From Edie: Social media nightmares haunt writers! Discover 17 funny, relatable fears about algorithms, AI, Instagram, Facebook, and building an author platform.
Social Media Nightmares for Writers: 17 Scary Things About Building an Author Platform
by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
It's October, and in honor of Halloween, I just couldn't resist a tongue-in-cheek post about something scary—social media for writers!
After years of traveling, teaching social media, and trying to keep up with all the changes, I've discovered that some things are even scarier than they used to be.
Lest you think this is me pointing fingers, let me reassure you. EVERY single one of the things listed is something I've done, struggled with, or worried about at some point.
Remember, none of us is born knowing how to do this stuff. And just when we think we've figured it out, someone changes the rules.
So let's laugh at our social media phobias together!
17 Social Media Nightmares Every Writer Can Relate To
1. Having to take a picture to use as a profile photo. Someone please reassure me that I'm not the only person who hates having her picture taken! I'm a photographer, for heaven's sake. I'm supposed to be BEHIND the camera, not in front of it!
2. Trying to figure out which social media platforms writers actually need. Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Pinterest, LinkedIn, X, YouTube, TikTok. The list seems endless. And just when I think I've figured out where I belong, another platform comes along. Here's a hint: You don't have to be everywhere!
3. The pressure of creating beautiful pictures AND videos for Instagram. I'm a photographer, but even I sometimes feel the pressure to make sure everything is Instagram-worthy. Now we're supposed to make Reels, too? Some days I just want to post a picture of my coffee and call it good.
4. Trying to make my social media names match across platforms. Okay, this one wasn't much of an issue for me—except for the fact that my memory is bad. For a while I was using Edie Melson and Edie G Melson. Now I have to remember which platform uses which name, what my bio says, and whether I've updated all my links. It's enough to give a writer nightmares.
5. Receiving friend requests from people I don't know on Facebook. Have you seen some of the creepers that hang out on FB? And now we have fake accounts, impersonators, and profiles that look suspiciously like someone we already know. They are sometimes the stuff of nightmares! LOL!
6. Meta One. No, not the creepers from #5. The ones I feel guilty about are those where we have lots of friends in common, but I don't actually know them. I've learned the hard way that it's okay to say no. We can connect in other ways without becoming Facebook friends.
7. Political rants. 'Nuff said.
8. Discovering that the perfect social media post was written by AI—and so were the comments. Don't get me wrong. AI can be a helpful tool. But sometimes I wonder if I'm having a conversation with a real person or a computer. And don't even get me started on those AI-generated pictures that look almost real. Almost.
9. Discovering my life isn't beautiful enough to be on Pinterest. Where do these people find the time—not to mention the money—to do this stuff??? My house doesn't look like that, and I'm pretty sure my desk never will.
10. Finding out Facebook or Instagram has changed the algorithm AGAIN. It sometimes feels like they have a think tank whose only goal is to find new ways to sabotage our efforts. Just when I think I know what works, something changes. My advice? Focus on building relationships instead of chasing algorithms. That's something that never goes out of style.
11. Realizing you used the word your instead of you're in a post about grammar. I really try to avoid posting when I'm frustrated. This is one of the reasons why. Nothing quite like making a grammatical mistake while correcting someone else's grammar!
12. Posting a beautiful meme with the perfect quote and discovering you've got the attribution wrong. Yep, it happened to me. And with AI generating quotes, images, and all sorts of misinformation, it's even easier to get fooled. All I can say is check and double-check before sharing.
13. Sharing a lighthearted update and getting angry and/or weird comments. When this happens, I can't decide if what I said was unclear or if some people are just determined to be offended. Either way, I've learned that I don't have to respond to every comment. Sometimes the best response is no response at all.
14. Trying to figure out whether hashtags still matter. Remember when we were all trying to learn how many hashtags to use? Now we're hearing about keywords, search optimization, topic tags, and AI discovery. The rules keep changing. My advice is to concentrate on using clear language that tells people what your post is about. And don't forget you're writing for people, not just algorithms.
15. The thought of having to become a video personality. Reels, Shorts, TikTok, live videos. Does anyone else feel like they're supposed to become a television star just to sell a book? I love connecting with people, but sometimes I'd rather write a thousand words than record a thirty-second video. And that's okay. Video is a tool, not a requirement for every writer.
16. Trying to find the time to actually DO social media. My schedule is slammed full, and some days it seems I can't add one more thing. Between writing, speaking, teaching, and everything else life throws at me, social media can feel like a full-time job. That's why I've learned to work smarter, not harder. A little consistency goes a long way, especially when we're intentional about where we spend our time.
17. The scariest thing ever? Letting fear of social media keep us from building a writing platform.
I lost a book contract in the mid-nineties because I didn't have a platform. That's one of the reasons I made sure it would never happen again.
But here's something I've learned since then. A writing platform is about more than social media numbers. It's about connections, credibility, and the people we reach through our writing, speaking, newsletters, blogs, and other opportunities.
Publishers still care about an author's ability to connect with readers. But that doesn't mean we have to master every platform or spend every waking moment online.
We just need to be intentional about building relationships and reaching the people God has called us to serve.
And perhaps that's the best way to take the fear out of social media.
We don't have to do everything. We just have to be willing to learn, try new things, and keep showing up.
So that's my updated list. Now it's your turn. What scares you the most about social media? Have your fears changed over the years, or are you still struggling with some of the same things?
Leave your answers in the comments section below. After all, sometimes the best way to face our fears is to laugh about them together.
Don't forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Edie
TWEETABLE
She and husband Kirk have been married 44+ years with three grown sons and four grandchildren. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found with hiking the mountains. Connect with her at www.EdieMelson.com and through social media.
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