I don't know about you, but all this social networking stuff has my head spinning. I was never a MySpace user, but I admit to being a Facebook addict. I use Twitter but probably not effectively. Google + is still a big question mark in my mind and I'm not sure how to embrace it. Blogging has always been a challenge for me. I don't seem to have hit on the right formula to keep readers interested enough to engage in conversation/keep coming back.
This is not good news for an author.
Apparently its all about exposure and how many 'hits' you're getting and who's re-tweeting you and what words you use in your blog posts all that jazz. Erin MacPherson talked about this a bit over at The WordServe Water Cooler the other day. If you haven't had a chance to check out this new blog yet, please do!
I don't know about you, but some days I feel all this is just a little beyond me.
I just want people to buy my book, dang it.
Okay, that's not true. Well, I mean of course it's true, but that's not ALL I want.
I want those connections. I want to get to know you, and I want you to know me. Yes, I admit, I'm envious of those bloggers who have over a thousand followers and over fifty comments every time they post. I don't know how they do it, but they've obviously hit on something I haven't. Yet.
So what does all this mean to me? Do I just give up and let the chips fall where they may?
Sure, that would be the easy way out wouldn't it? But it probably wouldn't be the most sensible thing for me to do as a new author trying to connect with readers and future readers.
So here's my plan.
I've created an Author Page on Facebook, and this is where I hope to connect with my readers and keep them informed of my writing and new releases etc... I'm still deciding whether or not to keep my personal profile for personal friends and family only. There are pros and cons to this I suppose, especially since at the moment I have over a thousand 'friends'. So I'm not really sure which way to go there. I think as a published author you have to find some middle ground and a level of privacy you're comfortable with.
I'm keeping this blog, but over the next few weeks I'm going to be thinking about how I can revitalize it. Change it up a bit. Create a focus. Be more intentional about my postings. So stay tuned for that.
In the meantime you might want to check out the new blog I've launched.
This Is A Blog About Books.
Guess what it's about? I'll give you three guesses!
Go check out. If you review books I'd love to list your blog. If you write books, I'd love to list your titles!
And I'd really love it if you'd share this information with all your friends and get them on the list too!!
As far as all the other social media networks, I'm basically figuring things out as I go along.
What about you? What do you find works for you and how did you make that choice?
9 comments:
gets overwhelming...and frustrating when you realize you're working your behind off and gaining very little traffic. I've been online since 1998...I should be a household name by now, right? LOLOL Keep pluggin.
Cath,
I'm totally distracted by social media, yet driven by the admonition that "an author needs a presence." Frankly, I'm sort of sick of the whole mess, but I keep going on Twitter and have those posts fed into my Facebook account (but not my author page). I'm a member of Google+ and LinkedIn but never go there. It's a mess.
Good luck on your new blog. Hope it doesn't turn out to be too much work to keep the "new releases" column updated. But your work is appreciated.
I blog, facebook, and use twitter just like you, but probably not effectively. I haven't even attempted to set up a Google+ profile. It IS too much. I think three are enough for me. I'll do my best where I am and I think that's enough! :o)
Bloggging has always been my fav. and probably always will be. I like my FB page. I like Twitter. I like the many other sites I belong to, but it's on ~ thoughts that move ~ that I feel the interaction is the strongest and I'm engaging best.
Great things to think through in this ever-changing industry.
~ Wendy
Yes, it's overwhelming. A body can only do so much, especially if it's counter-intuitive to your personality. I am a new blogger still figuring things out. But I, too, want those connections.
Cathy:
Here's my approach: I'm trying.
I'm trying to remember it's a relationship--there are other people on the end of every comment, tweet or post.
I'm trying to be relevant and informative and funny ...
I'm trying to visit other people's blogs and to leave comments ...
I'm trying to do it all ... and I'm failing.
But I'm trying.
And I'm trying not to worry about what everyone else is doing and how they seem to be doing it better than me.
Oh, yeah, and I'm trying to take to learn more about all of this social media madness.
A bit at a time.
The whole thing is new to me and I am trying to learn how-to (a) do them and (b) make them work for me. The tedium is killing me. Also new to setting up blogspot, website, so trying to get techie awareness. Needing to keep up with authors' affiliatory groups and dozens of emails with great information. HELP!!!! I'm on overload.
Prayed to the Lord and asked for a miracle. Lord this is Your book, written on Your inspiration to fulfill Your mandate. Please send it where it needs to go and if I am to go along with it them give me a map please. Amen.
Even I get overwhelmed and I'm a Social Media manager! People think they have to DO IT ALL - Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Website, Email, Google +...and then BAM! You're overwhelmed.
You don't have to do everything. You should only do what makes sense for what you're trying to achieve. And that will vary for everyone.
Good content. Thanks for your writing.
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