Writers Ask: Should I be on social media?
From Kate:
Does social media presence matter when pitching, both personal essay and novels? Personally, it's not good for my mental health and I haven't used it much in the past year +. I've never been on Twitter. Does this matter? Do agents/editors care if you have a social media presence and/or following? I feel like I hear conflicting answers on this all the time and I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Dear Kate,
I always love to lead with short answers and the short answer is: No, you don’t need a social media presence to pitch or publish your creative writing. You just need to be a good writer.
There’s a common misconception when it comes to social media as a writer and the mysterious “platform.” Having a platform (meaning a following of people who are looking to you as an expert on a subject) is important—if you want to write non-fiction. Not necessarily memoir or personal essays—I’m talking hard non-fiction. Business books, how-tos, self-help, science journalism, other journalism, etc.
Publishers want to see a “platform” for a non-fiction author because the “sell” of a non-fiction manuscript ultimately has to do with the expert author behind it. It’s much easier to sell a non-fiction manuscript when the manuscript is coming from a known quantity. If you’ve never published any self-help essays, are not a therapist, coach, or have any demonstrable experience in self-help, why would readers trust that your manuscript would yield results?
However, you mentioned fiction and personal essays. Note the word “creative” in my answer. For fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction, such as personal essays and memoir, the thrust of the “sell” of your manuscript is in your ability to write. You must know how to tell a compelling story, understand poetry at the core, have a strong and undeniable voice for personal essay and memoir. We read creative works because of their art and inherent ability to wring strong, true emotions out of us. No amount of followers on social media will improve your voice or storytelling ability. Only practice at your craft will improve your ability.
So no, you do not need to be on social media to get an editor or agent to look your way if you’re writing fiction, creative non-fiction, or poetry.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt if you are on social media and have a good following. But let’s go back to your question. “Personally, it’s not good for my mental health and I haven’t used it in a year.”
There we go. Here’s the thing about writing: it’s one of the most vulnerable acts we can embark on. You’re bearing your innermost self to the page, and if you get published, to the world. And everything has your name on it. Forget public speaking—publishing, in any form, is far more terrifying in my opinion because words on the page are printed and permanent. (Okay, I concede that doing a video-recorded talk for all the world to watch would be pretty terrifying too.)
When we are embarking on writing, we need to have a safe harbor in which to rest. I am a huge fan of cultivating a sense of safety into our writing practice. Whether that’s disconnecting from the news, taking refuge in your friends and family, keeping a day job to protect your financial safety, or yes, staying off social media—all of it is incredibly important to protecting your practice and yourself as a writer.
Yes, it’s important to stretch ourselves. But there’s a difference between gentle stretching and torn ligaments. We do terrifying things every goddamn day. There’s no reason to make the entire day terrifying just because you feel you “should.” If you really want to start using social media to promote your work, start small and with a platform you’re comfortable with. Maybe it’s Instagram, maybe it’s Twitter, maybe TikTok. Tiptoe in. But if you don’t want to do it—don’t do it. Focus on your craft. It’s the part that truly matters.
And when you’re feeling strong and you’re ready to branch out into new, vulnerable territory, do it with your safe harbor in mind. We all need a place to rest our heads, physically and psychically.
Take care and happy writing,
Lisa