Did you know that “social media” platforms like Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, SnapChat, TikTok, and Reddit—and even platforms like LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest—are sometimes referred to as “microblogs”? Wonder why? It’s because they are “social” like blogs, enabling writers and readers to connect and converse … but generally, users are expected to write short, concise messages, “micro” compared to the longer pieces blogs permit. This post in my blogging series will help you integrate your blog and social media posts in order to reach out to and converse with your readers.

The following are the topics I’ll be covering more indepth in separate posts in this series; I’ll add links as I post them:

1. Is Author Blogging Dead?
2. Blog or Website or Both?
3. Social Media
4. Author Blogs
5. Connections and Audience
6. Content Tips
7. Goals
8. Layout
9. Types of Posts
10. Specific Pages
11. Promoting Your Blog
12. SEO
13. Ideas for Posts
14. E-Mail Newsletters
15. Author Blogs: My personal conclusions – and series resource list

SOCIAL MEDIA

DO SOCIAL MEDIA MAKE BLOGS IRRELEVANT?

In this day and age, when it seems everybody is in a big hurry, and no one has time to write long pieces, or read and respond to them, lots of people have predicted that social media platforms will make blogs no longer necessary or relevant. And yet, those dire predictions have not come to pass.

Still, social media platforms are very popular. Each platform tends to focus on a particular age group, different uses of technology (written, photos, videos, etc.), and so on. Yes, they are a great way to socialize quickly and easily. But be aware that they also have had a tendency to attract a lot of trolls, disinformation, and other negative aspects. Focus on the “positives” of the social medium platforms you choose.

HOW SOCIAL MEDIA AND BLOGS WORK TOGETHER

In relation to actual author blogs, social media platforms are very useful. By linking your blog posts to a variety of social media platforms, and vice versa, you can easily extend your reach to far more potential readers. And don’t just tell people, on your social media posts, to check out your blog. Instead, focus each social media status (or tweet, or whatever the platform calls micro-posts) on a particular post and topic on your blog, and provide a link to that post. And when people respond to your micro-post, respond to them in turn; also respond to the micro-posts of other writers, make interesting comments, and ask relevant questions.

In other words, take part in a social conversation on your micro-blog(s), and by linking and referring to quotes and other information in your related blog post, draw people to your blog and get conversations happening there too. Connect, “friend,” join, follow, interact. Be social—and others will start to socialize and connect with you.

TIPS FOR USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO SUPPORT YOUR BLOG

Ask questions; don’t just tell: When making an initial status or tweet or whatever, don’t just “tell.” Start by asking a question so people will notice and be interested enough to respond.

Link to your blog post, or another useful post or article you want to share—which hopefully includes a photo or other image, and which will turn up on your social media post, again drawing attention.

Use hashtags: In order to attract the attention of your target audience, include a hashtag (or two or three) that indicates what your post is about (such as #Editing or #ShortStories) or what group of people (for example, #WritingCommunity) your post will especially interest.

When responding to another person’s social media post, make sure you read their post carefully and really understand what they are saying and what they are asking; then, before writing your response, check to see how others have responded. If they’ve already said what you plan to say, try to add to/build upon their response; don’t just repeat what others have said. If you disagree with other responses, share your ideas—but present them in a thoughtful way.

“Personal” responses: If you feel a question or comment on someone else’s social media post requires a more “personal” response than you feel comfortable sharing directly in the comments or “thread” of that post, most social media platforms provide private message options so you can contact the author of the post privately. Just make sure that your private message is worded as kindly and thoughtfully as you would do in the comments on the post; don’t be a troll!

URL shorteners: When you are posting a link, be sure to use URL (post address) shorteners, like those provided by Bitly.com, instead of the full-length URL of the post to which you’re linking. This provides more space, especially in micro-blogs like Twitter which have a limited amount of space for your micro-post, for what you really want to share.

Complete your “profile,” including the kinds of information your blog focuses on, and of course your books and other products. And just as in blogs, be sure to post interesting bits and pieces about your writing adventures and process, but also about your life experiences. Since social media is meant to be “social” and “conversational,” readers will want to know about you, not just your writing.

Linked sub-accounts: On some social media platforms, such as Facebook, you can have linked sub-accounts. For example, I have my personal https://www.facebook.com/norma.j.hill.penandpapermama account, but also have a https://www.facebook.com/penandpapermama/ account for my business.

Social media groups: The platforms also may have groups you can join, or you can even set up and be an administrator of a group focusing on your particular niche or interest. On Facebook, I belong to a variety of groups, some of them being groups related to education and homeschooling, as my business had included tutoring, and others being related to writing and editing, such as my local writers’ group https://www.facebook.com/groups/519953788213898 and also my regional writers’ group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1518194541798581 . I also belong to groups of personal interest, such as van camping, local news, and so on.

Find the social media platform(s) that work best for you. The various platforms are set up in somewhat different ways, and if you explore them, you will be sure to find ones that will be useful to your particular needs and interests as an author/writer, and which will provide you with a growing audience for your blog, as well as growing your book and other writing readership.

Be useful! On your author page and on your groups, don’t just “sell” yourself, your book(s) and your blog(s); sure, do those things from time to time, but more often provide lots of useful information for the other group members. Be sure to like and comment on others’ posts that are related to your genre or other interests. Social media is meant to be sociable.

Reaching out to publishers, agents, etc.: If there are publishers, publications, agents, other authors, etc. that you are interested in, be sure to “follow” them on their social media accounts—and their websites and blogs to which their social media are connected. Be “social” with them, too; provide interesting and useful information as you comment (but again, don’t “push/sell” yourself). Read what they’re saying and doing, and think of ways you can participate in their conversations and events.

In summary, social media (micro-blogs) are popular for short-term and short-length content creation and consumption. Blogs are great for long-form, in-depth content that can provide detailed value to readers, and can establish you as a writer who has authority and expertise in a particular niche. Link your social media and blog(s) together, and you’ll become part of an excellent community/tribe!

WHAT NEXT?

If you aren’t using Social Media along with your blog yet, start exploring the different platforms to see which one(s) might work best for you. Take a look at this post from Reedsy: https://blog.reedsy.com/social-media-for-writers/ (and while you’re at it, check out all the useful information Reedsy offers). Or do a search for “What Social Media is useful for authors?”

If you already use Social Media and you want to know how you can use it more effectively, along with your blog, as an author, check out this post: https://www.constantcontact.com/blog/social-media-for-writers-a-guide-to-building-readership/ (and do the search suggested in the paragraph above).

And Share Your Thoughts in the Comments!

What methods do you use with social media to build your author blog and reach out to your community of readers? What are your favorite social media platforms? Why? Are there ones you don’t use? Why?