Am I the only one who gets a headache at the mere thought of keeping up with each Facebook contact? Break out in a cold sweat at the thought of trying to figure out Twitter before I try and find the time to utilize it and the benefits? Or, feel guilty when I haven’t been able to keep up with the blogs I love to read? Don’t forget about the groups. There are a few Yahoo groups I belong to, which I found very beneficial as a writer. But, I’ve had to put them on digest because if I were to get individual messages I would never see the end of my e-mail box. And, then there is the critique group I cannot live without. Whew. No wonder I am so tired, confused, and disoriented.
Don’t you feel like it is all too much sometimes? When is a person supposed to read, write, and more importantly, actually spend time with her family? Throw in a full time job outside of the home and the head starts spinning. (I think I may have resembled Linda Blair from the Exorcist at one point).
When I started blogging and using Facebook it was all about being out there in cyber world. I would soon have a book published and this is what one was supposed to do. Sometimes I feel like it has gotten out of hand.
However, even though I am a bit overwhelmed at times, Susan R. Mills has execllent reasons of why we should participate in Social Networking. You can read her blog here.
Over the next few blogs I am going to post my thoughts about the different types of Social Networking. Some work really well for me and others, not so much. Do you think as an author it is necessary to participate in every type of Social Networking? What are your general thoughts?
balance in all things. My greatest benefit in social networking has been to get to know my stepdaughters better who live in other states and keeping track and in touch with the grandkids!
ReplyDeleteHi Amy - Thanks for visiting my post. I am fairly new to the computer/internet. All I do is my post and Facebook. Actually, I only get to Facebook on the weekends. I can see that if you had a book ready, you would want to connect more. I don't, so I do a lot of book reading. I don't see how many bloggers get so much done.
ReplyDeleteI was told by an editor that they expected their author to have a social profile. I can see the reasoning to a certain point. I mean, it would be useful for the book launch. Otherwise, I don't know.
ReplyDeleteI'm just starting to do more submitting and agents and editors seem to prefer that you have a web site or blog. I suppose it helps them to learn more about you. Let's face it, Amy, gone are the days are the reclusive writer. Still, I won't be doing Facebook or Twitter for a while yet.
I like blogging and FB, but I haven't jumped into the Twitter waters yet. I work full time outside my home, so have to use my limited time online very wisely. And I need time to write...
ReplyDeleteSN is useful, but it can become an idol, don't you think?
I ended up with an email virus from FB. It is my understanding that only a very few people did. I was one of the "lucky" ones. It happened twice. FB has too much 'silly' stuff. Friend updates are great but some are time-wasters like, "I just don't feel like doing this or that right now."
ReplyDeleteAll that to say, I am happy with email and blogs only. Mine and my extended families' blogs were started to keep in touch with each other. Having followers become friends has been a bonus!
I am so with you, Amy! As a writer, I know social networking is crucial to building a platform and I enjoy it alot. But life has been so busy lately and I feel like I'm always behind -- behind in updating Twitter, keeping up with my FB page, writing blog posts, visiting blogs ... and that feeling sucks the fun right out of it.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading your posts ... hope that you'll give us some insight into what works for you and how you balance it with family life and writing.
I love to blog. It is more for myself than to keep touch with others although I do love that I have made some nice friends in the blogging world.
ReplyDeleteI have 12 friends on my FB account. I periodically increase it to 30, and I constantly delete people. I do not like it to keep in touch. I don't want people involved in my daily activities.
I am totally not a fan of FB, and don't use it in the same way most people do.
I just posted about social networking, too, particularly Facebook. It's changed things, hasn't it?
ReplyDeleteI do great keeping up with Facebook, but I wasn't ready for Twitter. Talk about sensory overload!
I've linked through the find you. Nice to "meet" you! :)