(Spoiler: Yes, But Here’s How to Make It Work for You)
Let’s be honest – social media has sparked division since its inception. While some claim it’s more contentious now than ever, the reality is that social media has always been divisive. How much personal information do you choose to share? How much of your life do you discuss with people you don’t know? For newcomers to the publishing world, it’s no surprise that one of the most common questions I receive is, “Is social media really necessary?”
Answering this question isn’t straightforward, but I’ll try to explain why I believe maintaining a social media presence is crucial for long-term success as an author.
Between algorithm changes, platform demands, and the time taken away from actual writing, it’s natural to wonder if the digital landscape truly makes a difference to your author journey. The answer will always be a nuanced yes—but only when approached with intention and self-awareness.
Why Social Media Matters for Writers
The publishing world has fundamentally changed. None of us are daft, we KNOW that publishing is a BUSINESS – to keep our jobs we need to SELL books.
Having a platform of readers who already know and connect with you will help you sell books – eventually.
Things Have Changed…
The digital landscape has transformed the writer-reader relationship in so many ways for the good, the bad … and well… for both:
😀 The wonderful community aspect provides essential support! Writing can sometimes feel lonely, but connecting with others who understand the ups and downs of the creative journey gives us that emotional balance that even the most well-meaning friends and family might not always be able to offer.
🫤 Direct connection creates invaluable feedback loops. Instead of waiting months for filtered responses, writers can now witness the impact of their words in real time, learning what truly resonates with their audience through authentic engagement.
😀 People buy PEOPLE, not just products. This is perhaps the most crucial point—if readers connect with you as a person, they’re more likely to invest in your work. If you can compel people to YOU and your story, and show different sides to your personality, you will be easily remembered when your readers are browing the bookshelves.
Beyond these connections, social media offers you, as the author, the unprecedented opportunity to build a platform, establish authority in your niche, and create marketing channels for your work—all without traditional gatekeepers.
The Emotional Reality of Digital Presence
It’s important to acknowledge what’s rarely discussed openly: social media can take a significant toll on a writer’s wellbeing and mental health:
😡 **The comparison spiral affects even the most confident writers.** Seeing peers announce book deals, share impressive metrics, or post about writing achievements can trigger feelings of inadequacy, even amid genuine celebration of others’ success.
😡 – **The validation cycle becomes surprisingly addictive**—posting content and checking obsessively for engagement. This external validation seeking can disconnect writers from the joy that drew to writing in the first place.
😡 – **For those who experience anxiety or perfectionism**, social media can amplify these issues. It’s important to place your mental health ahead of sales.
Making Social Media Work for You: A Balanced Approach
1. Embrace Sensitivity as a Unique Strength
The same sensitivity that makes social media challenging is often what makes us writers. Work with this sensitivity rather than against it by scheduling social media engagement during emotionally resilient times of day. Avoid early mornings (where negativity may colour your whole day, or have social media suck you into a time vortex!) or late nights (when you are exhausted and running a slim filter).
2. Find Your Own Rythmn
Creating content when you are in a negative mindset serves no-one. Consider bulk creating content when you are at your most productive so that on the days when your barrel is running dry, you don’t lose momentum.
Some writers find success engaging daily, but many will go through fits and bursts. You don’t have to be too clinical with your schedule, often this authentic pacing deepens reader connection, as audiences appreciate genuine sharing over rigid consistency.
Remember:
Each platform has a different audience, and you should tailor your content accordingly, taking into consideration. The same SUBJECT can be tackled in different ways with different language to engage different audiences. This is where your skills as a real writer come in.
3. Focus on Connection, Not Promotion
The most engaging posts are rarely the polished, perfectly crafted ones. In fact, it’s almost always the posts you least expect that get the biggest engagement. People want to hear about your challenges, and celebrate your small victories with you. Sharing your process, or your down-days as well as genuine questions to your readers —creates deeper connection. Perfection doesn’t connect; shared humanity does.
4. Set Boundaries with Purpose
Social media platforms are designed to dissolve boundaries. Reclaiming them requires effort—using app timers, keeping devices locked away while you concentrate on your writing time, or designating tech-free periods is highly recommended. Social media can steal your day before you have even realised it – so be strict with your boundaries.
5. Define Success Beyond Metrics
External data—followers, likes, shares—will always fluctuate beyond any writer’s control. Why? Algorithms. My biggest piece of advice would be to understand that you will never truly understand them – and once you do, they will change the rules again. So don’t bother. Instead, consider tracking internal metrics—meaningful connections made, growth in interactivity, and genuine enjoyment of the process.
Finding Balance: The Practical Steps
The road toward healthy social media use isn’t linear. What matters is developing awareness and setting boundaries that work for you. Try putting these steps into action:
1. Identify your authentic angles. Find the THEMES in your books, and determine what you can (and WANT) to talk about.
2. Recognise the warning signs— You can always take a break, but it’s best to recognise and implement this before the damage sets in. Look out for signs of resentment toward platforms, or excessive comparison, or feeling as if you are posting from obligation rather than inspiration.
3. Implement regular digital reset periods to maintain perspective and creative energy. If you can, be strict with how much time you spend on your social platforms – for the sake of your mental health as well as your word count!
4. Focus on engagement quality rather than quantity. Your readers would rather read what you really think – than read a soulless post just so you could ‘hit your quota’.
5. Stay updated on trends and discussions in your genre or subject area. Be ENGAGED in what’s happening in the online world and consider how you can contribute meaningfully. Remember – algorithms only show you what you are interested in – so if all you engage with and share on social media is cheerful, upbeat, book-related content, you are likely to see only that type of content in your feed. You can create your own happy space by interacting with the ‘right’ content.
Social media, like any powerful tool, amplifies both opportunity and challenge. The platforms themselves are neutral; it’s our relationship with them that determines their impact on our creative lives.
Not everyone needs to do this, and it’s certainly not for everyone. However, based on my experience, social media can be an incredibly valuable tool when used strategically if you aspire to make a living as a writer.
By approaching social media with self-awareness and clear boundaries, you can harness its benefits while protecting your writing practice and emotional well-being. The question isn’t whether social media is worth it—it’s whether you can create a relationship with these platforms that serves your deeper purpose as a writer. With thoughtful engagement and clear priorities, the digital landscape can become a marketing tool and a meaningful extension of your writing life.
