Facebook Follies

So, I give up.

I'm on Facebook.

I fought this for as long as I could. The list of reasons why is long, starting with the most obvious one to me: I'm not that interesting. Really. I bore myself, what with the sitting around and typing all the time. Nothing about my life could be described as 'fabulous.' (I happen to love my life, but 'fabulous' it ain't.)

My other major concern was privacy. I'm a naturally paranoid person, and there are a lot of, um, interesting people out there I'd just as rather not have in my living room, either in person or on the computer.

But the numerous workshops I went to at the RWA National Conference two weeks ago pretty much made it obvious that, as a free, easy, and accessible marketing platform, you can't beat Facebook. Build your brand, I heard over and over again. Be accessible to your readers.

And if you can't beat them, join them.

And I'll say this. So far, it's not so bad. I'm 'friends' with a whole slew of people I went to high school with, but haven't talked to in ten to fifteen years. There's something powerfully nostalgic about seeing what people who are firmly tied to a time and place in my psyche are doing. It's great to see the guy who wanted to be a surgeon when he grew up is actually a surgeon, or the guy who wanted to be a firefighter is an actual firefighter. It's weird to see people, who I know broke up after high school, married with babies to people I don't know at all. (Yes, I'm aware I did the same thing. It's still odd.) As sappy as it sounds, it makes me happy to know that a lot of these people turned out okay. Same for some people I went to college with. People get married, have families, and do the best they can. Just like me.

However, thus far, I'm friends with people who know or knew me in some way or another. That's fine. I have no other possible readers with whom I should be building my brand. (Update: For all those who are interested, it will be two to three months before I hear anything about editors. Most likely. Can you cross your fingers that long?) But being that 'out there' still makes me nervous. I already got an email from some guy (I'm guessing) who just said, "hello sara." Um, hello? My name has an 'h' on it? Says so everywhere? Clearly not someone I know, and making 'friends' with strangers is not my strong suite. Ask all four of my friends these days.

But I'm trying. I'm stepping out of my comfort zone, one baby step at a time (name that film!). So, if you want, you can come be my friend. I promise not to think you're, um, interesting. Unless, of course, you are.