the craft. writers in a digital world.

You don’t need social media to be a good writer. But it helps. Well, it won’t help you write better. But it will help you lead people to your writing. Now, if you’re only writing to satisfy a personal need, this may not be important. But if you’re writing with the hopes that someone else will read it, social can be a great vehicle to help make that happen.

I’m with you. I aspire to get to the point where I can go off the grid and live in non-hyper-connected bliss. But I’m not there yet so, social media has been one of the most effective tools I’ve had in creating opportunities for myself. From garnering freelance contracts to speaking engagements and workshop opportunities. How you show up online can matter.

Here are a few things to remember though:

You don’t need to be everywhere. We discussed this on a recent episode of EightyTwo NinetySix. Go where your people are and develop that platform.

Social media should feel like an extension of who you are, not a facade. Find a way to do it your way. Make it your own but make sure it looks good whether it’s a tweet, FB post, or a Tik Tok. You don’t have to try to fit into some other mold that you see. It’s always fine to admire other people but how can you take what you like about their work and apply it to your own thing?

Planning helps. If for your mental health you prefer not to be on social media as much, I get it! I try to take breaks often. And on the days where I’m so busy I can’t indulge I often feel a bit clearer. When you plan content, it makes it so much easier to be in and out like a smokehouse. You throw up your content, engage where necessary, and sign off. Multiple third-party apps are now even making it possible to schedule IG content. But even if you post live, batching by preparing multiple posts at a time can be a lifesaver. And outsource where you can. If you can get some help with your social media, by ALL means, do that!

Lastly, don’t forget the work. Social media is a tool. A promotional tool. At the end of the day, you will need something to actually promote in addition to the things you’re sharing simply because you like them. Don’t get so caught up in a social strategy that you forget to actually write.

Even with all this advice, you still have to do what works for you personally. If you’re totally against social media and just like, “Ashley, I am not doing it,” guess what? You may be just fine in your writing career. What it gave me was access and a way to be seen when I didn’t know anything about how to become an actual writer. I just knew I’d always been good at it and wanted to get my words out to the world. Enter my blog in 2013. What I realized was that there were many gatekeepers in the world of media and publishing and this gave me a way to get my words directly to the people I was hoping to reach with my work.

Through social media, I’ve met many of my writing friends who continually lift me up, encourage me, and the like. I met my podcast co-host and friend, Gabrielle. I garnered my first regular freelancing gig at Essence.com when an editor slipped into my DMs. I met the editor that eventually acquired my book. The list honestly goes on. It was all based on being present online and using social not as a way to depress myself and to compare myself to others, but to market myself as a writer.

No hard fast rules here. But if you’re interested in trying to make wind for yourself, developing a social plan can be helpful. If you choose not to indulge in social media, make sure you have a plan elsewhere because simply writing in your notebook is not going to help you be published. Whether it’s applying to fellowships, submitting to journals, going to events (digital in today’s time), there is this other element outside of the writing that is just as necessary to advance your career.

Writing/Job Opportunities

Outside Magazine is taking pitches. They publish stories about adventure sports, gear, travel, fitness, health, culture, and the environment.

Anjie Zheng is accepting pitches at WeWork. Stories about real estate/work-life/small business but also ghostwriters and product writers. Get in touch: anjie.zheng@wework.com

Next City is seeking new freelance voices. Rachel Kaufman is looking for 800-1200 word pitches on the solutions making cities more equitable and sustainable. $300 per piece. Reach out to rachel@nextcity.org with pitches.

E! Online is looking for a freelance writer to help with our shows and TV coverage. Email your resume to eol.recruiting@nbcuni.com

City Bureau is hiring a Senior Editor. (Chicago based)

NPR is hiring a National Correspondent - Reporter, Race & Identity

Vox Media is hiring a Senior Social Media Manager.

Filter Magazine is hiring a Staff Writer.

LA Times is hiring Deputy Editor, Arts & Entertainment

Gannett Brands is hiring an Assistant Sports Editor.