.

For every decision related to social media—whether it’s launching a blog or joining platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Google+, YouTube, etc.—writers must have a clear understanding of WHY they are doing it.  Many writers participate in social media because they feel obligated to do so.  They have been informed that they require a “platform,” and the most effective way to achieve that is through blogging or tweeting or similar activities.  They’ve been instructed on what actions to take, but no one has explained the reasoning behind it.  Consequently, these writers plunge into social media without a guiding strategy, and after a few weeks or months, their initial excitement wanes, and they disappear from the online world.

I could share my thoughts on why I believe writers need social media (in fact, that was my original intention for this post), but I now understand that this would miss the mark.  The reality is, each WHY is as distinct as each writer.  Social media must be underpinned by a cohesive strategy.  Without such a strategy, social media becomes merely a routine task, which is not an effective way to achieve the elusive authenticity that so many people online seem to be pursuing.