Photo Credit: Book Cover Cafe
First off, this isn’t geared toward a particular person. But I’m betting that some of you will realize that I’m speaking directly to you. Cause I see so many writers doing this. Of course, you have no idea what I’m even talking about yet. Let me explain.
One of the things you hear a lot about as a writer/author is your platform. Social media platform or author platform or whatever you want to call it. I know you’ve heard the term. Anyway, Twitter is obviously an avenue that many writers utilize. Maybe they’re trying to get the word out about their new book or they’re hosting a giveaway or whatever writers do on Twitter. But what I’ve seen A LOT of writers do just doesn’t work. And it’s not even a real strategy.
I first got on Twitter way back in 2009. I didn’t know anyone on the site. I then proceeded to abandon my account for four years until September of 2013. Why did I start using it again? My book, of course. I started out only tweeting writing tips. Yeah…because I know so much. Ha. And then I literally just said screw it and now my Twitter is as close as anyone can get to me unfiltered. But that’s not the point.
I tweet about all the same things I discuss on here. So I’ve attracted hundreds of other writers and bloggers to follow me on Twitter. And what do I find when I click on their name to view their profile?They follow EVERYONE. And this is basically an everyday thing. And it’s hilarious.
I’m talking things like this: Patty Green. Following: 5,918. Followers: 5,617.
Jason Rogers. Followers: 91k. Following: 84k.
I mean, really? Do y’all not see what a joke this is? You can’t even refresh your TL because there will be way too many tweets for you to possibly read. What can you possibly get from following so many other writers? And no, don’t you dare say that they’re going to be interested in your writing. THEY’RE PROBABLY DOING THE EXACT SAME THING YOU ARE!
A strategy is not following as many people as you possibly can, and then hoping that they’ll follow you back and eventually buy your book. You just look like a fool.
And the best part of this is seeing posts with titles like this, “Come see how I gained 5000 Twitter Followers in two Months!” *clicks Twitter link* And you come to realize that this particular person gained 5000 Twitter followers by following 15000 people on Twitter. *insert laughing emoji here*
Fun fact: most of my favorite authors don’t use Twitter at all.
PS: follow me on Twitter here. I don’t tweet all about writing 24/7. I tweet whatever I feel like tweeting. And I cuss. Oh how funny it is that I’d write all that and then say to follow me. Eh. I don’t care if you actually do.