The Power of Your Online Presence: What Authors Should Consider Before Posting

The Power of Your Online Presence: What Authors Should Consider Before Posting

I’m the person who mutes the television whenever a political advertisement comes on—even if it’s labeled as “positive” and free from toxic rhetoric.

You can imagine my excitement during the last election season when YouTube TV gave me the option to skip political commercials and watch something peaceful instead.

For 30 glorious seconds, I watched forest animals roam while soothing music played in the background.

It was heavenly.

Unfortunately, my social media scrolling didn’t offer the same escape.

Meta didn’t provide an option to remove all political posts from my feed and replace them with adorable cat videos or tranquil nature scenes.

It’s not that I don’t care about politics—I simply prefer to get my news from reputable sources rather than from Karen’s cousin Nancy, who has an opinion on everything under the sun.

This election season felt especially overwhelming, with an influx of reposts from someone’s cousin’s uncle who allegedly knows someone on the East Coast who knows someone who knows everything.

More and more, I noticed these types of posts coming from my author friends.

I love my author friends. I love building community. I love supporting other authors’ work.

But when their personal posts veer into volatile territory, I quietly remove them from my circle. That’s not what I signed up for when I accepted their friend request.

I recently had a conversation with a client who found herself in a similar situation. She had posted some controversial opinions on her personal social media pages, upsetting friends and family. She wasn’t sure what to do moving forward.

Here’s the thing—she had every right to post her thoughts. Freedom of speech, right?

But just because she could post controversial opinions didn’t mean it was the best choice for her author brand.

Photo by Merakist on Unsplash

Why Your Personal Social Media Matters as an Author

Writers, we need to talk about something that isn’t discussed enough in this era of instant information, armchair experts, and unverified social media posts: when you put your words—and, by extension, yourself—out into the world, people are watching.

Yes, even when you’re posting on your personal pages instead of your business pages.

I know some of you are thinking, That’s fine. I don’t care. I’m entitled to my opinion. And you’re absolutely right—you are.

But I encourage you to use your voice in a way that builds up rather than tears down, fosters connection instead of division, and demonstrates empathy, compassion, and kindness rather than judgment, anger, and hate.

Why Does This Matter?

Imagine this scenario: You’re an author who writes books to help overwhelmed homeschool moms balance home, school, and family life so they can live guilt-free and love their families better.

But on your personal Facebook page, you post divisive or harsh opinions.

What message does that send to your potential readers?

Would they still trust your advice on how to love their families better?

Probably not.

They might think, Why would I take advice on loving better from someone who posts hateful content?

To avoid this kind of disconnect, here are three key questions you should ask yourself before posting on your personal social media pages:

1. Does this align with the personal brand I want to present to my readers?

Your personal social media presence still reflects your author identity. Will this post enhance or detract from how you want to be perceived?

2. Could this be misinterpreted or cause unnecessary controversy?

While authors don’t have to shy away from important topics, it’s wise to consider whether a post could alienate readers or distract from your core message.

3. Does this add value, inspire, or engage my audience in a meaningful way?

Posts that educate, encourage, or entertain tend to foster connection rather than division. Does this contribute positively to your community?

Your Words Have Power

We live in a world that feels increasingly divided every day. As authors, we have the freedom to choose whether we contribute to that division or encourage unity.

As you consider what to share on your social media channels, I hope you choose to build bridges, not walls.

Your words matter—make them count.

Photo by camilo jimenez on Unsplash

Reflect and Engage

Before you post, take a moment to reflect: How does my social media presence reflect my values as an author? Would my ideal reader feel welcomed in my online space?

Now, I’d love to hear from you—have you ever hesitated before posting something online? How do you balance authenticity with professionalism? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Take the Social Media Audit Challenge

Spend five minutes scrolling through your last 10 posts. Ask yourself:

• Do these posts align with my author brand and message?

• Am I fostering a community that reflects my values?

• Would my ideal reader feel encouraged, inspired, or engaged by what I’ve shared?

If you notice any areas that need adjusting, take the opportunity to refine your approach. Social media is a powerful tool—let’s use it wisely!

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