
Yesterday I celebrated another birthday. I was % years old. Oops, fingers must have slipped. Try again. I was &# years old. Oh, well. Doesn't matter. What matters is that I received a massive number of "happy birthday" greetings via Twitter and Facebook. Since I turned my attention to writing, I've managed to become friends with--or at least become acquainted with--a large number of my fellow writers, as well as some editors and agents. It was nice to receive their well-wishes, along with those of family and other friends. So now, in addition to cards and phone calls, there are electronic birthday wishes. Ain't progress grand?
But this brings me to a recurring theme in my discourses: social networks. As you may know, I have a
Twitter account. I'm also on
Facebook (although you'll have to search for me and ask to become a "friend" before you can see my posts). I allowed myself to be dragged into these activities by those who said, "As a writer, you have to enhance your public presence." I guess that, short of being involved in a financial scandal or being a sports figure suspended for steroid use, engaging in social networking is as good a way to get publicity as any. But I've found it to be a mixed blessing.
As I said, it was nice to get those birthday greetings, most of them via Facebook. But, along with my usual messages, I get countless invitations to join this group or that, attend this get-together or the other, become a friend of somebody. It seems that the list is endless. Not only that, I often get "friend" requests from people whom I don't really know. I handle these on a case-by-case basis, and often find that these are writers and that we share a large number of mutual friends. And I must admit, it's been a nice way to enlarge my circle of writing acquaintances.
Sadlly, I've been getting notifications lately that I'm being followed on Twitter by some people and entities that I can do without. Some of these are frankly pornographic, and I block them immediately. Then there are the commercial accounts, obviously following people whom they hope will follow them in return and avail themselves of the services they offer. And finally there are the "retweet specialists" aiming to get their own information out. A classic example is the Texas Rangers baseball club. I love the Rangers. Kay and I watch most of the games on TV. I frequently tweet about a Ranger win or loss. But when I do, I see that the Rangers have retweeted my message. Interesting that they do this, even when my message is critical of the club's play. Guess bad publicity is better than none at all.
Which brings me full circle to my original thought. Is the name-recognition that comes from being on a social network helpful in a commercial sense? Or are these just the modern, electronic versions of the old party line or talking over the back fence? Well, I don't have an answer--maybe you do--but for now I guess I'll keep on tweeting and posting on Facebook. Maybe I'll see you there.
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