Like many others on Twitter, I’ve been turning into more and more cautious of recent developments, and have been testing different platforms. Extra of the youngsters’s ebook neighborhood have been fleeing Twitter; I normally uncover this as a result of I attempt to tag them once I’m selling them or their books….they usually simply aren’t there. Or I discover their accounts haven’t been up to date in months.
Extra folks have been asking me for my opinion about what to do, the place to go, therefore this publish. I had initially been planning to attend till Submit went out of beta and was publicly obtainable, however thought this quickie overview can be of use to folks in the meantime.
The Quick Model, For These Who Don’t Need To Learn This Complete Submit:
. Two principal causes: For now, Twitter stays one of the best ways for me to attach with educator and librarian buddies. Additionally, if folks speak about me or my books, they may doubtless nonetheless attempt tagging me — and I need my actual account to be there to tag, not an imposter account.
When it comes to different platforms, Submit is my favorite for causes I’ll clarify beneath. Submit continues to be in beta, and there are some vital options nonetheless lacking, however I’m nonetheless having fun with my expertise on Submit greater than another social media platform. I’ll nonetheless drop by Mastodon every so often, however don’t imagine it’s a good different to Twitter for a lot of the kidlit neighborhood; learn my prolonged weblog publish from final month explaining why.
Ultimately, that you must resolve which platform is finest for you. I strongly advise in opposition to making an attempt to be energetic on too many social media platforms – you’ll simply get pissed off, plus that you must shield your CREATIVE time.
Query to ask your self: WHY are you on social media?
I additionally extremely suggest determining WHY you need to use social media. To attach with the kidlit neighborhood? If the latter, what half or components of the kidlit neighborhood? Educators and librarians? Publishers? Artwork administrators? Brokers? Editors? Fellow kidlit creators who’re across the identical stage of their publication journey as you, so you may cheer on one another? Teenagers, your target market? Ebook bloggers?
When you resolve which neighborhood you’re making an attempt to attach with, discover out which platform they like. Many are scattered throughout a number of platforms, particularly proper now, however issues will turn into extra settled later this 12 months.
Or maybe you simply need to use social media for the pure enjoyable of it. That is additionally FINE, in fact! Simply .
My favorite social media platforms might not be yours, and that’s okay.
Needless to say every part on this weblog publish relies alone expertise, my very own targets, and my very own preferences. Please don’t let me (or anybody else) inform you what you need to and shouldn’t do. Once more, that you must discover out what works for you.
For instance, I’ve a TikTok account however haven’t but discovered how I need to use it. I want it to be enjoyable for me, or I do know I received’t stick with it. I additionally want to determine what my targets are for this platform. I nonetheless get pleasure from Instagram (and now have a Bookstagram), however not as a lot as once I first joined – I’m discovering that as Instagram tries to turn into increasingly more like different platforms, I prefer it much less. I additionally nonetheless discover the shortage of native curation instruments (just like the personal and public Lists on Twitter) make it a problem for me to maintain up with others. I just like the visible focus of Instagram nevertheless it appears to be transferring away from that, in all probability to lure a few of these fleeing Twitter.
I’m nonetheless on Fb, however discover it an more and more chaotic and traumatic consumer expertise. It’s my least favorite of all social media platforms, and I’m spending much less and fewer time there.
There are execs and cons to ALL social media platforms, and if a social media platform appears excellent for you, bear in mind that issues can change shortly – insurance policies and house owners can change, for example, or it’s possible you’ll not agree with a platform’s basic coverage or have an objection to an individual or group or traders related to a platform. And if you happen to dig deep sufficient, you’ll at all times discover SOMETHING that somebody can level to as a purpose for not wanting to join a specific social media platform.
Do not forget that nobody is forcing you to be on social media! You possibly can at all times resolve NOT to be on social media in any respect. A few of my kidlit buddies have gone that route and are doing simply advantageous. ? Once more….don’t let anybody (together with me) inform you what you need to or shouldn’t do.
Talking only for myself, I’ve discovered the advantages of social media far outweigh the negatives to date.
I do encourage everybody to pay attention to why and the way they use social media, and to at all times shield your inventive time.
My ideas on Mastodon.
As I discussed earlier, be happy to learn my ideas on Mastodon and why I don’t suppose it’ll change Twitter for a lot of the kidlit neighborhood. Essential purpose: lack of world search and international hashtags (earlier than arguing with me about this, please do learn my weblog publish – I corroborated with tech-types on Mastodon about this). You possibly can nonetheless discover loads of kidlit folks to attach with, nonetheless! There may be additionally now a brand new kids’s ebook occasion referred to as BookToot.social you may try. However bear in mind that searches will solely search your personal Occasion plus posts that your Occasion has seen coming in from different servers. If a publish is boosted on one other server, then that publish is searchable on that Occasion additionally. NOT ALL SERVERS RECEIVE ALL POSTS. As one tech-type defined to me, “It could make operating a server close to not possible for small use, as a result of drive house necessities.” As of mid-November, there have been greater than 6,000 Mastodon servers.
Additionally bear in mind that Mastodon was initially created for marginalized communities who didn’t really feel secure on the mainstream social media platforms. Many of those Mastodon longtimers usually are not loopy concerning the inflow of these fleeing Twitter; I strongly suggest studying this “Dwelling Invasion” weblog publish from the angle of 1 Mastodon longtimer. One developer did attempt to create a wider search device however took it down shortly after due to backlash from the Mastodon neighborhood. You’ll find out extra about why the Mastodon search works this manner on this article.
Why I’m not utilizing Hive Social (however others are!)
I did obtain the Hive Social app once I first heard the hype however determined it wasn’t for me earlier than beginning to use it once I discovered there was no desktop app. I do most of my social media posting and studying on my desktop, partly as a result of I don’t need to fall into the “oh I’m standing right here within the grocery line, might as properly verify social media” default scrolling, plus I discover that consistently scrolling of ANY social media on my iPhone makes me queasy if I do it for various minutes.
I used to be additionally cautious of the shortage of assets/staffing behind Hive Social (solely 3-4 folks, in accordance with this Nov.thirtieth publish), particularly concerning safety and neighborhood security options, and the truth that they opened as much as the general public earlier than these had been in place. The platform ended having to show off their servers for a few weeks after safety points shut it down, and there have been studies that some Hive Social customers are nonetheless unable to deactivate or delete their accounts.
There are various kidlit/YA individuals who ARE on Hive Social, although! You’ll find an inventory of individuals you’re following on Twitter who’ve Hive Social hyperlinks through this search. Hive Social has additionally turn into fashionable with players. As a result of I’m a gamer, I’ve been tempted to check out Hive Social — however as I mentioned earlier in my publish, I’ve been making an attempt to be extra conscious of PROTECTING MY CREATIVE TIME and resisting the urge to attempt being all over the place.
Why Submit is my favorite, even in beta
I like Submit. I haven’t been so excited a couple of new social platform in a really very long time.
I’ll publish an in-depth overview of Submit within the new 12 months however am holding off for now as a result of Submit continues to be in beta, just isn’t open to the general public but, plus retains including options and enhancing ALL THE TIME.
I’ve been creating super-short “How To Submit” movies to assist these new to Submit, have a “In search of To Join With Others In The Kidlit/YA Group” remark thread for these to introduce themselves, have a Ok-12 Educators and Librarians neighborhood intro thread, and an inventory of kidlit/YA editors, artwork administrators and brokers on Submit – You’ll find hyperlinks to all these assets on my Submit profile at Submit.information/DebbieOhi. My editor from Simon & Schuster, Justin Chanda, lately joined Submit – hurray! You possibly can see my most up-to-date listing of kids’s ebook editors, artwork administrators, and brokers I’ve discovered to date on Submit.
Once more…keep in mind that Submit is in BETA, and continues to be lacking options – I’m particularly anticipating curated lists, which is one characteristic that I depend on when utilizing Twitter.
For those who’d want a extra polished consumer expertise, then I counsel you wait earlier than becoming a member of. HOWEVER, I do suppose it value placing your self on the waitlist and not less than establishing an account prior to later – you’ll have extra selection of usernames plus you may steadily begin exploring and turning into extra acquainted with the interface. I like to recommend you following Noam Bardin‘s and Janete Perez’s Submit feeds for site-wide updates.
A number of the explanation why I shall be spending extra time on Submit than different platforms in 2023:
Cleaner interface, particularly when composing a brand new publish.
I like that I can publish longer type essays once I really feel prefer it, and I’ve extra formatting instruments than I do on different social media platforms. Because of the less complicated interface and formatting flexibility (plus SERIF font, woohoo!), I’ve discovered myself having fun with writing posts extra.
Some folks maintain evaluating Submit to Twitter, however I discover it extra like a cross between Fb and old-school running a blog. I’ve had a weblog since earlier than the time period formally existed. I’ve observed that over time, particularly since Fb and Twitter emerged, folks don’t have a tendency to make use of blogs as a lot. I actually don’t get almost as a lot remark interplay as within the previous days. That is partially due to shorter consideration spans on-line but additionally as a result of there’s no straightforward manner for the typical particular person to maintain monitor of weblog studying with out an RSS reader or manually bookmarking them someway.
With Submit, you cannot solely write if you would like with consumer @ mentions, however (not like Fb) you may embrace . Embedded hyperlinks means we are able to discuss with exterior sources with out interrupting the move of the textual content with ugly lengthy URL hyperlinks, and embedded photographs means we are able to place a number of photographs all through a textual content publish (e.g. “and right here’s a photograph of the following step of my artwork course of…” and so on.).
You possibly can see an instance right here, the place I posted about Maple Lam’s latest image ebook utilizing an embedded YouTube video (no native video on Submit but) in addition to a canopy picture, plus was capable of included hyperlinks to Maple’s web site and different data concerning the ebook. ! Maple responded within the feedback with thanks and likewise (as a result of commenter’s profile confirmed them dwelling in the identical metropolis) a heads-up about an in-person launch occasion. Love the little threaded dialog that befell, with each Maple and the commenter additionally praising As soon as Upon A Time Bookstore, the native indie bookstore in Montrose internet hosting the occasion (commenter mentioned they might attempt to attend the occasion!).
I’m intrigued by the potential of . See Cradiculous’s 101 Information about Submit factors and tipping on Submit. Anybody who posts can put their content material behind a paywall (see the Reuters feed for examples), however most people are at present simply posting with out a paywall, with tipping being optionally available. I made roughly CDN $40 value of optionally available suggestions (due to everybody who tipped me!) since I joined Submit final month, and am donating everything to First Ebook Canada.
Sure, there are nonetheless the shouters and a few detrimental folks becoming a member of; you may Mute folks now, and Block is coming quickly. One in every of Submit’s priorities is on neighborhood security. I like the threaded dialogue in feedback, which is why I strongly encourage new Submit customers to take part extra in feedback.
Finest approach to join with others on Submit is within the Feedback part. Until you’re so well-known that your followers will actively search you out or have particularly partaking content material that others will need to share, you shouldn’t anticipate to right away begin attracting followers by simply posting. Actively hunt down and browse different folks’s posts, Like and remark. Proper now, you can take part in Tara Trudel’s Consolation Zone problem. Simply studying the feedback in that publish is fascinating – what an incredible dialogue!
Talking only for myself, I normally attempt to at all times reply to individuals who touch upon my posts if I can. I additionally attempt to take a look at the commenter’s profile, particularly if I like what they mentioned of their remark. That is one other nice approach to join with others on Submit, I’m discovering.
Search out new voices. On Twitter, I are likely to compartmentalize my posts. My @inkyelbows Twitter account is for kidlit-focused posts, for instance, @BGGgirl is for gaming. On Submit, I’ve determined to department out and simply publish about no matter I need to, together with my geekier pursuits like board gaming, VR artwork, and writing/taking part in music.
Largest tip: Do not forget that Submit continues to be in Beta. BE PATIENT. You possibly can assist information the builders’ roadmap by voting for advised options in Submit’s UserVoice discussion board.
I shall be posting extra how-to recommendations on Submit as soon as the platform is out of beta, and options have settled.
Curated lists, each private and non-private. Public, to make it simpler to share teams of Submit folks. Non-public, to make it simpler for me to curate my very own shopping expertise, like I do on Twitter.
Potential to dam customers. I haven’t felt the necessity to date, however as Submit continues to develop, it’ll turn into important.
Potential to save lots of a draft of my publish, in case I don’t end it earlier than posting and to have a backup in case there’s a glitch whereas posting. We can’t but edit our posts, and I inevitably make typos that I don’t discover till after I hit submit!
Alt textual content, for accessibility. This IS on the roadmap, I’m completely happy to see.
See my Submit Profile at Submit.information/DebbieOhi for hyperlinks to my how-to tutorials, kidlit neighborhood connection thread, K12 Educators & Librarians connection thread, and extra.
Observe Noam Bardin’s Submit and Janete Perez’s Submit feeds for updates.
I’ve steadily been including super-short “How To Submit” video tutorials to my YouTube playlist. Submit is continually being up to date and improved, nonetheless, so I’m discovering that movies go outdated fairly shortly. I don’t thoughts. ? Most up-to-date is at all times on the prime.
Click on on the #PostTips hashtag in Submit for many useful recommendation from the neighborhood.
Cradiculous has some wonderful Submit suggestions and 101 guides; see their profile for hyperlinks.
“Why Submit Will Succeed – My a centesimal Submit” by Joshua Summer season.
Are you on Submit? Be at liberty to publish a remark along with your Submit profile hyperlink! What do you consider the platform to date? Do you agree/disagree with any of my observations above? What social platform is YOUR favorite? Do you may have any points or options on Submit you’d like me to cowl? Or tips about time administration and social media? I’ll offer suggestions particularly for ebook creators on Submit as soon as the platform strikes out of beta (that manner my data received’t go outdated so shortly ?): discoverability, connecting, and so on. In the meantime, be happy to attach with me on Submit at .
Feedback? Questions? Please publish in feedback beneath! (I’ll depart feedback open for a few weeks)