Social Media for Writers...

Readers weigh in, too...

There's been a lot of buzz over the Interwebs about blogging recently. And that always gets me thinking about my blogging. They (The Powers That Be - and this is for anytime you need to use 'they') always stress having/creating a platform. Blogging used to be (in my opinion) the 'go to' social media choice - but blogging has gone out of favor recently. Twitter and Facebook are seen as the best way to interact with readers. Twitter with its short and sweet Tweets, and Facebook with its bazillion users. When I think social media for me, as a potential author, I cringe at the thought of Twitter or Facebook.

I also look at other authors who are doing an amazing job with those social media options. Alannah Lynne (who was here guest blogging some months ago: Inspiration - Alannah Lynne) gave up blogging and has dedicated her promotion time to Facebook. Here's her link: https://www.facebook.com/#!/AlannahLynne (and FYI, her latest release Crossing Lines is available now). One of my favorite authors, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, also has a vibrant and very active Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/SusanElizabethPhillipsNovels?fref=ts

But, truth be told, I am not a Facebook fan. Yes, if I gave it some serious time and consideration, maybe I could get into it - but with all the rules and regulations to set up a platform, I am intimidated beyond belief.

Now, SEP (as she's known to her fans) Tweets consistently, too. And with lots of links back to her FB page. I have yet to find an author who is strictly all about Twitter mostly because I've only been back on Twitter for a month or so (and the last time, I didn't give it much effort). From my limited knowledge, I see Twitter as a great place to glean information about the industry - following agents and publishers, I've learned some fascinating tidbits. But I wonder at the coverage of Twitter - FB has the bazillion users, does Twitter?

And Twitter is all about short and sweet - we all know I am long and verbose! 140 characters? When it takes me 6 to 7 paragraphs to get to a point here? Yeah!

You can see why I question social media and platform - but after reading Kristen Lamb's three part series on Blogging, I know I'm doing what's right for me. And that's what counts. It's not a matter of conforming, it's a matter of picking a media type that works for you - sticking with it - and using it to the best of your abilities. If/when I get published, I will have this blog for my readers to check out. I'd like to think it's diverse enough that it would appeal to all kinds of people. And, let's face it, I love to blog!

So, here are the various blogposts about blogging that I've been reading. Check them out if you, too, are wondering about the future of blogging and/or how it fits for your needs as a writer. Readers - I'd love it if you weigh in on this: Do you follow authors on social media sites? Does it matter to you that an author has a Twitter account or a Facebook page? Or is having a website with a list of books, event schedules, and reviews all that interests you when you go looking for an author on-line?

Kristen Lamb's Three-Part Series: https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/the-most-powerful-social-media-tool-for-building-an-author-platform-part-1/
https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2013/01/17/the-most-powerful-social-media-tool-for-building-an-author-platform-part-2/
https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/the-most-powerful-social-media-tool-for-building-an-author-platform-part-3/

Elizabeth S. Craig's Discussion on Blogging for Writers: http://mysterywritingismurder.blogspot.ca/2013/01/blogging-for-writers.html

Query Tracker's The Case Against Blogging: http://querytracker.blogspot.ca/2013/01/the-case-against-blogging.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+QueryTracker+(QueryTracker+Blog)

*edited - Stina Lindenblatt's Social Media Just for Writers: http://www.stinalindenblatt.com/2013/01/social-media-just-for-writers.html (a great review of a book of the same name)

And I will continue to happily blog away :)

More Self-Promotion...

On Tuesday I discussed websites - the pros and cons of creating and maintaining one prior to being published. Thanks for all the great feedback - as of right now, it's still on the back burner, but I am keeping notes on pages I would like to include and links to blogs I find very user-friendly and graphically cool.

I also asked my Facebook friends/family what they thought - which brings us to the next bit of promotion we need to discuss. Facebook is a great social media - I've talked before about how much I love the instant 'in touch'-ability (ooh, new word) that Facebook provides. I love having the chance to keep up to date with nieces and nephews, and friends scattered from one end of the country to the other (and up north). As far as a promotional tool, I do provide links to this blog and Prairie Chicks now and then, but that's as far as I've gone. I know some authors, Alannah Lynne, has created a fan page on Facebook - I haven't had a chance to talk to her about that experience, yet. I also know that some authors keep their Facebook profile for friends and family only, not wanting to put their private life out there for everyone to see.

I don't Tweet. I know that would really suck up my time if I started - so I'm holding back. From what I understand, it's a great promotional tool and a great way to get to know, follow, fellow writers.

At this time, I think the best promotional tool for me is this blog. There aren't a lot of readers, but I enjoy writing my post everyday and I know that just having this presence sends the message that I am serious in my pursuit. And the time committment isn't so much that I'm overwhelmed or neglecting my writing - which is what I hope, one day, to promote.

If you haven't got a blog - or are thinking of starting one - here's a link to Guide to Literary Agents, where Pita Jennath Andersen talks about the ins and outs of blogging. And here's a link with links to everything you ever wanted to know about starting a blog (which I should have found when I was starting this blog). And Jody Hedlund's blogpost on, what else, blogs - have a look around, she's got some great information.

And how's this for promotion - mark your calendars for March 6th when Alice Audrey will be guest blogging over on The Prairies about whether or not an unpublished writer should maintain a blog. How's that for serendipity?

People of Blogland - do you blog? If so, leave your blog address in the comment section so we can all come around for a visit. Do you Facebook (love how these words have become verbs)? How about Twitter- is the 'twitterpation' real, or will Twitter fly the coup, only to be replaced with a bigger, better bird?

Self-Promotion - Before the Fact?

The Interwebs are a-buzz about promotion this week. I always am amazed at how insync the Universe is when one article/idea is followed closely by two or three other articles/ideas on the same subject. This week - self promotion. Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Websites! Even my RWA chapter, Romance Writers of Atlantic Canada, is busy discussing promotion on the e-mail loop!

I started this blogventure with the thought that I would look at starting a website soon after. That's been put on a back burner - the Day Job, my writing, and the busy social life has made the decision for me. AND, I often wonder what I would put on a website to keep it fresh, keep readers coming back. The Husband is a webmaster for a car dealership (he'll be my 'go to guy' when I'm ready to start constructing) and his number one goal is to drive customers to the webpage. In order to do that, he needs to change it, refresh it, make it worth the customers' time to check out the website on a, hopefully, daily basis. I surf the web a lot - and most blogs or webpages that don't update often usually get a pass after a while. So, I am much like the customers searching for an automobile.

As of right now, I don't have a lot to drive readers to a website - unless I linked my blog (which I would). But there's more to it than just a blog. My friend Jana Richards posts short stories on her website. That will definitely be one page I would develop (and have a few short stories ready to go - others in the development stage). A bio page is a must, and Roni Griffin has a great idea to make an autobiography a lot more exciting than "I was born...". BTW - Roni's blog is one that is talking self-promotion; so head on over and have a read. And that's as far as I've gotten on my website plans. For really great information on creating a website (and what to include on the darn thing), check out QueryTracker.net (and take some time to look around there, they're a wealth of information).

Whew, I was going to talk about other self-promotion stuff, but this is getting long. Come back Thursday and we'll chat about Facebook, Twitter, and my personal time manager Google Reader (k, it's available to everyone, but I like to refer to it as mine). I'll have some more links to blogposts talking about self-promotion and some to help with time management.

You know the question already - do you have a website? Are you thinking of starting one? What pages do you think are important and do you think it's important to have one prior to getting published? As a reader, what makes you return to a website?

Have a great Tuesday, People of Blogland :)