How Facebook Can Benefit Writers
Facebook as a Networking Tool to Promote Freelance Writing
Sep 13, 2009
Facebook is arguably the most popular networking tool in use today. Many freelance writers will already have a Facebook account with plenty of friends.
Because of the number of people on the network, the potential for promotion and increasing page views is enormous. However, the comfort of Facebook can lead to detrimental results for writers. Here are a few tips for freelance writers on what to do, and what not to do, on Facebook to promote their writing.
Making Friends on Facebook
Originally, Facebook was a popular way to keep up with friends and family at any hour of the day, and to reconnect with friends from the past. Many people have gotten in touch with old classmates and others they haven't seen in years through Facebook.
But recently it has become popular to use Facebook as a business tool. Users are "friending" their coworkers and bosses, their teachers, their clients, etc. For freelance writers, this means becoming friends with agents, editors, fellow writers, and others in the publishing industry.
Having this connection is a fantastic opportunity, and is in fact what social networking is all about. However, there is also huge potential for a writer to cause irreversible damage to his career.
Sharing Information on Facebook
The live "feed" feature of Facebook, which allows links, is the most convenient way for freelance writers to share their published articles and blog posts with their friends and colleagues.
But many people become comfortable with the safety of being online, and share too much. A writer's friends may find their feed post about a drunken escapade hilarious, but all the editors he is friends with will see this as well, and a potential job could be lost due to a bad impression.
Freelance writers should always keep in mind who will see what is on their account, both in the live feed and in the "personal information" section. Those who choose to share with others in the publishing industry should maintain a professional Facebook account.
A Personal and Professional Facebook Account
It is entirely possible for a writer to have one Facebook account that serves a function in both his work and personal life. However, for some the two must remain separate.
In these cases, there is nothing wrong with maintaining two Facebook accounts, and it's something all writers (and all professionals, for that matter) should consider. Just as teachers wouldn't want information they share with friends to be read by students, a hopeful novelist might not want a literary agent to hear all about the trouble she got into Friday night.
Because what a user's friends say is visible to all other friends via the comments section, it can be difficult to control what personal information is released for all to see. Creating a separate Facebook account specifically for work is something all freelance writers should consider.
Share Writing and Content on Facebook
Once the proper relationship is established, Facebook is a great tool for promoting writing. Because of the
personal interaction with "friends", there is a much greater chance of people following the links than there is on other social networking sites.
By maintaining a professional facade, freelance writers can certainly use Facebook to spread their writing and find an audience.
More on Social Networking for Freelance Writers
For more help on using social media to promote writing and increase page views, try these articles:
Why Twitter Can Benefit Freelance Writers
How StumbleUpon Can Benefit Writers
How LinkedIn Can Benefit Writers
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