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.
Johnny Reads 
This is why I never stop reading what you have to say!!!! The fact that you’re right, in a funny way, just makes me laugh. Loud. Long time no talk though! So it was good to read this and see that you can still make me laugh, in a grown up serious way!
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But this isn’t funny. It’s real. So many writers do it.
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I know, sorry I didn’t mean to offend you by saying that.
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I’ve yet to get Twitterized.
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You should consider it. It’s not so bad if you don’t follow a million people.
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I have been mulling it over. I know there are some people I’d enjoy following.
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<—- especially this guy.
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Yes indeed.
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I think Wednesday will be the day I publish your post.
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Sounds good.
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It’ll publish at 11:40 AM central time tomorrow. So you know.
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I believe that will be 9:40 am my time. Sounds good. I’ll reblog it on my site but write an intro and send my few followers over to your site. I’ll post a link.
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I’ve had the same thoughts. Most people who follow me have like 100k followers, but they’re also following 120k people! I don’t even bother following those people back. I only follow people if I legit think they’re interesting. And I try to @ those people when I can and actually engage in conversation.
To be honest, I pretty much just cross post my wordpress entries to Twitter these days. I used to tweet a lot, but don’t have the energy anymore. Building a decent platform and maintaining is too much work for someone who isn’t selling anything yet.
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So, I see you saying what the strategy shouldn’t be. What is the strategy? Just tweeting whatever you feel like tweeting? I follow people I have an interest in following and if I no long have an interest, I stop following them (i.e. if all they tweet is porn or hate propaganda). I assume they do the same on their end. I even look at Google Analytics to see what people care to read and stop wasting my time on other stuff.
Like any kind of advertising, you get what you pay for. Every once in a while, somebody buys a book.
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Really interesting topic. I feel like the same “strategy” is what people do on all sites that allow for following though. Want more likes on your Facebook page? Like other pages. Want more readers on WordPress? Follow other people and comment on their posts. The online world is very quid pro quo. But is that a bad thing? I’m not sure. It might actually be beneficial in some ways. It certainly increases the sharing of ideas between more people.
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