Read on Twitter
THREAD: Some basic social media do's and don'ts for artists trying to break into media careers.
This is all [imho], and I am glad to answer "why" if there are any questions.
Caveat: the further you get into your career, the more lenient some of these get. Artists that haven't "broken through," need to be extra careful.
Caveat: the further you get into your career, the more lenient some of these get. Artists that haven't "broken through," need to be extra careful.
DON'T -
Talk sh*t about the industry you're trying to break into. This won't be well-received if someone thinking about hiring you sees it. It's a sign to me that you should be looking for a different career.
Talk sh*t about the industry you're trying to break into. This won't be well-received if someone thinking about hiring you sees it. It's a sign to me that you should be looking for a different career.
DO -
Be liberal with connecting with people. There are a lot of shy artists out there, but no one will know your work exists if you don't connect with others. There's no harm in liking people's posts and replying back, engaging in conversation. But don't expect anything.
Be liberal with connecting with people. There are a lot of shy artists out there, but no one will know your work exists if you don't connect with others. There's no harm in liking people's posts and replying back, engaging in conversation. But don't expect anything.
DON'T -
Post in a generally negative attitude (condescending, cynical, aggressive, arrogant). If anyone thinking of hiring you sees it, you will not get hired.
Post in a generally negative attitude (condescending, cynical, aggressive, arrogant). If anyone thinking of hiring you sees it, you will not get hired.
DO -
Create a private environment (Facebook? DMs?) with friends and/or industry peers you connect with to share excitement and difficulties that aren't meant to be public. There will be a lot of ups and downs - a ton of that is not for public consumption.
Create a private environment (Facebook? DMs?) with friends and/or industry peers you connect with to share excitement and difficulties that aren't meant to be public. There will be a lot of ups and downs - a ton of that is not for public consumption.
DON'T -
Post every time an industry person takes an interest in your work. For many of them, if they see that, they could lose interest immediately or negotiate you down to a miniscule offer.
Post every time an industry person takes an interest in your work. For many of them, if they see that, they could lose interest immediately or negotiate you down to a miniscule offer.
DO -
Help others whenever possible but don't expect reciprocation. If you feel someone is taking advantage of you, you don't need to help them anymore. But in all likelihood, you will help one person, someone else will help you. This is not a linear career path.
Help others whenever possible but don't expect reciprocation. If you feel someone is taking advantage of you, you don't need to help them anymore. But in all likelihood, you will help one person, someone else will help you. This is not a linear career path.
DO -
Post about other things besides your own work / writing. If you don't have much of a fanbase yet, people more want to know who you are.
Post about other things besides your own work / writing. If you don't have much of a fanbase yet, people more want to know who you are.
DON'T -
"Cyberstalk" people with big fanbases. It's cool to follow them and connect with them, but the likelihood of them singling you out of the crowd is tiny. Just be a fan, that's okay.
"Cyberstalk" people with big fanbases. It's cool to follow them and connect with them, but the likelihood of them singling you out of the crowd is tiny. Just be a fan, that's okay.
DO -
Be gracious when people help you out (give comments on your work, etc.), even if it's not the help you were expecting. People talk when you don't treat them graciously. I have heard of people lashing out when they got neutral feedback.
Be gracious when people help you out (give comments on your work, etc.), even if it's not the help you were expecting. People talk when you don't treat them graciously. I have heard of people lashing out when they got neutral feedback.
DON'T -
Expect to get a job from networking on Twitter. Be here because it's an environment to get peer support / keep up with what's current in your industry / have fun.
Expect to get a job from networking on Twitter. Be here because it's an environment to get peer support / keep up with what's current in your industry / have fun.
DO -
Spell and punctuate everything correctly to the best of your abilities. You're not text messaging with your friends. You are communicating in a public sphere.
Spell and punctuate everything correctly to the best of your abilities. You're not text messaging with your friends. You are communicating in a public sphere.
DON'T -
Tweet 40 times an hour or retweet tons of stuff and expect acquaintances to follow along with you. Be mindful that others want to receive you as much as you want to receive them.
Tweet 40 times an hour or retweet tons of stuff and expect acquaintances to follow along with you. Be mindful that others want to receive you as much as you want to receive them.
DON'T -
Post anything violent, even if it's hyperbole. There are actually violent people out there, and they are not fun to work with.
Post anything violent, even if it's hyperbole. There are actually violent people out there, and they are not fun to work with.
DON'T -
Publicly obsess over your follower count. You are going to lose followers all the time for whatever reason. Some people just won't like you. It happens to everyone, and it's okay.
Publicly obsess over your follower count. You are going to lose followers all the time for whatever reason. Some people just won't like you. It happens to everyone, and it's okay.
DO -
Be real. People love others that are genuine, even if they screw up from time to time.
Be real. People love others that are genuine, even if they screw up from time to time.
Just a few things, and if folks find this interesting and not too obvious, then I will add more in the future as I see / think of them.
