
I’ve found Twitter—and many aspects of social media—somewhat tricky to teach.
Why? Here are 3 reasons to start:
- Using social media is mostly about being YOU, finding your voice, and finding the right audience (those inclined to listen).
- Your strategy, motivation, or purpose will be different—and it will change—depending on where you’re at in your career. That means I can’t teach you by explaining what I do; my strategy cannot be your strategy.
- Whenever you set out to use social media as a means to an end (e.g., selling books), that tends to ensure you won’t attain your end. It’s a very Zen process that doesn’t necessarily reward those who “try” the hardest.

Jane Friedman (@JaneFriedman) has 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, with expertise in digital media strategy for authors and publishers. She is the publisher of The Hot Sheet, the essential newsletter on the publishing industry for authors, and was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World in 2019.
In addition to being a columnist for Publishers Weekly, Jane is a professor with The Great Courses, which released her 24-lecture series, How to Publish Your Book. Her book for creative writers, The Business of Being a Writer (University of Chicago Press), received a starred review from Library Journal.
Jane speaks regularly at conferences and industry events such as BookExpo America, Digital Book World, and the AWP Conference, and has served on panels with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Creative Work Fund. Find out more.