Do you have social media? What’s your favorite platform? Instagram? Twitter? Facebook? TikTok? Snapchat? Other? How do you balance your time between social media and writing time? Is it possible to do both well?  I think the answer is yes.

For this article, I’m going to focus on Instagram or my Bookstagram, as I call my account. This means it’s an Instagram that focuses on books. It is one of the highlights of my day meeting other readers, writers, and authors. The people on Instagram remind me that I’m not the only one that struggles with mental health or is in the query trenches. It’s a great way to make connections. Instagram is a lot of fun, but it can take a lot of time.

The truth is Instagram was taking so much time that I didn’t get to write or get to other responsibilities because I got sucked in and addicted. So, I started looking for ways to cut back. I first tried the Digital Wellbeing setting which is already programmed in my phone. It worked for a little while, but I figured out it was way too easy to add more time. Therefore, it failed to stop my problem.

Now I’m using an app called Stay Focused. It allows you to set times when you are allowed to be on certain apps.   I have found I am on my social media apps less because of it. My productivity has increased because of this great app. You can deactivate the free version of the app, but because it’s extra steps I have found I don’t do that as often as I was adding extra time. Now, I am cutting my social media time in half or less.  

Another idea to help keep the balance are to put your phone away from your workspace. Some Instagrammers have a different electronic such as a tablet or other phone for their social media time. Set a timer for when you are allowed to “doom scroll”. If none of those work, consider a paid app that only a trusted family member or friend has the password to unlock when you are out of time or need to focus.

Workflow is another way that I have tried to use my time more wisely. I try to take pictures for a week at a time, some Bookstagrammers will do a month at a time. Screenshots of monthly prompts will help with ideas. I write posts down on my planner. Try using some of the same poses at various angles or with different books when taking pictures. Currently, remixes are a big thing on Instagram so I will click remix, video my face, and save them as a draft to edit for later use. I love following Mixtus Media which gives fantastic tips for authors. You can use Hootsuite, Later or other companies to pre-plan posts.

Those are all my tips today. What tips do you have for a social media and writing balance? I’d love to know in the comments below.

Megan is a writer of a variety of genres, but her favorite genre is sci-fi. She loves YA and sci-fi books and a variety of shows. Her top book recommendations are Calculated and Simulated by Nova McBee, The Droseran Saga by Ronie Kendig, Winter, White and Wicked by Shannon Dittmore and The Reckoners series by Brandon Sanderson. Her current favorite shows are WandaVision, Merlin, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Megan has a background in education. Her day job is a stay-at-home parent/teaching her kids in a hybrid homeschool. Her favorite hobbies are playing with her kids, reading, writing, talking to friends online or in person and looking up cool weather facts.

Ways to get to know Megan:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/meganjwalvoord

Email: mjwalvoord@gmail.com