Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Brandy Brow, is the show where we talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!
“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”
Finding Support as a Writer with Tina Yeager
Radio scriptwriters created a character named the Lone Ranger who didn’t actually work alone. George Lucas developed Hans Solo as a hero who was never actually solo. Why couldn’t these characters be written as solitary heroes? Whether or not they know God, observant writers can recognize the relational elements of our divine design. God created us for fellowship, wordsmiths included. Writers might recognize our need for community, but our solitary work can serve as barriers to connection. Join this Writer’s Chat episode to discover how to develop a whole-life network of professional, practical, and spiritual support when you feel isolated.
Watch the June 20th Replay.
Award-winning author, speaker, and life coach, Tina Yeager hosts the Flourish-Meant podcast devotional. She has been licensed as a counselor since 2005. Look for her books, Upcycled: Crafted for a Purpose and Beautiful Warrior: Finding Victory Over the Lies Formed Against You. Get your free downloadable Upcycled inspirational flip book template at upcycledbook.com. For life coaching services or to book her as an event speaker, visit tinayeager.com.
Platform vs Community: Do Writers Really Need Them? With Becky Antkowiak
Writer and speaker Becky Antkowiak joins us to talk about the importance of community for writers. Though platform is necessary for marketing purposes, Becky encourages us to remember that we’re here to share God’s message to the one person who needs it most. She compares our need for community to Jesus’ need for community—He surrounded Himself with those who had talents needed for His ministry. Our focus should be on eternity, and our trust should be in God’s perfect timing.
Watch the June 27th replay.
Becky Antkowiak (ant-KO-vee-ack) is a writer, speaker, editor, Compassion International advocate, enthusiastic Grammar Floozy, and is the Chief Encouragement Officer of 540 Writers Community. A lifelong serial extrovert, Becky believes strangers are friends she hasn’t met. Fair warning: make eye contact only if you want a friend for life.
Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on Zoom. The permanent Zoom room link is: http://zoom.us/j/4074198133
Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Brandy Brow, is the show where we talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!
“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”
Featuring…
Effective Platform Building for Novelists
Janyre Tromp, a developmental and acquisitions editor for Kregel Publications by day and a bestselling historical novelist by night, joins us to share key ways for novelists to build an effective platform. If you’re overwhelmed by all the platform-building advice swirling around the internet, then you’re going to appreciate Janyre’s advice on the best places to spend your time and money.
Watch the December 6th replay.
Janyre Tromp. has worked in the CBA industry for almost 25 years, spending time in both marketing and editorial. Currently she is a developmental and acquisitions editor for Kregel Publications by day. At night she is a bestselling historical novelist who loves spinning tales that, at their core, hunt for beauty, even when it isn’t pretty. Her books have been described as lyrical suspense and are available wherever books are sold. You can find her on all social media platforms as @janyretromp and her website, www.JanyreTromp.com (where you can download a FREE copy of her novella Wide Open).
Writers Chat Christmas Party
Join our community as we celebrate the holidays with a Christmas Carol game, recipes, poems and songs, writerly inspiration, and sharing. We are grateful for everyone who accompanies us on this crazy journey where God uses our creative talents to write for His glory.
Watch the December 13th replay.
Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on Zoom. The permanent Zoom room link is: http://zoom.us/j/4074198133
Websites are part and parcel of the modern professional lifestyle. This is especially true for anyone working on their own, whether they’re a contractor, an entrepreneur …or an author.
An author website gives you an online presence for your professional pursuits. It also serves as a central location for your online activity.
The question is, do you need a website before you even get published? The short answer is yes. Here are a few of the reasons why.
A Website Sets the Tone
First and foremost, a website gives you direction, entrepreneurially speaking. Remember, just because you can write doesn’t mean you’ll automatically become a published author. You also need to spend time honing the business side of the operation — and that starts with a solid website.
An author website gives you a chance to set the tone for who you are to the rest of the reading world. It provides purpose and gives your personal brand a clear identity.
With that in mind, don’t just cobble together anything and let it sit up on the web unattended to. Make sure that your website is a strong representation of who you are. Let it serve as ground zero for your online identity.
This is why it’s often recommended that you self-host your website. While you don’t need to pour endless funds into creating an online masterpiece, owning your content is an integral part of maintaining full influence and control over your online persona.
That said, if you can’t afford to self-host for now, you can always start with a free service. Just make plans to migrate to your own site as soon as you can afford it.
A Website is Functional
Along with defining your personal brand, a website is also an extremely functional piece of your authorial collateral. It can help with numerous logistical elements on the business side of the equation.
Remember, your author website is, in effect, a website for your personal business. Since it’s your business website, you want to be sure that you make it the right way.
The good news is that, at least at first, you primarily need your site for information. In other words, you aren’t running a complex e-commerce store. Instead, make sure to include other critical pieces of information, like an “About Me” page, a “Contact Me” page, and a blog.
A good, serviceable website can help you look more professional. It can also be a great way to attract the eye of an agent or impress a publisher down the road.
A Website is Marketing
A website can also be a great way to market yourself. This applies to everything from your site’s URL to your blog and email lists.
For instance, you can use a blog to attract the attention of the kind of readers that you’re writing for. If the idea of coming up with even more content for a blog sounds overwhelming, don’t get discouraged. You can add to a blog occasionally with short update posts and can even manage your blog from your phone using apps like Evernote and Grammarly.
Other elements, like an email list, run themselves. All you have to do is set up a sign-up form on your home page and let the emails come rolling in. The best part is that many email providers allow small entrepreneurs to have free email lists until they reach a certain threshold. This means you can accumulate emails from followers and you won’t have to pay until you actually have some momentum.
Setting the Stage for Future Success
At the end of the day, creating an author website after you’ve achieved success is akin to putting the cart before the horse. It isn’t going to help you get anywhere.
Instead, take the time to create a modest (i.e. not too expensive or large-scale) website that can serve as your base of operations as you launch your authoring career.
So, take some time to consider your options. Will you go for a self-hosting site right off the bat or will you start with something free? How will you make sure your site is accessible to the people who need to access it? What will your voice, tone, color scheme, and overall personal brand look like?
Once you’ve answered these questions, get to work on your site in the name of a successful, published future.
Amanda Winstead is a writer from the Portland area with a background in communications and a passion for dynamic content. Along with writing she enjoys traveling, reading, working out, and going to concerts. If you want to follow her writing journey, or even just say hi you can find her on Twitter.
Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Brandy Brow, is the show where we talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!
“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”
Featuring…
How I Started Building a Rejection Proof Platform with Thomas Umstattd, Jr.
Do you struggle with building a platform and what that means? Well then this episode is for you. Thomas Umstattd, Jr. joins us today to share his expertise on this difficult, sometimes daunting task. Many writers think, I’m a writer or an author, I’m not a marketing person. However, we need to be both at times. Thomas asks an important question early on. Why do you write? He encourages us to dig deep, past the basic answers, to reach the real reason you write. And tells us, “Authorship is leadership,” as well as many tips and ideas that will keep you thinking for a while. Whether you struggle with building platform or you have numbers that make you happy, check out the replay of this episode.
Watch the September 21st replay.
Thomas Umstattd, Jris an award-winning speaker, who teaches creative people all over the world how to build their platforms, sell more books, and change the world with writing worth talking about. As a podcaster, he hosts the Novel Marketing Podcast, and Christian Publishing Show. He currently serves as the CEO of Author Media.
Understanding Deep POV with Eva Marie Everson
Bestselling author Eva Marie Everson shares how to write, as she says, “in such a way that the reader feels that: (nonfiction): you are talking directly to them; (fiction): they have become a part of the story. They are the characters. During her presentation, Eva Marie shared an example of how she changed “Some people walked into a room” (telling) into a scene (showing)–which was absolutely phenomenal! Then we took a ten-minute break to write our own scenes. A couple of these are shared and Eva Marie provided feedback.
Watch the September 28th replay.
Eva Marie Everson is the multiple award-winning, bestselling author of both fiction and nonfiction. She is the president of Word Weavers International, the director of Florida Christian Writers Conference, the managing editor of Firefly Southern Fiction, and the contest director for Blue Ridge Mountains CWC (the Selah Awards/The Foundations). Eva Marie and her husband make their home in Central Florida where they enjoy their children and grandchildren. They are owned by one sassy cat. You can contact Eva Marie on social media or at evamarieeversonauthor.com.
Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on Zoom. The permanent Zoom room link is: zoom.4074198133
One of the biggest fears of mine and a lot of people with disabilities is that our voices no longer matter in society, almost like we have become irrelevant to the world. This goes beyond depression and inabilities. Sometimes disabled persons struggle to find their purpose within the larger community.
Recently, I discussed with a fellow writer with health issues about how our struggles can either silence us or make us stronger. The truth is, disabilities can give us another perspective on life—one that matters now more than ever! Our lives are forever changed, I like to think we haven’t lost anything but, gained more insight into life.
Perspective.
Empathy, not sympathy.
More to say.
A new audience/community.
When I had my accident I became part of a new community, the brain injury community. Each year an estimated 1.5 million Americans sustain a TBI.1 One in four Americans lives with a disability, 61 million adults in America who want to believe they still matter.2 Each year I add more friends within the brain injury community.
My circle of influence has grown thanks to my disability, it hasn’t become less important —quite the opposite. This serves two purposes. It allows me to learn from others and allows me to share with others what I have learned. In the writing world, we could call this my platform.
Platform!
Over the years the definition of platform has changed. In the beginning, it was all about the social media numbers, but social media can be manipulated. Nowadays it encompasses who you are, who you know, and who cares about what you have to say.
Your platform is your visibility as an author and/or speaker. It can be used to sell your products, book speaking jobs, and share what you have to say.
Altogether, these factors work together to get your message out. It’s easy to understand the importance of having a platform as a writer or speaker, disabled or not. The following are a few building blocks to help writers build their platform:
1. A website and/or blog with a large readership.
2. An e-newsletter and/or mailing list with a large number of subscribers/recipients.
3. Article/column writing (or correspondent involvement) for the media—preferably for larger outlets and outlets within the writer’s specialty.
4. Guest contributions to successful websites, blogs, and periodicals.
5. A track record of strong past book sales.
6. Individuals of influence that you know—personal contacts (organizational, media, celebrity, relatives) who can help you market at no cost to yourself, whether through blurbs, promotion, or other means.
7. Public speaking appearances—the bigger, the better.
8. An impressive social media presence (Twitter, Facebook, and the like).
9. Membership in organizations that support the successes of their own.
10. Recurring media appearances and interviews—in print, on the radio, on TV, or online.3
Having a brain injury not only gives me more to say in a different way, but it also gives me a new audience to share it with: people who understand me. All writers write to communicate with others. It is human nature to connect with others, even with those we do not know. Each of us has a message or story to share.
Your Story!
When I first began writing, one of my writing mentors always asked a question, “What’s your story?” Author Jerry B Jenkins teaches writers how to share their stories with their voices. Regardless of who you are, as a writer, you have a story and a voice.
It always reminds me of the saying in the brain injury community, “Every brain injury is different.” Although each is different, each has a specific purpose and audience. Each writer writes for a different reason and purpose, such as:
Inform.
Persuade.
Goodwill.
Regardless of why we write or who we are trying to connect with, we can each do it through our platform.
Martin Johnson survived a severe car accident with a (T.B.I.) Traumatic brain injury which left him legally blind and partially paralyzed on the left side. He is an award-winning Christian screenwriter who has recently finished his first Christian nonfiction book. Martin has spent the last nine years volunteering as an ambassador and promoter for Promise Keepers ministries. While speaking to local men’s ministries he shares his testimony. He explains The Jesus Paradigm and how following Jesus changes what matters most in our lives. Martin lives in a Georgia and connects with readers at MartinThomasJonhson.com and on Twitter at mtjohnson51.
There’s a reason that one day you sat down at an empty screen or in front of a blank sheet of paper, and started writing. Maybe you had a character’s story burning inside you and just had to write it down, or maybe you wanted to express your own story.
But for whatever reason, that one day when you sat down to write, you started an incredible journey. You had something to say, and you wrote it down.
Great branding is a huge part of platform, and for today’s writers, platform can make or break your writing journey.
You’re here because you love writing. You have something to say. Now it’s time to determine what exactly it is you want to say, and how you want to say it.
As a writer in 2021, you have multiple avenues for communicating via writing, and choosing the best one for you can help take your writing from your desk to hundreds, thousands, and even millions of readers.
So, what do you want to say?
When determining this, think big picture. If you write young adult books, there’s likely a theme you want to communicate. For example, let’s say your work-in-progress is about a teenage girl growing up during the California gold rush and the bravery she must learn traveling west with her family. You likely want to communicate the theme of bravery, resilience, teamwork, etc., to your readers.
Now, other than your book itself, how do you want to communicate these themes?
You may want to consider creating a Tik Tok account and using those short videos to continue communicating these characteristics. Maybe you love the outdoors and your Tik Tok is full of videos of your summer hikes and camping adventures. Perhaps revamp your Instagram and post photos of your camping trips with captions talking about these topics.
If you write adult Romance, the themes you communicate will likely be love and other similar topics such as sacrifice, service, loyalty, etc. You may want to continue communicating these themes through inspirational quotes posted on Twitter or paired with a graphic and posted to Instagram. You could refocus your Tik Tok or YouTube channel by creating video content that reinforces this theme.
Being a writer today doesn’t just mean sitting down at the keyboard and writing books. That’s a big part of it, but writing and communicating stretches to social media and public stages.
As you continue to pinpoint exactly what your brand is and grow your platform, focus on why exactly you are passionate about writing the genres and characters you write. Use these insights to help establish your online presence with clarity. Then post regular, quality content, and enjoy the process.
Building your platform is often a slow and steady grind, but the resulting ability to communicate your passions to your audience is worth it.
Best wishes out there!
Sarah Rexford is a Marketing Content Creator and writer. She helps authors build their platform through branding and copywriting. With a BA in Strategic Communications, Sarah equips writers to learn how to communicate their message through personal branding. She writes fiction and nonfiction and offers writers behind-the-scenes tips on the publishing industry through her blog itssarahrexford.com. She is represented by the C.Y.L.E Young Agency.
Guest post writing is one of the best tools you can use to create a good reputation and help people find out about your business. You reach out to different sectors of your target audience and get great results. Quite simple, isn’t it?
However, many people ask “How to write a blog post that will drive people to action?”
While there are a lot of “how to” articles, here you will find 5 essential tips that will level up your game. Some of them might seem easy, but are you actually using them in your writing? Think critically, and if the answer is “No”, I’m not sure“, etc., then try these techniques out as soon as possible.
1: Have Your Own Unique Style But Be Ready to Adapt a Little
If you want to be recognized as a blogger, you need a style. It may develop as you write. To find out if you have one, ask for feedback. Let your family, friends, coworkers, or a test group of readers provide honest, constructive comments.
You can also create a poll asking your followers about your writing style and whether there are any recommendations.
And finally, it’s crucial to get inspired in order to develop your unique tone of writing. Reading favorite bloggers will motivate you to create a combination of special features of your own. This doesn’t mean you should copy a fully-developed style of a person that’s been working hard on it.
You just read, interpret, combine, and create your own unique “language” if you will.
However, be ready to adapt it a little bit for some websites. You see, many webmasters are concerned about a single style of writing on their blog. So, if you know you’re working with such a person, do it as a beautiful gesture of respect (and to be actually published).
2: Know How to Find Proper Platforms for Writing Blogs
You may have the best guest post writing skills, but if the platforms you choose aren’t fit for the purpose, it’s a losing game (like in that sad song).
Here are some recommendations on finding a perfect match:
Use Google. First of all, using Google to find blogs that accept writing contributions is an incredible hack. Type keywords like “guest post by”, “contribute to my blog”, etc. While there will be many articles about writing if you type “guest post writing”, focusing on phrases that would be on the needed platforms will provide a better result.
Only collaborate with relevant blogs. Only look for blogs that share a topic with yours or that have a focus niche somewhere near yours. The exceptions are news platforms and general blogs where you can post about anything. There, you’ll find potentially interested people. But on sources close by spirit to yours, there will be a curious audience passionate about the topic.
Become an inspector. Don’t just believe claims some blogs make. Analyze them, see what people write about them, where they are in the ratings, etc. Only after that, consider communicating with the owner.
Be a good talker. Considering you write guest posts, this shouldn’t be a problem. Talk to the owner, offer your posts, and then maybe you’ll find a chance to offer your terms as well.
3: Browse Useful Content
The sheer amount of amazing professional recommendations online is staggering. But not all of it is suitable for you. A lot depends on the topic. If you’re writing business content, the recommendations as to the style, tone, vocabulary, etc. will differ from a florist writer.
The purpose of your article writing also changes the need for tips. If you want to build backlinks, you need more tricks on how to incorporate them naturally. In case your goal is to get more exposure, you’ll have to learn how to make your brand an eye-candy first.
Nevertheless, it’s useful to browse general content editing tips by professionals to avoid common mistakes. Because both business and flower arrangement writers may encounter similar mishaps.
Over time, you’ll see many lists of the same common issues and solutions, which means you’ve learned enough and are ready to proceed to more difficult topics. These may be:
New SEO strategies
Link building
Profile improvement
Storytelling
Portfolio creation, etc.
4: Collaborate with Professional Services
In the first couple of months, it might be tough to constantly improve and learn. Here are some things you may have problems with:
One of the most difficult things for many beginner writers is including links naturally, for instance. There’s a guest posting service where you can read more about building links and get help when things get too tough.
If you have issues with material uniqueness, adopt anti-plagiarism tools that will test your articles in minutes. You can also turn to professional bloggers that rank TOP on Google and read their tips.
If the lack of ideas is your main obstacle, use creative tips and tricks from professional writers.
And in case grammar isn’t your best feature, there are Grammarly and similar services.
If many blog owners say your posts are too difficult to read, maybe there are readability issues. Hemingway will become handy in such situations.
There’s a service for every stone you stumble upon. But let us give you one general tip. Read a lot on the topics you write about. Don’t copy articles or their ideas. Instead, read them fully and keep the most important recommendations or examples in your head. A couple of months of such information feeding, and you’ll become:
A better writer in terms of uniqueness and grammar
A more creative writer with lots of ideas
A more logical writer with an example and proof for every argument
5: Practice Makes Perfect, and It’s True
We’ve all heard it at school, and many of us were so irritated by this saying. But it works.
Here’s an idea. Find your first piece for guest posting and compare it to the ones you create now. It’s the result of constant practice. If it’s not constant or you don’t see a lot of improvement, then practice!
Think about the topics you are passionate about and write about them. Look for ideas, read relevant information, implement tips from the useful services we’ve mentioned earlier. And be consistent with it!
A Wrap-Up
Never stop learning and implementing these recommendations. Even if you consider yourself the best professional who doesn’t need an example or tips, don’t underestimate theory and practice.
You may know everything about writing blogs, but are you sure you remember all the information? Maybe it’s time to freshen it up a little?
Just try to do it once, and you’ll get on a new level, the one you never knew existed. Improve and adapt your writing style, learn how to look for better platforms this year (each year has its updates). Don’t hesitate to ask for help when necessary, there are so many amazing services for guest blogging, editing, etc.
Seek advice, don’t be too arrogant. There are people who evolve in a different way; maybe they have something you’re missing from your strategy. And finally, keep practicing and incorporating new engaging elements in your blog posts.
Nancy P. Howard has been working as a journalist at the online magazine in London for a year. She is also a professional writer in such topics as blogging, IT and marketing.
Have you lever listened to Simon Sinek’s TEDx Talk, Start With Why? If not, I’d highly recommend you do. Sinek explains the importance of understanding why you’re doing what you’re doing. And when it comes to platform building, your WHY is just as important.
I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again: If you’re writing for the sake of great success and fame, I’d highly recommend that you pursue it through something other than writing. That said, from my interactions with writers, most of us write for love of writing. Assuming that’s the case with you, let’s continue.
Author platform is hugely important for writers today. It can also be hugely frustrating. You may be feeling like you’re trying to sell something that doesn’t even have a contract yet. Here’s the secret: Don’t build a platform to sell a book.
What?
Just as it’s important to think reader-first when writing, it’s essential to think reader-first when building your platform. People don’t like getting sold to. It strips individuals of their humanity and reduces them to a conduit for a cash flow that has nothing to do with them. So how do you build a platform? Share what’s important to you. Share your passion, specifically, the passion that has something to offer your reader—your book.
If you write nonfiction, sharing your book could look like sharing bullet points on social media that will directly help your reader’s pain point, whatever that is (baking, self-help, wellness, etc.). Maybe it’s creating a shortened work book eBook that readers get for free when subscribing to your email list. Maybe it’s a short video series of you talking through each chapter (I’d probably save this until the book is out).
If you write fiction, sharing your book could look like offering giveaways if readers subscribe to your email list or follow your other social media platforms. It could be going live on Instagram and talking about your process for writing your book, and giving away a free copy for whoever asks the most interesting question at the end.
In all of these instances, you’re giving readers free content, streamlined for their interests and needs, while engaging them as individuals and as a bonus, building your platform.
At the heart of writing is storytelling, not sales. If you want to make sales, there are many, many jobs out there that will help you succeed much faster. But if you want to bring helpful content to individuals, share your passion, and influence people for the better, an author platform is a great place to start.
Set aside the idea that building a platform is about self-promotion and making sales, and instead think reader first. You’ll be off to a great start. Just as your book isn’t about you but rather about your readers, so is your platform. Best wishes out there!
Sarah Rexford is a Marketing Content Creator and writer. She helps authors build their platform through branding and copywriting. With a BA in Strategic Communications, Sarah equips writers to learn how to communicate their message through personal branding. She writes fiction and nonfiction and offers writers behind-the-scenes tips on the publishing industry through her blog itssarahrexford.com. She is represented by the C.Y.L.E Young Agency.
Taking the focus off of ourselves and placing it on our audience changes everything. Everything. That’s exactly what a Facebook Live program does. You already focus on others as you serve in your community, church, and at work. Take that same caring spirit and passion to serve online with Facebook Live, and watch your audience grow!
Since I’ve hosted over 500 60-minute Facebook Live programs, I’m often asked a broad range of questions about it. Here are three regarding the schedule and length of a live program:
#1: Can I hop on a Facebook Live whenever I feel like it?
#2: What’s the ideal length for a Facebook Live?
#3: I don’t have a Facebook page yet, so can I go live on my profile?
#1: Can I Hop On A Facebook Live Whenever I Feel Like It?
Uh, nooooo. Well, technically you can, but you’d miss the main reason for using Facebook Live: your audience. Without knowing when you’ll be live, viewers can’t add your program to their schedule, and without them, you’re simply a talking head, speaking into an empty space. Ugh!
Choose a specific day and time for your program. This allows more viewers to join because they’ll know when you’ll be on. Dependability is a hallmark of a professional.
Some think, “I’ll just hop on for a few minutes, say what I want to say, and get off,” but your audience needs time to 1) remember your program is coming up, 2) disengage from whatever project they’re working on, 3) pour their favorite beverage, and 4) get their notepad (assuming your previous programs offered worthwhile content).
If your program only lasts a few minutes, you’ll be offline before they’ve gotten themselves together. A few go rounds like that and they won’t be back.
Choose a day and time and commit to it, just as you would any other “can’t miss this!” appointment.
Most people go live once a week. Less often and people tend to forget you, which means you’ll have to attract a brand-new audience over and over, instead of building a program with regular viewers, plus occasional new faces that stumble upon you, like what they hear, and come back for more.
#2: What’s The Ideal Length For A Facebook Live?
I suggest a minimum of 15 minutes, though 30 is better. Thirty minutes gives your audience time to join you before you deliver the heart of your message. That allows them to participate in the conversation. (You know that Facebook Live is a two-way conversation between your viewers and you, right? That’s why people love it so.)
Thirty minutes also gives Facebook’s algorithm time to notify those chosen few viewers mentioned above. Plus, it allows you to dig into a single point without rushing. Cramming 30 minutes of content into 15 minutes is no fun for you or your audience.
Facebook loves organic video (video recorded live on Facebook). They give it “artificial reach,” meaning that they notify a small, random percentage of your followers each time you go live, so those followers can join you quickly. It’s only a small percentage, and you have no control over who’s notified. Still, it’s a nice perk. And it’s only available if your program lasts long enough for it to kick in.
#3: I Don’t Have A Facebook Page Yet, So Can I Go Live On My Profile?
It seems like a no-brainer to present your Facebook live program on your Facebook profile. After all, that’s where all your friends are. But I caution against it, for two reasons.
One, while your family and friends support you, it’s highly unlikely that they’re in your God-given target market. So you won’t attract the audience that needs your book, and vice-versa.
Two, sooner or later you’ll want to invite viewers to purchase your book, pay for your online speaking event, or something else. But that’s not allowed on profiles, according to Facebook’s Terms of Service.
You’re better off to start where you can grow long-term, which, on Facebook, is your page.
Everyone I’ve known who’s gone “live” has been surprised how much they enjoy it. Yes, there’s tech to learn, but once you’ve learned it, it becomes automatic. Yes, there’s content to create, but haven’t you been longing for a group who’s hungry for your message?
The most delightful surprise? The people on the other side of the camera. They’re the ones you’ve been trying so hard to reach, and there they are, eager to improve their lives…and you can tell them how. There’s nothing like that feeling, is there?
And it’s free for everyone! Unbelievable!
Patricia Durgin is an Online Marketing Coach and Facebook Live Expert. She trains Christian writers and speakers exclusively, helping them develop their messaging, marketing funnels, conversational emails, and Facebook Live programs. Patricia hosted 505 (60-minute) Facebook Live programs from 2018-2020. That program is on indefinite hiatus. She’s also a regular faculty member at Christian writers and speakers conferences around the country.
Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Brandy Brow, is the show where we talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!
“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”
What It Takes to Win a Literary Agent’s “Yes!”
Cynthia Ruchti joins Writers Chat to share her perspective on the different aspects of the agent-author relationship. The foundation of her advice to writers is based on Galatians 5:22-23 which lists the “fruit of the Spirit.” Whether you’re a novice or a pro, this episode is sure to encourage and inspire in the writing journey God has placed you on.
Watch the March 16th replay.
Cynthia Ruchti tells stories-hemmed-in-hope through novels, nonfiction, devotionals, and speaking events for women, drawing on 33 years of experience writing and producing a scripted radio broadcast. Her more than 30 books have garnered retailer, reviewer, and reader awards. She serves as the professional relations liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers and is a literary agent with Books & Such Literary Management. She and her plot-tweaking husband live in the heart of Wisconsin, not far from their three children and six grandchildren. Her tagline is, “I can’t unravel. I’m hemmed in hope.”
5 Ways to Live Me-Free in This Measure-Up Influencer World
Shannon Popkins joins us today on Writers Chat to present five ways we can elevate Jesus instead of ourselves while we build social media platforms and market our books.
In this inspirational presentation, Shannon uses measuring cups and Scripture as she encourages us to be “measured by the spout” instead of by the line.
Watch the March 23rd replay.
Shannon Popkins is a writer, speaker, and Bible teacher who loves toblend her gifts for storytelling and humor with her passion for Jesus. She regularly speaks at Christian women’s events and retreats, inviting women to live like God’s Word is true.
Shannon is the author of Comparison Girl: Lessons from Jesus on Me-Free Living in a Measure-Up World, Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control from Seven Women in the Bible, and co-author of Influence (Building a Platform That Elevates Jesus
(Not Me). She’s been featured on FamilyLife Today, Revive Our Hearts, and Proverbs 31.
Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on Zoom. The permanent Zoom room link is: http://zoom.us/j/4074198133
When it comes to building a platform, numbers fly around conversations like flies on leftovers. Some may say you need 50k followers on a single social media outlet to have a platform, others may say platform isn’t as important for fiction as it is for nonfiction. Others may say 30k on one platform is sufficient.
For a moment, set aside those numbers and listen to one freeing reality: Where you want to be is not where you need to be right now.
Yes, you need a platform, but if you write fiction crime novels your platform in this moment does not need to consist of fiction crime novel readers.
In some capacity, everyone is more talented in one area than another. When you’re looking to build your platform, start with where you are, not where you want to be.
Let’s say you are a stay-at-home mom and love cooking healthy dishes. Recently you’ve taken to learning the craft of writing—you’re working on your first romantic fiction and trying to build a platform.
You might think you need to start a blog on your romantic fiction, but I would urge you to think again. Instead, start using Pinterest to share your favorite recipes, or start a blog with a similar focus. As you naturally build a following around this passion, you’ll gain loyal fans.
How does that translate into a following for your book?
During the time it took you to write your manuscript and land your first contract, you’ve shared quality content on a regular basis for your followers. You’ve shared the best recipes you have and other than the usual requests of subscribing, sharing, and liking, you’ve never asked for a thing from your followers. You’ve provided free, quality content again and again.
They know all this time you’ve loyally provided what you said you would, and they’ve benefited. You’ve built a loyal following. At this point, they most likely won’t mind if you mention you’ve written a book and just signed your first contract. In fact, they’ll likely want to know!
And as an added bonus, maybe one of your characters loves cooking and you can mention he or she uses your most popular recipe as a second-date dinner in your romance novel. Now they’re really intrigued!
Whatever your current passion or talent, focus on building your following there. Once you have a loyal fan base and your book is about to be published, let them know. You’ll probably be surprised how many fans of your cooking blog turn into fans of your book.
With this type of platform, you don’t need to overmarket yourself or spam your followers with promotional material. They’re loyal to you, and if you have a new passion, they’ll likely want to support it as well.
Best wishes out there!
Sarah Rexford is a Marketing Content Creator and writer. She helps authors build their platform through branding and copywriting. With a BA in Strategic Communications, Sarah equips writers to learn how to communicate their message through personal branding. She writes fiction and nonfiction and offers writers behind-the-scenes tips on the publishing industry through her blog itssarahrexford.com. She is represented by the C.Y.L.E Young Agency.
The new year. A great time to try something you haven’t done before. How about writing articles?
Many people think there is no other option for writers except writing books. And, they think books are the quickest way to garner fame and fortune. Many of those writers have never considered writing articles, which have so many benefits to your writing.
1. Articles get your name out there. Because you can write many articles in a short amount of time, you are able to reach many audiences at one time. As readers see your name repeatedly, you become recognized as an authority on your subject.
2. Articles keep small paychecks coming. Even though small, the amounts you are paid for your article writing add up to a nicer amount.
3. Articles are a good way to publicize your book. When you write an article that is even somewhat related to the subject of your book you increase your notoriety as someone who is knowledgeable on the subject. When you write your bio you can mention that you are the author of a certain book, which will pique the interest of readers on your subject.
4. Articles give you many opportunities for subjects to write about. For instance, if you write nonfiction, you could write article on closely related subjects.
If you write about the care of dogs, for example, you could write not only write your care article but you could write an article on the different breeds, what breeds are best with children/older people, therapy dogs, etc. In your research you probably come across all of these subjects as you learn about the care of dogs.
If you write fiction, consider your theme. If your book is about trust, you could write numerous articles from numerous angles on trust. If your heroine has a sister who has suffered from depression, write an article on how to recognize depression in others, what the best treatments and therapies are, etc. Perhaps your heroine’s baby was kidnapped from a school classroom, you could write about kidnapping and how to make sure your children are safe at school. Or if your child was bullied, how your child should react to bullying when he or she is away from home.
All these will point back to the book you are marketing and help build your platform.
LindaGilden is an award-winning writer, speaker, editor, certified writing and speaking coach, and personality consultant. Linda is the author of many books and over 1000 magazine articles. Linda is a regular columnist for writing and family websites. She and her husband live on a farm near their family. Her favorite activity is floating in a pool surrounded by six of the cutest, splashing grandchildren in the world—a great source of writing material! www.lindagilden.com
New authors often call me. They want my help to build their platform in time for their book’s release the following month. I ask, “What have you been doing to serve your audience this past year?”
They reply, “Nothing. I’ve been writing my book.”
Me: “Who do you expect to buy your book?”
Them: “My family and friends.”
Me: “Eventually, those people will be saturated with your message. Once thathappens, who will buy your book?”
Them: “Hmm…I never thought about that.”
The hard truth is that no one can build a platform in a month, especially not from scratch. And what does that phrase even mean, really?
What is an “Author Platform”?
Your author platform is your ability to sell books to people you’ve never met. Celebrities, politicians, and megachurch pastors do this effortlessly because they developed a loyal following long before they became an author.
How can you get that same result? Reaching people beyond your family and friends comes first.
Offering your message for free via a Facebook Live program comes second. As you serve your audience with excellence, more audience members—who don’t yet know you—will be drawn to you, growing your audience base. Staying in touch with them comes third.
What does it take to start?
You don’t need any followers in the beginning, because you earn them as you help them. You will need a computer, camera, and microphone. Plus the message you’ve been sharing for years, formally or informally. That’s it!
As you “go live,” the Holy Spirit will draw the very people who need your message.
They’ll return. Some will bring their friends. And your platform will grow deeper. When you serve your audience well, it builds naturally. And supernaturally.
What if I need to polish my message a bit more?
Even if you’ve been delivering your message for decades, hosting a Facebook Live program will refine it. How? Your audience will ask follow-up questions during the program, bringing up points you haven’t considered before. Two-way conversations with a live audience are so much better than writing to unseen readers who don’t respond!
The flexible, back-and-forth flow of a Facebook Live allows the conversation to take unexpected and delightful turns, making your message richer, fuller, and more effective.
Don’t I have to be an expert to host a Facebook Live program?
Even if you don’t start out as an expert, you’ll become one, and be recognized as such. This will open doors you never dreamt of, expanding your audience reach even further and creating opportunities for new personal and professional relationships.
Many Christian communicators balk at “going live,” preferring to write blog posts and share memes instead. And those are good ways to get your message out.
But if you want to develop solid relationships with your audience so they’ll become loyal followers, advocates, and buyers for years, Facebook Live is the faster choice. Though, like any worthwhile project, it doesn’t happen overnight.
When should you begin?
No matter when your next book will be published, I encourage you to begin building your audience base now. Intentionally reach beyond your family and friends.
Some writers worry they’ll give away everything they know, then their audience won’t want their book. On the contrary, sharing your best in 15-30 minute segments via Facebook Live showcases your message, making your audience hungry for more.
First one viewer, then another, then still others will recognize not only the value of your message but they’ll get to know YOU: your personality, your laughter, and your wisdom. You’ll be in relationship with them. These are the people who will be first in line when your book is released. They’ll become your advocates, encouraging their friends to purchase everything you create, helping your platform grow without any extra effort from you. And all because of the connection created as you serve them.
Will 2021 be your year to build a strong author platform using a Facebook Live program?
Patricia Durgin is an Online Marketing Coach and Facebook Live Expert. She trains Christian writers and speakers exclusively, helping them develop their messaging, marketing funnels, conversational emails, and Facebook Live programs. Patricia hosted 505 (60-minute) Facebook Live programs from 2018-2020. That program is on indefinite hiatus. She’s also a regular faculty member at Christian writers and speakers conferences around the country.
When it comes to marketing, most of us can use all the help we can get. Savvy authors know that working together benefits everyone. So it’s a good practice to help other writers whenever possible. That way, when you need a boost you can ask for support without feeling selfish.
And besides, when we support other authors, we’re helping them spread their message to the world.
Why not start this year spreading kindness and support to other authors? Here are a few quick and easy ideas that won’t cost you a cent.
Ten simple things you can do to help other authors
Social Media
Aid their platform by following them on social media. Like their Facebook author page, follow their Instagram or Twitter feeds, etc.
Interact with other authors on social media. Comment, like, and respond to questions and surveys.
Share their giveaways and special news. Your friends like free books, too, so share or retweet author giveaways on your accounts.
Create a meme featuring a favorite quote from a book and post it on your social media. Make sure you include your fellow author’s name and the book you took the quote from. That way, others who like the quote can look into the book.
Goodreads
Whenever you take an action on Goodreads, all your friends and followers get a notice. This means every book you review or add to your Want to Read shelf shows up in the feed of your friends, too. We can use this feature intentionally to promote our own books, and the books of others. NOTE: Check your feed settings to make sure your actions are being shared. Go to Account Settings and find the Feeds tab. Make sure the checkboxes are checked in order for your actions to be shared with friends.
Add the books of fellow authors to your Want to Read shelf. (Even if you never get around to reading them, you’ve helped those authors by showing your friend the book is worth reading.)
Look at reviews posted for another author’s books. Find one that is both positive and informative and Like it or or comment on it. Doing this will spread that positive review to your friends.
Other actions
Download free e-books. When a fellow author runs a special, download their e-book even if you never plan on reading it. By downloading the book you help their sales numbers. If it’s free, you’re not “wasting” money. And who knows, you might try it and find you like it after all. (This does not apply to Kindle Unlimited books, where Amazon credits authors by number of pages read.)
Leave positive reviews. When you read a book by a fellow author, make the effort to leave reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, B&N, or anywhere else you buy or discover books.
Mention a fellow author’s book in your blog or author newsletter. If you read a book your audience might like, share that recommendation with them. It serves your audience and supports a fellow writer at the same time.
And a few Don’ts
Don’t post a review on a site you never use. Potential buyers are suspicious of a review when it’s the only item a reviewer has posted.
Don’t post a glowing review that’s full of generic praise but doesn’t say anything helpful about the book. Give potential buyers specific reasons why you liked the book.
Don’t post reviews that mislead potential buyers. You won’t help the author by attracting the wrong target audience, so be clear about what kind of book it is and who might enjoy it.
We’re all on the same team here. When we support other authors, we’re helping them spread their version of God’s message to the world.
Do you have other simple ways to support other writers? I’d love to hear about them.
Lisa E. Betz worked as an engineer, substitute teacher, and play director before becoming an award-winning mystery writer. She brings her analytical mind, quirky humor, and positive outlook to all she writes. She draws inspiration from thirty-five years of leading Bible studies to create entertaining mysteries set in the world of the early church, and then she fills that world with eccentric characters, independent females, and an occasional sausage-snatching cat. Her first novel, Death and a Crocodile, releases February 9.
Personal brand is a big factor for writers today. Do you have one? If so, what is it? And how do you, through your brand, portray yourself to the world? These are some questions to ask if you’re newer to this thing called writing or simply focusing on your platform for the first time.
First things first: Do you have a brand?
I put brand into two categories, active brand and passive brand. Passive brand is the brand you don’t think about. It’s what you wear to buy groceries, the posts you share without considering your writing platform, the people you follow because you just like seeing their posts. Active brand is much different. It’s what you choose to wear to the writers conference, it’s the blog you work on for a week before sharing on Twitter, it’s the people you follow on Instagram so you can work on your platform.
Whether you realize it or not, everything you say, share, do, wear (the list goes on) communicates something to your followers. When considering your brand, focus on a few key areas.
I can’t tell you what areas those should be for you, that’s up to you as the writer, but here are some bullet points to get you thinking:
Social Media — Are you always consuming or do you engage and give away good content? Neither is right or wrong, but one establishes you as more of a student in the industry while the other establishes you as an expert in your field.
Style — When people meet you for the first time, what does what you wear tell them about who you are? Are you a casual person? A professional? Again, neither is right or wrong but it is important to be aware of how you come across.
Website — Is your website about you or your reader? Are you inviting your target audience to read about the topics you enjoy, or are you bringing fresh content that will help them in whatever niche you’ve chosen to write in?
Writing — If people follow you on social media or subscribe to your site and then go read your books, they expect it to align with the rest of your brand. Ask, does my writing align with who I’m showing the world I am? (Imagine if Stephen King had a blog strictly focused on cat memes. As amazing as that would be, it would be rather confusing for the reader.)
If this feels like a lot, don’t be discouraged. Start small and grow from there. The good thing about a personal brand is it grows and changes as you do. Enjoy the journey of discovery and connecting with your readers along the way. If you’re a writer, you’re here for the long game. Personal brand is part of the process. And if you can write a book from scratch, you can definitely build your brand from what’s already started. You got this!
Sarah Rexford is a Marketing Content Creator and writer. She helps authors build their platform through branding and copywriting. With a BA in Strategic Communications, Sarah equips writers to learn how to communicate their message through personal branding. She writes fiction and nonfiction and offers writers behind-the-scenes tips on the publishing industry through her blog itssarahrexford.com. She is represented by the C.Y.L.E Young Agency.
A lead magnet is a marketing term for a free item or service that is given away to potential customers for the purpose of gathering contact details, such as their email address. Examples of lead magnets include free ebooks, webinars, and printable checklists.
How do lead magnets help you?
The purpose of lead magnets is to attract potential customers, who hopefully will become actual customers after interacting with your lead magnet. Even those of us who don’t yet have a book to sell benefit from lead magnets, because lead magnets build your email list, which enlarges your platform.
Here are some ways they can attract customers.
People like free stuff. Marketers have been exploiting this fact for years.
If your freebie is on-brand, it will attract the kind of readers who are most likely to be interested in your writing, and thus and purchase your products in the future.
They give potential customers something helpful, which A) builds trust in your brand and B) makes them more likely to return and purchase something from you.
They help you acquire potential customers for future sales by growing your email list, which is still the most effective way to convert book sales.
Before you create a lead magnet, you must consider three parts of the definition:
the What (the free item or service)
the Who (potential customers)
the Why (your purpose for gathering contact details)
Don’t put the cart before the horse
To create the best possible lead magnet, you need to consider the Why and Who before worrying about the What.
1. The Why: Consider your specific purpose
What do you want the lead magnet to accomplish? What is your end goal? Possibilities include:
Gain author newsletter subscribers
Gain blog followers
Get people to try your product/service in the hopes they’ll want more
Get people to read your free ebook, so they’ll want to read more of your books
2. The Who: Define your target audience (and their felt needs)
The more specifically you can define your target audience, the easier it will be to create a valuable lead magnet that meets one of their felt needs.
What are the target audience(s) of your author brand?
What subset of that target audience you are targeting with your lead magnet? You will need different lead magnets for different goals and audience subsets.
What are their felt needs or pain points? The more specific you are at identifying these pain points, the better your chance of creating a lead magnet they will love.
What social media platforms do they spend time on? Optimize your lead magnet for that kind of media.
3. The What: Create a freebie your target audience will love
The ideal lead magnet will:
Meet a felt need or pain point the user has
Be something the user can use immediately and easily
Be something the user can use repeatedly
Make the user feel like they’re “stealing” from you—i.e. getting a lot of value for free
Reinforce your brand.
Deliver what is promised. Don’t disappoint the user with content that doesn’t live up to the hype.
With those goals in mind, begin to brainstorm:
What helpful service or information can you offer that meets a felt need of your target audience? .
How might you package that information into a downloadable form? (Printable pdf, How-To video, ebook, free link to a training webinar, etc.)
Which kinds of media and content do you feel most comfortable creating? A quality lead magnet combines a useful idea with good design. If you’ve never created a video before, it’s probably not the best format for your lead magnet.
There are tons of websites that offer lists of ideas. Here are three to try:
Finally, don’t stress out! (And stop trying to create the perfect lead magnet.)
There’s no such thing as the perfect lead magnet, so stop stressing over whether your idea is “right”. Your goal is not to spend the next six months analyzing your target audience, coming up with eight dozen possible lead magnets ideas and then rejecting all of them.
Your goal is to make your best effort, put it out there, and see what happens. So have fun.
Award-winning writer Lisa E. Betz believes that everyone has a unique story to tell the world. She loves inspiring fellow writers to be more intentional about developing their craft and courageous in sharing their words. Lisa shares her words through speaking, leading Bible studies, writing historical mysteries, and blogging about living intentionally.
As a writer, Christian, and citizen I have made a purposeful choice to keep my social media posts social. What does that mean? Now more than ever social media has become a hotbed for debate. Debate can be good when there is mutual sharing of ideas and opinions for the purpose of learning from each other or understanding one another better. But for that goal to be accomplished, the people involved in the discussion must be willing to listen and treat others with respect. Here are some reasons why social media may not be a great forum for that.
1) If there’s an issue we are passionate about or feel the need to stand up for–social media is the least effective place to make a difference. If we’re simply trying to vent to likeminded people and get them to hop aboard our rant train, posting a passive-aggressive meme or a long-winded post will accomplish that easily. But in the process, what do we forfeit? No one has ever changed anyone’s mind about an issue by simply posting about it. The best place to have these important discussions is face-to-face. For more information about how science backs up this theory, see the links below.
2) We don’t want to alienate the very audience we hope to impact. We all have beliefs and issues that touch our very core. Our calling, as Christian writers, compels us to express those beliefs and issues with words. But we must remain mindful of the platform we choose as a vehicle for those words. One indiscriminate post, that feeds a divisive issue, may ruin our ability to reach a lost and hurting world that needs the hope the lies within us.
3) Our brand and our calling should draw people in, not divide and conquer. We find ourselves at a time in history where we are divided in every way—physically divided because of the quarantine, politically divided, spiritually divided, divided on issues of health, education etc. Although social media has become a tool for further division, we have the potential to use it as place to bring people together. With every post, meme, video, or thought, we have the ability to strengthen the weary, shine light on truth, and provide a haven for those who need rest. May God help us do this, as we seek Him for direction and purpose during these unprecedented days.
Annette Marie Griffin is a award-winning writer who speaks at local women’s group meetings and women’s retreats on the topic of biblical womanhood and finding our identity in Christ. She is the Operations and Events Coordinator at a private school for special needs students and is the editor of their quarterly newsletter. She has written custom curriculum for women’s retreats and children’s church curriculum for Gateway Church in San Antonio, Texas where she served as Children’s Ministry Director and Family Program Director for over twenty years. She and her husband John have five amazing children and two adorable grands. She’s a member of Word Weavers International, ACFW, SCBWI, and serves on the Board of Directors for The Creative Writing Institute.
In 2020, social media is a vital part of our lives. We use it to communicate, to share stories, and for entertainment. However, studies show that businesses that want to promote their brands use social media the most.
Instagram is a social and marketing platform that can help you grow your brand. In this article, you’ll find how to promote your writing on Instagram and become a successful writer.
Create An Appropriate Profile
If you want to promote your writing efficiently, you might want to improve the marketing aspect of your artistry. Start treating your work as part of your brand. So, complete your bio and profile with the following elements:
1. A good and catchy name. Since you’re trying to create a brand for yourself, you need a name that is easy to remember. Try using one of your names and pair it with a word that reflects your artistry. For example, if your name is Alexandra, your brand username can be “Alexandra’s Writing” or “Alexandra’s (adjective) Blog.” Form different word combinations and find the one that sounds best. Alternatively, you don’t need to put your name in your brand. It can be something witty, that stands out, and in the formula of “(adjective) (pertinent keyword)” such as “The Honest Blogger ” or “Unknown Author’s Commentary.”
2. A professional bio. Social media management is about helping people reach you without any difficulty. So, when you write your bio, try to keep it simple yet interesting. Start with a short description of what you write about and who you are. Whether you’re a blogger, a writer for an online assignment help service, or a novel author, specify your work. Then, add your contact info such as email, blog, and other social media accounts. Remember that, on Instagram, the only place you can post a hyperlink is in your bio. So make sure to update the link every time you post.
3. A high-quality profile picture. The profile photo should have you in it or the emblem of your blog. People like to associate a blog to a face, so don’t forget to show yourself on posts even if your profile picture is about your blog.
Create A Story Of Your Work
The key to reaching your audience is storytelling. People like to follow a story with a message and a constant flow. Think of your posts as chapters of a book. Each one talks about an episode, but they all connect to form a novel. Therefore, when you start posting, try to follow a guiding line.
For example, begin by telling your audience about how you started writing. Then talk to your followers about how you posted your first blog entry. Share knowledge and fun facts about you, all while you subtly advertise your artistry.
Don’t be too persistent with promoting your brand. For example, try adding a “new article on my blog (link in bio)” at the bottom of every post. This way, you encourage your followers to read your blog, without being pushy.
Lastly, make sure your posts are coherent, and don’t forget about the editing and proofreading of your captions.
Perfect The Aesthetic Side Of Your Brand
Instagram is an incredibly visual app. The majority of the content on the app is photos, videos, boomerangs, and stories. Therefore, you might want to create an aesthetic page that invites people to check it out. Here are the visual elements you should consider on your Instagram profile:
Post high-quality pictures. Try to use a good camera when you take photos. Having clear images on your feed is crucial because people understand that you are putting effort into your work, and you deliver top-notch content. From a marketing stance, clear photos show that your business is real and professional.
Use consistent filters. When you edit pictures, try to maintain the same look. Find the most flattering filters for you. If you are a novel writer, maybe you need a vintage filter. On the other hand, if you’re a freelance writer at college paper.org reviews, you may need a slightly blue, clear filter. Moreso, use the same filters in your stories.
Use consistent fonts. When you’re posting a story, use the same colors and fonts. This way, people will recognize your brand.
Don’t post just one type of content. You should try to post photos, pictures, and videos. Take advantage of the full range of things you can put up. For example, you can post a photo of yourself holding your book. The next day, you can post a visually pleasing image of a word definition. Experiment with Instagram tools like IGTV, boomerangs, and stories.
Engage With The People Who Support You
As mentioned before, Instagram is a social platform. So, you need to keep people engaged in your content. You can do that by communicating with them through the social tools of Instagram.
For example, stories are a quintessential way to make people engage in your writing. You can show sneak peeks of your work, and anticipate posts. This way, you encourage people to click on your “Swipe Up” link and read your blog.
Don’t forget about the tags and hashtags. Try to learn SEO tactics: use pertinent hashtags that describe your work and add keywords in your caption.
Additionally, you can make a Q&A every couple of weeks. Your followers can ask questions about you and your work. So, people get to know the author behind the artistry.
Lastly, remember that you can increase your chances to stay relevant by posting regularly.
Try Marketing Methods
The business part of your work involves marketing. You may want to employ social media management strategies to invite more followers on your page.
The first method is to collaborate with other influencers. This way, you can mutually promote yourselves and grow your following. It’s a win-win situation, and you can come up with creative ways to collaborate. For example, you can work with other types of writers: creative authors, custom papers writers, or travel bloggers. You could create a series of Instagram stories where you ask each other questions and compare your work schedules.
The second method is to collaborate with brands because, after all, Instagram is an advertising platform. You can contact businesses and sign a deal: you promote them while they pay you. Also, the company can help with exposure if they have social media.
The third method is to advertise yourself. If you’d like to grow your following, consider paying for ads. This way, Instagram shows your posts on the feeds of potential followers. This technique is not cheap, but it’s effective, especially when you just started your account.
Conclusion
If you wish to promote your work with the help of Instagram, try to treat your work as a brand. Use a catchy name and write a good description. Next, write posts that tell your story. Don’t forget to put up photos regularly and to maintain your brand’s aesthetic. Lastly, engage with followers, other writers, and businesses.
Remember that even if you’re a comic book writer, a paper service freelancer, or a journalist, the world is your oyster. So, now that you know how to promote yourself, start posting.
Kurt Walker is a skilled freelancer and editor at a professional writer service in London. He is one of the many UK essay writers specialized in essay writing and assignment help. In his spare time, Kurt plays the guitar and takes his dog Shay for a walk.
As a devotional or Christian living writer you have a burden
to share the message God has laid on your heart. Your blog, books, and articles
can help you reach your audience. So can speaking.
My Read the Hard
Parts blog started because I want to encourage women to dig into the hard
parts of Scripture, the ones we usually skip like Revelation or Ezekiel.
Although I have taught children at our church for my whole adult life I never
thought about speaking to adults until I had to give an announcement about
social media to two hundred men at our denomination’s pastors conference. After
this short announcement I got a lot of feedback about how well spoken I was. I
was surprised! Then on the drive home I felt the Holy Spirit say to me “it is
time to speak.”
Shortly after that experience, I learned what I could about
how a writer can find opportunities to speak. And now I have spoken to almost a
dozen ladies groups.
Here are some tips that worked for me for starting out as a
speaker:
Develop a couple of topics
Have about three talk topics that are related to your
writing. Since I write about the hard parts of Scripture, I started out with a
talk on Revelation, one on Proverbs, and then one on how to read and understand
the hard parts. I came up with a talk title and a short paragraph of
explanation for each topic. I did not develop all the details of the content of
my talks until I had a group request that topic in particular. I also decided
that I would be willing to create a new talk that would fit the needs of any
group that requested one on a particular topic. If I develop a new talk for a
group then I can offer that talk to others.
Start Local
Next I created a flyer with my contact information and the
topics of my talks. I visited local churches in the area and the libraries. I
was nervous every time I did one of these cold calls, but I prayed each time
that God would guide me and direct me where He wanted me to go. I also
contacted churches in my denomination and let them know I would be available to
speak at any event they may be having. I also asked to teach in my own local church
and we created a women’s Sunday School class so we could study Revelation
together.
Online Presence
In addition to handing out my flyer, I also added a speaking tab to my website
with the talk descriptions. I would also highly recommend creating a free
profile on womenspeakers.com.
There is a location based search on this site so this is especially a good way
for nearby churches and Christian groups to find a speaker who they don’t need
to fly in from out of state.
Use Video
When I started to get some requests for more information
about my speaking, I was often asked for a video clip of my speaking. At first
I didn’t have any, so I improvised by sharing my Instagram TV videos and
Facebook live videos and even some audio of myself as a guest on a friend’s
podcast. Once I got a speaking engagement lined up, I invited a friend along to
take pictures and videos to use as examples for future requests. You don’t need
to video the whole presentation. Just a clip will do. The organizers just need
to know that you are confident as a speaker and pleasant to listen to.
Build Some Excitement
Once you have a speaking engagement lined up, post pictures
of your preparation. Share pictures on social media of your travels to the
engagement. Share pictures from your
actual engagement. Hopefully some others in the crowd will share, too. All
these social media postings will help build excitement around your speaking and
will pique other’s interest as well. Take along some freebies and a sign-up
sheet for your email list so that those who hear you speak can have opportunity
to connect with your writing, too.
Writing life can be isolating. Speaking gives me the opportunity to connect with my audience in person. At my speaking engagements I listen to the questions the ladies have about the hard parts of Scripture so I can address them in my future writing and speaking. Plus I love the “a-ha” look on their faces when they understand a part of Scripture in a new way. Speaking reminds me why I am writing to begin with—to help women find simple truths in hard parts of Scripture.
Rachel Schmoyer is a pastor’s
wife who is loving her church life. She writes about the hard parts of
Scripture at readthehardparts.com.
She has had devotionals published in the past, but now she is looking forward
to getting her first Christian Living book published. You can connect with
Rachel on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
If you’ve been to any writers conference lately,
you’ve no doubt heard lots of talk about building a platform. And, you’ve probably
learned that one of the best ways to grow your platform is to increase your
social media following.
But, just how can we grow our online following?
Well, it would take more than one blog post to fully answer that question, but
here are three tips to help you improve your online numbers and your
engagement.
1. Be Authentic:
People can spot “a fake” almost immediately, so be genuine when you post updates. For example, if you aren’t a savvy cook and yet you’re coming out with a cookbook, don’t promote yourself like you’re the expert. Instead, be self-deprecating and play up your inabilities to cook. Have fun with it! People are tired of folks showcasing their “perfect social media lives”—be real. Your connections will love you for it, and they’ll be more apt to listen to you when you share about your latest books, future speaking gigs, etc.
One of the most liked and shared posts I ever made
happened this past winter when I posted a picture of my feet wearing two
different boots. I just happened to glance down at my mismatched feet while
sitting under the dryer at my hairdresser’s, and I couldn’t help but laugh. I
snapped a picture, posted it on Instagram & Facebook, and said something
like, “You know you’re on way too many deadlines when you look down at your
feet and discover that you’re wearing two very different boots. At least they
are both black, so there’s that…”
My followers loved it! Many commented that they’d
worn different shoes to work before, so not to feel too badly. Others said they
were having that same kind of week. Still, some just messaged, “Thanks for the
laugh.”
2. Be Overgenerous:
Always give more than you take. It’s totally fine to share the cover of your latest book and promote it on all social media platforms, but make sure you’re also giving back and not always in advertising mode.
For example, you could offer a coloring sheet
related to your children’s book or some other kind of free downloadable
(Perhaps, some of your backmatter or a sidebar you didn’t end up using could
serve as a nice freebie.)
Entrepreneur and Author Gary Vaynerchuk has been
giving away content from his books before they were ever released for years,
and yet his books are always bestsellers!
So, why should we be overgenerous with our
information? It builds authority,
credibility, trust, and likability, and it increases our online presence
because people will share you and your valuable content.
3. Be Consistent & Caring:
You can’t post once every two months and expect to gain much of a following online. Post often, even if it’s just a repost of a funny meme you found, or one that you created in Canva. (Hint: You can use a scheduler to post across several social media platforms all at once.)
Can’t think of a clever status update? Why not ask
your followers a question, and see how many responses you receive? It can be something as simple as, “So, how’s
your Monday going?” or something as specific as, “Anybody else watch the
Thanksgiving Day parade? What was your favorite float?”
Don’t be afraid to engage with your followers. Get
to know them and let them get to know you—the real you.
Lastly, when interacting with your followers, whether
it’s on your personal Facebook page or within a LinkedIn group, always try to
add value when sharing information. Be that “go-to guy” or “go-to girl.” When
you answer questions, without asking for anything in return, you become more
likable, and people will be more likely to share you and your books with their
friends and family.
Ok, there you have it—three tips to get you started
on that all-important platform building. Now, go forth and post!
Michelle
Medlock Adams is an award-winning journalist and best-selling
author of over 90 books with close to 4 million sold. Her many journalism and
book awards include top honors from the
Associated Press, AWSA’s Golden Scroll for Best Children’s Book, and the
Selah Award for Best Children’s Book. Michelle currently serves as President of
Platinum Literary Services, a premier full-service literary firm; Chairman of
the Board of Advisors for Serious Writer, Inc.; and a much sought-after speaker
at writers conferences and women’s retreats all over the United States.
When not writing or teaching writing, Michelle enjoys
bass fishing and cheering on the Indiana University Basketball team, the
Chicago Cubbies, and the LA Kings.
Michelle is celebrating the recent release of
her books, Get Your Spirit On!, Fabulous
& Focused, Dinosaur Devotions, and
C Is for Christmas, and she’s anticipating the upcoming release of What Is America? (Worthy Kids) and They Call Me Mom (Kregel), a devotional
book she co-authored with Bethany Jett.
I recently interviewed Christian Living and devotional
author Sarah Geringer. I hope you gain as much writing wisdom from her as I
have!
How did you get
started as a devotional or Christian Living writer?
I began blogging in 2010 with reflections on my One Year
Bible readings. My blogging stopped and started for several years. In 2015, I
began blogging daily for Lent, and resumed a regular rhythm of writing posts
for spiritual growth. I now write weekly exclusive devotions for my email
subscribers in addition to blog posts. I also regularly guest post at A Wife Like Me, Devotable,
and Woman 2 Woman Ministries. Every quarter, my
devotions are published in Hope-Full
Living, a devotional for seniors.
Do you research for
your writing? What are some of your favorite resources?
I use my personal library of over 10 Bibles and hundreds of
Christian non-fiction books. I also rely on biblegateway.com
to research different translations when I’m pressed for time. Mostly, my
inspiration comes from my quiet times alone with God in prayer and Scripture
reading.
How did you get
connected with your agent or editor?
Years ago, the (in)courage website had Facebook discussion
groups. Michelle S. Lazurek
was my group leader. At the She Speaks Conference in July 2017, Michelle walked
up and introduced herself to me. We were both at the conference to pitch our
book ideas. That fall, I saw on Facebook that Michelle signed as an agent. In
January 2018, someone posted in the She Speaks 2017 Facebook group, asking if
anyone had heard back from their publisher meetings. I posted that I was in
contact with an agent who had not given a final answer. Michelle read my post
and private messaged me, asking to look at my book proposal. I signed with her
in March 2018, and she got me my first book contract in May 2018. God used
Facebook and She Speaks to connect us. If you want to connect with an agent, I
recommend attending a writers’
conference. It is an excellent way to connect with people in the industry.
Read more about my experience at the She
Speaks Conference here.
What do you do to
stay connected with your readers?
My email subscriber list is my top priority. I try to offer
them exclusive, high quality content every week to help them in their Christian
faith. Pinterest is the biggest driver
of traffic to my blog, and I spend several hours per week managing my feed
there. I also provide content almost every day on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Goodreads and LinkedIn to
reach various members of my tribe. I spend about 20 hours per week managing my
social media accounts. It’s a large time commitment, but I truly enjoy engaging
with my readers on each of these platforms. However, I normally take Sundays
off because a Sabbath rest refreshes and recharges me.
How do you make
writing a priority in the midst of your busy life?
Recently I shared a post on Instagram, telling
how I apply Dave Ramsey’s financial advice to my writing life. He tells his
followers to “pay yourself first,” because no one else will do it for you.
Years ago, I realized that my writing wouldn’t happen unless I made it a high
priority. I decided to pay myself first in writing, even though many other
responsibilities called my name as a wife and mother. In 2015 I began getting
up at 4:00 a.m. to write for a couple hours before going to my day job. This
habit resulted in hundreds of blog posts, three self-published books, and a
traditionally published book releasing in Oct. 2019. Even before I started that
habit, I wrote in the afternoons while my children were napping. If you want to
write for a living, you must make a daily no-break appointment with yourself.
As you keep planting seeds, you will reap a harvest in due time. You may be
interested in my course, Best
Tips for Christian Writers. In it, I explain how I started out as a
blogger, self-published three
books, and work to build my platform as a traditionally published author.
Rachel Schmoyer is a pastor’s
wife who is loving her church life. She writes about the hard parts of
Scripture at readthehardparts.com.
She has had devotionals published in the past, but now she is looking forward
to getting her first Christian Living book published. You can connect with
Rachel on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
If I have learned anything from writers conferences and
other instruction, it’s that writers like me need a platform—a presence on
social media, discoverability online, and a horn to toot, so to speak.
That’s all well and good. People have to know who I am, right? Don’t I need to make a name for myself?
The only problem? I am no carpenter. There are times when my
platform looks splintered, downright rickety. I wouldn’t trust it to hold a
person up for any length of time.
Have I mentioned I am really good at beating a metaphor into
the ground?
I admire people who are good at the platform thing–those writers who blog, who post frequently on social media, and who have a knack for getting noticed. One of my goals for this year is to improve in this area, to do more to make myself more discoverable.
The other day I was having a pity party about not having a bigger platform, and I decided to listen to the new Casting Crowns album (Do we even call them albums anymore? Would it be a new release? I am so old), which I acquired a few months ago and have listened to repeatedly.
The first song that came on was “Only Jesus,” about how our only legacy that matters is Jesus and how we make Him known. The next tune was “Nobody,” my favorite, which asserts that we are all “nobodies” trying to tell people about “Somebody” Who can save their souls.
Well, knock me out with a brick, Lord! It’s not about ME–it’s about JESUS. How am I making Him known? How am I highlighting what he has done for me? Getting my name out there really means getting HIS name out there and telling HIS story in a unique way that only I can do.
So I’m getting out my hammer, nails, boards, and the like. I have some platform-building to do. My Best Friend is a carpenter, after all.
Carlton Hughes wears many hats. By day, he’s a professor of communication at
Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College. On Wednesday evenings and
Sunday mornings, he does object lessons and songs with motions as Children’s
Pastor of Lynch Church of God. In his “spare time,” he is a freelance writer
whose work has appeared in numerous publications, including Chicken Soup for
the Soul and several devotional books from Worthy Publishing—Let the
Earth Rejoice, Just Breathe, So God Made a Dog, and the
soon-to-be-released Everyday Grace for Men. Carlton and his wife Kathy
have two college-age sons, Noah and Ethan. He is on the planning committee for
Kentucky Christian Writers Conference and is a year-round volunteer for
Operation Christmas child.
You pour out your heart and passion out on the page
crafting your blog for the world to see. Satisfied with your words, you publish
and wait. Days later, you view your blogs statistics to find few readers. How
do you gain readers and raise visibility?
The following tips suggest ways to help you share
your passion to a wider audience.
Do
your Facebook family and friends know you have a blog?
Tell them. It can be as simple as, “Hey, did you know I have a blog? Check it out
here.” And then add your link. Note: You can share your blog on your Facebook
feed if it is not sales oriented. If you want to sell your book or product
within Facebook, use your separate author page or your business page.
You
can also share a specific blog post on your Facebook
feed and author/business pages. Don’t just share your blog post, tell the
reader why they would want to read your blog. Many people won’t stop scrolling
to read your blog unless you give them a reason to click on your link. Give the
reader the hook of your post right up front.
Definition: Hook–this is a literary technique that grabs the reader’s attention within the first few sentences.
Carol Graham posted her blog in the Facebook group Blogging Lounge with this hook: Could you live off the grid for a year with little human contact–if offered $100,000? She then posted her blog titled: What Would You Sacrifice for a Huge Reward? Did Carol’s hook get your attention? Check out her blog here:
Are
you posting your blog in appropriate groups? Is your
blog themed toward mothers? Find a moms group in Facebook like Coffee &
Motherhood with 51K+ members. Do you have a travel blog? Find a travel group
like the Facebook group, Travel Bloggers with 4.5K members. Does your blog
offer writing tips for authors? Try posting your tips in the Authors group with
almost 40K members. Find your niche in Facebook groups to find your audience.
200 million people are members of
meaningful Facebook groups.**
Many Facebook groups only allow you to post your
blog on certain days only. And other groups allow for free posting without
having a set time to post within the group. Here are a few examples.
When you post in a group, be sure to hook your
reader. Posting the link with the title only may not be enough to encourage your
audience to click to your blog. Also, interact
with other bloggers to build your tribe.
Do
you share your blog topics in group discussions? Have
you ever been in a group discussion and thought, “I wrote about this issue in
my blog.” As long as the group allows it, post your blog in the discussion
feed. Use your blog post to share your passion and build your audience. The
sales opportunity will hopefully come after you build relationships.
Note: Be sensitive to group rules if your blog post
is sales focused or offers affiliate links.
Social
Media Visibility
Being visible on your social media channels helps to
fuel followers to your blog. Getting others to know you and your passion can
naturally lead to an opportunity to share your writing. Here are some tips to
encourage exposure.
Be
consistent–Post on a schedule that works for you.
Engage
with your followers as well as family & friends.
Use
Video & Live Video.
Be
consistent in how often you post content. Look at
your schedule and dedicate pockets of time where you are able to post. Perhaps,
the best days for you are Monday, Wednesday & Friday. Whatever schedule you
choose, keep at it. This should keep your followers engaged.
“If you make a habit of posting
several times a day and then transition to only a few times a week, you will
start to lose followers and generate less engagement per post. This means that
the best posting frequency for Instagram is the posting frequency that you can
consistently maintain for the rest of your natural life.” states Social media pro, Neil Patel. *
This post suggests the following posting frequency:
Instagram: Once a day.*
Facebook:
Once a day or less.*
Twitter:
10 or more times. Lifetime of a tweet is 18 minutes.*
LinkedIn:
3 times a week.*
Engage
with others by commenting on their posts to increase
your visibility on Facebook. This engagement lets the Facebook algorithm know
you are interacting. And when others respond, your posts will be boosted to
your friends which increases your visibility.
Be
sure to ask questions to draw others in to engage. Ask
“What was the highlight of your day today?” And then add a picture of your pet
for a visual. Or ask for a favorite family recipe and post a picture of your
best dish. Ask “how to” questions like, “How do I get this stain out of my
favorite shirt?” Your audience answering these questions equals engagement
which helps to boost your visibility.
Use
Live Video to gain exposure. 71% of people have
increased their online video viewing.** With this increased viewership, your
authentic and original content is more likely to be seen.
Go live to read an excerpt from your blog. Be sure to ask questions at the end to encourage engagement and start a conversation. For those not able to watch you live, label your video with an attention grabbing title and then offer your hook. Use a title generator to title your blog video.
To learn engagement techniques for your video’s, sign up for a live video boot camp.
Evelyn Mann is a
mother of a miracle and her story has been featured on WFLA Channel 8, Fox35
Orlando, Inspirational Radio and the Catholic News Agency. A special interview
with her son on the Facebook Page, Special Books by Special Kids, has received 1.4M
views. Along with giving Samuel lots of hugs and kisses, Evelyn enjoys hot tea,
sushi and writing. Visit her at miraclemann.com.
You may have heard the term “it
factor” used to describe people in industries such as sports or entertainment.
On reality singing competition shows, such as The Voice, judges will occasionally comment about a certain contestant having this “it factor.” In this case, the
judge may describe the singer as having a certain stamina and charisma—as well
as a standout voice—that is admired in the music industry. The singer may also
have a good feel for who he/she is as an artist, as well as a natural stage
presence.
All of these components play into
the term “it factor” in the music industry. I would assume this helps industry
professionals weed out the highly competitive market and only sign with those
who have it.
In the publishing industry, however,
authors don’t exactly need charisma or a stage presence in order to stand out
amongst their competition. (Or a singing
voice—thank God!) However, there are still other components that separate
the “pros” from the amateurs.
You might be thinking,“But in order to be an author, I only need
to write a good book. Right?”
Maybe in the past. But if you
haven’t noticed, the publishing industry has shifted significantly over the
past couple of decades. The marketplace is swarmed with writers who are vying
for attention from agents, or authors who are vying for attention from readers.
Because of this, a writer’s craft is not
the only factor taken into consideration when an agent/editor reviews a
proposal. There are simply too many high-quality books out there, and
unfortunately agents/editors can’t sign them all. There are a plethora of factors that can play
into whether an agent/editor accepts or rejects your proposal.
So
how is an aspiring author supposed to stand out in the midst of the crowd?
Having the “it
factor” helps. Here’s how I’d describe it:
Aspiring
authors have the “it factor” when they work hard at honing their writing
skills. They also keep up with the state of the industry, read widely, and
understand where their book fits into the marketplace. They’re willing to keep
up with the changes of the industry.
These
aspiring authors also know who their audience is and how they can reach them
(through social media and/or speaking). They are familiar with how to market a
book and will work hard to ensure it reaches the hands of the right readers.
These
writers can easily brand who they are as a writer as well. Even if they’re
unpublished, these aspiring authors understand that branding helps them to come
across as remember-able. They understand that branding is directly connected
with the reputation they have on social media and within writing/book
communities.
The
writers who have the “it factor” can also take constructive criticism on their
work and apply it to their writing, and they don’t allow rejections to keep
them from moving forward. Their perseverance, grit, tough backbone, and passion
are what keeps them moving forward.
If you don’t believe you’ve
attained the it factor yet—based on
this definition—please don’t be discouraged! Simply take it one step at a time.
(For instance, if you’re unfamiliar
with how to market a book, then you might want to consider signing up for an
online course on the topic.)
Fortunately, the it factor in publishing is not something
you’re born with. It takes time, effort, dedication, and a willingness to learn
and grow for an aspiring author to reach this point. But once it’s achieved,
trust me when I say that it will make a
difference with how you’re perceived within the industry—and it will help
you stand out amongst other writers as well.
In this new column, I want to help
you achieve that it factor. I’ll
share posts that will help you sharpen your craft, understand the industry,
build your brand, craft a marketing plan, and more. Plus, I’ll offer
encouragement that will inspire you to keep going when discouragement settles
in.
How
would you define the it factor in
publishing? Let me know what you think in the comments!
Tessa Emily Hall writes inspirational yet authentic YA fiction to show teens they’re not alone. Her passion for shedding light on clean entertainment and media for teens led her to a career as an Associate Agent at Hartline Literary Agency, YA Acquisitions Editor for Illuminate YA (LPC Imprint), and Founder/Editor of PursueMagazine.net. Tessa’s first teen devotional, COFFEE SHOP DEVOS, will release with Bethany House in 2018. She’s guilty of making way too many lattes and never finishing her to-read list. When her fingers aren’t flying 116 WPM across the keyboard, she can be found speaking to teens, decorating her insulin pump, and acting in Christian films. Her favorite way to procrastinate is by connecting with readers on her blog, mailing list, social media (@tessaemilyhall), and website: tessaemilyhall.com.
Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Bethany Jett, is the show where we talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!
“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”
Author Community: Real Stuff Manuscript Bundle with Tom Blubaugh, Gina Burgess, and Jann Martin
In this episode, Author Community partners, Tom, Gina, and Jan share how their community of writers encourage one another in the journey of writing, building platform, and more. They share their marketing and publishing expertise, as well as discuss the Real Stuff Manuscript Bundle.
Watch the January 15th replay
If you want more tips and resources from Author Community and their manuscript bundle, check out this week’s Show Notes and Live Chat Discussions.
Bios:
Tom Blubaugh has been writing since the age of fourteen. Most of his writing has been nonfiction as well as denominational and business articles. In 2011 Tom’s first novel, Night of the Cossack, was published. Tom has been a public speaker for over forty years and is currently a Literary Strategist working one-on-one with authors and writers in all aspects of the publishing arena, social media, brand building, and book marketing.
Gina Burgess is a freelance editor in the Christian market. Her extensive experience in editing newspapers, blog posts, fiction, and short stories has given her the expertise needed to help writers, as a coach and an editor, to accomplish their goals. She was the Lifestyles Editor at her hometown newspaper, as well as editor for several other publications. Gina is the author of several books, hundreds of articles, and writes a weekly column for LiveAsIf.org (since 2006). Jann W. Martin is an author, proofreader, teacher, speaker and blogger. Her dream is to captivate the hearts of children, by writing stories that teach them the Bible through the eyes of a child. The first book Jann published was, This Babe So Small, a nativity story that has sold over 2,000 copies. Her next publication was, Bible Characters Through the Ages, a five book series; Book One: Adam in the Garden, Book Tow: Meeting Eve, Book Three: Watching David and Goliath, Book Four: The Amazing Esther,Book Five: Isaac and His Family, and Book Six: Jacob’s Journey.
How to Make Money as a Freelancer with Michelle Medlock Adams
This episode is jam packed with tips and how-to’s on freelance writing. Michelle not only brings energy to this episode, but also wonderful ideas for making money while learning and building credibility. She calls it “earn while you learn”.
Michelle Medlock Adams is an award-winning journalist and best-selling author, earning top honors from the Associated Press, the Society of Professional Journalists and the Hoosier State Press Association. Author of over 80 books with close to 4 million books sold, her works have received the AWSA’s Golden Scroll for Best Children’s Book and four Selah Awards.
JOIN US!
Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on Zoom. Here’s the permanent Zoom room link.
Participants mute their audio and video during the filming, then we open up
the room for anyone who wishes to participate with our guests. The “After Party” is fifteen-minutes of off-the-record sharing and conversation.
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