Social Media for Dummies November 8, 2021 – Posted in: Writer

Since embarking on my publishing journey earlier this year I have been on a steep learning curve.

The last few months have seen me attempting to get to grips with all sorts of new (to me) subjects:  printing processes, copyright law, royalties, distribution logistics, digital marketing and a host of related topics that had previously never crossed my radar.

Workplace situations and job descriptions have changed dramatically in a generation and I am often left confused about what some people actually “do” for a living. I smile in bemused bafflement as contestants introduce themselves on The Chase – unable to match their job titles to any work I can recognise.  

That said, my recent experiences have left me with a new and healthy respect for anyone whose occupation is linked to Social Media, especially those who have the thankless task of trying to point the rest of us in the right direction of how to master this now essential tool. 

For several months previously, top of my non-writing list of jobs was: “Update Website” closely followed by “Wake Up Dormant SM Accounts”. Look out LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, here I come…

…but I didn’t because these two became constant, niggling ‘stone in the shoe’ things that I kept putting off, transferring them onwards from page to page in my notebook.

Here perhaps I should confess that, apart from sending and receiving birthday wishes from friends around the globe and posting the odd picture of my incredibly cute dog and kitten, I was not a huge fan of taking pictures of meals or sharing other aspects of my life on the Internet.

But all that was going to have to change – starting – right here – on my website.

Unlike the other non-writing jobs on my To-Do List, keeping a website and one’s profile on social media fresh, new and interesting is an ongoing task. While it is frighteningly time consuming and relentless; it is also the gift that keeps on giving. It is intriguing to connect with so many fascinating people – old friends and new. Although, I am learning to value this new aspect of my work, I now understand why the super busy and successful employ others to look after their social media accounts. 

Finally, I am grateful to my publishers, SilverWood Books for pointing out how important social media  exposure is for authors. For their patience, also thanks to Keith Fullick (Weave-a-Web), Renée Wallen (Weekend Witch Social Media), Bex Parramint (love-management) and Zoe Wilkinson (the_churchside_renovation).  Zoe is not only brilliant at nails but also at explaining the difference between hashtags and tags … though to be honest I am still not quite sure that I have got it!