A writer emailed me the other day asking whether she should use Twitter.
I said that depends. What did she want to accomplish?
She responded that she really wasn't sure, but it seems like lots of writers are using it and she doesn't want to miss out.
This is one of the great dangers of new technology (I speak from experience). Some hot new thing comes out and we want to be among the first to use it.
What we forget to ask sometimes is why.
What is the outcome we want?
Will this new thing really help us achieve it, or will it just be a distraction?
It's like picking up a wrench and then looking around for something to use it on.
We need to start with the problem. If it's a leaking pipe, a wrench might be good. If it's a protruding nail, a hammer would be better.
Social media and all the other technological devices or programs are tools. When a shiny new one comes out, I keep having to remind myself of what I'm trying to achieve rather than being dazzled by the light. Is that true for you, too?
