You may recall I once wrote about social media and it’s many pitfalls – Are you the user or the used?

The post followed my latest attempt to kickstart active social media accounts that would build a following, promote my books and ultimately lead to world domination.

As noted in that post, I quickly gave up after two weeks of wondering what people find to post about so often. Since then, you’ve probably noticed social media has crept back in. Not because I’ve found a love of it, but because it’s free.

Sorry to sound cheap, but if you’re an independent writer, artist or creator you’ll know exactly what I mean. Self-promotion is tough. Marketing is like playing the Game of Thrones. If you’re doing it alone with little to no budget it’s a losing battle. For all the (many) faults of social media, there are some positives.

#1 – It’s free

There’s no point sugar-coating the number one reason why social media is popular with brands and creators. If you’re good at social media it can be a great tool to build a loyal following who hang on your every tweet, without costing a fortune.

#2 – A personal touch

Maybe this is why my social media attempts fail. I’m not prone to self-promotion or sharing the day-to-day aspects of my life (it’s very boring), but for those who do social media can build a personal connection with fans. For independent creators, the personal touch is a unique selling point that big companies can’t replicate without it seeming hollow.

I should probably try harder in this regard, but I don’t want to bore people either. I have no thrilling creative process to share. If you suddenly start seeing my holiday photos, you’ll know I’m attempting a personal touch. Be kind.

#3 – Freedom

Lastly, social media gives you the freedom to express yourself your way. If you’re into sharing photos and videos you might turn to Instagram and TikTok. Prefer words? Try Twitter (X). You can experiment with social media in a way you can’t with paid advertising unless you have a huge budget. You have access to direct feedback from followers and if you’re quick to adapt to new trends social media can give you the freedom to express your voice and brand your way.

As you can probably guess, I’ve talked myself into giving social media another chance. We’ll see how long it will last this time, but you can expect new content popping up here and there. If there is any content you would particularly like to see, let me know below! Don’t be alarmed if the social media content comes and goes in waves. I’m probably hibernating rather than dead.

If you do see any posts from me, consider saying hi!

Until next time.