So, funny #CoSo moment:
Bluesky is where the bulk of my writing industry is re-assembling post-X, and in the last few days I've had a *huge* uptick in followers there, because my name is in a "starter pack" of recommended SFF-industry accounts.
But are any of those new follows engaging with my actual writing or any posts that don't serve their own uplift?
Of course not.
Because it's still all about branding.
Here - for all our faults - we try to show up for each other as people. A gift. 👌
@MLClark eh, I'm gonna give it a few weeks. That said, I'm screening each new follower carefully. Some of them are readers, some are writers.
It is what is, Joyce. We know that our industry is caught in a performance mode when it goes online. :) So, we'll be part of a space that focuses more on marketing there, and keep chatting like fuller humans here.
Hope you're having a great day. My apartment power just went out (no idea why, but this happens sometimes), so I'm off for a quick walk myself. :)
@MLClark I dunno, I'm having discussions...hope the new followers see them.
We'll see what today brings. Needing to schedule a ton of meetings, including SFWA onboarding. Plus woodcutting scheduling.
I found one good horror-watching group through Paul, and that'll be a treat.
But generally, I'm only getting interactions when I post videos that promote other writers or allow writers to promote themselves. We shall see, but I think it'll turn out to be like mid-era Twitter more than anything.
@MLClark but...I had also been targeted by one principal and an upper level administrator, so...that's one reason I was very involved with the union. Besides being a strong union supporter. But if you're on the local's board, um...you have to be pretty bad to get cut.
Thank you for your service!!!
Ah, yes, I remember that period well.
:) I don't mean to be cynical as much as pragmatic about the limits of places where writers in the current economy gather. I'm just really glad we get to touch base here on CoSo as humans first. On industry forums, I know I will always be engaging with people growing their brand & easily consumed by the latest tempest in a teapot.
It's our parasocial professional sphere!
And it does the job it's meant to do.
Glad to see you on both.
@MLClark hmm. I've been making connections, but then again, I was teaching during mid-era Twitter and didn't dare expand my social media.
(Teacher unions were actively discouraging too much social media involvement during that era because teachers were getting fired for even innocuous posts. Heaven forbid you'd have a picture online of you with a drink in hand! If I saw a camera at a con, I either hid or hid my drink).