Tag: susan stilwell

Categories
Platform and Branding

5 Questions Writers Should Ask Before Joining a New Social Media Network

by Susan Stilwell @susanrstilwell

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.

social media icons

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:

[bctt tweet=”How can a busy #writer maintain a relevant #socialmedia presence and stay focused? via @a3forme @susanrstilwell” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”Joining a new #socialmedia network can benefit a #writer but can also add stress. via @a3forme @susanrstilwell” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”As a #writer, what are your #socialmedia goals? What questions clarify your needs? via @a3forme @susanrstilwell” via=”no”]

Additional resources:

Hubspot – Visual Marketing Content Strategy

Lifewire – Joining A Social Network

Categories
Platform and Branding

3 Ways a Virtual Assistant Can Help Your Writer Platform

When building a writer platform, few of us consider hiring a virtual assistant, or VA. Most of us are DIYers, learning the ropes so we can understand what’s happening in the online world.

Not everyone, however, has the desire, time or ability to continue doing it themselves. In those cases it’s wise to enlist the help of someone with experience. A virtual assistant can be a godsend for a busy writer struggling to grow their platform.

3 Ways a Virtual Assistant Can Help Your Writer Platform

Saves time.

Creating social media content, formatting blog posts, responding to comments and messages, facilitating online discussions, etc. takes time and focus. A virtual assistant can perform many of these tasks for you, leaving you with time to write and engage in the places you enjoy.

Saves money.

Some content requires premium images and designer fonts, and that content often needs to be formatted for different social media networks. Many virtual assistants have access to these types of and can work with you to create a custom look that enhances your brand.

Some VAs are also savvy with WordPress and Blogger, and may be able to help with minor website modifications.

Saves sanity.

Sometimes you need a social media respite due to travel, health, family demands, or deadlines. A VA can help keep things moving forward when you need to take a break.

Other times you may need help because of changes in social media networks. Not only do the networks change, but your audience also changes. What works one year may not engage your audience the next. An experienced VA may also help you brainstorm new strategies.

virtual assistant

Where can I find a virtual assistant?

Finding a good virtual assistant can be challenging but it’s not impossible. Beware of economy sites as many of their sources live outside the US and may not have good English skills. Premium sites do a better job of pairing you with a VA who’s a good fit, but many require you to schedule interviews and pay fees.

A reliable way for a writer to find a VA is to crowdsource. Post the question in a Facebook or LinkedIn group. Ask your writer friends if they’ve worked with a VA or can recommend a VA.

Being able to outsource the things you dislike will not only reduce your frustration level but it will also give you margin. Hiring a virtual assistant can enable you to do what only you can do—write and share your message.

If you’re a writer who loves social media, has good content creation skills, and enjoys keeping up with trends, maybe YOU should be a VA! It’s a great way to hone your skills, help your fellow writers AND earn a little money!

Shareables:

A3 writer platform

[bctt tweet=”When growing your #writer platform consumes too much time, via @a3forme @susanrstilwell ” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”You don’t have to DIY your #writer platform, via @a3forme @susanrstilwell” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”Where can I find help growing my #writer platform? Ask @a3forme @susanrstilwell” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”Are you a #writer who hates #socialmedia? Outsource it! @a3forme @susanrstilwell” via=”no”]

Categories
Platform and Branding

Brand basics – do your colors and fonts present your best look?

Good content is critical for a writer but how that content is presented is also important. In Brand Basics – 2 Considerations For Writers, we discussed the importance of consistency across your social media networks. Using the same images and verbiage will tie together your unique look and help people recognize you. As you develop that look, choose colors and fonts that enhance your brand and help you stand out.

Colors

Response to color varies from person to person, and even between males and females. Most research proves, however, colors convey these basic feelings:

  • Red – fire, stimulating, but also anger
  • Orange – fire, adventure, optimism
  • Yellow – sun, happiness, energy
  • Green – nature, peaceful, but also envy
  • Blue – waters, trustworthy, masculine (favorite color of men)
  • Purple – royalty, sophisticated and artsy, but also feminine
  • Brown – earthy, rugged, but also dirty
  • Black – classic, strong, but also grief
  • White – purity

color wheel, look for writers

 

Lighter shades have a more feminine quality, while stronger hues feel more masculine. The colors you choose should resonate with your audience, enhance your look and also complement your voice.

Choose 2-3 colors to use consistently on your website, and use those colors as often as possible in your shareable images and infographics. Your readers will begin to associate those colors with you and your work.

 

Fonts

With so many free Google webfonts, we’re no longer limited to a handful of options on our websites. Sites like Font Squirrel and DaFont also provide access to many free or affordable options to use with our logos and our graphic design projects.

look at different fonts for writers

When selecting fonts, consider the overall look and feel you want to convey. Consider pairing two different but complementary fonts, using a standout font for headers and a simpler font for body text. Use the same (or similar) fonts on your website and in your shareable graphics and images.

Research

Pay close attention to your favorite authors and influencers and notice how they incorporate fonts and colors in their brands. One of my favorites is Amy Porterfield. She repeats the bold colors from her header in her featured images and infographics. The backgrounds are solid colors and she uses two basic fonts: a handwritten font for standout text and a sans-serif font for her body text.

Amy Porterfield featured image

If you pay close attention, you’ll see the “How to” text on the top line differs slightly from text on the bottom line. The fonts are actually the same family, the top font is the narrow version. 

Fiverr offers graphic designs starting at $5 (hence the name). Although very few of them actually deliver a product for that price, it’s a good place to find samples. Look at the portfolios for some of the top designers and see how they use not only colors and fonts, but also images, graphics and white space. What looks are pleasing to your eye?

Last Word

Remember when choosing fonts and colors: LESS IS MORE. Over 50% of your readers will view from a mobile device (cell phone or tablet), so choose fonts and colors that are easy to read on a variety of devices. Create a look that’s recognizable to your readers and then incorporate those elements as you share your great content.

Tweetables:

[bctt tweet=”Create a look that will represent your #writer brand, via @a3forme @susanrstilwell #amwriting” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”How colors and fonts can enhance a #writer brand, via @a3forme @susanrstilwell #amwriting” via=”no”]

brand basics colors fonts

Resources:

FontSquirrel and DaFont

Google web fonts

how to add to Google web fonts to blogger

WordPress plugin to add Google web fonts: easy google fonts

Fiverr Graphic Design

Font Pairing

Additional Reading:

The Psychology of Color in Marketing and Branding

Photo Credits

Color Wheel: Sailom, FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Amy Porterfield, screenshot

Categories
Platform and Branding

3 Mistakes to Avoid With Your Social Media Strategy

Social media is an important part of building a writer’s platform. With existing networks changing and new networks launching, it can be easy to fall behind or get distracted with your social media strategy. Avoid these three mistakes as you manage your social media and build your platform.

1. Not using a social media scheduler

You’re guaranteed to waste time if you hop on and off your networks to post updates. Hootsuite is one of the best and simplest schedulers, allowing you to connect up to five social media networks with their free plan. It also shows different network feeds, making it easy to share curated content.

Buffer is another great scheduler, although their free version only connects one network. Their most economical paid option, however, allows you to connect ten profiles including Facebook groups and multiple Twitter accounts.

If money isn’t an object and you want a top-shelf scheduler, check out Edgar. You can connect multiple social media accounts and posts can queued and recycled on different networks.

social media strategy schedulers

2. Not using a news aggregator

Think of a news aggregator as your personal newsstand, particularly for the blogs you follow. Feedly is one of the most widely utilized aggregators. Once you set up your account, copy the sites you want to follow and read all the posts within Feedly.

You can also organize your sites and have folders for specific interests. This is particularly helpful for research or for keeping up with agents, publishers, or other writer friends. Best of all, Feedly is free.

Feedly screenshot

Disclaimer: It’s still good to subscribe because of the benefits to being on an email list. But with so many people choosing to email an excerpt of their post, consider the time it takes to open the email, click to the site and wait for the page to load. It’s quicker to read the content on Feedly and then click over to the site if you want to leave a comment.

3. Not setting a timer 

social media strategy - set a timerEven if you use a scheduler and an aggregator, it’s still easy to get sidetracked. Decide how much time you can spend scheduling posts and reading other people’s material. Set your timer and then STOP when it goes off.

Taking control of your social media will keep you focused on your tasks and free up more time for writing.

What are your best tips for managing social media?

Please share in the comments!

3 mistakes to avoid

[bctt tweet=”3 Mistakes to Avoid With Your #SocialMedia Strategy, @a3forme @susanrstilwell #writer” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”Why a #writer needs a news aggregator like Feedly, via @a3forme @susanrstilwell #platform” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”How social media schedulers benefit a #writer, via @a3forme @susanrstilwell #platform”]

[bctt tweet=”Time management tips for social media, via @a3forme @susanrstilwell #writer #platform” via=”no”]

Stopwatch image credit: Pixabay

Resources:

Schedulers: Hootsuite, Buffer, Edgar

News aggregator: Feedly

Categories
Platform and Branding

How to use weaknesses and threats to grow your writer platform

Occasionally a business development tool comes along that works well for writers.

SWOT Analysis

SWOT—Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats—was popularized in the 1960s by management consultant Albert S Humphrey. This planning model helps managers develop marketing and project strategies.

Writers can also apply the SWOT Analysis to grow their platform. Your goal is to look objectively at the following four areas (a critique partner may help you think through your lists):

SWOT - strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats

Strengths and weaknesses are the internal factors you can control. Opportunities and threats are the external factors you can’t control.

A worksheet is available in this download: SWOT Analysis for Writers

Strengths

Make a list of things you do well. Include professional skills as well as strong personal habits, such as:

  • relationships with other writers,
  • keeping a consistent posting schedule,
  • keeping up with trends,
  • concise writing skills,
  • attention to your social media network,
  • ability to self-edit,
  • strong vocabulary,
  • self-discipline,
  • commitment to learn and grow,
  • focus,
  • determination,
  • thick skin.

Weaknesses

List your weak areas, being brutally honest:

  • procrastination,
  • being easily discouraged or distracted,
  • balking at critique,
  • insecurity,
  • lack of discipline,
  • apathy,
  • overly critical,
  • pessimistic attitude,
  • isolating yourself from other writers, or perhaps even friends and family.

Opportunities

What opportunities did you have last year? What opportunities are on the horizon? Are you aware of any writing or publishing trends that may benefit you?

Threats

What external factors, factors out of your control, could sidetrack your writing progress this year?

The Analysis

Once you’ve compiled your lists, ask these four questions:

  1. What can you do to continue making progress in your areas of strengths?
  2. How will you position yourself to take advantage of your opportunities?
  3. What can you do to turn your weaknesses into strengths?
  4. How might you guard against threats, or avoid them altogether?

A personal SWOT Analysis can help writers develop a strategy that minimizes their chances for discouragement and maximizes their potential for success. Download your worksheet here: SWOT Analysis for Writers

Shareables:

SWOT analysis for writers

[bctt tweet=”Want to grow your #writer platform? SWOT Tips via @A3forme @susanrstilwell  ” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”Identifying weaknesses and threats to enhance your #writer platform, via @A3forme @susanrstilwell ” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”Maximize success, minimize failure to build a #writer platform via @A3forme @susanrstilwell ” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”4 critical areas to evaluate to grow your #writer platform, @A3forme @susanrstilwell ” via=”no”]

Categories
Platform and Branding

Brand Basics – 2 Considerations For Writers

We’re familiar with a brand as it relates to corporations. When we think of Coke, McDonalds, and Nike these logos appear in our minds:

Coke – red background with white letters.
McDonalds – golden arches.
Nike – swoosh.

These corporations have spent millions (billions?) of dollars over the years with marketing groups and design teams to develop brand recognition. Few writers have the resources to invest in that kind of brand development but a personal brand is an important part of a solid platform.

Two important considerations for branding that every writer must consider are Content and Look.

CONTENT

Do you have a clear writing focus?

Content - writer brand

Perhaps you’re a novelist. Do you write mysteries for young adults? Romance geared toward women?

Maybe you’re an inspirational writer. Do you write devotions? Parenting articles? Bible studies?

Editors, technical writers, agents, etc. each have a special niche in the writing industry. Determine your focus, create content, and share on social media’s Big 3—Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Remember to be generous and share quotes and links from a variety of sources. Edie Melson recommends sharing only 20% of your own material. Find other writers and industry professionals who have a similar focus and share their content as well.

Don’t hesitate to share occasional random posts, but be sure to keep it kind and clean. Tweeting at your favorite sports team or sharing a funny meme on Facebook makes you a more interesting person to follow.

LOOK

Do your social media accounts have the same (or similar) backgrounds and headshots?

Develop a background and format it for each social media account. Profile dimensions change on a regular basis, so check a reliable source like Mashable for the most recent image sizes. Select a headshot that is both current and suitable for your writing.

A writer with brilliant branding is Steven James. He wears several hats: writing & speaking instructor, keynote speaker, poet, master storyteller, and suspense writer. His social media profiles and his website represent him well, reflecting his friendly yet somewhat mysterious personality.

Platforming - Steven James profile, writer brand

Your website’s About Page should include the same content focus, headshots, and background images (if possible). A consistent online image will help establish your personal brand and help lay a solid foundation for your platform.

Shareables:

branding considerations

[bctt tweet=”Start building your #writer brand by answering 2 questions, via @A3forme @susanrstilwell” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”Top 2 considerations for developing your brand as a #writer, @a3forme @susanrstilwell” via=”no”]

Sites to check out:

Steven James
Mashable: Your social media cheat sheet for perfectly sized images

Categories
Platform and Branding

5 Questions Your About Page Must Answer

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.

Platforming - blank manWho 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? 

Platforming - social media

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?

Platforming - question markWith 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?

Shareables:

About-page image bordered

 

[bctt tweet=”A writer’s About page isn’t an obligation but an opportunity, via @A3forme @susanrstilwell” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”Does your About page engage or dismiss 1st time visitors? Tips via @A3forme @susanrstilwell ” via=”no”]

Categories
Platform and Branding

4 Simple Rules For Guest Posting

If you’ve never been a guest at another site, it can be intimidating. You take a risk by asking someone if you can write for their site, but it’s a great way to build your writer platform. Guest posting is easier than you think, especially if you do your homework.

Research prospective host sites to be sure you’re a good fit. Do you have similar audiences? Does your writing style match the tone of the site? Do you have a fresh message? Skim the past several months to see what’s been published, and then pitch something new. Once you’re accepted, follow these four simple rules:

1. Follow the host’s guidelines TO THE LETTER. A good guest post will

    • have the proper content. If the host focuses on personal stories, don’t give them a lengthy research article.
    • follow the word count. Most hosts will give you a little leeway, but do your best to come in within 10-15 words.
    • include images with attributions and links. Remember that hi-resolution images take longer to load on a page, so resize your images to a manageable size (4×3 aspect ratio, no greater than 1000px wide). Include all the necessary attribution info (site name, photographer, link).
    • send text and images separately. Format the post in Word with instructions for where to insert images. I insert bold red caps, “INSERT IMAGE – LAKE” and I name the .jpg file, Lake – Susan Stilwell.
    • include a short 25-50 word bio with your social media links, and with information that ties in with the focus of the host site. For example, I wrote an article for a travel site about the regions in Israel. I omitted what may seem superfluous and instead included my love of adventure and experiencing different cultures.

ID-100328921

2. Share with your subscribers. Post a “tease” on your site with a link to your guest post. Include at least two links to their site: one to their Home or About page, and one to your post. For example, I guested on our own Edie Melson’s site way back in 2012. The post on my blog would look like this:

“I’m excited to be guest posting at Edie Melson’s site today. She shares great information for writers and bloggers, and on Mondays she offers tips on social media and networking. Here’s a snippet:

Have you noticed how many people are adding “Click to Tweet” in their posts? Pretty jazzy, huh? It’s also pretty easy when you know what you’re doing. It’s a great way to increase your visibility on Twitter and can also drive traffic to your site.

Want to know more? Join the conversation there for Social Media Monday—Click To Tweet”

Turn off commenting on your site so all the conversation will be at the host site.

3. Share on your social media networks and tag your host. Be sure you’re linking to the host site and not the “tease” post on your site.

4. Be gracious. Check the host site periodically and stay engaged in the discussion. When the conversation comes to an end, add one last comment thanking the commenters and your host.

With the constantly changing landscape of blogs and social media, savvy writers and bloggers are discovering the benefits of collaborating to build their platforms. Guest posting is one of the best ways to work together and expand our networks.

Shareables:

4 rules for guest posting

[bctt tweet=”Guest posting is a great way to build your #writer platform, @A3forme @susanrstilwell ” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”Want to expand your network and grow your #writer platform? @A3forme @susanrstilwell ” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”How guest posting can help your #writer platform, @A3forme @susanrstilwell” via=”no”]

Photo Credits
“Share,” Stuart Miles (FreeDigitalPhotos.net)