As a new writer, I read that I should have a website.

As a new writer, I read that I didn’t need a website until I published a book.

Please note: I read the first advisement again and again before I found the second.

My status?

You are on my website and I thank you for being here! Also, as of the writing of this post, I am Google-able (if such a word exists, but even if it doesn’t you should say it with gum in your mouth! ) at 13 page-oooooos deep AND I am a self-published author. 

Are those results of being on social media worth the effort when my day to day life as an author and human being is considered?

Using a good ole pros and cons list allows me to weigh the worth of my current  search result status by considering the following:

1) Being discovered and followed by readers and the publishing industry crew.

PRO:

If a member of the publishing industry ever wants to know if I am serious about writing they will find a trail in social media that proves that I’ve been writing consistently. Hopefully, it will also prove that I am developing my craft. Readers appreciate a good read!

CON:

No one has approached me about a writing deal or told me they discovered my work through social media. *sigh*

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I’ll admit, as far as I know I have a lean following online. I don’t spend much time sending out friend or connection requests. I stopped doing so in my first month of being on social media. I sent out batches of  connection requests because I thought the computer notice was saying the list of people they were showing me were people who might like my page.

I obviously misunderstood that notice. I only realized it when I got locked down in my account for spamming people I didn’t know.  I only made it to the people whose last name started with a B before stopping so… .

Oh! Please Like and Follow and Tweet and Greet me if you want to stay in touch through social media! I am on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Twitter. I haven’t had time to figure out the other sites.

Perfect segue!

Is my current status in a search result worth it when you consider …

#2 My time.

PRO:

*cricket sounds*

(Remember, the scale is still moving and has yet to prove whether being on social media is helping me reach publishers and readers.)

CON:

Having the search results that I have has taken considerable time. I won’t get that time back. Ever! I have considered the hours and days a cost of doing business as a writer. If there is a PRO when it comes to time that resulted in my search results it would be that I’ve enjoyed a lot of the activity that comes up in them! I’ve been busy!

Smooth segue once again!

#3: Productivity

PRO:

Character limits on some online social media sites have forced me to become pithy! It takes training to say something powerful in just a few words. Learning to do so has improved my skill as a writer.

CON:

I couldn’t seem to get my memoir finished. I was promoting it on social media and the promotion was drawing excitement. That was motivating! One day, I used a productivity indicator to help me understand why it seemed I wasn’t making progress.

Ugh! The results were that I was spending an 8 hour work day equivalent just on one social media site! Who knows how much time had actually been spent online and on social media before I started measuring!

The productivity indicator logged which sites I was on and I had noted what was productive vs non-productive use. My life changed after I saw the 8 hours of social media use report.

I started backing away from the online world and from social media. I approached both with purpose and often times with a timed plan. Shortly after that personal adjustment, I wrapped up my memoir and have since written and published another short story.  Sometimes, when I know I need to be social online, I’ll log on but not without a set timer close by.

As a result of backing away from what I think was excessive online and social media use on my part, my real life track record of entrepreneurial ventures resulted in another milestone.  I’ve expanded my company’s business and  have opened a  service center that supports busy people in a changing world! I know! I know! I owe you a few posts about my business. They’re coming!

I must say,  finding balance online has resulted in what feels like giving birth!

Be back soon! Signing off to nurture “my baby”,  The Holding Place!

Take Care!

~Nisti K

P.S. My next post will be a checklist on finding balance online.