This morning, I’d have been back…
I’d have been back to Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus.
I’d have been back on social media sites, all the wiser after taking a 50-day break.
But CMStewart dared me to go 100 days, and who am I to pass by on a dare?
(I’m actually going 101 days.)
One Return
My wife, who surprised me when I started my self-imposed social media break by saying she’d do it, too, rejoined the social media community today. According to many (family, friends, and tech blogs), the social media world has changed in 50 days away. Most notably, Facebook and the changes in recent weeks…and still to come.
I do miss aspects of it — especially now that Cynthia is back. While she’s not showing me what’s going on, she did tell me that quite a few people have posted to my Facebook wall asking where I am. A side of me wants to reply to those people; a side of me wants to throw myself back into social media to be in closer touch with friends and other people.
But at the same time — there’s a feeling of “this is now the norm.”
I may miss out on some things, but there’s a sense of focus that I’ve enjoyed since the break.
One Thing
One thing that makes me want to rush back to social media: ebook sales.
I have always wanted this blog to be honest, so here’s a blast of honesty: I have sold virtually nothing since taking my social media break!
Either I tapped out all contacts and it all died the way it would have, or I have enough of a following that when I say, “Hey, I have ebooks!” people listen and actually buy them.
A side of me wants to return to see if a social media presence = ebook sales, or if the dip in sales since taking the break would have happened regardless.
The Peace
When I think about social media and what I’m missing, the tendency is to rush back and see what I’m missing.
But…I’m writing new stuff and enjoying the break.
There was a time I thought about asking CMStewart to release me from my dare — to allow me to go back to social media sites today…
But in 51 days, I’ll have more to show than if I went back to social media sites today, and that makes it totally worth the break!
Release you from the dare? No. MUHAHAHAHA!
I’m still basking in my power-glow. 😉
But seriously, I hope you don’t fret too much about your book sales . . at this point in your writing career you’re still developing a fan base, right? Not all your future fans are going to be found via the SM sites, regardless of what the SM gurus say. Plus once your break is over, I’m sure people won’t mind seeing you promote.
BTW my 30-day SM break was up a few days ago, and I checked up on my G+. It’s still there, it didn’t come to a screeching halt without me (whew!). I enjoyed my SM “break,” (if missing 1 one or 2 shares per day is considered a break) and I’ll probably do it again sometime.
We’ll throw a welcome back party in 51 days!
CMS: It’s been an interesting break so far, and now it’s like I’ve reached some point way out there and I’m going into unknown territory. In a weird way, there’s a certain sense of pride in going even longer. I miss aspects of social media, but every morning after checking email and a couple blogs (I also cut way back on blogs), I think, “That’s all there is,” and get to work.
It’s no longer wading through a ton of email generated by social media sites and then checking the sites, only to go on to many blogs (some of which discussed social media). Then it was like, “Well, that sweep through everything lasted longer than planned…I bet there are new Facebook and Twitter updates!” and I’d check again.
Now it’s a few emails from friends, a couple blog entries, and then no excuse to not be productive.
While I may not be selling as much, traffic to The Juggling Writer keeps growing, so I’ve definitely seen some advantages to the social media break! And while I won’t take any more dares to go beyond 101 days away, we’ll see if I come back then, or keep going…
Mary: 🙂
Of course halfway through your sabbatical, I would put the pieces together, line up the dots and connect why and how I know Christopher Gronlund, and then of course send you a tweet to confirm.
I blame Ms. Stewart, who I know from my site, Flash Fiction Friday.
Anyway, Chris, I’m fairly sure I had to pleasure of hanging out with you and your wife during the Chicago Comicon back in 95. I was running a small press called Enigma Comics and an ACA. Good old days. I still have copies of issue 1 and 2 of Second Rate Heroes.
That was you, wasn’t it? I could be crazy. Often am.
Ron! It really is a small world kind of thing. I stumbled upon Shotgun Honey and some other crime fiction stuff through Erik Lundy and saw your name. Hell, I started following you on Facebook and it only recently clicked, “I THINK that’s the Ron I know from back when we were doing the comic book thing…”‘
So yes, I’m the same Chris who had a spot next to you, your wife, and your daughter (who’s probably not-so-small anymore) at the Chicago Comicon. Somewhere I even have the picture of me you drew at the convention. It’s great hearing from you! Cynthia and I are doing well; I hope you all’s great with you and your family. (I’ll definitely be more in touch after the social media break.)
I also noticed that when I lessened my time on social media that my blog views dropped dramatically. I think I am discovering a very happy balance in my social media life, while also allowing time for disconnecting. It seems that “followers” do like to hear from their writers at least every so often.
Good luck with the rest of the fast. I’m sure it is both invigorating and freeing for you. 😉
Chris, I’m glad I’m not crazy.
Being it’s been 16 years, yes, Kassy isn’t little anymore. Grown up, not by a long shot. heh.
It was a vague itch for a long time, when I ran across your posts or comments. But you responding on Wendig’s blog today put it all together.
Glad you’re still writing. Definitely have to catch up after your hiatus.
M.E.: It’s been weird…sales of my ebooks have dropped since starting the social media break, but traffic to my blog has increased.
This week has been weird with the social media fast. It’s the week when I haven’t even thought about social media. It’s like I’ve hit that point where I could make it never going back.
I’ve looked over my wife’s shoulder a couple times since her 50-day break is done. I suppose there are things I’d love to see if I went back sooner than my 101 days. I thought being around her being back would make me want to get back to social media sooner, but I think it’s had the opposite effect on me.
I’ve been “back” on my 2 social media sites for nearly 2 weeks, but I’ve found it’s easy to forget about them. My GoodReads email notifications I’ve kept off since the start. But several times I’ve timed to find where to turn my G+ email notifications back on. It’s like that section disappeared. But I still get a tiny red alerts box on my GMail screen. I’m thinking that might even be preferable.