As suspected, Quill Shift Literary Agency has not updated any of their three social media accounts (Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+) within the last week. In total, two months have almost passed since their last online activity. I'm worried. Not for my eventual campaign proposal - as Quill could benefit from quite a bit - but I am worried for the company itself. This radio silence is concerning, above all. Akin to every other week, I will compare Quill to 3 Seas Literary Agency. Within the past week, 3 Seas has posted seven times on Twitter and five times on Facebook. Screenshots appear below. Michelle - one of the founders - is supporting three of her authors. Clearly, 3 Seas is booming with business. Or at least, in the publishing realm, as the two pictures above display.
Perhaps I have mentioned this in a previous analysis, but if I could describe 3 Seas in only one word, I would pick consistent. This consistency lends itself well to words such as considerate, trustworthy, and genuine. They care, and you can tell. They have branded themselves extraordinarily well, and I can only wish the same for Quill Shift Literary Agency after my campaign proposal.
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Nothing. Nope. Nada. The above words were typed prior to actually seeking out at any of Quill Shift Literary Agency's three social media accounts. From the bottom of my heart, I hoped - hell, I pined - for some action as I typed in the designated URLs. And once more, I am disappointed. My expectations, if you can even call them that, were fulfilled. So as Quill continues their radio silence, I will look towards 3 Seas Literary to pick up the pieces of my once hopeful heart. To move beyond my melodrama, 3 Seas has posted five times on Twitter and three times on Facebook in the last week. A little less than what we are used to, but we'll see the quality of some of these posts below. Akin to every other week, 3 Seas stays on top of their game by both interacting with their readers, their clients, and with others in their industry. In this case, they retweet an event hosted by one of the best, Penguin Random House.
Where Quill Shift Literary Agency is consistent in their silence, 3 Seas Literary is consistent in their presence; placing them side-by-side as I have in the last month, it is clear which company puts forth the effort for both themselves and their authors. Quill Shift Literary Agency, for the fourth week in a row, is silent on social media. I feel awful thinking this would be a wonderful slogan for them. With no social media activity across the board in a month and a half, I'm concerned. I'm starting to question if they're even a company anymore. What are they doing? Is there a new project taking up all their time? If so, why aren't they posting about it? Hyping people up? On the other end of the spectrum, is something personal going on? I sigh. I'm confused. Dejected. I picked this company, loving them, but knowing they did not do enough. But to seemingly do nothing? I feel almost let down, especially in terms of being a hopeful intern. I love the mission of the company, but will having their name on my resume mean anything? Truly? Furthermore, I cannot imagine how prospective clients must feel, especially if they know any better. But if they don't and pursue them, anyway? Are they going to receive the best service in this industry? I cannot confidently say yes because of my observations these last few weeks. Because I have taken this company on as my project, I feel almost responsible for their activity, and the vast amount of improvement they require almost drowns me in despair. When comparing Quill to 3 Seas Literary once more, the dread only intensifies. Don't get me wrong, the successful platform 3 Seas has constructed gives me hope - inspires me - but things are not looking good for Quill. Not at all. In the last week, 3 Seas has posted eleven times on Twitter and twice on Facebook. Again, this amount can be justified based on each follower count. Here are a few examples of their posts: In these posts, 3 Seas promotes their authors, their success, and opportunities to purchase their work. This, and more, can be found on their Twitter as well. Michelle promotes her authors and company throughout this series of tweets, whether it is their books or overall brand (through contests and conferences).
Participating in the #MSWL (Manuscript Wish List) and conferences are a wonderful way of attracting new clients, as well. Additionally, 3 Seas has an author section on their website, allowing their audience to see who they represent, learn about them, and visit their website. Through them, prospective clients can see what working with 3 Seas is like. Overall, 3 Seas Literary's social media activity and presence represents what Quill Shift Literary Agency should be doing. If I were beginning my own literary agency, I would emulate companies like 3 Seas Literary to a T. To sum up Quill Shift Literary Agency's social media accounts in this last week, I only require these two words: Inactivity prevails. To prevail is to be victorious, and Quill's lack of online fortitude is quite troubling. Because I do not know what is occurring for the agency on the other side of the screen, I cannot with good conscience say that their social media inactivity will be the death of them. However, living in the technologically-driven society that we do, I am afraid that may be the outcome if they do not enhance their online presence soon. And by soon, of course, I mean now. So while I am not surprised at this weekly update, I am certainly disappointed. In more ways than one, actually. I am disappointed from the submitter's perspective as a writer seeking a company that cares, and I am disheartened as a hopeful applicant for their appealing editorial internships. If the social media activity of Quill was as consistent as 3 Seas Literary, these concerns would not exist. For instance, 3 Seas has posted eleven times on their Twitter account and three times on their Facebook feed in the last week. With their Twitter follower-count being more than three times that of their Facebook follower-count, it makes sense that their focus is on the account with their primary audience. Here are just two of 3 Seas' engaging tweets: In these two posts alone, 3 Seas does so much for their brand. Michelle, the founder, is both connecting with current clients - maintaining (and showcasing) the supportive relationship between them - and announcing that she will be at a conference, which gives her the opportunity to build 3 Seas through increasing her clients and connections.
I do not know what book 3 Seas is reading, but Quill needs to take a page out of it. Week by week, my confidence in Quill's brand diminishes. As an outsider looking in, I can only imagine what their current clients feel. |
AuthorAutumn Lala is an internationally published writer currently earning her dual-English degree at the University of Cincinnati. When she is not doing homework or writing, she is spending time with her loved ones or buying another cute mug she (supposedly) does not need. Archives
March 2017
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