12 Nov Writing, Marketing, and Living in the Age of Social Media

In the nineteen sixties there was an ad campaign titled “The Pepsi Generation.” The people in the commercials frolicked on the beach, danced at amazing parties (where nobody was left out or feeling anxious), and when they smiled, their perfect mouths were filled with sparkly white teeth. Oh, and of course they were all good looking, young, and perpetually happy. As a young person during that time, I knew that I would never be as cool, good looking, or problem-free as they were. I also knew it was just a commercial, and I could laugh at it. Usually. But not always.

Fast forward fifty years and click on any social media platform. Just like then, I know that I am not as cool, good looking, or successful as a lot of the people who pop up on my screen. I also know that it’s not the sum of their lives. It’s what they have chosen to share, just as we all do.  Comparing ourselves to others is dangerous. And it’s especially dangerous when those comparisons are based on Facebook posts. We are each at different stages of our lives, we have different wants and desires, and most importantly, we are individuals.

Recently, several people have commented to me that it looks like I am doing really well. And of course, that makes me happy, although a bit embarrassed. As a writer, part of my job is to market myself and my books. I love interacting with kids and introducing them to new concepts or having conversations with them. I often choose to post about it.  But honestly, most writers I know do a lot more than I do. They have more published material, more school visits, more of what any author would want. And they make it look so easy. (I know it is NOT!). But what IS easy is spiraling down into the “I’m not as good as they are ditch” based greatly on what is seen on social media. I can assure you from personal experience, that particular ditch is a difficult one from which to emerge.

Yes, I do post when I have good news, a great school visit, or fun meeting up with kidlit friends. But in between, my life is not Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram ready. I usually don’t post about the mundane and the disappointments. It’s not exciting for my friends to read about me waiting for a phone call that never comes or rejections that come too often. I have to assume that happens to even the most successful, good looking, and cool people.

Don’t get me wrong. In many ways, I love social media. I’ve met incredible friends through Facebook. Real friends with whom I share the good and the bad. Friends whose successes thrill me. Friends who are happy for my successes.

So, may we all enjoy the pictures, the stories of happiness and fulfillment that we see every day. And may we always be happy for our friends and support them. But let’s remember, that even though every day of our lives may not be Instagram worthy, they are “life worthy,” and we are all much more than our social media posts.