HOW DO YOU FILL IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA GAPS?

A mantra I’ve heard over and over again since I’ve entered the crazy world of social media is that not only do you need to participate in the most popular sites, but you need to keep a steady output. When you disappear for a while, people tend to forget about you.

To me, that presents several problems.

BUILDING UP A STOCK OF ARTICLES/TWEETS/WHATEVERS

For some people, this could be a nightmare. For me, I already do that, especially with my weekly Let’s Talk Nevada autobiographical articles and sometimes even with these weekly (I hate to use the term blog) articles. However, Tweets? I’m sure I could, but haven’t thought of enough witty tweets to stock up on yet.

I recently started doing What’s Up With Meleena micro stories that I post at odd times on my Meleena’s Adventures page here on the site in anticipation of the publication of my novel Treasure Of The Umbrunna. However, I usually write them on-the-spot. That’s the same for many of these articles on writing. I should build up a stock of them but I like to write off the cuff and when the muse strikes. That often happens late in the week.

Some of you might find this a huge issue, especially if you have a hard time just keeping up with your regular novel writing or whatever you write. If you work, are a homemaker, or have a hard time finding you muse, building a stock of work could kill your social media presence. Then again, a writer is supposed to love to write, so…

On the other hand, not everyone uses social media and not everyone has become a huge success depending on it either. It’s just another avenue. We’re not here to discuss that.

Why should you have a big of articles/tweets/whatever always built up?

CIRCUMSTANCES

Most times, absences from the net can be planned in advance. However, what if not? Perfect example. I’m writing this tonight, when it’s supposed to post. Why? I just got out of the hospital. I should’ve written this last weekend so I could proofread it. Instead I’m having to do it all at once. I should’ve written it two weeks ago along with several others. However, I’ve never had something like this happen before. You never know.

Circumstances can affect what you have available, but even so, that brings up the problem of getting your stuff posted when you’re gone.

HOW DO YOU POST WHEN YOU’RE GONE?

This is the biggest issue for a lot of people. At one of the social media classes I went to, can’t remember which, the presenter showed us a way for stuff to automatically post to several different sites. However, I can’t remember who or what, so I don’t know how to do it.

The problem would be solved if you have an Ipad, laptop or other portable device where you have control of your site and files remotely (as long as you have wifi access). I don’t. I have no intention of doing so because I absolutely despise laptops and other such devices. The reasons are many but include the keyboard, the touch pad and the total lack of security of the wifi system.

There are many ways to keep your presence up-to-date and current at all times. I’ve skated pretty good for the most part. This latest hiccup notwithstanding, my only big issue is having to write this article just now (and finding I had 229 Twitter messages).

Not too bad, I guess.

Happy writing!