What’s one social media practice you recommend? (With Lindsay Franklin!)

by | Jul 6, 2018 | Summer Panels

Today is our last day with author Lindsay A. Franklin on the blog, but you can stay in touch with her through her author website, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Lindsay has also written a devotional book for teen girls that my daughter loves. It’s called Adored, and it’s filled with wisdom and encouragement.

In an ever-changing world, we can be certain of one thing: we are beloved by God. Adored: 365 Devotions for Young Women tackles tough topics girls face, from bullying and social media to friendships and dating, all the while showing readers how infinitely precious they are in God’s sight.

We have one more question for Lindsay before she goes:

What’s one social media practice you recommend? How about one practice you wish authors would avoid?

Lindsay: Build relationships! Even though I’m an introvert and kind of shy in real life, I love being able to talk to people via social media. I have gotten to know my readers through Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and that’s such a cool benefit of modern technology. As a reader, I find it a bit distasteful when authors are always singing their own praises via social media. I know it’s tough for authors to find that line of how much self-promotion is too much (I wrestle with this myself), but some folks just have an arrogant vibe that turns me off right away. When I follow someone on social media, I’m looking for a genuine person who doesn’t feel like a skeevy salesman.

Stephanie: I recommend shining the light on others as often as you can. Talk about books you love by authors you admire. That is a great way to build authentic relationships and also to bless your fellow readers. We don’t need to feel threatened by sharing the love. Readers have time for more than one book!

As for something I wish authors wouldn’t do is the obsessive posting as a book releases … but then nothing else any other time. I completely understand posting more when it’s book release season, but I don’t think “feast or famine” is a very effective social media approach.


Shan: Like Steph, I wholeheartedly recommend cheering others on. Socializing from a place of gratitude and excitement is far preferable to pontificating from a position of criticism. While there are many things in this world that seek to divide us, books can be something that pull us together. A love of reading and a heart for story is something people of all different cultures and socio-economic groups, different religions and political persuasions can appreciate. If we’re good stewards of our social media spaces, we can cultivate relationships that open our eyes and extend our arms to people we wouldn’t have met otherwise. This isn’t to say you can’t use social media to share frustration, but use your platform for encouragement as well. For spotlighting others and for lifting up those people and causes you truly appreciate.
Jill: I recommend asking people questions. About anything that’s not political or trying to pick a fight. Just start a friendly discussion. Those types of posts have always been far more successful than anything I post about my own books.

I don’t like when authors post constantly, like five-to-ten posts a day. When my feeds are filled with post after post after post, I’m like, “Okay, I see you, already!” Honestly, one post a day is enough for anyone, in my opinion, two is fine, but too many can aggravate people.


What about you, writers? 

What’s one social media practice you recommend? And what do you wish authors would avoid?