Writers know that using social media to promote their work is a smart idea. But creating content for multiple social media platforms, especially when those platforms evolve rapidly, can feel like a full-time job. How to make Instagram, X, Threads, and Facebook work for your promotional and storytelling goals? Kim Baldwin, digital editor for the Nashville Scene, offers real-world social media advice tailored to writers in her popular Porch class "Social Media for Writers," taking place at the Porch House in Nashville on June 8, 1 - 3 p.m. We keep this class small, guaranteeing time for individualized support and feedback. Here, Kim gives us a taste of what's to come. —Ed.

We’re so glad to have you sharing your social media prowess with The Porch. Sum up your approach to social media in one word – ok, maybe one phrase? And tell us why. 

If it doesn’t work for you, then it doesn’t work. So much of the social media advice given to writers is one-size-fits-all. Most writers are working full-time jobs and don’t have the bandwidth to show up on social media like they’re being told to. I meet people where they are and get them to do something. Something goes a lot further than everything.

I think a lot of us want to make social media work for us, not end up selling our soul to it (i.e., timesuck). Tips for finding the balance? 

Having realistic expectations is a good start. Be honest with yourself about how much time you can dedicate to this. The work that goes into growing a large following takes years for most people. If you expect to turn your 200 followers into 10,000 in three months, you may need to adjust that expectation. 

Notice the difference between what writers you follow put on their grid versus stories. Pay attention to when they start talking about their pub date.

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You’ve been the Digital Editor at the Nashville Scene for a while now. What’s one thing you’ve learned, or changed about your approach to social media, during this time? 

Be flexible and diversify how you reach your audience. The apps are changing, who owns the apps is changing, people are deleting their profiles, news and political content is getting suppressed. Gone are the days where you can rely on a social media app to get your content in front of the people who want to see it.

Give us a taste of what your class will include: What’s one quick tip that you’d never not tell writers who are just starting to devise a plan for social media? 

Follow other writers, especially on Instagram, or whatever app you’re going to be posting on. Watch their stories. Notice the difference between what they put on their grid versus stories. Pay attention to when they start talking about their pub date and how they balance book updates with regular life stuff.

Are there any accounts we should follow for incredible inspo – either accounts that are about social media, or ones that just provide excellent examples of getting the job done? 

I would be remiss not to encourage you to follow the Nashville Scene. In general, be discerning when taking social media advice online. Not everyone giving advice knows your industry or your audience. If an author or peer you respect is talking about their approach to social media, you’ll get more out of that than a rando giving one-size-fits-all advice. (Ed note: Kim will share a list of favorite author accounts to follow in her class on June 8. At The Porch, we're fans of Maurice Ruffin's social presence!)

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