Monday, February 5, 2018

A Different Perspective on Social Media for Writers


by Edie Melson @EdieMelson


It’s easy to be overwhelmed by all that’s involved in being a writer today. Not only do we have to write well, we’re also responsible for making sure we have an audience for what we write.

We’ve been told it's important to:
  • Have a platform
  • Keep the numbers growing
  • Build valuable connections
  • Schedule webinars
  • Share memes
  • Start podcasts
  • Blog every week
  • Stay active on social media

The list goes on and we get buried deeper under the weight of all our responsibilities—especially with social media and marketing.

Before we give in to weariness and discouragement we need to stop, and think about why we’re here.

Why do we do what we do? Yes, we want to earn a living, but money isn’t the main reason the majority of us have chosen to be a writer.

We do this because we heard God speak…maybe not in an audible voice…but we heard and answered His call.

Because of the avalanche of expectations, some of us are in danger of missing His voice. We want to honor His call, His willingness to issue an invitation to join Him in His work.

We find ourselves in a miserable no-mans-land between ministry and marketing.

But maybe we’re not as far from God’s call as we think we are.

I challenge you to take a look at social media from a different perspective.

I propose that we might have been looking at things upside down. We’re not doing social media to promote our message, or sell our books, or even build a following.

What if social media IS the call… or at least part of the call. What if this isn’t all about us, but about opening ourselves up, putting ourselves out there, taking chances and building bridges BECAUSE GOD HAS A PLAN?

What social media isn’t:
  • Mass marketing
  • A running commercial
  • A chance to toot my own horn

Instead, social media is a chance to connect with like-minded people WITHOUT the barrier of location.

It’s a chance to share value, spread truth, show love. It’s God’s way of building bridges, meeting needs, and changing the world…one glorious update at a time.

And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14b

God is perfect with His Plan, Preparation, and Place
  • in His plan for us
  • in His preparation of us
  • where in time He has placed us

It’s no mistake that we were born in this place and time. We have a responsibility to learn how to use the tools that surround us.

Beyond that, God’s word is clear that we are called to be a light in the dark. There’s no place darker than social media. We know that, we’ve seen that through past few years.

He told us to go out into the world. Folks, that includes the World Wide Web.

He warned us that the world hated Him and it would hate us too. Is there any wonder that social media is hard?

The important thing for us to focus on the is the fact that for the first time ever, we can reach the world without leaving home. No wonder the enemy wants to convince us it’s too hard, too meaningless, too much work. He’s scared of what God can do with a few committed believers willing to make a difference through the tools He’s given us.

TWEETABLES

31 comments:

  1. Amen and Amen! I think that this post is one of the most powerful, most discerning, and most meaningful posts you have ever written, dear Edie! Thank you! You are right on target! The key is to keep our focus on Jesus, on His plan, on His purposes. He is the Beginning, the End, and Everything in between!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MaryAnn, thank you! Your words and confirmation mean a great deal to me, Blessings, E

      Delete
    2. You are most welcome, Edie! I am so thankful for your ministry! You are a great blessing!

      Delete
  2. Thank you Edie. Somehow (God) you always know what I need to hear. I love the different spin on using social media to share what God has called us to do. God's blessings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jann, it’s something that God impressed on me a while back. I finally decided it was time to take a chance and share it with others. Blessings, E

      Delete
  3. Edie, your words have helped bring into sharper focus some truths the Lord has been impressing on my heart. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Martha, thank you for sharing your thoughts! BNlessings, E

      Delete
  4. Thank you so much for this much needed advice and encouragement. Your divinely inspired message has definitely given me pause to rethink my attitude toward social media. "God’s word is clear that we are called to be a light in the dark. There’s no place darker than social media."---Wow! How have I allowed myself to overlook this truth. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It’s an easy truth to overlook! Thank you for taking time to comment! Blessings, E

      Delete
  5. If you heard an audible sigh of relief, it was me. Thank you for this grace-filled post that has helped me to re-set my expectations and more importantly, God's mission in and through my life. I love meeting like-minded people on the internet! It's one of the greatest joys of this calling.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cathy, sometimes we just need a small reminded, I know I do! Blessings, E

      Delete
  6. You nailed it, Edie. Social media is another ministry opportunity to encourage the faint-hearted and downtrodden and be a light. 🙂

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wise and wonderful words, as always, sweet friend! Thanks for sharing these words; thanks for teaching us with your words, and thanks for encouraging us with the words God's placed on your heart.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Julie, I’m so glad I’ve been able to encourage you! Blessings, E

      Delete
  8. I love this perspective! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  9. The phrase "miserable no-mans-land between ministry and marketing" captures the dilemma perfectly. It's too easy to forget about relationships in no-mans-land. We often think about our writing as our ministry and may miss that social media is part of that ministry, too. Great perspective, Edie. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen, thank you for sharing your thoughts! Blessings, E

      Delete
  10. Needed this today, dear friend. Needed you. Thanks. That’s all.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I read this post this morning, and then the day got away from me. I loved this! And this:
    "What if social media IS the call… or at least part of the call."
    Yeah, that's a perspective-changer. It also put into words something I've been pondering. Recently, the husband of a friend of mine told me he read every single Facebook post I put up. He doesn't comment, but he reads them. And he encouraged me to keep "putting good stuff out there." I had no idea he read my "stuff." Makes me wonder who else is reading those posts too . . .

    Truly our calling can be more far-reaching than we realize.

    Thanks for this, Edie!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeanne, you are so right! We don’t know who God is touching through us. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Blessings, E

      Delete
  12. Truer words were never spoken. I run two businesses and have reached burnout more than once - just trying to keep up with all the "should".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jenn, burnout is inevitable if we lose sight of why we’re doing what we’re doing. Thanks so much for stopping by and adding to the conversation! Blessings, E

      Delete
  13. Edie: In this world that is becoming darker all the time, we need to be a beacon to those around us. How else can we do it except through social media. I post prayers for people on my Facebook page. I have been a member of a prayer group on FB. That one is closing but there is another one that is starting up. God gave us this gift and expects us to use it to further his Kingdom.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It’s definitely becoming darker out there. But we carry with us the light that cannot be quenched! Blessings, E

      Delete
  14. God has been showing me this very thing - "Feed My Sheep" and what I post on social media isn't just for the purposes of consistency or visibility but to share valuable content that feeds, encourages, inspires and points people to Him. Thank you for a great post that is total confirmation.

    ReplyDelete
  15. My posts on social media have changed with readership and expanding connections over the years. Thanks for this . There are several pointers I could tweek a little. Always learning. One of the most beneficial steps I have taken is an analysis of responders to various posts. I find if I post different ones at different times, by the end of a week always all my"friends" have responded one way or another. Being flexible - sometimes marketing, sometimes personal, sometimes teaching works for me. It is the tone and style of presentation I find people are responding to as well as content.

    ReplyDelete