Em Van Moore 
You probably found this very article from a social media link, or you’re one of the people who signed up for our awesome Newsletter and that’s why you’re reading this (by the way, if you haven’t already signed up for our Newsletter, please do! The link is right here). Which is proof in itself that social media can be a wonderful tool for reaching out and connecting with other people, readers, customers, friends, or whatever-else-you-want-to-do. However, creating a social media presence can be a daunting task to start out with.
The Motley Writer’s Guild is here to help!!
We’re gonna break-down, step-by-step, how to launch your social media presence, as well as make AND KEEP it successful and engaging.
Though most of us have only officially been on social media using our pen names since the beginning of 2022, The Motley Writers Guild has a combined follower count of over 10k across all the major platforms. Granted, it’s not very impressive compared to the social media juggernauts, but considering it’s all organic growth over the course of approximately four(ish) months, that’s pretty good!
So how did we do it?
Easy.
We put in the time.
I know, I know, you probably want to throw your device across the room at our suggestion, because it seems so obvious you think we must be joking. But we’re not joking. Putting in time really is the easiest and quickest way to gain followers and have a meaningful social media presence.
Step 1
- Decide who you want to be on social media (are you a streamer? A writer? An entrepreneur? A comedian? Just a person who has opinions? GREAT! Those are all awesome reasons to be on SM!)
- Decide what you want to get out of it (Sell stuff? Buy stuff? Gain followers? Make friends? All are great reasons also)
- Decide what kind of content you want to create (tweets? Videos? Streams? etc.)
Step 2
Make social media accounts on all the platforms you want to be active in, and make sure that your name/pen name/handle isn’t already taken! Ideally, you want to pick something that is available on all the biggest platforms: Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, TikTok, and Facebook. If you’re old school, you can also have a MySpace, Hi5, or Nexopia account too (JUST KIDDING).
There are some industry-specific sites to consider being associated with, depending on your goals.
- Streamers: Twitch, Discord, Facebook Gaming
- Writers: WattPad, GoodReads, KDP, Tumblr, Pinterest, Medium
- Photographers: Pinterest, Flickr, Tumblr, Exposure.co, Behance, LinkedIn
- Artists and Designers: DeviantArt, Behance, Dribbble, 500px, Twitch, Discord, ArtStation, Dayflash, LinkedIn
ETC.
You need to check all the platforms you want to be a part of and ensure your username is available BEFORE you sign up for any of them. Often, people will follow you across different social media platforms, and if your username isn’t the same for each one then you might find that you are losing important connections you otherwise might have.
Bonus step 2.2:
Make a LinkTree account to keep all your links in one place! You can choose to put that LinkTree on all your social media, if you want.
Bonus Step 2.3:
Consider making a specific email address just for your particular passion. If, perhaps, you suddenly go viral and have a lot of notifications, followers, contacts etc. then it might get very confusing for you if it’s all going to your regular inbox!
*This is also a really good way of protecting your identity (if you want) and also for keeping your passions and hobbies separate from your regular life.
Step 3
Decide which platform you want to focus your efforts on, and which will be the most beneficial for what you want
Most writers are found on Twitter, and there are excellent hashtags to join the amazing #writingcommunity
Most photographers and visual artists are found on Instagram, and they utilize those hashtags
Most video content creators are on TikTok and YouTube – each platform has it’s benefits and drawbacks, so it totally depends on how much time/effort you want to put into it, and what kind of content you want to put out. Short form: TikTok for sure. Long form: YouTube. YouTube can also be used for short form content, but it’s not nearly as popular.
Then,
Put out content on that and/or those platform(s)!
Step 4
Ensure the content is high quality:
- Spell check.
- Use appropriate hashtags.
- Make sure the artwork/photos/videos are good and appealing to other people.
Do not just immediately start fishing for followers and trying to get people to buy your products/books/artwork. Social Media is all about engagement and connections. If you have quality product and genuine following then you are going to succeed much more than if you just spam people with “PLEASE SUPPORT ME EVEN THOUGH YOU DON’T KNOW ME”, especially if you’re starting from the bottom and having to work your way up (if you’re already successful then you possibly could just offer your products and people will be excited to buy them…but, then why are you reading this article?! Get back in the pond if you’re gonna be such a silly goose!)
Search for hashtags related to what you are interested in/selling/promoting. Engage with people, organically, on their own platforms to gain followers in a natural way. The more “real” you are, the more people will be drawn to you.
Cross-post your content from platform to platform, but avoid using automation, as it can seem lazy and you could accidentally post something unrelated or irrelevant from one account to the other. Here’s a great article about why you shouldn’t automate your posts.
Step 5
Become super-duper successful and famous and everyone will love you!
JUST KIDDING.
Step 5 is actually just: Manage Your Expectations.
It might take time to grow a following. It might happen quickly. You might get frustrated, or feel the “high” of being popular. All are totally valid outcomes of joining social media. Not everyone can be super successful. But everyone can have at least 8 friends!
Step 6
Follow us for more great content!
Feel free to follow the Motley Writer’s Guild on our platforms, and if you comment on one of our posts “I found you from your blog article!” (or something to that effect) and follow us, then we will follow you back!
Em Van Moore: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
A.J. Hanson: Twitter, Instagram
A.D. Moseley: Twitter, Instagram
M.C. Beckett: Twitter, Instagram
Kieran O’Connor: Twitter
Julie Lorewood: Twitter, Instagram
Ahmad Abdulla: Twitter
Leona Nicholson: Twitter, Instagram
Good luck, and best wishes on your Social Media journey!
Thanks for reading this post! If you enjoyed it and would like notice of new blog posts and book news, please subscribe to the Motley Writer’s Guild newsletter.
[…] Having reached this point, while you and your project are taking a break, it’s time to commiserate with your fellow parents (er…writers). This can be via an all writers group, like The Motley Writers Guild, one on one with a fellow writer or friend, or via social media (check out how to build your presence in this post). […]