Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
The awesome co-hosts for the April 3 posting of the IWSG areJanet Alcorn,T. Powell Coltrin,Natalie Aguirre, and Pat Garcia! The founder of IWSG is Alex J. Cavanaugh.
3 Lessons from a Social Media Fast
I decided to do a partial Social Media Fast during Lent, only posting once a week unless I had already committed to post about something, like a Storybundle or a BookFunnel, or for the IWSGPit.
What I learned:
My sales numbers didn’t plummet.
My newsletter subscriptions increased. (Although I did take part in a newsletter subscriber BookFunnel, so that probably helped.)
I am healthier in mind, body, heart, and soul when I only check social media platforms once a week, and not even on every platform.
The Optional Question for IWSG is: How long have you been blogging? (Or on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram?) What do you like about it and how has it changed?
I have blogged since 2008/9 and I have been on Facebook since 2009. I feel it has changed in tone. Since the beginning, I have always felt this need to produce more content to create a stronger platform, but I think this is changing. I think this was encouraged and may still be.
Currently, I am cross-posting over three platforms and “highlighting” my posts on other platforms. This will change drastically this year as I take the three lessons I learned from my social media fast and start applying them over time.
The Deep Work Principle
I recently learned the idea of doing Deep Work and I am implementing it into my writing and media posting. This is my “next” step for online content.
What have you learned lately about writing, blogging, and life?
13 comments:
Glad to hear your partial social media fast worked so well for you! I might consider doing something similar for myself one of these days. :)
Social Media fast sounds like a good idea. I have always wanted to do it.
I'll be taking one for most of this month, so we'll see how it goes. Good to know sales don't fall.
I'll scroll through social media, but I hardly interact anymore, unless it's to post some of my art or toss in my thoughts about yWriter (my favorite writing software). I find my life is easier when I don't try to keep up.
I had a very long break from blogging and wasn't sure I'd come back to it until I realized how much I enjoyed it and also I need the interaction with other writers especially. I used to share my posts to both Twitter and Facebook to draw readers to my site. Since then, my Twitter profile disappeared for some reason, and now I have found that Facebook won't allow me to link my blog to my FB profile. Since FB is where I'm most active, I was pretty upset that they shut me out. So now I'm a nonperson on both Twitter and Facebook. So much for social media!
I'm going to have a long break through next IWSG day as it falls on my anniversary, so I intend to opt out that day.
Now I'm curious about the term "Deep Work," Tyrean! I discovered incrementalism, and that has helped me a lot. I don't do much on social media except blog. There just isn't enough time! Enjoy IWSG Day!
I'm glad you learned some good lessons from your social media fast. I'm not on social media except for my blog too much. I find I make stronger relationships through blogging and can help writers and authors more through my blog.
I know I don't miss social media at all when I avoid it for a few days. I have no idea how people spend hours on it.
Interesting to hear about your social media fast and how it didn't actually change your business. A few months back I decided to abstain from social media on weekends and felt it really helped my mental health. Even now I only allow myself to go on once a day to post and participate in my engagement groups. Setting boundaries with social media can make a huge difference.
I've found that limiting my social media exposure.scrolling (particularly doom scrolling...) and the like has a marked improvement on my mind and soul. I'm not always great about avoiding it as much as I should, but I'm working on it. :)
I also blog far less often now than when I used to.
Curious to learn more about Deep Work.
Hi Tyrean - I'm glad I never fell into the social media slot (full on, or partially) - I look at FB for a few people ... but that's it - but blogging I'd be loth to give up - I learn so much and there's so much camaraderie - and people are there ... cheers and all the best - Hilary
It's so hard to keep up with everything. I'm glad to hear fasting every now and then doesn't hurt that much.
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