Ba ba Black Sheep

I’m told that if you are a writer then it’s important to have a strong presence on social media. Apparently, things like a good Facebook page will contribute to a writer’s overall success. This is mostly because publishers are far more interested in new writers if they have a sizeable Twitter or Facebook following because they see they have a readymade market to work with. In which case all I can say is thank god I’m not a writer because I neither need nor want such a presence. 

For one thing, I’m concerned that social media has the ability to homogenise opinions and beliefs so we all become like sheep and stop thinking for ourselves. After all, globalised industries benefit if everyone can be made to behave the same way because then they are much easier to market to. 

Perhaps I’m being paranoid. Even so, I’m not sure I’d want such a digital social presence even if I was a writer. To maintain a following of any size means having to post new content frequently which makes things like blogging a full time job in itself. When would I get down to writing? As for the distraction it brings with it…well I’m not sure I could trust myself to stick to the key activity which is writing itself. 

In the end though, I see it as an exaggeration to suggest a presence on social media is essential to achieving success as a writer. Surely the only essential thing a writer needs to do is write.