Is Social Media Dead?

Since Elon Musk took over Twitter, I’ve been pondering this question, especially in relation to writers using the platforms to connect and promote their work. To me, most platforms are like a crowded mall where everyone is shouting at the top of their lungs. There’s the random panhandler or person trying to hit on you. People talk about everything and nothing but rarely listen. There is no room for nuance. And always the stores trying to entice you.

I avoid malls because the jumble of sight and sound overwhelms me. Now I’m avoiding social media for the same reason. Still, I am told, if you want editors and agents to take your work seriously, you must have an online presence. So I occasionally blog, which I understand is now considered old-fashioned. I have Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. No Twitter though. I couldn’t handle the chaos once Musk took over.

I have writer friends that post on Medium and Substack as a way to ‘get their writing out there.’ <Sigh> I’ve avoided those platforms as well for three reasons. One is that I’m not yet ready to start self-publishing my stories online. Another is that when I’m writing non-fiction or opinion-type pieces, I tend to be blunt and often offend someone. And I also don’t like the idea of what’s on the internet being accessible forever. How many middle-aged people have been caught in a kerfuffle because they said or did something thoughtless when they were in their twenties? I don’t relish my current stupidity being held over my head years from now.

It’s not all bad, though. I know some genre authors that make decent money through self-publishing via ebooks. There are others that dribble their work out via online platforms that allow for serialized fiction. Like almost all published fiction, however, the authors don’t make money. (Don’t plan on getting rich being a writer!) Still, the author can build a following while they transition into more traditional (revenue-generating) venues. I’m not there, yet. Time will tell.