I’m beyond questioning if social media is necessary for an author. The question I’m now facing is, “When it comes to social media, where should I be spending most of my time?”
My current social media hierarchy looks something like this:
- Blogging
- Goodreads
Blogging is my undisputed #1, and that doesn’t look to be changing any time soon. After railing against Twitter, I’ve since had to eat my words. I love Twitter! So much so that it’s about to replace Facebook in the #2 spot. I just joined Pinterest, so it’s still getting the crumbs of my time. And LinkedIn is probably running a close #6.
Anyway, after a discussion with my agent this week, she suggested I change my hierarchy and move Goodreads to #2. I keep hearing this. The more I’ve learned about Goodreads and how it benefits authors, the more I think she’s right. Which means I’m in the process of reshuffling my list. Again.
So what’s your social media hierarchy?
Ok – my list first:
1) Email
2) Blogging /Twitter
3) Facebook
4) Goodreads (getting ready to ramp it up significantly)
5) Pinterest (not a user yet but soon will be).
I know some are thinking Email? He said social media. Email is still the channel of choice for direct communication in the digital age. I’ve written almost a quarter of a million words on the subject of social media for businesses, authors, and consumers in the last year and invariably I have to remind people not to forget email. The top 3 social media blogs out there have all run extensive studies recently on the need to refocus on email.
The very best strategy is not to look at these as separate enterprises but rather one seamless unit. For example I link blogs and Twitter because the best way to let people know what is happening on your blog is through Twitter. It’s immediate, doesn’t require much time to digest, and then can link your in-depth conversation.
‘The very best strategy is not to look at these as separate enterprises but rather one seamless unit.”
This, I believe – in all my Luddittness- is key. I’ve got it configured now so that my blog automatically posts to Twitter. Facebook, Myspace, Goodreads, and Amazon – the latter two pulling RSS feeds so that the blogs themselves are reposted on Goodreads and Amazon, as if I’d written them there. Which is great, because I’d say over HALF my Goodreads friends and fans (weird that I have fans) are unique to Goodreads and NOT Facebook/Twitter. Same thing I’m finding with Pinterest, also.
My Tweetdeck posts to Twitter, Facebook, Linked In, and Myspace (just in case anyone actually goes there anymore). All my Goodreads updates, progress reports, and reviews go to Twitter and Facebook, and I actually get lots of interaction and conversation there. Pinterest also goes to Twitter and Facebook.
Now, if Google + can just get hooked up with Tweetdeck, and if I could figure out a way to RSS my blog straight to Google +, I’d be all set…
1) My Comic Site (It allows commenting & folks come to my live-streaming sessions.)
2) Twitter
3) Deviantart
4) Goodreads
5) Friend’s Forums/Blogs/My Blog
You may notice Facebook isn’t listed–as it’s under my Real Name and therefore completely separated from my Pen Name/Online presence & thanks to Terms of Service–it is unavailable for social networking/media. 😀 (That and I never use it anyway. I just sort of stalk it…)
A lot of folks in my Twitter/DA friends have joined Tumblr, but I hate it with a passion, so I’m avoiding it intentionally.
The one I want to use most/more is Goodreads, and I’m trying, but I don’t have many friends there…so it just keeps track of my books. Heh.
Though, I’m sort of sad Google+ failed me (The ‘Pen Name’ craziness turned them sour. They’ve since allowed them under ‘Business/Well known as’ names to be approved, but I’m scared I may not qualify & don’t want to risk all my other services getting turned off b/c they got bundled with Plus.). That one looked to be fun…
And Pinterest scares me a little. I found one of the images from my blog (that gets zero traffic just about) there. It was a little weird to see it there and out of context. o_o;; (I had posted a photo I had taken of a Supergirl Figurine I had gotten; it was on a girl’s Pinterest board under ‘Supergirl’ and her comment was “Streaky!” it was then re-pinned by a cat obsessed blog with “Supergirl has a cat!?” Maybe it’s just me, but it was really odd seeing my photo floating around like that…).
But anyway, I talk to mostly the same people on all these services, or they found me on one to the other ones that link to each other. It’s kind of a weird little web. *slaps knee* WEB! Ha ha ha. *wipes tear from her eye* I crack myself up.
You’re like, psychic. I had this exact same blog planned for tomorrow, except with musings about Klout, and whether or not it’s important or just fluff.
I’d say:
1. Blogging
2. TIE: Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads
3. Pinterest – very interesting, and I think there’s some potential there..
I’m not convinced about Klout, but that could just be sour grapes because I have a low score…
Blogging and facebook. I don’t have time for much else.
Face to Face
Texting
Phone call
🙂
Blogging, facebook, and twitter for me, although none as often as I’d like.
Thanks for the GoodReads tip. I just created an account. I just realized I haven’t read one book this year.
Blogging
facebook
Goodreads
Those are my favorites. I haven’t ventured into Twitter or Pinterest. I see Blogging, facebook and Goodreads as addictions and I don’t need to add 2 more to that list. 🙂
1. Blogging
2. Twitter (which I enjoy more than I thought)
3. Facebook (still trying to figure out the whole “author” FB page site.)
4. Everything else: Goodreads, Pinterest, Google+, etc, etc. And I’ve made a vow never to go near Klout. The whole idea that some unknown someone has generated my “clout” irks me.
I totally agree about Klout. I didn’t realize it was all somebody else’s opinion about whether I had clout or not, until after I joined. Then I didn’t really like it anymore.
1. Facebook
2. Twitter
3.
4.
5. Blogging
The blank answers are times when I’m vegging out. I do hang out on Goodreads, Pinterest and Tumblr, but not really often enough to count. And then, when I’m not doing any of this stuff (including vegging out), I’m probably writing.
Blogging at #5? Yeah, right!
Do you think I should have made it like #6 or #7?
=)
That would probably be more honest. Also, I should have put down lurking for #3 and #4. I lurk WAY more than I comment. In any forum. Ha ha. I break more rules than follow.
Hmm? I’m thinking 1) Blogging, 2) Twitter, 3) Facebook, 4) Goodreads 5) Google +
If you’re hearing Goodreads should move up, I’d better take a look at that as well, with an eye toward making sure I’m taking advantage of all that it has to offer.
Thanks for the poll question and the tip.
-Jimmy
It changes depending on my mood. But it’s primarily
Blogging & Facebook tied
Goodreads
Pinterest
Twitter
Please feel free to friend me on Goodreads. I’m a GoodReads addict, but more a sourcing venue for reading material than as a social interaction place. I don’t do much with groups, etc.