Writing Boots

On communication, professional and otherwise.

Holtz answers Murray’s social media SOS

08.20.2009 by David Murray // Leave a Comment

A couple weeks ago I wrote a post titled, "So far, social media has given me carpal tunnel syndrome and that's about it."

It was a cry for help, and in my desperation I called out Shel Holtz.

Now he's generously responded on his blog, with a series of "Cures for David Murray's attention crash." There is a lot to chew on, and I'm going to respond in his comments section.

But I'd like to hear from Boots readers who have publicly and privately expressed sympathy with my point of view: What's your reaction to Shel's answers?

ADDED: Here's my response on Shel's blog:

Shel, thanks very much for responding in such detail and with such thoughtfulness.

There's a lot to think about here, and I'm not ready to react to all of it. A few points:

1. Clearly I need to pay someone to spend a day with me and show me how to get organized with social media, the way you are. In advance, I'd describe all my social media activities, and the person would come to my house, put me in his or her lap, and hook me into the three or four platforms you describe. I know this kind of organization comes easily to you, but most people need help in figuring that stuff out.

2. As for what I'm trying to achieve: I'm trying to become rich and famous and widely beloved (though hated by the truly loathsome). Can Google Analytics tell me how I'm doing? (I mean this only half tongue-in-cheek.)

3. To your main point: I am a writer. My content IS my useful contribution to the community. If I don't push my content, it doesn't get read, and if it doesn't get read, I'm not contributing.

Keep in mind, I'm not utterly frustrated. I have lots of readers–for my communication writing, for my political stuff, for my sports stuff and even my travel stuff–and they are the kinds of people I like writing for.

I'm getting somewhere. It's just that I'm always covered in mud because there's a lot of wheel-spinning along the way.

Seems like step one is the tactical social-media organizational stuff you describe.

But first you have to promise me: No more new social media platforms for at least one year.

Can you promise me that, Shel Holtz?????

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