I’ve found Twitter—and many aspects of social media—somewhat tricky to teach.
Why? Here are 3 reasons to start:
Using social media is mostly about being YOU, finding your voice, and finding the right audience (those inclined to listen).
Your strategy, motivation, or purpose will be different—and it will change—depending on where you’re at in your career. That means I can’t teach you by explaining what I do; my strategy cannot be your strategy.
Whenever you set out to use social media as a means to an end (e.g., selling books), that tends to ensure you won’t attain your end. It’s a very Zen process that doesn’t necessarily reward those who “try” the hardest.
That’s why I love this interview with author Christina Katz about using Twitter. Here are a few wonderful snippets:
I’m not sure that people like to hear that the tools can become intuitive if you use them enough or that you are actually allowed to take a break because folks often approach the tools as marketing channels or bullhorns. But social media tools are really much more fun and intuitive if you use them for social artistry rather than if you spend all your energy trying to get followers or trying to get folks to buy your stuff.
My experience of using online tools is that you are basically plugging in and expanding your sensibilities the same as when you walk into any room. Writers should think of all of the online tools as an extension of their own nervous system. If you walk into a room, you would get an immediate intuitive sense of the environment. The same is true of Twitter or any online environment. When you connect into to theses contexts, you are not acquiring billboard space. You are entering a context, an environment. Don’t over-think how you are going to act. Just do what you would do if you were entering any new room. After a while, you will become “a regular” and people will look forward to seeing you when you show up.
P.S. I’m thinking of Christina in particular today because I’m headed off to speak at the Willamette Writers Conference, where Christina and I first met! If you’re at Willamette, I hope you’ll say hello.
Jane Friedman has spent nearly 25 years working in the book publishing industry, with a focus on author education and trend reporting. She is the editor of The Hot Sheet, the essential publishing industry newsletter for authors, and was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World in 2023. Her latest book is The Business of Being a Writer (University of Chicago Press), which received a starred review from Library Journal. In addition to serving on grant panels for the National Endowment for the Arts and the Creative Work Fund, she works with organizations such as The Authors Guild to bring transparency to the business of publishing.
My “career” in self-publishing feels a bit rocky so far. I’ve been writing since I was little and after losing my job two years ago, decided to work on a piece I’d started. Finished it, edited the crap out of it and now The Demihuman Archives is available. Thing is, I have a bunch of copies in my car and since the cover is extremely amateur looking, I’ve lost much of my motivation to promote it outright. However, I’m not giving up my quest for fame and fortune.
When I started getting involved on Twitter and replying to peoples’ tweets, I barely mention my writing outside of when it comes up in conversation. Mostly, I jump into other peoples’ discussions, tell witty jokes and overall, make good impressions on people! I love when I give someone a funny reply, make them laugh and then get an email saying that they’re following me. It means I’ve made an impression on them. Some people follow me because of that, others because I’m fellow writer, a few because they like my picture. But Twitter, on the whole, is basically an online/electronic version of what people used to do before computers….
They used to mingle, meet people in bars and clubs, pass out business cards, hand out resumes and CVs and scripts and excerpts and such. I have almost 500 followers within maybe four or five months and I feel like it’s because I want to relate to people.
Yes, many celebrities secretly hate the fans, but the public figures who are most appreciated are the ones who get up close and personal with fans. Who are always cool with meeting people, who do their best to make real connections with the people they produce entertainment to.
That’s what I use Twitter for. Will it inherently help me sell books? Maybe not. If so, maybe not a lot. But it gives me one thing that simply writing a book can’t give me.
Exposure. I love exposing myself, 😉 Not like that…well…not always like that, 😉 But being seen by people, being appreciated by hundreds of people, having hundreds and thousands of people know me and like me and enjoy my company?
Isn’t that what being famous is all about? Isn’t that one of the main motivations for wanting to be published in the first place? 😀
I love where you say, “It means I’ve made an impression on them.” The impressions matter—and come in so many forms! Plus they build over time, and if you’re consistent, people remember you. Thanks for the wonderful comment!
Anonymous
12 years ago
Aw, shucks. Thanks for the shout-out. Willamette Writers is a great conference and always so much fun. Enjoy!
You nailed this! As a newly initiate to twitter, it feels exactly like stepping into a room full of people you’ve never met.
What I’ve found is some great conversations, and some really helpful, considerate people. And, I had no idea it would be this much fun. Thanks for a great post.
Indeed! I often hear the “cocktail party” analogy. Very true.
Robert
12 years ago
Love this, Jane. Been on Twitter several months now and I’m finding Christina’s statements to be true. It’s also interesting how different it is from Facebook. On Facebook, I “know” everyone to a certain extent. On Twitter, I probably only know about 10% of my followers. Something I always keep in mind.
Just do what you would do if you were entering any new room. After a while, you will become “a regular” and people will look forward to seeing you when you show up.
I like this thought – personality means so much more than strategy – life should be fun, interactive, not regimental, statistical, or boring.
Thanks for this post. It’s something I’ve “known” since I started using social media to promote my books. It’s been a lot of work to learn to learn the technical stuff, but it identifying the personalities at the other end of Twitter, or those blogs, fb, goodreads . . . whatever happened immediately. The written word is a powerful tool, even when it’s reduced to 140 characters; maybe because of that!
Appreciate the comment! Yes, the technical stuff is one challenge, then the personality/characters comprise a whole other facet.
C. Lee McKenzie
12 years ago
Thanks for this post. It’s something I’ve “known” since I started using social media to promote my books. It’s been a lot of work to learn to learn the technical stuff, but it identifying the personalities at the other end of Twitter, or those blogs, fb, goodreads . . . whatever happened immediately. The written word is a powerful tool, even when it’s reduced to 140 characters; maybe because of that!
My Best Advice for Writers From 2011 | Jane Friedman
12 years ago
[…] The Secret to Twitter That Can’t Be Taught. Inspired by Christina Katz. […]
Absolutely! This is such a great post!
My “career” in self-publishing feels a bit rocky so far. I’ve been writing since I was little and after losing my job two years ago, decided to work on a piece I’d started. Finished it, edited the crap out of it and now The Demihuman Archives is available. Thing is, I have a bunch of copies in my car and since the cover is extremely amateur looking, I’ve lost much of my motivation to promote it outright. However, I’m not giving up my quest for fame and fortune.
When I started getting involved on Twitter and replying to peoples’ tweets, I barely mention my writing outside of when it comes up in conversation. Mostly, I jump into other peoples’ discussions, tell witty jokes and overall, make good impressions on people! I love when I give someone a funny reply, make them laugh and then get an email saying that they’re following me. It means I’ve made an impression on them. Some people follow me because of that, others because I’m fellow writer, a few because they like my picture. But Twitter, on the whole, is basically an online/electronic version of what people used to do before computers….
They used to mingle, meet people in bars and clubs, pass out business cards, hand out resumes and CVs and scripts and excerpts and such. I have almost 500 followers within maybe four or five months and I feel like it’s because I want to relate to people.
Yes, many celebrities secretly hate the fans, but the public figures who are most appreciated are the ones who get up close and personal with fans. Who are always cool with meeting people, who do their best to make real connections with the people they produce entertainment to.
That’s what I use Twitter for. Will it inherently help me sell books? Maybe not. If so, maybe not a lot. But it gives me one thing that simply writing a book can’t give me.
Exposure. I love exposing myself, 😉 Not like that…well…not always like that, 😉 But being seen by people, being appreciated by hundreds of people, having hundreds and thousands of people know me and like me and enjoy my company?
Isn’t that what being famous is all about? Isn’t that one of the main motivations for wanting to be published in the first place? 😀
I love where you say, “It means I’ve made an impression on them.” The impressions matter—and come in so many forms! Plus they build over time, and if you’re consistent, people remember you. Thanks for the wonderful comment!
Aw, shucks. Thanks for the shout-out. Willamette Writers is a great conference and always so much fun. Enjoy!
See you soon. 🙂
You nailed this! As a newly initiate to twitter, it feels exactly like stepping into a room full of people you’ve never met.
What I’ve found is some great conversations, and some really helpful, considerate people. And, I had no idea it would be this much fun. Thanks for a great post.
Indeed! I often hear the “cocktail party” analogy. Very true.
Love this, Jane. Been on Twitter several months now and I’m finding Christina’s statements to be true. It’s also interesting how different it is from Facebook. On Facebook, I “know” everyone to a certain extent. On Twitter, I probably only know about 10% of my followers. Something I always keep in mind.
Excellent observation! Thanks for sharing.
Just do what you would do if you were entering any new room. After a while, you will become “a regular” and people will look forward to seeing you when you show up.
I like this thought – personality means so much more than strategy – life should be fun, interactive, not regimental, statistical, or boring.
Fun! Exactly.
Well stated! Thanks.
🙂
[…] https://janefriedman.com/2011/08/04/the-secret-to-twitter/ […]
Thanks for this post. It’s something I’ve “known” since I started using social media to promote my books. It’s been a lot of work to learn to learn the technical stuff, but it identifying the personalities at the other end of Twitter, or those blogs, fb, goodreads . . . whatever happened immediately. The written word is a powerful tool, even when it’s reduced to 140 characters; maybe because of that!
Appreciate the comment! Yes, the technical stuff is one challenge, then the personality/characters comprise a whole other facet.
Thanks for this post. It’s something I’ve “known” since I started using social media to promote my books. It’s been a lot of work to learn to learn the technical stuff, but it identifying the personalities at the other end of Twitter, or those blogs, fb, goodreads . . . whatever happened immediately. The written word is a powerful tool, even when it’s reduced to 140 characters; maybe because of that!
[…] The Secret to Twitter That Can’t Be Taught. Inspired by Christina Katz. […]