What is social media?

Have I told you yet that I'm not an expert? Every single time I say it, I mean it. I'm just one woman trying to wade her way through the stormy seas of self-publishing, social media and life in general. That being said, I have opinions and I am intelligent enough to figure out certain things.

According to Wikipedia (yes, I know wikipedia isn't a reliable source for many things, but this is close enough):

Social media refers to interaction among people in which they create, share and/or exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks.

Now, this is a very large umbrella, but you will see in this, and just about any, definition, social media involves interaction among people. And this, my friends, is where we've all screwed up.

Think I'm wrong? 

Have you ever had a friend who was new to selling Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Longaberger Baskets or any other direct marketing company? When they first start, they're so excited and eager to make their goals that they're asking everyone they know to have a party for them. When you tell them you can't, they come back with how easy it is, how you won't have to do a thing. When you say you really don't have time, they're trained to tell you that they can set up a book party and just pass the information on. 

Over time, you start avoiding their phone calls. You love them, but you know they're going to try to hook you, yet again. Even though you enjoy talking to them, you back away because you're sick of the hard sell. 

That's exactly what's happening on social media. What started as a way for people to interact morphed into a way for brands to network and has slowly devolved into a way for businesses to push new products, sales, etc. onto those in their networks. 

The interaction is faltering. Groups on Facebook that started as a way for readers to interact with one another now have posts pinned at the top reminding authors and street teams that it's not acceptable to advertise in there. Groups that aren't policed as carefully are overrun with links to the newest releases.

I understand the importance of social media for businesses, including indie authors. Hell, without social media, I wouldn't be where I am. That doesn't mean I like the trend I'm seeing where we've lost sight of the interaction in favor of as many platforms as possible to advertise for free. 

That's why I'm working to figure out the best ways to improve my own social media presence and actually have it be social. As I learn little bits, I will pass them along because when we build a community, we all succeed. And that, my friends, is probably about as peace, love and happiness as you will ever see from me...

If you want to start making your social media a bit more social, why not add your Google+ link to this list! Then, click on the ones before you and add them to your circles. Together, we all grow!