5 Mythbusters That Writers Really Need to Know About Social Media
June 28th, 2011
By Guest Blogger Lori Randall Stradtman, Social Media Design
http://www.social-media-design.com
1. Social Media guarantees you a huge audience. – There are no guarantees, but great content and strategy go a long way! Begin by reaching out to your target audiences and having open discussions with them about your subject matter. For example, if you’re writing a romance novel involving werewolves, find or start communities that are interested in werewolves. Cultivate relationships with the most influential and interesting people there as you engage. Not only will it contribute to your research, but it will make them sure to want to buy your book when it’s ready because they’ve indirectly contributed to your content. They will feel like they’re a part of your book and will want to spread the word for you like wildfire.
2. YouTube is only for celebrities, conspiracy theorists, and 12 year olds – It’s true, these folks do congregate around YouTube, but only because it gives them a powerful voice in their communities. You have a community on YouTube that would love to see you and hear more about what you’re writing. They want to know why you’ve chosen your subject matter and how you do it. Tag your videos with keywords, such as “werewolves” to let them know you’re there.
3. Twitter is too crowded for newcomers to get noticed. – You may have created a fresh Twitter account, full of hope and enthusiasm, only to discover that only 3 bots and your Mother-in-law found you there. She wants her good china back. The trick is to discover or to create a Twitter chat of your own. Some great ones are #blogchat and #writers. Search for something really specific with Twilert. You can set a keyword like “werewolves” and it sends you a daily email list of tweets containing that term. Follow up. You can also go to twittgroups and discover or create a Twitter group that appeals to your audience. Searching for correct Twitter phraseology? Try the Twittonary.
4. Blogs don’t get attention anymore. – A well designed blog that truly represents your brand is a powerful way to create a virtual “rabbit hole” (a la Alice in Wonderland) for you and your audience to explore. Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, your target audience wants to know more about your subject and would love to find a rich resource full of links and ideas. Give them a place to talk about what they love: your subject. Listen and engage with them. When your book comes out they will be your best sales people as they tell all their friends online.
5. Publishers don’t look at Facebook involvement. – Aaron Patterson, Publisher at Stone House Ink and Stone Gate Ink shared last week in his Your Book Is Your Hook radio interview that they’ve “turned down really amazing books because the author was not on Facebook, had no desire to blog… no Social Media reach.” He went on to say that “it takes about a year for somebody to build a platform that can support a book and that without it you’re kinda dead in the water.” I agree.
Connect with Lori through social media on Facebook & Twitter
“Your Book Is Your Hook” Show – Social Media Design & Kate Douglas of “Wolf Tales”
June 28th, 2011
By Jennifer S. Wilkov, host of the “Your Book Is Your Hook!” Show on WomensRadio
Lori Randall, founder of Social Media Design, and Kate Douglas, the lead author for Kensington Publishing’s erotic romance imprint, Aphrodisia, for her popular Wolf Tales series, will appear as guests on the Your Book Is Your Hook! Show on WomensRadio.com.
Ms. Randall will discuss the role of social media in the author’s platform and the top 3 mistakes writers making when they approach social media sites and networks. Ms. Douglas will talk about her latest and last book in the Wolf Tales series among her twelve books about werewolves and shapeshifters. She’ll also discuss how she writes about the explicit sex in her books and how she’s using her books as her hook. She’ll also share advice for writers who want to write and publish books about werewolves in today’s publishing world.
NEW YORK, NY (June 28th – July 4th, 2011): Lori Randall, the founder of Social Media Design, will talk with radio personality and host Jennifer S. Wilkov about the role of social media in the author’s platform. She’ll also discuss each social media network separately to distinguish how 
to use them effectively.
Ms. Randall will also discuss the mistakes writers make when using social media and some do’s and don’ts. She’ll also provide advice specifically for writers about how to take their next steps with social media and the benefits they’ll reap when they do.
Kate Douglas, the lead author for Kensington Publishing’s erotic romance imprint, Aphrodisia, which was developed around her popular Wolf Tales series, will discuss with radio personality and host Jennifer S. Wilkov how and why she wrote her latest and last book among her series of books about werewolves and shapeshifters. She’ll also talk about how she got published and how she’s using her books as her hook. Ms. Douglas will also reveal how her publisher handles the explicit sex in her books and share advice for writers who want to write their own books about werewolves in today’s publishing world.
Host Jennifer S. Wilkov will discuss why social media matters for writers in all genres and categories during her Education Corner segment during the show.
Click Here to Listen Now: http://bit.ly/lnzYjz
If you have questions about any of these interviews or the education corner topic included in the show, please put them here in this discussion thread and I’d be happy to answer them.
Where Oh Where Have All The Books Gone?
June 24th, 2011
By Guest Blogger Aaron Patterson
#1 Amazon Kindle Best-Selling Author & the Publisher at Stone House Ink & StoneGate Ink
Books. eBooks. Audio Books.
I love books, or shall I say I love stories. I used to read three books a day when I was a kid. I love the stories, the danger, the exciting places I can go in a book. But what of the paper, the sound, the smell of a book? What is going to happen to books with the digital revolution?
I ask this with a smile and a heavy heart. I know where it is going and part of me is sad and the other part is excited. The sad part is because I like a book. I grew up reading them, and they are going away. Paper and ink are giving away to the eBook.
Are we really losing them? No, it is just changing. The excited part of me sees the cool ways we can now read stories. How we can have links and video and cram 3,000 books in a small device. How I can listen to an audio book on the same reader I can read a novel on. It all comes down to content. A story is a story no matter how it is consumed. I love story, so give me my story. I don’t care how it comes to me, in a sound over the radio or on an eReader or in a paper form.
With eBooks, I as an author can reach so many more people so much faster. I can build a fan base and make a living as an author, where even five years ago this would have been a crazy thought. I do not have to go to a book signing or travel across the country to sell books. I can do it all from my laptop. Through social media like Twitter and Facebook.
What does this mean for a bookstore?
They will shrink and turn into small specialty shops. The first editions, the signed copies, and the cream of the crop. The really good books, the classics, will be in bookstores. The price will go up and most of the new books will be published only as eBooks or print on demand publishing houses.
Is this a good thing?
Think of how many trees we will save. Think of the books that are pulped every year. If the average reader knew how many books are burned or thrown away each year, it would start a riot. Think of the cost savings. eBooks are forever, do not get old or tear, do not yellow or get lost. Is this good or the end of books? Who knows? All I know is, no matter what, the real story will never die.
Aaron Patterson
Blog: www.TheWorstBookEver.blogspot.com
Twitter: Mstersmith
Facebook: Aaron Patterson
Website: www.StoneHouseInk.net
Books:
Sweet Dreams
Dream On
Airel
19 (Digital Short)
The Craigslist Killer (Digital Short)
The eBook on eBooks (Digital Short)
Getting An Agent Is Like Hiring A Business Partner
June 9th, 2011
By Jennifer S. Wilkov, host of the “Your Book Is Your Hook!” Show on WomensRadio
The Literary Agent Matchmaker™
www.yourbookisyourhook.com
As authors and writers, we’re always learning about resources and industry tools that we can use to improve our book project performance and the enjoyment of our writing and marketing experiences. Today let’s talk about why getting an agent is the same as hiring a business partner.
For many writers, there is a mad rush to approach agents with their projects and pitch them to take them on as a client. For some, it is a sign of validation that their work is “good enough.” For others, it is a choice and path to larger publishing houses. And for still others, it is a business and career decision.
Like other businesses, a successful writer’s career is the product of the work, strengths and resources of many. While the writer may be at the center of the writing work, it takes a lot of people to take that writing from the draft manuscript to a published book.
Some writers feel that they don’t need an agent. Others look to hire them and add them to their growing team of career supporters so they can simply focus on their craft and strength which is writing.
For these writers, hiring an agent is a business decision. Funny enough, for agents – taking on the writer is too.
Business partnerships in the writing world include the author-agent relationship. Just like in other business alliances, the relationship can last a very long time when the foundation for it is based on research, information and a good match of strengths and perspectives.
As a writer, it is your responsibility to prepare for the relationship with an agent. Do your homework, Learn about the agents you want to submit to before you send in your work and writing career for consideration. Look at their websites. Read their blogs. Follow them on Twitter. Listen to them speak at conference events. Get to know who they are and what interests they have so you can determine who resonates with your project’s genre, style and audience – and with you.
As agents and agencies, each one has a particular personality and specific genres they prefer to work with. If you are looking for them, they are easy to locate and learn more about.
Just like partners in a business, agents bring skill sets a writer may not have experience with and can take these tasks on while the writer focuses on producing the writing’s end product – a great book. Agents can contact the editors at the appropriate publishing houses, pitch the project and any follow-on projects associated with it, negotiate a deal, pursue foreign rights for it and much more. They are also a good voice of reason for determining projects to work on, suggesting new projects based on publisher mandates, deciding whether to work with the same publisher or to pursue a different one for each project, and other activities to cultivate your growing career.
When people with complimentary skill sets and strengths form a professional relationship that is respectful and supportive, inevitably both individuals and their business endeavors will grow as a result.
These are the ones that last and that stand the test of time.
As a writer, approach the agent process professionally – right from the start. Prepare for it. Align your efforts and energy accordingly. This is not an adversarial relationship you are about to engage in; it is one designed to support you with what you said you wanted: to get your book published and expand your writing career.
When you don’t approach the process of finding an agent professionally, agents most likely won’t want to work with you. For them, this is a business – one they love. They, like any smart business owner, want to invest their time and energy in supporting those who love writing and enjoy the craft AND who want to engage in a relationship that will serve both parties well.
Before you consider whether you want to work with an agent or not, decide whether you want to build a team of professionals around you to support you with your writing career – or if you plan to steward this on your own. Determine what you have to offer and then seek out the individuals who can jump on the bandwagon of your book and champion it to the industry with you.
When you do, you just may find that your book is your hook to finding an agent and so much more.
Jennifer’s show can be heard every week on Tuesday mornings at 9am when it is broadcast on WomensRadio.com and syndicated on Google News and Live365.com. Each show is archived for replay listeners in different time zones and countries.
For more information on this Education Corner topic and others, please refer to www.YourBookIsYourHook.com/blog for more articles and resources to help you with your books.
Social Persona to Social Pariah at the Click of a Mouse
February 23rd, 2011
By Guest Blogger Bree Ogden, Literary Agent at Martin Literary Management
http://www.martinliterarymanagement.com
http://agentbree.wordpress.com
So you’ve landed an agent! Whew. Work’s done. Time to sit back with your Mojito and let the agent take over the reins. ::Bubble:: POP! Let’s talk reality.
True: your agent is there to get you published (hopefully). True: your agent is there to give you sound advice on your current manuscript and future works-in-progress. True: your agent is there to hold your hand when you are lost in this crazy world called publishing. False: (you knew it was coming) your agent cannot be your social persona. And unfortunately, a negative social persona can make you a publishing pariah.
As authors and potential authors, you have the world waiting to hear from you via the Internet. Twitter feeds, Facebook pages (both fan pages and personal pages), blogs, Tumblr, Web sites, even just a simple Google search could have someone reading every bit of material about you at the click of a button.
Hint: Use this to your advantage. Second hint: It’s harder than it seems. While it’s just plain common sense not to post naughty pictures of yourself on the Web, it might not be as intuitive to watch what you say. For example: Publisher X just released a book about reality television star Y, but Publisher X won’t give your “rousing book on the problem in Country Z” a second glance. So naturally you are angry and you post on Twitter: “Publisher X only cares about money and they produce total crap. I cannot believe they release this kind of trash.”
Hmmm…
Unfortunately for you, Publisher X was actually looking at your manuscript as you wrote those angry words, and you just blew it.
You might think you are invisible on the Web. If you can’t see them, they can’t see you, right? Wrong. With tools such as Google Alerts, anyone can see anything posted about them on the Internet. And it will come back to bite you. I promise.
For an agent, the client who breaches etiquette over the Internet is terrifying. They are a loose cannon and it’s hard for an agent to trust them on their own. By saying inappropriate things over Twitter/Facebook/blogs etc, they not only ruin their own reputation and chances of getting published, but they hurt their agent’s reputation as well.
True story time: An editor once told me regarding Twitter, “Once, I clicked through and saw it was your standard, unpublished (but agented) author—complaining about how long it took editors to consider her manuscript and how this would be ‘unacceptable’ in any other industry and what a bunch of bums editors were. I was considering her manuscript at the time.”
This Internet business is hard work. But worth it if you play your cards right.
Dreams Made Real
February 23rd, 2011
By Guest Blogger Tanya Wright
www.butterflyrisingthemovie.com
I have been acting since I was seventeen (my first job was as Theo’s girlfriend on The Cosby Show!) but, the truth is, I was writing before I was acting. Yes. Writing was my first true love, and it has always been a dream of mine to write books and movies. Now, granted, I always thought my first book-writing experience was going to come when I was, say, sixty years old. When I was done with Hollywood and after I retreated to a castle in Italy, surrounded by butterflies and dogs, where I went to the farmer’s market every Saturday to buy fresh fruits and vegetables for the week. Alas, I birthed a book years before I thought I would! Wrote and directed a movie, too! My dreams had come true.
Rose and Lilah Belle– the two women from my debut novel– BUTTERFLY RISING– leave their tiny town, steal a vintage truck and set out on the open road to meet the mystical Lazarus of the Butterflies, a legend who can help “heal you and make your dreams come true.” Dreams are clearly a recurring theme in my life. I am a firm believer that DREAMS CAN AND SHOULD BE MADE REAL—they don’t have to be these ‘out there,’ ethereal things you only daydream about when you find yourself with an extra few minutes during your busy day. And they can earn you money, too. You CAN make them your job and not just your hobby! Fancy that! Ha!
But dreams are never made real alone. There are lots and lots and lots of folks who come along the journey to help you. Because of the time it would take to publish my book conventionally (plus the fact that I am an aggressively, do-it-yourself, independent sort), I decided to self-publish. After looking at all the self-publishing companies that are out there (and there are a lot! Oy!) I decided to go with CreateSpace, Amazon.com’s self-publishing company. The folks there are great and the process of creating my book from start to finish—from book cover design to copyediting– was seamless! Also, you can’t make a movie without money (well, you can, but…why make something that’s hard even harder! Oy!). I am deeply indebted to my investor, Wil Colom, for writing a check to help make my dream real. There are many, many people who came to my aid along the way– my movie crew, The Film Collaborative (a non-profit company in Los Angeles)– and countless others. No one has a dream and makes it real alone. No one.
Which is why I am so happy to announce an exciting contest on my FB page! Next week, I’ll announce a contest where I WILL HELP YOU MAKE YOUR DREAM REAL. Do you have a creative dream you’ve been dying to make real but just haven’t been able to for—whatever reason? The winner of the contest (which will be chosen by the community based on the number of ‘likes’ your dream gets) will have a private, one-hour consultation– with me– to strategize on how to MAKE YOUR DREAM REAL (I’ll also thrown in an autographed copy of BUTTERFLY RISING! to the lucky winner) I discovered I LOVE giving things away for free:)
Now, I’ll warn you. I’ll help you strategize, but MAKING DREAMS REAL takes A LOT OF HARD WORK BY THE DREAMER. Are you willing to work hard? Identify what motivates you to STAY FOCUSED. Are you willing to sacrifice creature comforts for an indefinite amount of time? MAKING DREAMS REAL is like having a new year’s resolution: lots of folks have good intentions to, say, lose 20 pounds on January 1, but when March 3 rolls around, are they still on the treadmill? Most of ‘em ain’t, sorry to say, and thus the dream is never made real.
Whether you enter our Facebook contest or not, I love to connect with folks! There are many ways to communicate, depending on which one works best for ya:
FACEBOOK: Probably the best real-time way to get info on Butterfly Rising. It’s also where we’re gonna hold the contest! Yeah! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Butterfly-Rising/166995178653
WEBSITE: here’s all the info about Butterfly Rising—book, movie and all its forms… www.butterflyrisingthemovie.com
TWITTER: If you like to send and receive info in short chunks, check me out @tanyaTTwright http://twitter.com/tanyaTTwright
EMAIL: butterfyrisingthemovie@gmail.com.
That is all.
Hope to see you there!
Tanya 
Tanya Wright plays the role of Deputy Kenya Jones on HBO’s TRUE BLOOD. Her self-published debut novel (via CreateSpace) is called BUTTERFLY RISING; it was deemed one of the ‘five finest debut novels of 2010′ by the prestigious Brooklyn Book Festival. Tanya also wrote and directed the film version of the movie that will make its way onto the film festival circuit in summer, 2011. Tanya was a semi-finalist in the Nicholl’s Screenwriting Competition (AMPAS) and a fellow at the Mark Taper’s Blacksmyth’s Playwrighting Program.
Free Stuff: Top 10 Ways to Learn More About How to Make Your Book Your Hook!
February 8th, 2011
By Jennifer S. Wilkov, Host of the “Your Book Is Your Hook!” Show on WomensRadio
Book Business Consultant for Authors & Writers
www.yourbookisyourhook.com
Authors and writers often ask how they can receive information from me when they are not an individual client of mine. I’m happy to provide 10 ways for you to learn more about making your book your hook:
1) Free Starter Kit – Sign up for my free Starter Kit on the website at www.YourBookIsYourHook.com. You’ll receive a free 90-minute workshop recording plus the accompanying 14-page workbook to learn how to write, market & make money with your book. Authors who have listened to this workshop have benefitted tremendously. They have recreated the approach to their books and readers. Some have even gotten published as a result of putting the activities discussed into action.
2) Newsletter – Subscribe to my free monthly Newsletter. Receive tips and guidance each month for your book idea, project and platform. You’ll automatically be signed up for this when you get your free Starter Kit.
3) Listen to the “Your Book Is Your Hook!” Radio Talk Show – Each week join me on Tuesdays at 9am Eastern on the WomensRadio Network at WomensRadio.com. Not on Eastern time? That’s okay! The shows are archived each week so you can access past shows quickly and easily.
4) Read My Blog – Get tips from me & other industry experts as well as other writers and authors like you that you’ve heard on the show each week. www.YourBookIsYourHook.com/Blog
5) Like My Page on Facebook – There you can find out about upcoming appearances, training classes and special events. Facebook.com/JenniferSWilkov
6) Follow me on Twitter – Get weekly tips & insights about writing, marketing and publishing your book. Include me in your posts using @URBookIsURHook. Twitter.com/URBookIsURHook
7) First Steps to Finding the Right Literary Agent – For Literary Agent Matchmaker insights specifically, follow me on Twitter at Twitter.com/litmatchmaker to keep up with daily information about literary agents, editors, publishers and more. Include me in your posts using @litmatchmaker.
8) Connect with Me on LinkedIn – Connect with me on LinkedIn and let me know if you’re in the same groups I am. You can also join my Group called “Your Book Is Your Hook!” LinkedIn.com/in/JenniferWilkov
9) Subscribe to the YouTube Channel – Find out quickly who’s going to be on the show each week and other quick video tidbits by subscribing to my channel. Leave a question or comment on my video broadcasts. YouTube/user/YourBookIsYourHook
10) Prepare & Polish Up Your Approach to Using Your Book As Your Hook – For insights into why authors get rejected in the publishing industry, how to start building great hooks for your book and how you can start your journey to becoming the next bestseller, simply go to The Next Bestseller at www.thenextbestsellertv.com.
It’s my privilege and pleasure to support you with the writing, marketing and getting published activities for your book.
Whether you entertain, educate or enlighten others with it, you’ll give a great gift to humanity and leave a legacy for yourself, your family and the human race.
And that’s why…. Your Book Is Your Hook!
Customer Service You Provide As An Author
January 29th, 2011
By Jennifer S. Wilkov, host of the “Your Book Is Your Hook!” Show on WomensRadio
www.yourbookisyourhook.com
As authors and writers, we’re always learning about resources and industry tools that we can use to improve our book project performance and the enjoyment of our writing and marketing experiences. Today let’s talk about the customer service provided by you as an author.
“Customer service” is an anomaly for authors. It is usually associated with products, services and companies. However, as an author, your books are your business and so customer service must therefore be a part of your overall platform.
Wondering what “customer service” means for you as an author?
Let’s take a few moments to better understand the nature of what customer service is. By definition and simply stated, a customer is one who purchases a commodity or service according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition. The word service means the work performed by one who serves – i.e.; a contribution to the welfare of others (Merriam-Webster).
Your book is a commodity purchased by others, namely your readers. You wrote it in service to and as a contribution to the welfare of them, whether you entertainment, educate or enlighten them with your book.
Therefore, there is a responsibility you have as an author to provide good “customer service” to the audience and following you’ve cultivated.
There are easy ways to provide this so no need to feel this is a daunting task. Much of it can be accomplished via a simple website with a few specific sections that make you more accessible to the reader – oh and the media.
In service to readers:
1) Make it easy for them to find your website by using your name and separately the name of your book. Own both domains and make sure that each one leads to the other.
2) Include a calendar of appearances so readers who want to meet you in person and hear you speak can find you.
3) On this same calendar, be sure to list media appearances. This is not only so readers can watch and listen, it also informs other journalists and media reps that you’re available for interviews and guest spots on their shows.
4) Provide a blog where you share your thoughts on writing, ideas for your next book and a place where readers and fans can communicate with you through comments. This requires less of your time and at the same time provides interaction opportunities for your audience.
5) Consider a social media forum. Set up a Facebook page where you can easily be found posting and engaging in a short dialogue with readers. This is another place you can show up when you want to and interact through comments. For those who are bolder and more consistent, try Twitter, a 140-character forum where you will need to take some time to learn the lingo to have quick, snappy exchanges with readers and the press. You can also create a simple automatic stream of the posts you want to make on both Facebook and Twitter using social media scheduling tools like HootSuite and Social Oomph.
Most of all, keep writing. The best customer service you can provide in service to your readers is to write your next book. If they like the first one they read, they’ll certainly be on the lookout for more.
While your book is your hook to more readers and the media, it’s also your job to use it responsibly to continue to deliver great value while creating an ongoing conversation with those who consume it and come back asking for more.
Jennifer’s show can be heard every week on Tuesday mornings at 9am when it is broadcast on WomensRadio.com and syndicated on Google News and Live365.com. Each show is archived for replay listeners in different time zones and countries.
For more information on this Education Corner topic and others, please refer to www.YourBookIsYourHook.com/blog for more articles and resources to help you with your books.
“Your Book Is Your Hook” Show – Branding + “Starting Over in a 140 Character World”
December 21st, 2010
By Jennifer S. Wilkov, host of the “Your Book Is Your Hook!” Show on WomensRadio
www.yourbookisyourhook.com
Michele Mattia, a best-selling author, an inspirational speaker, the renowned blogger of “Michele’s Daily Dash”, and a certified Life Design Coach and Creative Strategist, will talk with radio personality and host Jennifer S. Wilkov about the dilemma authors face about whether to brand themselves or their books.
Ms. Mattia will also discuss the risks authors take when they don’t brand themselves plus she’ll share the top three things an author must do to establish his or her brand and how to get started.
Michele Mattia is also a best-selling co-author of two books released this past Fall and will discuss with radio personality and host Jennifer S. Wilkov how she got involved in these projects and the benefits of being published in a collaborative book with several authors.
Ms. Mattia will also talk about her most recent appearance in the book, The Big Book of Social Media Case Studies, Stories, Perspectives, a collaborative book edited by Bob Fine featuring contributions from select speakers from the Cool Twitter Conference World Tour social media conference last year and this year. She’ll share the story behind her popular chapter entitled “Starting Over in a 140 Character World,” and how she’s using this book as her hook.
Host Jennifer S. Wilkov will discuss why co-authoring a collaborative book could be a quick way of getting published during her Education Corner segment on the show.
Click Here to Listen Now: http://bit.ly/i4wXJN
If you have questions about any of these interviews or the education corner topic included in the show, please put them here in this discussion thread and I’d be happy to answer them.
Be the Brand! Be the Story!
December 21st, 2010
By Guest Blogger: Michele Mattia
Best Selling Author, Inspirational Speaker, Thought Leader, Blogger, certified Life Design Coach and Creative Strategist
www.MicheleMattia.com
Social Media. It’s not a tactic. It’s not a strategy. It’s not about isolationism or the loss of the human connection. Social Media is about expansion, engagement, connection, conversation, and collaboration. It’s the tremendous opportunity we have to learn from one another and affect change. Social networking ignites many to take action. A simple blog post can inspire someone to send an email to the author. This one email can propose a meeting over coffee. A cup of coffee at a café can result in the creation of a collaborative project because a connection was established. Social Media isn’t the loss of the human connection. This is a gift!
Each and every one of us is a brand! What a delicious knowing! As authors, we are the business. We want to make our living, and rightfully so, doing what we love. And just as a company has a platform for their vision, mission and message, so do authors. One of the exciting parts of “being the brand” is the author doesn’t hide behind a logo. It’s very authentic and transparent. We want to connect and engage with our readers. The goal for most authors is to write many books, and although these books might fall under the same genre, or are a part of a series, the common thread is the author. Your audience wants to know the person behind the words.
Long before you launch into the online community, make sure you know and understand the “why” behind your entering into the online/social networking world. Far too often I’ve seen people zeroed in on “I have to be online right away!” or “I want to be a star/celebrity!” The biggest benefit to you and your audience is to know what you want to say, the content you want to provide, and what your fans want to read/hear/know. Ask yourself questions like: What makes my heart sing? What am I passionate about? What do I find myself often talking about with others?
Recommendations on getting started BEFORE you launch:
√ Purchase your domain name right away even if your not ready to launch the website. You want to make sure you get your first and last name, especially if it’s common ~ i.e. JohnSmith.com.
√ Get creative headshots taken! Your audience is going to connect with you and not a corporate logo or book cover.
√ Research. Figure out who your target audience is and where they spend their time online and offline. Determine what content they want to hear and how this is aligned with your message. Discover what content is missing and how YOU are the right and perfect person to fill this gap!
√ Honor your skills and strengths when deciding which social networking platforms you want to launch. For example, if you’re an excellent speaker, definitely consider a YouTube channel.
√ Don’t launch all of your social networks at the same time. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Blogging, LinkedIn are the fan favorites. Start with one or two networks and use third party websites and software to help organize and manage: SocialOomph.com, HootSuite.com, Ping.fm, NetworkedBlogs.com, TweetDeck
You’re an author and the real you needs to shine online! Just as the words and chapters of your book tell a story, so does your online presence. What story are you going to tell?
