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.
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.”
Plan Like a Boss, with Bethany Jett
In this episode, Bethany, an award-winning author and entrepreneur, shares a wealth of information about planning using Happy Planner products. This isn’t about a particular planner but about getting your life more efficient and organized. Remember, any planning system can be used, but take it from one super busy wife, mom, and boss, there is no substitute for keeping appointments and other important information at your fingertips with a planner or two. So, whether you are a veracious planner or you’ve never used a planner before, this episode has something for you.
Watch the June 30th replay
Manage Your Image Stream with Rhonda Dragomir
Rhonda shares with us the importance of using the right size image with your message and how to use them across multiple platforms. It’s not enough to post several times a day on social media, but there is an approach for each platform
that can help you be more successful on social media. Are you needing to increase your platform? Are you struggling with platform? If you said yes to either question, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.
Watch the July 7th replay.
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.
Additionally, you can grow your network and add to the conversation by joining our Writers Chat Facebook Group.
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.”
Devotions: Nuggets of Gold with Tracy Crump
In this episode of Writers Chat, Tracy shares several nuggets on writing devotions like write tight, have only one point, and do the research. She also discussed the “Hook, Book, Took, Look” method used to write devotions. Hook the reader, use scripture (Book), how devotion applies to read (Look), and a take away. If you write devotions or have thought about it but aren’t sure where to start, this episode is a gold mine.
Watch the June 16th replay.
Tracy Crump is the co-director of WriteLife Workshops, a devotional writer, speaker, and editor with over twenty stories published in several anthologies, like Chicken Soup for the Soul®. She also has approximately eighty devotions in magazines such as Guideposts, Upper Room, Quiet Hour, just to name a few. Tracy’s book, Healing and Wholeness Devotions of Hope in the Midst of Illness, releases in the fall of 2020. You can find Tracy on Facebook and Twitter or visit her website www.tracycrump.com
Social Media Best Practices for 2020 with Victoria Duerstock
Once again, Victoria joins Writers Chat to share updates on best practices for social media in 2020. She shares tips on growth and engagement on Instagram, FaceBook, Twitter, and more that helped her grow her platform to over 40,000. Writers know how important platform (or tribe) is in today’s publishing market, so check out today’s episode and see how to best navigate social media growth in 2020.
Watch the June 23rd replay.
Victoria Duerstock is a speaker, author (her latest books are Biblical Hospitality and Advent Devotions & Christmas Crafts for Families), and is part of the Serious Writer team as their social media expert. She has a heart for women and enjoys speaking for women’s groups and conferences.You can connect with Victoria on social media or visit her website at www.victoriaduerstock.com
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.
Additionally, you can grow your network and add to the conversation by joining our Writers Chat Facebook Group.
Do you procrastinate when
it comes to creating a book proposal? You aren’t alone and it is common among
writers. I’ve written a number of proposals and know the hard work which goes
into each one. Two of my proposals received traditional publishing contracts
with six-figure advances. The potential rewards from creating a book
proposal are great—provided you finish it and locate the right editor or
literary agent.
Many writers dream of writing a book. They have partial proposals and sample chapters but have never completed the proposal—much less shown it to an editor or agent. If you are one of these writers, I suggest you use social pressure to complete your book proposal. If you have 300 Facebook friends and write, “This year (or this month or this week), I’m going to finish my book proposal.” You’ve not given many specifics but you have been public about your goal. This social pressure will motivate you to take the next step—finish the proposal. Some of your friends will even call or email you and ask about your progress.
Break the task into small pieces and create a list of steps, as you write each one, then cross them off. Create an achievable goal such as 500 words a day (two pages). Your consistent effort to get the proposal written and in top form will pay off. Keep moving forward on the project and bit by bit it will get finished.
Years ago I interviewed bestselling novelist Bodie Thoene who has won multiple ECPA Gold Medallion Awards in the Christian fiction category. Bodie sits at her computer hitting the keys with two fingers. She may work until 10 p.m. to reach her goal–at least five finished pages. “No little elves come out of my closet to write 650 manuscript pages,” Bodie says. “Some mornings I don’t feel like writing, but I do it out of obedience to God.”
“The opening scenes are always the
hardest and can take as long as 10 or 20 pages,” Bodie explains. With the
opening pages behind her, the writing accelerates until she often completes 20
or more pages a day. While you and I may not be able to write as many pages a
day, we can write 500 words or two pages a day. If you do this day after day
(consistency again), then you will get it done.
Also
tell your writing goal to an accountability partner of a friend or your spouse.
If you miss a day or two or even a week, don’t beat yourself up. Instead return
to writing and keep making progress. This year can be your year when you
complete your book proposal and your
book. With consistent and steady action, you can do it.
If you are going to be a Christian Living or Devotional
author, then you are going to need a platform. And if you are going to build a
platform, you are going to need social media. But social media can be so frustrating!
You pour hours into it while your writing gathers dust. You craft clever posts
with beautiful pictures and no one seems to notice. You feel confused or
overwhelmed about all the little details of each platform. You feel like
throwing in the towel. I know because I have gone through periods of
frustration when I was getting started with social media as a writer.
These five thoughts have helped me push through frustration
so that social media is now enjoyable and profitable to me.
#1 Don’t wait for perfect. Just try something.
When I was first posting on Instagram, I was enjoying
getting to know the followers I had by posting first thing in the morning after
my kids went to school. Then I read an article that said the best time to post
was 3:00 in the afternoon. So then I held off on posting first thing in the
morning until I could hit that perfect time of 3:00 in the afternoon. Except
that 3:00 pm wasn’t a good time for me. Days went by and I wasn’t posting at
all. I started to feel disappointed in myself rather than enjoying Instagram
like back when I was in blissful ignorance about the perfect posting time. So
then I just shook that “perfect” time out of my head and went back to posting
when it worked for me. It was better for me to just try posting instead of
waiting for what others deemed as perfect.
#2 Focus on one platform at a time.
Although I am always at least a little bit active on each
social media platform, I pick one at a time to focus most of my energy on. At
the moment, I am focusing on Pinterest since that is getting me more blog
readers and email list sign-ups than any other platform. For a while I tried to
have goals for myself on every platform at the same time, but, realistically, I
did not have time to focus on all of the platforms at the same time. That just
led to frustration, so now I focus on one platform at a time. I give myself the
freedom to change my focus through different seasons of life.
#3 Post genuine questions and real-life updates.
If all you ever post is “buy my book” or “read my blog” you
are missing out on the joy of getting to know all the wonderful people who
follow you on social media. Social media is primarily for being social. So ask
questions, give encouragement, and start conversations. This will make your
social media time more fulfilling and less frustrating.
#4 Use a timer.
Even when your social media time is fulfilling, it should
not be a total time suck. There is more to life than social media. Set a timer
and when it goes off, put it down for the day. Take a walk. Enjoy your family.
Read your Bible.
#5 Use a scheduler.
A scheduler can help you save time when using social media.
A scheduler is a place where you can plan out what you are going to post on a
particular day at a particular time and then the scheduler will automatically
post it for you. I like to schedule my posts out on Monday, then I can sit back
and focus on interacting with my followers during the week. I like to use
Buffer because of its simplicity (and it’s free!) Hootsuite is another popular
free scheduler.
Social media doesn’t have to be frustrating for a writer. Take it one step at a time and keep it joyful. Explore new elements with curiosity and wonder.
If you are looking for
a guide and a support as you explore social media, I highly recommend Victoria Duerstock’s Social Media Squad. She has taken a lot of time to study what
works and what doesn’t on every platform and loves to share what she knows. Her
guidance has been a huge help to me!
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.
#PitMad is a pitch party on Twitter where writers tweet a 280-character pitch for their completed, polished, unpublished manuscripts. Agents and editors make requests by liking/favoriting the tweeted pitch. Every unagented writer is welcome to pitch. All genres/categories are welcomed. #PitMad occurs quarterly.
Pitchwars.org website
The next PitMad is coming up December 5th. I considered the last PitMad to be a success for me because I got a heart from an agent on my list, and another from a publisher I recognized.
On PitMad days, the camaraderie among writers gives me such
a boost. It’s the perfect time for connecting with other writers and
supporting each other.
After I’d done a few pitch parties, I had the sense to
search for other people who are writing work similar to mine by looking for
their hashtags. I’m not good at Twitter. Even so, I am figuring out how to
participate in Twitter parties. To participate in a Twitter party you don’t
necessarily have to be great on Twitter.
TIP: Follow other
authors in your genre and support them.
One of the best things about participating in PitMad was
that it forced me to be concise and specific about my book descriptions. The
tweet that got the most attention was short and simple.
My Tweet
Theater kids, small town,
Asperger love. WHAT TO SAY NEXT x GEM & DIXIE #PITMAD #YA #CON #MH #DIS #ND
#autism Coming of Age + Sweet Romance
This tweet went against a lot of advice I’d received about
how to craft the perfect tweet. I am impatient when reading tweets, so I wrote
one likely to get my attention, as descriptive as I could, using as few words
as possible. (I posted another tweet that did well for a different pitch party
on my blog here.)
TIP: Practice writing
your tweets ahead of time.
Another key may have been how many times it was
re-tweeted. I got a huge boost from my WFWA group. There was a specific list
to join if you were participating in PitMad so that we could easily find each
other’s tweets and support each other by retweeting. It’s difficult to keep up
with everyone’s tweets, and without that list I would have been lost.
TIP: Pin your latest tweet
so your friends can find it easily and retweet.
I was pleasantly surprised to get a heart from Flux books. At
the end of the day, I had a hard time winding down. Several hours after the
party was over, I got another heart. This one was exciting, because not only
did I recognize literary agent, they were on my query list.
TIP: Not all hearts
are the same. Do your research.
I couldn’t sleep, so by 3 o’clock in the morning (!) I’d
sent my submissions, one of which was a full. I also used the PitMad requests
as an opportunity to nudge to an agent who’d had my manuscript for a few months.
Have your manuscript finished and polished, write your
tweets, and join the party. If you aren’t ready to pitch, use a pitch party to
connect and support other writers.
There’s nothing to lose and quite a bit to gain.
Have you participated in a pitch party? Do you plan to? Leave a comment!
Donna Jo Stone writes YA
contemporary novels about tough issues but always ends the stories with a note
of hope. She blogs at donnajostone.com.
As an
aspiring author, you might be aware of how to professionally submit to an agent
or editor. But did you know these agents and editors aren’t likely to evaluate
your level of professionalism by your email presentation alone?
Agents/editors
search for writers online. Not just to evaluate your platform and brand, but
also to see how you portray yourself virtually. We want to discover if you are
the kind of writer of which we would like to develop a professional
relationship.
So if
you hope to remain professional and keep a clean online reputation, here are 5
admirable practices you may want to develop:
1. Refrain from over-sharing.
Sure,
you may be tempted to vent about how your day was ruined because of a careless
driver. But do you really want your emotions to be broadcasted on social media
for the world to see? We don’t always think straight when we’re angry. Later,
you may come back to that post and regret the words you used.
2. Be careful about how you
handle the naysayers.
In this
virtual world, we can’t exactly escape the bullies, nor can we please everyone who views our posts. When
someone pushes your buttons, choose your response carefully. Model Jesus by the
way you are “slow to speak and slow to anger” (see James 1:19). The way you
respond to these rude comments will say a lot about your character.
3. Avoid being a naysayer
yourself!
There
are some people who write posts for the sole purpose of striking virtual
arguments with others. I’d hope you aren’t a naysayer yourself, because this
would definitely serve as a red flag for agents and editors.
4. Don’t bash another book—especially
if it’s the genre you write.
There’s
a difference between politely sharing your opinion about a particular book and ranting
about how that book should’ve never been published. Doing this will not exactly
give you a reputation as one who respects authors and the book industry.
Besides,
once you’re published, what if you want to seek an endorsement from that
author? And you never know—you could end up having your own book evaluated by
that author’s agent or editor. Wouldn’t it be terrible if they discovered this
harsh post you wrote about their client’s project?
5. Support other authors.
Agents
and editors love to see writers who are active in the online book and writing
community. These are the writers who are not too prideful to brag about the
genius work of another writer. When you give to the community in some way, you
are planting seeds of generosity. That old saying is true … “What comes around
goes around.” Don’t be surprised if these authors take note of your generosity
and return the favor.
The
bottom line is this: Think twice before hitting “post.” The words or photos you
drop into cyberspace could possibly remain there forever, whether you like it
or not.
So after
you write each post, read over it and ask yourself, “Would I be ashamed for an
agent or editor to see this? Would it taint my author reputation or brand in
any way?” Use your manners in social media just like you would in a job
interview.
And if
you don’t want your reputation attached to a post, then, well—don’t post it in
the first place.
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.
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.
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!”
Live Website Critiques with Rhonda Dragomir
Not sure if your website is effective or professional looking? Well you’ve come to the right place. In this episode of Writers Chat, as Rhonda critiques a volunteer’s website, she will share her criteria on what makes a website effective and engaging. You can use her criteria to bring your website to the next level and have “engage-ability”.
Watch the September 4th replay.
Want to see know more about how to make your website professional grade? Find it on this week’s Show Notes and Chat discussion.
How to Create a Social Media Campaign with Bethany Jett
Writers need platform, but with so many options, it can be overwhelming. Bethany Jett shares best practices for creating a social media campaign and the most beneficial mindset for growing an engaged audience.
Bethany Jett is the Founder and Co-Owner of Serious Writer, Inc., and Vice President of Platinum Literary Services where she specializes in marketing, nonfiction proposal creation, ghostwriting, and developmental editing. Her love for marketing and social media led to her pursuing her Master of Fine Arts degree in Communication: New Media and Marketing. She also holds a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies: Behavioral Social Science and Humanities with a Criminal Justice minor.
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.
Additionally, you can grow your network and add to the conversation by joining our Writers Chat Facebook Group.
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.”
Instagram’s IGTV with Bethany Jett
The latest trend on Instagram is IGTV. Yes, you can now create your own video channel on Instagram! It’s like YouTube…only on Instagram! Serious Writer’s Bethany Jett, showed how we can make this latest innovation work for us on Utilizing Instagram’s IGTV.
Bethany Jett is the Founder and Co-Owner of Serious Writer, Inc., and Vice President of Platinum Literary Services where she specializes in marketing, nonfiction proposal creation, ghostwriting, and developmental editing. Her love for marketing and social media led to her pursuing her Master of Fine Arts degree in Communication: New Media and Marketing. She also holds a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies: Behavioral Social Science and Humanities with a Criminal Justice minor.
Super Organized Planning for Business with Shalon Ironroad
Writing is a business. If you want your business to succeed, becoming organized is essential. Fortunately for us, consultant extraordinaire, Shalon Ironroad, knows the tricks of the trade, and she shared some great tips in Super Organized Business Planning.
Shalon Ironroad teaches that work-life balance is possible, but not sustainable. Instead, she focuses on the idea of work+life harmony, helping business owners and corporate teams see the value of building supporting pieces into their lives and their work, rather than having constant tension between the activities and people they love.
A veteran Virtual Assistant, Shalon Ironroad has spent the past decade supporting entrepreneurs, thought leaders, investors, and nonprofit organizations to reduce stress and improve operations so they can continue their great work without sacrificing the relationships that matter most (with themselves included). She loves helping business owners prepare to successfully automate and delegate the tasks that keep them from the work that truly matters.
In addition to her consulting work, she is a military wife, mother of three (+ 1 on the way!), and the author of The Tale of Little Tree: A Fable About Courage.
To learn more about how to build work + life harmony into your business, or to get in touch with Shalon, please visit IronroadGroup.com. Gain access to the business tools mentioned in the show via the Show Notes and Live Chat Links.
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.
Additionally, you can grow your network and add to the conversation by joining our Writers Chat Facebook Group.
Social media provides a new frontier ready for settlers. We gaze at its complex landscape of influencers, followers, and likes, and we often elect to spend our time at a coffeehouse, lost in the dip of an overused lounge chair and writing session than develop our online presence.
Writing matters most, right?
Spoiler alert: Publishers want authors with platforms.
Due to changes within the publishing industry, authors bear the responsibility of marketing their work. If they don’t have an audience for their marketing endeavors, they won’t sell their books. And if they don’t sell their books, they risk losing future publishing opportunities.
Most social-savvy individuals agree Instagram dominates the media world. With its diverse methods of content delivery and communication, the platform offers users the chance to engage with their audiences and expand their reach.
Authors, we need to take inventory of our social media tool-belts and decide which instruments best suit our target audience. For example, each social media platform caters to a specific demographic. Facebook tends to reach more users over the age of 30. Twitter also houses a mature demographic and presents business-geared content. Other platforms (Snapchat, Pinterest, etc.) inhabit the social media world, however, in this post, I aim to provide tips to help you boost your Instagram growth.
Some Instagram features to note . . .
Insta-Stories: Temporary posts that appear when a user clicks on an illuminated profile image. Each post lasts 24 hours.
Highlight Reel: Insta-Stories saved on a profile’s page, beneath the bio. These posts do not expire.
Profile: A user’s main page that houses images, highlights, and stories.
Business Profile Analytics: Information stored in a profile’s upper right-hand corner. Shares demographic, best times for posting, content engagement, and more.
Linked Accounts: Other social media platforms connected to the Instagram page. Linked accounts share content with each other.
These features combine the experiences of Snapchat and Facebook, which is why, according to Statista, Instagram currently has over 1 billion active users. The platform welcomes various age groups and focuses on engaging audiences with image-centered content.
What does this mean for authors?
Potential for tremendous reach.
Ability to grow platform with self-curated content.
Chance to connect with readers and build community.
I write for young adults, so Instagram helps me share my content with a teen and millennial audience, book-bloggers, fan girls, and other authors. Using the following 5 tips, I managed to boost my Instagram @authorcarolinegeorge from 500 followers to over 12 thousand followers in 2 years.
5 Tips for Boosting Instagram Growth . . .
Find your niche.
The first step of growing your audience is knowing your audience. What’s their age range? What type of content do they like? How do you reach them in a unique way?
Create your brand.
A brand can simply include color scheme, type of content posted, and overall message.
Know your voice.
Determine how you want to sound on social media. Are you fun and friendly? Do you write blog-style captions or share puns? Will users recognize your writing style? Consistency is key, so once you find your social media voice, stick with it.
Use Instagram’s tools.
To reach your target audience and grow your following, harness the power of hashtags. Sites like Top-Hashtag.com share the most popular hashtags for the type of content you publish. More ways to garner engagement:
Use the Business Profile Analytics to pinpoint the best posting time for your account,
Follow accounts like yours,
Add gifs, polls, and such to your Insta-Story. The more Instagram features you use, the more likely your content will appear in users’ feeds.
Collaborate.
Team up with similar accounts to boost your following! Idea for a collaboration: Offer bloggers a free copy of your book in exchange for a book-themed photo and honest review.
Anyone can become Insta-Savvy with these 5 steps!
Want to know more about social media marketing for authors? Follow me on Instagram @authorcarolinegeorge and Twitter @CarolineGeorge_ for more platform tips.
About Caroline:
A 2017 Belmont University graduate with a double-major in publishing and public relations, Caroline aims to pursue a career committed to helping authors, publishers and organizations project their stories to their publics. She spends her time blogging, writing for various magazines and authoring young adult fiction books (her current publications include “The Prime Way Trilogy” and “The Vestige”). She considers herself a not-so-southern Georgia peach, coffee-junkie and delights in being best known for writing the phrase, “Coffee first. Save the world later.”
Are you on LinkedIn? If so, let’s connect. If not, please join us.
LinkedIn is your online watering hole for conversation about business, work, marketing, entrepreneurship, communication, and more. I get a kick out of how the most business-oriented social media platform is also the most personally supportive.
Since I’ve also secured several paying clients on LinkedIn, I try to hang out there. Not long ago, I asked my marketing friends on the platform for their top 12 principles of copywriting.
Here’s what we came up with.
Write with your reader in mind. (Holland Webb) I kicked off with this one. If you want to pour out your soul, keep a journal. Copywriting isn’t about you and me. It’s about them – the customers.
Avoid confusion. Clarity trumps persuasion. (Jasper Oldersom) In most modern copywriting, we aren’t trying to convince people. Instead, we are inspiring and informing them so they will trust us with their business. Leave the clever prose behind, and focus on being clear, accurate, and honest.
Omit needless words. (William Strunk and Mike Robinson) Here’s what Mike actually wrote, “Never say any more than you absolutely, totally, completely necessarily need to, lest you end up using far more words than it actually takes to convey your point, which may have been lost in the maelstrom of complicated, multitudinous words that really saw you just dancing frivolously around the main point, which, as you already knew from the beginning but had a word count to fill, is, in fact, a century-old dictum: Omit needless words.”
If you got more ‘we’ than ‘you’ in your copy, you’re doing it wrong. (Becky Stout) It’s hard to get clients off the “me, me, me” message, but when they make the shift, the results are immediate and amazing. Plus, isn’t business more satisfying when it’s about others instead of yourself?
Increase your life experiences, and always carry a notebook. (Justin Oberman) Writing gurus often give this advice to budding novelists, but it works for copywriters, too. Your varied life experiences give you more points of connection with your readers.
Get rid of (horse hockey). (Sayantan Sen) I edited this one to keep within Almost An Author’s family-friendly guidelines. Sayantan’s original language is more accurate, though. Say what you mean. Cite your data. Stop talking.
If you have to use the words “storytelling,” “brand,” or “program,” you’re doing it wrong. (Ebin Sandler) Yes, please! Jargon, hip language, and cliches have no place in your prose. Use them in the rough draft, but on the rewrites, ferret them out ruthlessly. Replace them with meaningful words and phrases.
Think benefits, not features. (Yetta M.) This one is hard especially since clients will push back on it. They’ve designed something they want to tell the world about, forgetting that few people care about its every bell and whistle. Instead of listing what makes a product good, set up scenes that show the customer using the product in ways that make life better.
Read what you’ve written, edit, rewrite. Repeat. (Naheed Maalik) This one shouldn’t need to be said, but it does. It definitely does. Because there’s no editor standing between you and the “publish” button on a WordPress blog, you have to be your own editor. I like to submit articles a week or two in advance, and then I ask the client to let me at it with the red pen before they publish it.
Speak the truth. (Sara Miriam Gross) Have you seen those old snake oil advertisements from the 19th century? Apparently, those elixirs could cure everything from the vapors to smelly feet. Of course, they were probably either poison or 90 proof grain alcohol. The advertisers lied. Don’t do that. Today’s readers are sophisticated and will see right through you. Besides, it’s unethical.
Use social proof + rich testimonials whenever possible to support the claims you are making. (Michal Eisikowitz) Credibility is the king of content. Trust is hard to build and easy to lose. Put everything you have into making sure you’re words ring true no matter how your readers test them.
Use action words, and make claims that won’t be future disappointments. (Tzvi Zucker) Avoid the passive voice, linking verbs, and bland pronouns whenever you can. In that respect, copywriting is like every other kind of writing. Keep it interesting; keep it truthful.
So that’s it from the voices over at LinkedIn. What would you add to our list?
Holland Webb is a full-time freelance copywriter and digital marketing strategist living near Greenville, SC. His clients are leaders in the online retail, higher education, and faith-based sectors. Holland has written for brands such as U.S. News & World Report, iLendX, Radisson, Country Inn & Suites, MediaFusion, Modkat, Great Bay Home, IMPACT Water, and BioNetwork. He is a featured writer on Compose.ly, and his monthly copywriting column appears on Almost An Author. You can reach him at hollandwebb.com or at hollandlylewebb@gmail.com.
A traditional blog gives your readers a place to find you and your writing. A place where you share with your audience stories about your writing, your book, and upcoming projects. It’s a fan page of sorts. A home for your blogs all in one place.
Microblogging is a form of traditional blogging; however, it is not found on your website. Of course, you could add your microblogs on your website as well, but traditionally microblogging is found in a social format via social media sites.
If you don’t have a traditional blog, microblogging is a great way to get up and running without the investment of creating a traditional blog. I believe authors should have a traditional blog. Click here for my reasons why.
In Edie Melson’s Social Media class, she defines a microblog as a post with 100 – 150 words. (Edie authors the popular blog, The Write Conversation. When sharing your microblog, add a meme which is a picture with text on it. Describe your meme or your purpose in sharing the meme.
I use Canva to create my memes. It is a free app you can use on your laptop, iPhone or android. For ease of use, I would use your laptop to create designs. I have created memes on my iPhone, but have found it a challenge to design without the use of a mouse. Canva saves all your designs in the app. You can sign up for Canva here.
Once you create your design, share the inspiration behind the photo. You can post something inspirational, either a famous quote or one you created. Or a captivating paragraph from your book or work in progress. Even a picture of your work space can be used to microblog. Share what inspires you to write.
Be sure to add a call to action. A Call to Action is what you want your audience or your reader to do with the information you shared. It could be signing up for your newsletter, getting a free infographic (create your own infographic here) or by directing them to purchase your book.
On Instagram, you are not able to add links in your microblog. Direct your audience to click on the link in your bio. The link in my bio connects them to my book store page on my website. You can choose to use your Amazon link as well.
Below are two examples of Instagram posts which are microblogs.
Microblog 1: (Used with permission of Becky Kopitzke)
Have you ever scolded your kids just moments before walking into church – where you then flash a sudden smile for all the holy people {as if you hadn’t just squawked at your child like a mad chicken}?
Maybe you’ve snapped your husband’s head off for asking an innocent question like, ‘What’s for dinner, hon?’
Yeah, I have, too. And I know I’m not alone.
Lots of us fall short of loving our loved one well. And not just our loved ones, but people outside our bubble, too – like the new woman at Bible study who feels vulnerable and lonely because the rest of us greet each other with hugs and chatter while she sits alone, unnoticed. Or what about that mom at school who is grumpy to everybody all the time. She’s easy to ignore, or worse- to complain about with the other moms.
Have you ever wondered what God thinks of all that? Have you ever dared to be different? Well, now you can.
Microblog 2
In this microblog, I share the impact my son Samuel had on a stranger:
“I saw everything that was important in his eyes when he first looked at me and I have never experienced anything like that in 48 years. I was supposed to meet Samuel and when he left, I had something from him….courage. I have been afraid of making changes, taking initiatives, loving, and the list goes on.
I was up all night thinking about what you said to me and reflecting on the look I received from Samuel. It may sound nutty, but he is the angel I desperately need to meet.” See more about this encounter here.
Do you microblog? Share your most highly commented microblog in the comments. And inspire others to start their microblog journey.
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.
Ephesians 4:29, one of my life verses, says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Paraphrased, will my words build up, or tear down, those who are listening? Here are a few more verses that exhort us about the words we speak:
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. (Ephesians 4:25)
Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. (James 4:11)
But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. (Colossians 3:8)
In every one of these verses, we are not told to “think about it,” “pray about it,” or “get counsel about it.” We’re not told, “try to…” We’re told, “do it!” Since God never tells us to do something we are not able to do by the power of His Holy Spirit, we must have the ability to control what we speak.
Another powerful passage about words is in James:
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. (James 3:9-10)
In God’s fine-tuning of my words, He showed me cursing isn’t always overt, loud, or angry. He revealed to me a series of questions I can ask myself about all I write, speak, and even think.
Is what I’m about to write or speak going to
build up, or tear down?
encourage, or discourage?
praise, or cut down?
bring laughter, but at someone else’s expense?
sound witty, or cutting?
promote unity, or breed strife?
make peace, or incite war?
make someone laugh, or hurt their feelings/mock them?
promote honor, or show disrespect?
foster trust, or spread gossip?
God showed me that each “or” in my list is cursing—bringing death with my words instead of speaking life. I can share two hours of awesome God stories with someone and invalidate it in a quick minute with careless cursing.
Whatever words we choose to speak are just that: our choice. The Bible leaves no room for debate about that—we can exercise our free will any way we choose, including what we speak.
I believe Paul’s exhortations also apply to all we write, including what we post on social media. Once we post, we have no control over who reads or shares our words. Our potential readers check us out on social media, and that’s how they get to know us. What they see will determine whether or not they want to read our books.
Would you be interested in a book about the amazing grace of God when you see judgmental comments about others on the author’s Facebook page?
Before you hit “enter” for a post on Twitter, Facebook, or other social media, ask yourself: “will my words build up, or tear down?” To release them or not is always your choice.
Choose wisely.
[bctt tweet=”Before you hit “enter” for a post on Twitter, Facebook, or other social media, ask yourself: “will my words build up, or tear down?” To release them or not is always your choice.” username=”@marygscro”]
Bio:
Mary Graziano Scro, a graduate of Christian Communicators Conference, is an inspirational author, speaker, and blogger who intuitively weaves analogies and personal testimony with practical biblical teaching. Whether “live” or at the keyboard, Mary loves sharing what God has done in her life to encourage others about the awesome life God has planned for us, IF we are willing to choose wisely in our everyday lives (John 8:31-32). And it’s not only about us – the more we invest in our own unique relationship with Jesus, the more visible He is to a world that desperately needs Him. You can reach Mary on:
I once heard on Dan Miller’s 48 Days podcast something along the lines of “You already know what you already know.”
Knowledge is Power
Think about it—you’re already in the game. Don’t know a lot about social media? That’s okay. I don’t, either. But I know enough, and I’m always learning. The great thing is, there’s always new stuff to learn in addition to what we already know.
You may think you don’t understand, you don’t get it. What is this Facebook thing? What’s a tweet and how is it done? First, congratulate yourself in knowing those platforms exist. Second, you’re reading this post. Which means you know enough to get online and search. The rest will follow.
The best piece of advice I can give at this time is this: Be Aware.
Everything you post online will always stay online, some way, in some form. Even if you delete it, it will somehow haunt the echelons of the internet forever. So be sure, before you submit, that it’s not something you’ll regret in the morning.
Be Aware
Know where you’re submitting/what you’re sharing/who you’re messaging. It’s great to post comments and share links but if your primary group of friends on Facebook are foodies, will they really appreciate an article about Harley ridin’ Mamas? They might, if the article includes a review of a really great hole-in-the-wall restaurant.
You can’t be everything to everyone all the time. I know this one sounds obvious, but trust me. When the World Wide Web opens its arms and says “Join me!” it’s hard to resist. I want to share the world with my world, but that’s not always feasible (reference Bullet No. 2 above). The best cure for this is to find my niche audience, and write for them. If others come along for the ride, that’s a bonus. I can’t be online 24/7. My audience understands my need to eat, sleep, and dare I say it—pee.
Find your platforms. Facebook and Twitter will give you the broadest audience. Instagram is a great place to share your cell phone photos. Google+ and LinkedIn are nice networking resources as well.
Ask others for advice. Don’t navigate alone. Read a blog you admire? Check out how it’s powered. Talk to a writer/media specialist? Ask their input. Want to write a killer article but not sure how to submit? Google it.
Not everything you read on the internet is true. While researching your article/media/platform set-ups, remember to find what works for you, then make sure it does. Don’t go full force into the first application you hear about, unless you’ve heard about it from a variety of sources. Investigate everything.
Be yourself. It’s okay to pattern yourself after other media sites you admire, but people want to know you. So share your voice your And if you don’t what your voice is just yet, that’s okay. Play around. You’ll figure it out.
With a big gulp of Sweet Tea and Social Media,
~Molly Jo
[bctt tweet=”There’s always new stuff to learn in addition to what we already know. @RealMojo68″]
[bctt tweet=”Be Aware: Be sure, before you submit, that it’s not something you’ll regret in the morning. @RealMojo68″]
One of the cornerstones of your platform is your personal website or blog. Whether professionally designed or a DIY site, your site needs to include these essential features that introduce you to your followers.
1. Your Name
Your name should be visible somewhere in the “top of the fold” of your site, whether in the header or in the sidebar. (“Top of the fold” refers to the upper half of a newspaper, where the most important information is. It’s also the first part of page that’s loaded on your site.) Visitors to your site will become frustrated if they have to go on a “site safari” to find out who you are.
2. Your Photo
A good quality professional headshot should also be in the “top of the fold,” in either your header or your sidebar. It’s helpful if you use the same profile picture across all your social media accounts. It gives you a more uniform, professional social media presence.
3. Your Social Media Links
WordPress and Blogger have a variety of plugins/gadgets that allow you to link to your social media accounts. There are also plugins/gadgets that share those feeds on your page, but be judicious about their use. You want your sidebar to be informative without being cluttered.
4. Follow by Email Option
Give your readers the option of subscribing to your blog. They’ll benefit in that they’ll get updates to your blog in a timely manner. The benefit for you is that you’ll have access to your followers when you want to contact them with information you may not want to post on your website.
Incorporating these simple elements into your site design will allow your readers to scan the page, find your essential information and begin recognizing your brand.
Shareables:
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[bctt tweet=”Benefits of email subscription, @A3forme @susanrstilwell #amwriting #socialmedia” via=”no”]
You ask what is a computer mirror? This is your life on social media and it reflects who you are. In a sense, a computer mirror. Social media can either help or hurt you as an author. In the coming weeks, I will be blogging about first impressions on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pintrest.
In this first blog I will give you tips on Facebook to start your own Facebook page to promote your writing. Facebook is still the number one social media platform, and has a large reach. The demographics for Facebook and engagement has shifted from high school and college students to their parents and grandparents. User ages range from the late 20s on up with engagement. High school and college students still have their accounts and check pictures and posts, but they do not engage as much as they did five years ago.
First Impressions
Facebook Name
What is your Facebook name? Is it your name, your companies’ name, or your writing name?
You want to make sure that whatever name you have on Facebook you market and brand the same name on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. That way your fans can look you up in all the platforms.
You can also use a _ as I use @adam_ledyard on Twitter
Facebook Header
When shaping and branding your Facebook page you want to select pictures that represent who you are. You want to make sure the picture is a crisp and clear picture, and not blurry or chopped off.
Facebook suggests a 1200 x 630 pixel image for your header. So, if you like the cover of your book, open up a picture program to crop or resize your picture for Facebook.
Make sure you have a picture that lines up with your marketing and branding plan that will represent you. Again, first impressions are everything when you are trying to sell your book, sign with a company, or work with a book store on marketing your book.
Facebook Image Picture
This is the picture on the bottom left of the Facebook Header. It is another way to represent your brand and who you are. It is a tiny square that is 180×180. You may upload a larger pic, if the picture is sized in a multiple of 180, such as 360, 540, or 720. Facebook will resize your picture for you when you upload it. The larger size pixel picture is better as it is a better image compared to a smaller pixel image.
The square image can be a mug shot of you, or a picture representing your brand. For example, if you use a letter in the alphabet for representation, you may want to put this is the box. If you have a professional picture, you may want to use it in this image. It all boils down to your branding, marketing, and how you want to use that box.
Check your computer mirror today and see what you look like. It could make or break a deal for you.
Social media is a part of life and savvy writers stay on top of the latest trends. Each year new social networks emerge, each promising to be the most engaging. Busy writers want to maintain a relevant and growing social media presence, and asking these five questions can help decide if a new network is worth pursuing.
1. What do I have to offer there?
Do you have photography skills? An image-driven network like Instagram can give you an outlet for your hobby and also let your followers see some of the things that inspire you.
Do you enjoy creating or curating professional information? LinkedIn might be a good fit.
Are you an engaging public speaker? Live video will enhance your presence by letting your community see you in action. Video is one of the most engaging mediums and many networks are incorporating it in their platforms. The personal touch video provides can benefit any writer.
2. Is my audience engaged there?
All social media networks have a mobile app available, and many of them can access your personal contacts. Allow the app to access your address book and see who’s there. Check out a few profiles of your friends and influencers and take note of their followers, content, and strategies.
3. What is the learning curve?
This can be difficult to gauge but notice what others are doing and see how your skills compare. Instagram followers appreciate artsy photographs or interesting graphics, so you’ll want to brush up on those skills. If you’re interested in live video streaming, then you’ll want to invest in a “selfie stick” or a portable tripod and practice delivering succinct messages. To create good instructional videos for YouTube or Vimeo you’ll need some basic video editing skills as well as an understanding of how to share or embed your content.
4. How will this grow my platform?
Social media can be used for a host of reasons:
building relationships,
driving traffic to your website,
growing your number of followers,
launching books,
increasing engagement,
sharing your message,
learning new skills,
introducing you to a new audience, etc.
Decide on your goal, do a little research and then develop a plan. Periodically evaluate your progress and make the necessary adjustments, including leaving the network if it’s not working for you.
5. How will one more network affect my life?
Joining a new network can be fun and exciting, but it can also become cumbersome if you don’t have the time and energy for it. Will another network add to your stress level, or will it energize and inspire you?
Social media is an important part of a writer’s platform, one that can also enrich your personal life. Answering these five questions will help clarify your goals and determine if joining a new network is right for you.
Shareables:
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Everyone needs a break from time to time. For a writer building a platform, taking a social media break might seem like you’re losing precious ground. If you’re willing to think outside the box and do a little planning, you can take a break and continue to grow your writer platform.
1. Recycle An Old Blog Post
In the spirit of “going green,” recycle an old post (or two or several). Go back in your archives and find an old post that didn’t get as much traffic as you hoped or one that wasn’t as well developed. Rewrite it and share some insights you’ve learned since the piece originally posted. You may even include some of your reader’s comments.
Be sure to optimize for SEO and include new shareable tweets and images.
2. Line Up Guest Posts
Ask writer friends if they’d like to write for you. If they’re busy or in need of a break themselves, look through their archives and find a post you liked, and ask if you can repost on your blog. (First be sure they’re not recycling it for their own site!)
Add click-to-tweets at the bottom of the post that mention the author. If you’re republishing an old posts, share an attribution such as, “This post first appeared on [friend’s site name with hyperlink to their site].”
Whether the post is new content or a republished post, always link back to the author’s site. Ask the author if there’s a particular page they’d like you to feature. They may ask you to direct readers to their About page. Another option is to link to their home page so your readers can see your friend’s most recent work.
3. Consider Hiring A Virtual Assistant
This may sound like a splurge, but VAs can help with many tasks. They can curate shareable content, research topics, or edit and schedule blog posts. They can respond to comments, coordinate editorial calendars, optimize posts for SEO, or even help with tips 1 & 2 – recycle old posts and line up guest posts!
VAs are unique and have different skill sets, so ask friends for recommendations. Some VAs prefer to work for a stretch of time (monthly or quarterly), but others are happy to do piecemeal work when needed.
Time away from writing and social media doesn’t necessarily mean your platform growth will suffer. With a little creative thinking and planning, you can enjoy a respite and still grow your writer platform when you need a break.
Anything to add to this list? Please share in the comments!
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You may ask what the following three strategies have to do with creativity.
I think we can all agree that time is our greatest natural resource so when the minutes of our days can be saved, the hours will take care of themselves, freeing up our time and energy to put towards more creative endeavors.
Below are three practical but sometimes missed opportunities to make the most of our time.
Refuse to Cave to the Comparison Trap. Sylvia Path said, “The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” When other writers are gaining traction that sticks like glue while we’re still spinning our wheels it’s tempting to start second guessing our skills, sometimes to the point of questioning our very calling to writing. Michele Cushatt recently published a post, Enough, that speaks to the beauty of dropping our competitive guard in order to embrace a bigger and more meaningful picture in the world of writing. Comparing ourselves to others depletes our confidence, time, and energy. And who has time for that?
Take Advantage of In-Between Moments. Many successful authors became so while working at least one full-time job, raising a family, volunteering at church, etc. One of my favorite contributor’s on this subject is Brian Hutcheson of The Positive Writer. His post How To Become A Prolific Writer While Holding Down A Day Job is superb. You’ll rarely find me without a pen and tiny moleskin notebook in the front pocket of my purse. I know, I know. I can also use Notes on my iPhone, and I do, but there’s something about the scratching sound of a pen on paper that lights my fire.
Your turn! What’s one time-saving tip you can share with the rest of us?
Smart writers invest in workshops, courses, and conferences. Smart and savvy writers will also invest time in building their platforms. These three steps repeated weekly, monthly or quarterly will ensure your platform grows at a steady rate.
Review Your Strategies
Look back over your blog and social media analytics. What content performed best for you? What networks gave your best results? Build on those strengths while taking a critical look at what didn’t perform as well. Should you make tweaks and try to improve, or abandon a failing strategy?
Numbers don’t lie, especially analytics, and so you’ll discover which social media networks fit best in your platform. Where are your readers? Where and how are you getting the best engagement? If a network isn’t getting the engagement you expected, what tweaks do you need to make?
Set SMART goals
Peter Drucker’s SMART management tool works well when setting platform goals:
Specific – Determine how much and what you will write, how you will network, what skills you need to learn, etc.
Measurable – Set goals for word count, number of articles to submit, posts to publish, manuscript progress, etc.
Attainable – Decide what works for you and your schedule, being careful to strike a balance that’s ambitious but also realistic.
Relevant – Goals must be timely and meaningful, moving you toward an identified objective.
Writing requires a good bit of solitary confinement, and it can be easy to retreat into your writing shell and neglect relationships. I need a good balance of non-writing friends who I can relax with, but I also deliberately cultivate friendships with other writers who understand the struggles and challenges of writing.
Consider joining a writing group or getting a critique partner. Find writer friends who will understand your goals and hold you accountable. Connect regularly to check progress and encourage each other.
Steady platform growth
Building your platform requires an investment of time and energy, along with regular evaluations. Set goals, connect with others, and know where you want to go with your writing. If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time.
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I remember when I had my first Twitter shock a few years ago: I discovered that people post pornography on Twitter. Lots of people. Lots of pictures.
But that is not the shocking part. The internet is full of pornography, nothing new there.
The shocking part is that Twitter allows it. And you can get a Twitter account at any age, which in my mind equated to, “Twitter Supports Exposing Minors to Pornography.”
After my initial outraged-sobbing-yelling-hair-peeled-back explosion, I did a little internet research on Twitter and pornography. Apparently they’ve been in the news here and there for several years now on this topic. Their position is to monitor what appears directly on their site, but to not monitor links to external sites. They leave it up to the individual user to determine who to follow and who to block.
Still a bit upset about all of this, I went for my daily walk with the Lord. I walked, listened to worship music, and pondered.
“OK, well, then, I just won’t use Twitter. I’ll show them! I can’t believe so many other Christians are out there, are they all oblivious to this awful danger? What am I missing here? I just can’t believe this! I’m going to take action, write to someone, see …”
“Overcome evil with good.”
The Lord interrupted my ranting with His still small voice. The complete verse is, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21 NIV)
Yes, I allowed the evil I found in Twitter to overcome my thoughts, my emotions, and my time. I was ready to attack – not just the evil, but all those who I felt should be DOING something.
Then I realized it: they ARE doing something. They are posting about the Lord, His goodness, His truth. They are sharing each other’s posts of encouragement, love, and kindness.
They are overcoming evil with good.
This is why it’s so important for all who are called to write to share on Twitter or on other social media venues. Each time we post something that glorifies God, we give Him ammunition – truth – to reach all the people who are searching, seeking, restless, and lonely. The more we share God’s truth, love, and grace online, the more opportunity everyone will have to meet Him and know Him.
Including those who use Twitter for evil. May they be overcome by Jesus Tweets!
One of the four must-have features of a website is the About page, but it’s overlooked by many writers. It can be uncomfortable to write about ourselves, and so we often slap together a short bio, upload a headshot, and go back to our projects. But a high percentage of first-time visitors to your site click on your About page, so consider the questions a newcomer would ask.
Who are you?
Introduce yourself in a few sentences and include a recent headshot. Don’t be afraid to add some interesting or unexpected facts (and pictures) about yourself.
What do you write about?
Describe your writing niche. Is it historical fiction? Technical articles? Devotions? If you’ve published a book(s), share a brief synopsis with a link to purchase or download.
Let visitors know what they can expect to find when they visit your site. Share a couple of “teasers” with links to your most popular posts. Linking within your site not only highlights some of your best writing, but it also helps boost SEO.
When can they expect updates?
Tell how often you post, even if it’s infrequently, and ask readers to subscribe. Direct them to your sidebar subscription section or include a link/code within the body of your text. If you have a newsletter, explain how it differs from your posts, how it benefits them, and ask them to subscribe.
Where can they find you?
Add links to your social media networks and invite visitors to connect with you there. You can insert these links in the body of your text, but also consider adding a widget or gadget to your sidebar so they’ll be visible from multiple pages.
Include a contact form or tell them how to contact you by email. To cut down on spam, thwart bots by breaking up the address: yourname {at} domain {dot} com
Why should they follow you?
With millions of blogs and personal websites on the Internet, remember that you offer a unique voice and message. How does your writing benefit your readers? Add a couple of testimonial quotes pulled from reader comments (get permission first) or ask a couple of fellow writers for a short endorsement.
Review and update your About page at least every six months, and monitor your site’s analytics to see how many hits this page receives. As Michael Hyatt advises, don’t think of this page as an obligation but as an opportunity.
YOUR TURN: What would you add to this list?
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Blog readers are scanners, their eyes skimming the page for interesting information. Problogger reports the average time spent reading a blog post is 96 seconds. With such a small window of opportunity, how do you engage your reader and communicate your message?
Create visually interesting blog posts!
1. Break up long blocks of text.
Long paragraphs and large blocks of text are visually boring. They’re also cumbersome to read on a monitor or handheld device. Craft shorter paragraphs with interesting transitions.
2. Include an image near the top of your post.
Images evoke emotion and connect with your reader. A captivating photo can illustrate your message and also give your reader’s eye a place to rest on the page.
(Be careful about copyright infringement and attribution. Personal photos are the safest to use, but there are many resources that allow you to use their images at no charge if you attribute the site and/or photographer.)
3. Vary your text.
Use headers, bold text, italics, block quotes, etc. to call attention to keywords and phrases. Well-placed headings and quotes communicate your main points and keeps your reader’s eye moving. Be careful not to overuse them and clutter your post.
4. Shorter is better.
Keep in mind the 96-second window, understanding you’ll lose some of your readers with a longer post (500+ words). Write “tight” when you post to your blog. If you find yourself closing in on 500 words and you’ve still got a lot to say, consider making it a two-part post.
Benefits of shorter posts?
You’ll retain your reader,
They’ll be invested and want to read the sequel,
You’ll have another post and an opportunity to link within your site.
Those 96 seconds are precious, so use them wisely and create blog posts that engage and communicate.
Shareables:
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