We're almost all suffering from social media overload. I know I am.
I'm more or less organically organizing my social media like this.
I'm keeping Facebook for family and friends now. I'm not adding writer friends anymore.
I'm using my blog primarily for writing and some art and general info that comes my way.
I'm using Bloglovin' for keeping up with my writer friends.
I'm using Google+ primarily for art; I have some writing friends on there, but I doubt I'll add any more.
There is some blending, but it can't be avoided, I guess.
I don't do anything hardly at all on Twitter. I've yet to see anything on Twitter that I give a damn about. It's mostly people pushing something. In my case, it's their books or their editorial services. Oh yeah, there are girls pushing their bodies (or pictures thereof); for a price, I suppose.
There are many other things that I just don't bother with anymore. No time, and they don't seem to help me in my life, anyway.
I've come into this organization (by default, I suppose) in the past week or two. We'll see how it goes. Social media is not living your life. It has it's usefulness. But it has to be in the background of your life. Your actual daily living comes first, way first.
That's my take on it.
14 comments:
Good point, Richard.
I don't even have facebook. I quit last year. And I never had twitter.
I read that Twitter is now the #1 way to get one's book or writing noticed and circulated.
I can definitely identify with social media overload. It is all too much and can very easily comsuming you.
I love to blog and interact with other people. I joined Facebook solely to keep in touch with relatives and friends - - but Facebook wanted too much personal information. I didn't comply so they won't let me access my account. It's almost a relief....
I like Pinterest, but haven't done anything on it in a long time. It's too time-cosuming.
I've never joined Twitter, but Keith is right. I've heard that it's a good place to get one's books noticed.
Sometimes I miss the good ol' days when we didn't have any of this.
I meant to say "it can very easily consume you".
Sorry for the error.
I googled how to link all these items. It was easy. So when I post a blog post (or on any of the other social medias) it gets sent to twitter, facebook, linked in and google+. One step. Saves me time. Plus I set it up in notifications to send me one email a month. This way, if I forget to visit one of my social medias, I get a little reminder that it misses me!
"...it has to be in the background of your life. Your actual daily living comes first, way first."
I like your take on it. A lot.
I like Tanya's solution. Tanya, do you have a link I can go to?
Meanwhile, I have to confess, I love Facebook for friends, family, AND writers. I love to blog when I have time. And I kinda like Twitter.
And, when I don't have time to visit or post, I just don't. I agree with Elise that it has to be in the background, not the foreground of your life.
Good decision Richard. I have a FB account, LinkedIn, and a blog. I too need to get more organized.
Richard, I intentionally read your post today (among the many calling to be read) because I have a workshop to give at a writing conference about building a platform. While I realize its importance and maybe even necessity for writers, I do wonder when enough is enough. Rather than be a means to an end, it can quickly become the end.
As I try to balance it with some real-life demands going on right now, I realize the writing world will not come to an end if I don't show up.
I've been mulling this over as I prepare for the workshop-- how to find the balance. Appreciate your thoughts.
Yes, we are overloaded with social media. Heard on the news that some are actually addicted. This I truly believe! I'm trying to limit my use. I'm 'old school' and still cherish that face-to-face or phone call encounter. Great timely post!
Hi Richard,
How have you been?
Just stopped by to let you know that you've won a prize for the Paying Forward Awards. Congrats! Please contact me at mishagericke(AT)gmail(DOT)com to claim your prize.
You and I are thinking alike right now. Glad I'm not alone.
I do twitter, pretty regularly, and some fb. But I try not to spend too much time on either. I'm planning on cutting back on blogging too-- need to focus on my writing a little more.
I blog and use Twitter, and I'm also on Google+, but that's my limit. There are only so many hours in a day.
Post a Comment