Getting Started with Social Media for Writers
Have you started on your writing journey and want to know how to handle the dreaded social media options? Think of social media as a way to connect to others in the writing community. While there are many platforms to consider, it’s important to pick and choose what you like and enjoy. Here’s a checklist to help you get started.
Getting started with social media doesn’t have to be scary.
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Social Media for Writers
There are definitely pros and cons to social media, but for us writers, we can keep it manageable by focusing on using social media platforms to enhance our writing journey.
Social media connects you to the entire writer community: from other writers to published authors; from agents to editors; from libraries to bookshops. While it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with all the options, it’s important to pick the social media platform(s) that you feel comfortable with, where you can engage and learn, and eventually if you publish, where others in the writerly world can find you.
Think of your social media accounts as the new way to network and market your work. Once you start querying, agents or editors will probably search for you, and you’ll want to have a current and professional online presence.
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS
Check out the following lists and select one(s) that fit your personality and your life. If you don’t enjoy the platform, move on and look for one that works for you. Remember, it’s important to pick only the one(s) that you are interested in keeping up to date.
Top 4 Social Media Platforms for Writers:
Others to Consider:
Once you set up your account(s), make sure to complete the bio section. You don’t have to get personal if you’re not comfortable, but be sure to highlight what genre you write and other writerly interests.
Next, who should you follow?
Authors: your favorites and those you admire, and especially authors in your genre
Agents: find the ones who are generous with their expertise, and the ones who represent your genre for when you’re ready to query
Editors: same as above
Publishers: see what’s getting published
Associations: find the ones for your genre (i.e. SCBWI, Mystery Writers, Romance Writers, etc.)
Libraries: support your town library and surrounding towns
Bookshops: don’t forget to support independent bookshops
Literary Magazines: find those in your genre
Last, but not least: follow and support your writer friends!
Tips About Hashtags
A hashtag is a word or phrase preceded by “#” and allows you to follow a topic or category that interests you. So, you can use hashtags in your posts for others to find you as well as you can search and follow hashtags that interest you.
A few of my favorites are:
#amwriting
#amediting
#writercommunity
#bookstagram
#writershelpingwriters
YOUR WEBSITE
While not technically “social media,” consider a website. You don’t have to be a published author to have one, but it’s actually the perfect time to start your website and link to your social media. Your website doesn’t have to be complex or expensive. You want to show that you are professional and serious about your writing.
Information on your Website
About You: a short bio and maybe a headshot. Make sure you showcase your genre!
Contact You: how you’d like to be contacted (usually your email address), but also include links to your social media accounts
Published Work: if any, but don’t worry if you don’t
More robust websites can include a blog (but only if you’re committed to regular new posts) and a mailing list sign-up for your (future) newsletters.
GET BACK TO WRITING
Social media can be fun, but it can also lead you down a rabbit hole, wasting your precious writing time. And if at any time you feel uncomfortable, take a break or totally unplug from social media. There are plenty of famous authors who have little to no social media presence.
The bottom line: Spend more time on your writing than on social media.
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