I think social media for book promotion is okay. In a way, you are offering a bit of yourself in exchange for a bit of someones time and attention. Whether they're reading your blog posts and tweets or your actual book. I think if social media is used that way, then that's fair. Spamming and turning it all into a one-way self-serving conversation is a separate thing, an annoying not okay thing that plenty of people in the blogosphere have talked about already.
But that's not really what I'm talking about here. I guess what I'm saying is that I sometimes feel guilty for asking for your attention on this blog or Facebook or Twitter or Tumblr or YouTube or Pinterest when 1) my general lack of experience and 2) my unpublishedness/not having a book available makes me feel like I have so little to offer in return.
I plan to, in the future. Obviously I hope to have an explosion of books available for everybody as quickly as I can make that happen (still querying agents), but I also want to share what I learn along the way to hopefully be a little helpful. But I'm banking on that in the future and in a way asking you to, too.
Does all this make sense? I guess my real question is what do you look for in the people you interact with on social networks? What can I offer you to make your time and attention here the most worthwhile?
Maybe its a general question, but I am very open to any answers. What would be most worth your while? Not just here, but all over the internetz. More book recommendations? Writing process tips and tricks? Contests? More funny cat videos and pictures of Benedict Cumberbatch's cheek-bones?
Sarah Allen
Absolutely yes to the cats and Benedict, but really I think the biggest thing is a flash of humor, a bit of surprise, some recommendations (like books and movies.)
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
I just try to make as many friends as possible. If you're friends with someone, then asking them to do something is no big deal. I'm always looking for betas, so I always try to offer my services too. I think it's all about the give and take :)
ReplyDeleteI love the give and take that blogging can offer-- and the mutual encouragement on our journey with writing, where ever that may be.
ReplyDeleteI don't even remember how I had found your blog to begin with (did a lot of blog surfing over the years), but I believe that simply being yourself is what makes a good blog friend.
ReplyDeleteSo long as you keep the values and principles that make you you, then you'll always have blog friends.
Bottom line is that honesty, consistency and staying true to one's self is the best way to gain and keep blog friends.
You know, what I love about you and why I come back to read your blog...is your totally honest.
ReplyDeleteYep-yep-yepper.
Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly
I like blogs that entertain me and surprise me. Yes, the writing thing is important - in whichever way you're comfortable with, because that's why I found your blog in the first place - but once the relationship is established, there should be room for fun. And a permanent place for Benedict Cumberbatch, of course!!
ReplyDeletewow, now i feel a little guilty--great ? i have not thought about!
ReplyDeleteI look for people much like you, because we aren't all that much different.
ReplyDeleteAnd that means something to me. :-)
Anna @ http://emaginette.wordpress.com
Cats and Benedict Cumberbatch's cheekbones -an amazing combination. Just keep the novelty coming!
ReplyDeletePS I am waiting for more Sherlock episodes.