A few social media tips

I love Twitter and Facebook. They're great ways to interact with other authors, writers, publishing professionals and best of all - readers. FB especially has allowed me to converse with folks who've read my books and wanted to ask questions. Twitter has given me a chance to get to know other authors better, to get involved in writing-related conversations and to have fun.

But with all that good comes some not-so-good. Here are a few things to avoid when using social media:

1. Don't be Linda Links-a-lot - if all you do on Twitter is post links, you're going to look like a spammer. I'm not saying don't ever do it, but posting link after link isn't really interacting so much as it is shilling. No one knows what those links are until they click them and without knowing you (and trusting the content you provide) people have little reason to click through.

2. Don't add your friends to your groups without getting their permission. This is just rude. It fills their inbox with craploads of FB notifications. How do you know someone wants to be a part of Fluffy Bunny Slippers Rule? Maybe they hate fluffy bunny slippers. (Okay, I'm sure no one hates fluffy bunny slippers, but you get what I'm saying.)

3. Don't be all me me me. Constant self promotion on either FB or Twitter does you zero good. If you haven't taken the time to interact, why should I care about your commercials? I won't. No one will. And don't tell me you don't have the time to interact. You have time to post commercials, you have time for some basic communication.

Here are some great ways you CAN interact on FB and Twitter:

1. "Like" the pages of your favorite authors on Facebook. That's a super easy way to let them know you appreciate their work.

2. Retweet the important info your favorite authors post on Twitter. Are they announcing a release day? Sharing a link to something they're involved in? If it seems important to them, they'll appreciate a retweet.

3. Engage - whether you're on FB or Twitter, people enjoy chatting. Ask questions! You might just be amazed at who answers you.

I can be found on Twitter here and Facebook here. Feel free to share your personal links in the comments. Maybe we can all make some new connections!

STOP IT!

I love Facebook and Twitter. MySpace feels a little skeevy to me now, but at one time, I loved it, too.

What I don't love? The drama that surfaces. Lots of times it's celebrity drama, which we seem to be willing to forgive because they're, you know, CELEBRITIES. But lately I've noticed more everyday people drama popping up and it makes my head spin.

As Bob Newhart said in one of my favorite Mad TV skits:

STOP IT!



When your marriage is coming to an end, don't post about whose fault it is, what went wrong, if he's a cheating bastard or if you're much happier with your new lesbian lover.

STOP IT!

When you get into a fight with your BFF, I know it's tempting to be passive aggressive and post something that will dig at your friend and get her riled up. As you're posting that witty little status update, just remember I may read it and I'll be yelling at my computer:

STOP IT!

I know sometimes you're tempted to post about how deliriously happy you are with your love life, and that your partner is the best thing next to Mark Wahlberg's Taylor Lautner's abs, but remember, while your tweeting your bliss and adding "if you know what I mean...", I'm yelling:

YES WE KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN! NOW STOP IT!

Seriously, folks. It's one thing when kids do this...but adults? We should know better. So from this point forward, when you're thinking about posting something that will hurt someone else, or make me feel slightly uncomfortable please remember:

STOP IT!

How hooked up are you?

Technology today seems all about social media. Yesterday someone somewhere mentioned that the average age of those who use Twitter was around 46. I have to say that really surprised me. And got me thinking.

Am I hipper than I thought?

I used to be on Myspace and while my page is still there, I haven't logged in in ages. Myspace seems like the horror movie trailer park of social media now. It's gaudy, run down and you just never know who's parked next door.

Now I focus on Twitter and Facebook, although to be honest, I mostly use Facebook for games and sending messages to far-away friends.

What social media do you use and what's your favorite?