Sometimes knowing how to react, reply, and reciprocate when
blogging, or on Twitter and Facebook can seem confusing. So here’s a post, which hopefully will be
helpful, and I’ve included Instagram too, which seems to be growing in popularity amongst writers.
Being on social media is about building relationships, which
can take time. If someone does something for you and you don’t acknowledge it
or do anything in return, it’s unlikely they’ll do it again. And to get anywhere on social media you need to
be polite, and show the nicest side of yourself. Plus the more
interaction there is with a tweet, Facebook post or Instagram post, the more likely it is that the post will be shown to more people.
Blogs
Guest post on a blog:
React by saying
thanks:
If you’re a guest on someone’s blog, post a comment to say
thanks to the host; and reply to any comments left.
See my post: 19 Tips on How to be the Ideal Blog Guest for
more on this.
Your blog:
Reply:
If someone comments on your blog post, reply.
Reciprocate:
Leave comments on blogs in return where possible.
Twitter
React by saying
thanks:
If someone retweets your tweet, try to thank them (easiest to thank a few at the same time), unless
the retweet is part of a popular hashtag, in which case, write a general thank
you at the end of the day, including the hashtag so anyone following the hashtag
can see it.
If someone constructs a tweet specifically for your blog
post, book release etc, reply to the tweet to say thanks, and retweet it.
Reply:
If someone replies to one of your tweets-especially if it’s
something enthusiastic about your blog post or book, (and assuming the comment
isn't negative or spam), like their tweet and reply.
Sometimes just
liking the tweet isn’t enough.
Reciprocate:
Retweet in return where possible.
Create your own tweets or Quote Tweets for blog posts and
book releases by others in your network, especially for those who are always supportive.
Don’t forget to:
Search for your name, your book titles, guest post links to find tweets where your username isn’t included. Then thank, reply etc as above. My guest post for Women Writers, Women's Books is still shared now and again months after I wrote it, and I pick up these tweets because I have a column for the link in Tweetdeck.
Facebook
React by saying
thanks:
If someone shares your post, go into the post, like and
leave a comment to say thanks.
Reply:
If someone comments on your post, like the comment (assuming it isn't negative or spam), and reply. If you have lots of comments on a post,
it’s still worth replying to each one individually if you have time.
Reciprocate:
React to, and share posts in return where possible.
Instagram
React and Reply
If someone comments on your post, reply (where relevant, there's no real need to reply to a smiley face).
Reciprocate:
Like posts in return.
Reciprocate in other ways and on other social media:
In other ways:
If someone hosts you on their blog, you could offer to host them in return. You can take part in promotion for another author's book launch. There are lots of possibilities.
On other social media:
If someone is always retweeting your tweets, but they don’t have a book out or
a blog, you can reciprocate by liking their Instagram or Facebook posts. If someone
shares your post on Facebook, but they have no recent post to share, you can
retweet one of their tweets or like one of their Instagram posts.
Sometimes it’s difficult to reciprocate for everyone, but if
you never reciprocate, it’s noticeable.
My next Social Media Course for Writers will be
on 6 May 2017 at the Holiday Inn Bloomsbury in London. More details can be found on my website, and there's an early bird discount until the end of January 2017. Bookings are coming in already, and places are limited.
To book, email me at
anitajchapman at gmail dot com.
This post was
inspired by client and course attendee questions.
Other neetsmarketing posts which may be useful:
My new blog post on how to react, reply, reciprocate on social media: https://t.co/absr96ruyr #TuesNews @RNAtweets pic.twitter.com/bnvOPwcI2W— Anita Chapman (@neetsmarketing) 1 November 2016
Another very helpful article, Anita. I always try to thank people who have retweeted one of my tweets but I'm less sure what the etiquette is when someone retweets a retweet. What would you recommend?
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading and for your comment, Catriona! I don't think there's a need to thank for a retweet of a retweet-would be quite difficult to keep track, and I don't think it's generally expected.
DeleteClear, practical advice, Anita. Also, writing is mostly a solitary business, so it's lovely to build up relationships with folks that share similar interests. Another post to bookmark so I can return to it again. Thanks x
ReplyDeleteThanks very much, Rae! Glad you found the post helpful :)
DeleteA very good overview of social media interaction, Anita!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rosemary! :)
DeleteA very good piece, Anita, thanks for that. It is particularly useful for those of us who are used to swimming in one stream of social media but yet to dip our toes into one of the others. (If I push this metaphor much further I may drown, but you get the idea.)
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for reading, and for your comment, Colin-I'm so glad the post is helpful! :)
Delete