This post was supposed to go up yesterday, but I’ve been having a sparring match with life lately, and yesterday, life won that round.
I have been thinking quite a bit lately about online presence, social media, all of it. Sometimes it feels like there aren’t enough hours in my day already, and that this is just one more thing. And I’ve been online long enough to know this isn’t a feeling only I have experienced.
We are told that the way of the future is for authors to have an online following before the novel comes out. That is the sole reason why some of the biggest bloggers right now started. So yes, the presence needs to happen to meet the expectations of the publishing world, but I would argue there is another reason.
One of the funny things about teaching high school is to watch the trends in years. Kids born between September thru August have different personalities as a whole group, in all their classes, throughout all their years of school and even throughout regions. This year is apathy, moderate amounts of respect and minimal amounts of motivation. In every class. Sure, there are the honors kids who will do more because they know they have to for their future, but the motivation, the desire to learn and not just get a grade is meh.
So why online? Because the people online are working toward the same goal. Writers all around the world are dedicated to success, better understanding of writing, helping each other out, motivation, determination, clamoring for publication, and beyond. I have AMAZING CP’s and we are lucky enough to live in the same town, but we don’t know everything there is to know, don’t call each other every day to discuss the nuances of writing, agents, queries, etc. It’s just not possible.
By being online, we each get the chance to be part of a group who are working toward a goal. That is contagious. Just try to hang out on some writerly blogs for a while and not feel like you want to go at it yourself.
So build that presence. Make those friends. Start those connections that will create an atmosphere of success.
What have you enjoyed most about being online? What part makes you wonder or is confusing?
Thinking Through Our Fingers 
I am so glad I started blogging. I have met so many wonderful people and learnt loads. But yes it does take time and sometimes it is hard to juggle it around real life. I guess we are all in the same boat so no one takes it personally if you 'disappear' for a bit.
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I heard the same advice: get online before the book comes out. So that's why I started. However, the sense of community and support from other writers is why I keep doing it. It does take time but to the complainers I say “suck it up, buttercup”. How much PR work do you think JK Rowling had to do?
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I just saw this post over at Query Tracker–it's an interesting counterpoint to your post: http://querytracker.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-case-against-blogging.html
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Internet is a very powerful tool in building your online reputation. But it can also dissolve and ruin your reputation in a matter of seconds. If you will not take any actions now and keep using the traditional way of marketing and connecting to your readers, you’re not going to reach the top level of the industry you are in, or anywhere near the top at that. Get off from the old ways and utilize the power of internet, with restrictions and in-depth awareness of your reputation and who you associate your works with.
@ Reach for Freedom
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