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Welcome to another blog hop. Today’s topic is:
Has being on your favourite form of social media taught you anything about writing?
I don’t really have a favourite form of social media, as I would prefer to stay clear of it altogether. However, the one I tend to use more often is WordPress, although recently I decided to publish less blogs per month after posting nearly every day for the past 10 years.
WordPress has taught me that I won’t automatically sell more books by posting blogs, but it has taught me that readers prefer blogs to have interesting content. Therefore I now publish a new blog only when I’ve written something worth reading, and not just empty words and memes for the sake of publishing something. Readers return to enjoy what I’ve written, and hey, the world isn’t going to come to an end just because my stats fall on days when I do not publish.
WordPress has also taught me to comment when other engaged bloggers I follow publish posts. This I have done for years and have made many virtual writing friends in the process, but nowadays I comment on blogs only on the days I publish my own. This is because I’m enjoying a bit of a break from constantly having to check social media sites, and also the eyes are not as good as they once were (dry eyes and AMD). Therefore I prefer not to sit staring at the computer screen all day.
One other thing I’ve learned from using many social media sites in the past is not to keep spamming my books. Nobody likes being hassled to buy things. I’ve been on various social media sites in the past where the same authors constantly spam the same tired old books. This turns me off buying them altogether, and so I have decided to no longer advertise mine on any new WordPress posts I publish.
Less social media use suits me. The older I get I find that I just can’t be bothered with it all.
Please click on the blue button below to see whether or not other blog-hoppers have learned anything about writing from social media.
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I much prefer WordPress blogging to the other social medias. Not even just the posting on SM, but if you scroll it seems to be a mix of ads, accounts you aren’t following but Insta/ Facebook/Twitter think you should and if you’re lucky, a few from people you actually follow…
But only from like 10 accounts despite how many people you follow. The algorithm used to show things in chronological order now it’s you liked two posts by this person – i’ll send you everything they ever shared!
Honestly, it’s too much peopling and even WordPress is starting to annoy me – not the bloggers, but the stupid changes and amendments they keep making that don’t seem to add anything but instead make things more tedious.
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Great topic for conversation Stevie. Unsurprisingly, like you, I wish I didn’t have to do social media. But blogging is a great tool to commune with like-minded, and a place we are entitled to promote our books once in awhile too. I am grateful for all the wonderful friends I’ve made around the world through blogging too. And also like you, I have cut down my computer time, which I felt I needed. Three days a week I’m at the gym taking double classes and mingling with real humans, something that is more important to me at this time in my life to get out, get fit, and socialize. It’s time to lessen the pressure we put on ourselves and do a little of what our heart desires. ❤
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You’re so right, Debby. I enjoy swimming and visiting the gym, also line dancing and my NHS retirement groups. I’ve suddenly become more sociable in my old age! x
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I think it’s a wonderful prescription. 🙂 xx
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I have never considered WordPress as social media. I view it as a tool to create blogs, etc, which are social media. You’ve given me something to think about!
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It’s social, as we interact with others when we use itZ
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Oviously I am on WordPress a lot, and it has taught me a few things. Keep posts short (preferably under 800 words) if you want people to bother to read them. Add photos or images when you can, because people like looking at them. What seems mundane to one person is exciting to someone else. As for Twitter, I have only learned that some people can be very supportive there, while others can often be rude or downright nasty.
Best wishes, Pete.
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All very true. Thanks Pete.
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It’s pathetic how few blogs I follow these days. And the few I do probably wish I’d go away🤣 if I’m interested in something I’ll google it and I get tons of email about all sorts of creative tech that’s way more interesting than people with nothing to do but post 6 times a day. And the “authors” who bang on the same four books every day whose content is like all you can eat for $2 and a quarter’s worth was too much when tried one. Party on. Life is too short to live it behind glass.
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I can’t keep up with the ones that post 6 times a day. I find it overwhelming.
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WP is my main use of a social medium these days too. I used to be on Ex-Twitter every day, but hardly go there now. Facebook gets a look in, if I remember to open it up!
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Thanks for your comment, Clive. I think Facebook is a waste of time.
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For me it has its uses, but I can see why you think that.
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WP is my main use of social media, too. I like the inspiration I get from other bloggers’ posts.
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You won’t get much from mine! 🤣
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Chortle . . . 😁
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Some nice tunes on the non-U2 days!
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You’ll be pleased to know they won’t be featuring today, though they could have done 🤣
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What a relief!
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My biggest regret is that I listened to the person who said, “you should go on social media and market your work.”
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Yes, it’s a waste of time because it’s only mainly targeting other like-minded authors all doing the same thing. What’s needed is a site where readers congregate. I’ve found that with BookFunnel and Medium, although I still don’t sell that many books through these outlets.
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Hi Stevie, I am erratic with my posting. Sometimes, I post everyday because I have something to share every day, and other times I miss a few days in between. I enjoy WP and engaging with poets, readers and writers. I don’t spend much time on other social media. I like FB to keep up with family and friends.
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Like you, WordPress is my main social media site now. It seems better than all the others.
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There is no end to the learning curve, Stevie but I am glad to be a part of it all. Still trying to get around the ‘less is more’ attitude though…
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I now prefer to post less blogs than I used to. It takes the stress out of always having to think of something to write.
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Probably better in the long run, Stevie…
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WordPress is my favourite social media platform too. I have learned so much from other writers here. Have a super week ahead!
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Thanks Darlene. You too!
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