The Perils of Social Media

A few weeks ago I did a blog about professionalism and I thought it was a good time to discuss social media.

I didn't create a Facebook account until after I sold my first book, knowing it was a good tool to showcase myself as an author and for some promotion. I don't post very much only when I have news to share. It's quite all right that I have family members who have friended me on Facebook, because they know this is for my writing and that is about all I post from my Facebook account. My writing, I keep it professional. That doesn't mean I won't post a "what am I doing" type of status, readers want to know more about me.

I didn't join twitter until about a month ago when I bought a smart phone. My account again is for my writing. Because I was twitter phobic, I started following people and reading what they tweeted to get a better understand of this form of social media.

I didn't think I'd like twitter, but I do. I'm learning more about other writers and the publishing industry than I thought I would. And I'm enjoying myself.

Yet, there are a few things that have turned me off and that has to do with what authors are posting. Here are a few things to think about before you post:

• Never tweet or Facebook anything you don't want to be in the digital cloud forever

You're tweets and FB posts don't disappear they stay out there

• Think before you tweet or FB post

Is this something you really want to say to 5,000 people or more who in turn tell everyone they know (especially if its negative).

• If you can't say something nice don't say anything at all

Remember your followers on twitter and FB don't necessarily know the publishing world, they may complain about how your books are released, the prices, both print and e-books, etc. Be gracious and let them know you share their concerns but you have little control. Do not get upset at them for complaining to you, they have no other outlet. Offer to email them a more detailed explanation, but don't tell them that complaining to you as the author is the equivalent of complaining to the moon because it's full tonight.

• Always remember you may have followers who will talk about what you tweeted or FB

One of the things I learned in my years in customer service is that an unhappy customer will tell 5 people they were unhappy, and then they will tell 5 people, and so on. A happy customer is more than likely to tell 10 people they are happy, and recommend your book or your facebook page or website or whatever.

As authors we are in the public's eye more than ever with social media. And as professionals we need to make sure we stay professional.

More Learning from Emerald City Writers Conference

I attended a lot of workshop, but what resonated with me the most were workshops on social networking, promotion and writing back cover copy.

I'm fairly new to social networking, so this workshop helped me understand what's out there and what to try. To top it off I was able to meet the wonderful Barbara Vey, from PW's Beyond Her Book blog.

Deborah Schneider is not only a writer, but a librarian, who helps romance writers every way she can, she gave a good presentation on promotion. Now I have a better idea of what I need to do.

I learned about Copy Right Basics from Teresa Bodwell, then there was Writing Killer Back Copy by Theresa Meyers.

The last workshop I attended was – Fling Factor Making Law Enforcement Characters Real by Margaret Taylor. This was a great workshop, I'd met Margaret on Friday but didn't realize it was her workshop. Margaret gave a great presentation about law enforcement (the best one I've been to in years), and because she showed us several weapons it helped me understand them better than before. Not only is Margaret a retired law enforcement, but she's a writer and a great person. I had a lot of fun with her.

Now I have to start applying what I've learned to my writing and other aspects of being a published writer.