I got this email from a friend this week and thought it was such a good question that we might like to explore it together.
I love writing on my blog, but unlike some people, I really dislike the social aspect of it mainly because it stresses me out. I feel like I don’t have time for that part of it. I also love reading other people’s blogs, but feel pressured to read so many a day, comment, follow-up, etc. in order to build a platform. I have read that commenting and responding to comments is important in order to build your platform. I do want a platform because I figure that if my writing’s not reaching people, then it’s not much of a ministry.
Anyway, do you have any suggestions about how to stay engaged in other people’s blogs, find time, build a platform, etc. when that’s not the part of blogging you love. I just love to read and write!
As someone who has ridden the social media roller coaster for a few years now I can say with all honesty that I often feel the exact same way as my friend above. In fact, one whole chapter of Notes to Aspiring Writers shares the story of what happened to me when I stepped onto the social media ride. Don’t get me wrong…social media has been good to me. As an Indie author, I wouldn’t have any platform at all without it. Twitter has brought me opportunities I would never have had otherwise and Facebook has given me a vibrant community of like-minded friends with similar goals and aspirations.
photo credit: stock.xchng
But sometimes I don’t love it.
Sometimes, I just want to write and not worry about posting links here or there, moderating comments, or entering keywords. But my friend above is right…if you have a heart to write for ministry to others, then “others” need to see what you’re writing. And if you’re self-published, you are going to have to do “platform-building” work at some point. At least some.
With that said, I also believe it’s important to note that God is sovereign over our platforms. I refuse to embrace the thought camp that says “if you build it, they will come.” I don’t believe that. What works for some, doesn’t work for others. Your sure-fire method of gaining followers and blog readers may work for your topic and niche, but it may scare people away from mine. That’s part of the reason Notes to Aspiring Writers is NOT a how-to book. God lifts up those He chooses to lift up. And His reasons for doing so belong to Him alone. You just can’t get away from it.
So what do you do if you find yourself hating social media and community-building more and more by the second? Here’s some food for thought:
1. Take a break. A TOTAL break. Don’t write, don’t blog, don’t tweet or facebook or answer emails for at least a week, if not two. Jeff Goins wrote an excellent piece on this very topic, explaining why writers need REST. It’s vital for your health and long-term commitment to your calling. Read it. Don’t be afraid that you’ll disappear if you take a week or two off. That attitude could mean that you think you’re too important 
2. Only comment on blogs that mean something to you. I tried commenting on every blog I could find for a while, and it does bring traffic your way. But I burned out on this quickly (I have two small kids that like to see their mama every once in a while!) Now I rarely leave comments. If I comment on your blog it’s because you’ve touched me deeply with your post and it’s ignited something in me (or it could be because I feel led to be a blessing to you that day…either one). Pick two blogs you love and comment on them once a week or whenever you’re really inspired by the author’s article and call it done.
3. Promote someone else. Tired of tooting your own horn all the time? There are seasons when you just have to get a message out. I’m in one now as I’m preparing for the next 21 Days of Prayer for Sons challenge, but if you’re not in that season, stop promoting yourself more than once a day and decide to promote others instead. And not just any others, but those who really inspire you. Those you would like to see succeed. Don’t have an agenda. Don’t do it because you want something in return. Just be a blessing.
4. Turn off your comments. I wrote an article after the 2010 Relevant Conference about how the Lord led me to turn mine off for a season at A Life in Need of Change. Maybe it will help you understand why this can be a good thing. I still turn mine off from time-to-time. It’s amazing how this one act can totally change your day.
5. Stop looking at your stats. Seriously…stop it. Take, dare I say it, a MONTH off from looking at your stats. Just walk away and decide you don’t care. You’ll have withdrawals for a week and then you’ll find that you really don’t care that much anymore. Really.
Try these tips on for size and see how they feel.
Do you have other suggestions for overcoming the social media beast? I would love to hear them in the comments below.
