And in short, to me, it's a love-hate thing.
What I love: The lay-out. How easy it is to find the community you're aiming for.
What I don't love: Well. Said community has this way of picking pet "causes" that they're fighting for, regardless of where the facts truly lie. I wrote about the whole thing that went on about John Green back when Tumblr was still seething with all that nonsense.
Fortunately, we've seemed to move on from there, but unfortunately that just brings home the fact that the community is 100% pro trade publishing. Or 1000% fanatical about it.
Which isn't a bad thing in itself. I personally have PLENTY of issues with trade publishing as it stands at the moment, but other people don't, so I try to only throw out my two cents when I feel like there are too much bad information out there without someone bothering to understand what's going on.
And Tumblr has this in spades. Which is to say they swallow the trade publishing line on self publishing without a second thought and makes Amazon out to be this monster out to exploit writers. (Ha. Hahahahaha. Ha.)
I just find this incredibly frustrating, because the Tumblr-ites are single-minded in believing what they're told, and if they get told anything else, it simply does not compute.
And this, simply put, is making me wonder if Tumblr is really worth my time. I mean, if they're going to ignore my book simply by dint of me refusing to be screwed over by publishing houses, without actually bothering to listen to reason, I can only assume that there's not much left to do or say, is there?
On the other hand, I'm not only on social media to market my books. In fact, the marketing aspect mostly comes second. But if being active on a platform does both (marketing and meeting new people), why should I bust my butt trying to get in on one where the community can be downright punitive toward people with different opinions?
Are you on Tumblr? How do you find it?
I just find this incredibly frustrating, because the Tumblr-ites are single-minded in believing what they're told, and if they get told anything else, it simply does not compute.
And this, simply put, is making me wonder if Tumblr is really worth my time. I mean, if they're going to ignore my book simply by dint of me refusing to be screwed over by publishing houses, without actually bothering to listen to reason, I can only assume that there's not much left to do or say, is there?
On the other hand, I'm not only on social media to market my books. In fact, the marketing aspect mostly comes second. But if being active on a platform does both (marketing and meeting new people), why should I bust my butt trying to get in on one where the community can be downright punitive toward people with different opinions?
Are you on Tumblr? How do you find it?
Not on Tumblr yet, but thanks for the heads up. I don't believe snobby attitudes are necessary in any industry. It's hard enough to get published, whichever way we choose, so who needs the criticism?
ReplyDeleteI love how you state your $$ goals. The universe is listening and making it happen.
I really have no interest in Tumblr. I'm sure other social media platforms are way more useful when it comes to book marketing.
ReplyDeleteI have a Tumblr account/profile/thing, but I have yet to do anything with it. I honestly don't even know what people do with Tumblr. I guess I have a better idea of it now, though.
ReplyDeleteI know many have said that Tumblr is a better and faster platform than blogging, but I've no interest in it. I'm not on Facebook due to the drama there and Tumblr sounds like it has similar issues.
ReplyDeleteI'm on Tumblr, but I'm not active. I mostly look at pretty drawings, drawing tutorials, and steampunk stuff. My friend loves Tumblr and feels at home there, but she's also big into fandom and has time to watch a lot of shows to participate in the discussion.
ReplyDeleteI personally have no idea how I'd market my book on Tumblr.
I wouldn't use Tumblr. Whenever I look at it, it seems like it's celebrities and teens using it to get popular. I think Blogger or Wordpress is for the professionals, for those who want to work harder.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried out Tumblr yet. I feel I have enough with the social media I use. I might try out Wattpad later this year, though.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried it. Social media already takes up too much of my time, so I doubt that I ever will.
ReplyDeleteI'm on Tumblr and I have to admit that it's one of the few social media I really don't get. At least not yet anyways. If you figure it out, let me know:)
ReplyDeleteI do have a tumblr but it is not always easy to navigate and I love blogging the regular much more. Amazon also has it's downsides and I like when both the advantages and disadvantages are discussed.
ReplyDeleteYou have to be enthusiastic about a form of social media you use. Otherwise, people will notice your lack of energy.
ReplyDeleteNo Tumblr account here.
ReplyDeleteI'm not on Tumblr. .. I honestly don't think I need anymore social media... As much as I love it, I think I have too much xox ♡♡
ReplyDeleteI'm on Tumblr but I don't use it - don't have the multitasking skills necessary to maintain a blog, Twitter, Wattpad and Tumblr! I don't think there's any need for rudeness on any social media channel though - everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
ReplyDeleteI'm not on Tumblr--I don't need ANOTHER social media to try to keep track of. I'm stretched thin as it is with blogging, FB, and Twitter. I like Twitter the best, I think, to meet new people, etc. That's weird Tumblr seems so anti-indie/self-pub; I didn't know that. Yeah, Amazon isn't always the Big Baddie; it has its uses for sure.
ReplyDeleteI've never used Tumblr, partly because I can't even figure out how to comment on it or "like" the posts or whatever. I know what you mean about how people online get attached to certain causes; that's how it is on Twitter. That is, people will get fired up or "outraged" about a specific issue and Tweet about it nonstop, and if you dare to take an opposing position you'll get a bunch of argumentative Tweets from random people.
ReplyDeleteI first saw Tumblr when my son was a teen and he and his photography buddies were using it. To me, it seems more geared toward visual arts instead of words. I don't have a profile there and don't use it except to look at photos. From reading your other comments, it seems like it really is for the youth or some other scene, but I could be wrong :)
ReplyDelete