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The Steve Laube Agency

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The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Social Media

Social Media

Too Much Social Media?

By Steve Laubeon October 25, 2021
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The following article appeared in Forbes Magazine in June of this year: “Americans Spent On Average More Than 1,300 Hours On Social Media Last Year.” In the article it said:

Last year, driven in no small part by the pandemic, Americans spent more than an average 1,300 hours on social media according to a new study from Uswitch. Facebook led the way, where Americans spent an average 58 minutes a day on the app – or 325 hours a year.

I wrote a blog post on this topic in November 2009 when studies showed users spent 72 hours a year on Facebook. Think about that for a second. In a little over a decade the hours spent on this particular platform has quadrupled!

I don’t want to join the predictable throng saying how dangerous this is. I suspect most of you have common sense and understand that already. Facebook and other social media are a wonder of technology and allow for unique ways to connect. We have also written here about the importance of platform and specifically showing engagement with your readers is of particular importance in getting the word out about your ideas and your book.

However, not all writers are full-time. Some must juggle day jobs or home-life responsibilities around their writing. So let’s say the average writer is cramming 20 hours a week of actual writing into their craft.

Thus if you are a writer AND you “Facebook,” this would mean the average writer is spending nearly a month’s worth of work time on Facebook or other social media.

In 325 hours, a nose-to-grindstone writer could produce 50,000 words on their next work-in-progress (that is about 1/2 page per hour). A motivated person could memorize the Constitution and the Epistle to the Galatians. An avid reader could consume at least a dozen of their favorite books.

Don’t get me wrong. I know there are tremendous benefits for the author in connecting with readers via social networking. And I’m not criticizing Facebook or Facebook users. My concern is with the amount of time authors spend on something other than making their next book a masterpiece.

Social media or social networking is something being “added” to our lives. And if something is added, something is usually subtracted. My question is, “What has been subtracted?”

An entire generation is growing up with social media as something embedded in the fabric of their lives. Not an addition. The irony is that in their case, subtracting now means subtracting social media! Not adding it.

It is also true that some of us have “addictive” personalities, and the snare of social networking can become an addiction if one isn’t careful.

It is also true that if we didn’t have social media, it may be that we wouldn’t spend the extra time writing. We’d find some other distraction to avoid having to write! (Like sorting your bookshelves by color.)

Next time you enter the social networking world, time yourself. Then ask if it was beneficial to you personally, professionally, spiritually, emotionally, or otherwise. As with all things, use common sense, discipline, and moderation. I’ve heard there are software programs (article about a few linked here) that can help by literally turning off your access after a certain period of time.

It will also keep your agent or your editor from posting a comment on your feed like “What are you doing here? You are on a deadline!”

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Category: Social MediaTag: Facebook, Social Media, Time Management, Writing Craft

Getting Started in Social Media

By Dan Balowon March 20, 2018
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Actually, the title was a bit of click-bait to entice aspiring authors and platform builders to open this post. Sorry. Getting started in social media is not a problem. It’s as simple as 1-2-3 and grade school children around the world do it every day. If you are having trouble getting started in social media, it could be your rotary-dial phone, thirty-year-old modem and Commodore 64 computer are …

Read moreGetting Started in Social Media
Category: Branding, Marketing, Platform, Social Media, Technology, The Writing LifeTag: Branding, Marketing, Platform, Social Media

In Defense of Social Media

By Dan Balowon January 30, 2018
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Today I am going to stick up for the poor, downtrodden multibillion dollar global public corporations behind social media. Blamed for everything from the breakdown of the family to the dissolution of meaningful personal relationships, they are supposedly the reason society is on a virtual brink of collapse. But for authors of books, social media is the simplest and quickest way to create an author …

Read moreIn Defense of Social Media
Category: Branding, Marketing, Platform, Social MediaTag: Marketing, Platform, Social Media

Would You Say That in Real Life? A Key to Social Media Success?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 27, 2017
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I appreciate the people I interact with on social media. Rarely has anyone been unkind. However, I often see articles about social media behavior with the theme, “Please Be Civil!” and “Stop the Hating!” The writers come from a place of disquiet because they feel harassed when they see unhelpful, angry posts. That’s understandable. Here is what I try to do to help my social media outlets remain an …

Read moreWould You Say That in Real Life? A Key to Social Media Success?
Category: Social MediaTag: Social Media

The Non-Partisan Author

By Dan Balowon April 4, 2017
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The political environment has been toxic for author branding since the Internet debuted over 20 years ago, but has gotten significantly worse and more dangerous as social media grows in the last decade. When expressing opinions became as easy as a mouse-click “like,” authors entered a danger-zone. Unless your author brand includes political commentary, or a focused societal issue, it is probably …

Read moreThe Non-Partisan Author
Category: Branding, Career, Marketing, Social MediaTag: Politics, Social Media

Salty on Facebook?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon March 9, 2017
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I love the interaction I have with my blog readers, and can usually address their questions in the comments section. But recently, what I considered an unusually provocative question was posed by a reader, Virginia, on my post on being noncontroversial on Facebook. She said, “I understand the sentiments in this statement; however, I was born a contrarian, and usually, immediately start …

Read moreSalty on Facebook?
Category: Social MediaTag: Social Media

Bland on Facebook?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon March 2, 2017
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Recently I posted a photo of roses my husband had given me. One of my daughters said, “Mommy, you know you’re desperate to be noncontroversial when you post a picture of roses.” She has also observed that part of my workday is posting “noncontroversial” updates on Facebook. Guilty as charged. But why? Why not be exciting on Facebook? Here’s why: I try to represent my faith with my words. I’m far …

Read moreBland on Facebook?
Category: Career, Marketing, Social Media, The Writing LifeTag: Facebook, Social Media, The Writing Life

I May Not See Your Facebook Post

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 23, 2017
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Posting on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media is a fun part of my day. I enjoy seeing updates and comments, and sharing with a broad range of people. I read updates, but I miss a lot. Like many other publishing professionals, I’m in contact with far too many people on social media than anyone can keep up with. Ever-changing algorithms… I’ve noticed that Facebook algorithms have changed. I …

Read moreI May Not See Your Facebook Post
Category: Agents, Communication, Social MediaTag: Agents, Social Media

Guaranteed Time-Saving Tips for Social Media

By Dan Balowon January 10, 2017
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Written with tongue firmly planted in cheek… Managing your social media is a meaningless treadmill of work with no real purpose. While it seems to be one of the most efficient and effective ways to promote books and authors, really, who needs it? Sure, every publisher wants authors with strong social media numbers and self-published authors find it critical to their success, but other than …

Read moreGuaranteed Time-Saving Tips for Social Media
Category: Career, Marketing, Platform, Social Media, The Writing LifeTag: Marketing, Platform, Social Media

Protecting Yourself on Social Media

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 1, 2016
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Almost weekly, I receive communication on social media from men who want to flirt. I am not flattered. I have no doubt these men have cast a wide net looking for vulnerable women either to flirt with or to trick into sending them money. Yet some women fall for these “catfish” schemes – smart women who should know better. Here are some tips and tricks to derail them: Be wary of friend requests and …

Read moreProtecting Yourself on Social Media
Category: Social MediaTag: dangerous, protection, Social Media
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