tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post6906207189665752298..comments2023-09-16T05:02:59.946-07:00Comments on Heroines with Hearts: Social Media: How Do I Make it Work for Me?Debra St. Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07154130275058459169noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-26548436689339786272017-04-28T10:42:15.508-07:002017-04-28T10:42:15.508-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Bloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07287821785570247118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-58298002455089725902017-03-22T15:34:52.708-07:002017-03-22T15:34:52.708-07:00It's definitely all about getting your name ou...It's definitely all about getting your name out there. And it makes me wonder what the next 'big thing/idea' for doing that will be.Debra St. Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07154130275058459169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-18580788803588529132017-03-22T15:33:35.179-07:002017-03-22T15:33:35.179-07:00Definitely didn't cross it. When I have a '...Definitely didn't cross it. When I have a 'moment' to sit and figure some stuff out, I might take you up on your offer of help. So thanks! :)Debra St. Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07154130275058459169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-44759301445958719972017-03-20T16:18:19.176-07:002017-03-20T16:18:19.176-07:00Just want to add here that the time for connecting...Just want to add here that the time for connecting with people (i.e possible buyers of your book) is long before your first book is published. I was building up my social contacts for about 3 years before my first book was published. <br />Having said that, it took another 3 years (and 6 more books!) before my sales really 'took off'. Promotion is much harder work than writing the actual book - but you have to find every which way you can to get your 'name' out there! <br />Just as an interesting aside, my sales rocketed in the month (in 2014) when I was on a month's trip to the USA and wasn't doing any online promotion at all. Go figure! I still have no idea how or why! <br /> Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-72829067034481083172017-03-20T16:14:59.370-07:002017-03-20T16:14:59.370-07:00There's a fine line between blunt and rude. Ho...There's a fine line between blunt and rude. Hope I didn't cross it. If you need any advice or whatever with either social media or the group party idea, just give a yell (or send me an email). Happy to help--we're all in the same boat.JENNIFER WILCKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16218241106543538422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-67336270125880204462017-03-20T16:06:57.225-07:002017-03-20T16:06:57.225-07:00You're right, Jen. I was just frustrated and f...You're right, Jen. I was just frustrated and forgot the most important part of social media...the social part. Like Paula mentioned, those connections. I needed blunt. Thanks!<br /><br />I've done book signings as part of 'craft fairs' and not had much luck. A more personal approach with a smaller venue might be a good idea.<br /><br />I do know people who sell various things as you mentioned. Maybe I can corral all of us and put together an event myself. Great suggestion. Thanks!Debra St. Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07154130275058459169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-12601690599079123512017-03-20T16:04:22.326-07:002017-03-20T16:04:22.326-07:00I agree that publishers are very keen on having au...I agree that publishers are very keen on having authors use social media.<br /><br />My current publisher is really good at getting the word out about new released on both Twitter and Facebook. I just wish I personally were as good as that. :)Debra St. Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07154130275058459169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-56317411410554024252017-03-20T16:03:10.577-07:002017-03-20T16:03:10.577-07:00I do have a web-site, but I don't do a newslet...I do have a web-site, but I don't do a newsletter. That's a good suggestion. Thanks, Ana.Debra St. Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07154130275058459169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-45815541840797473432017-03-20T16:01:02.757-07:002017-03-20T16:01:02.757-07:00Thanks, Paula. You make a good point that it's...Thanks, Paula. You make a good point that it's all about building relationships with people. And the only way to do that is put time and effort in.Debra St. Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07154130275058459169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-38668534107315758102017-03-20T10:37:47.700-07:002017-03-20T10:37:47.700-07:00A fascinating discussion, thanks Debra. I'm le...A fascinating discussion, thanks Debra. I'm learning a lot. As I one day hope to be published I do use FB quite a bit but have never got to grips with twitter, although I share things on it more than personally use it. When I have looked at publisher sites, they seem to be very keen on authors, particularly new ones, using social media. Carol Warhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05077480370693925624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-38512091008552196342017-03-20T06:50:30.012-07:002017-03-20T06:50:30.012-07:00Since I don't have a book to sell yet, I have ...Since I don't have a book to sell yet, I have not focused on marketing. I take classes and follow marketing blogs, though, and they say a website is number 1, and a newsletter is number 1.1 for marketing. <br />I am not fond of FB, and am barely able to read tweets let alone send one.<br />Ana Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12325215832587691886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-57834812352467523452017-03-20T04:08:31.093-07:002017-03-20T04:08:31.093-07:00Two things I've had success with, and led to m...Two things I've had success with, and led to me selling a LOT of books, were articles in local newspapers and joining a bunch of other women who were selling things. For the newspaper, I sent in a press release about one of my books being a finalist in a contest. You can also announce a new contract, etc. I had two local papers pick it up, including one that also did a review of the book. People I don't normally connect with (dog walkers in my neighborhood, my kids' teachers, etc) saw the articles and bought my books. For the women selling things, I happen to know a lot of teachers, and most of them are involved in selling things--jewelry, makeup, etc. One of them put together an open house and invited a variety of other vendors--jewelry, food, handbags, makeup. We all set up in different parts of her house, we all invited a bunch of people, and I sold to people I wouldn't have reached (because none of us competed with each other, it was easier, as opposed to an author event where they are deciding between authors). So if social media isn't your thing, you might want to try something like this.JENNIFER WILCKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16218241106543538422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-48750174460952905352017-03-19T18:47:17.392-07:002017-03-19T18:47:17.392-07:00Okay, I'm going to be blunt, but nice. :) Soci...Okay, I'm going to be blunt, but nice. :) Social media has to be inherently social. It is, first and foremost, a way to interact with people. You're right, everyone's time is limited and requires prioritizing. If you don't have time to devote a regular portion of your day or week to Facebook and Twitter, you're actually doing more harm than good, because static accounts make people lose interest and FB and Twitter will hide your stuff. A FB personal page is able to be seen easily. An author page, due to FB algorithms and to the company's desire to make money, is only seen if you are consistently and highly active with it. Even people who follow your author page won't see what you post there if you're not on it frequently. Twitter is pretty easy, but is extremely fast paced. People, again, want to interact with you. If all you want is a way to promote your books, neither site is for you, unless you want to pay money for advertising, which I've found fairly cheap and effective. If you don't have time or don't want to go on FB and Twitter daily and post stuff and react to other people's stuff, then it's not going to do what you are looking for, and you're better off finding advertising sites to list your books (actually, the TWRP author's guide has a great marketing tool in the back that has sites listed). FB and Twitter will help you with word-of-mouth, as Paula says. I'm on both frequently, so if you need any help with either, I'd be happy to sit down with you by phone or whatever and go over stuff to determine if either is right for you.JENNIFER WILCKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16218241106543538422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-36536570692774828022017-03-19T17:27:28.598-07:002017-03-19T17:27:28.598-07:00I understand your frustration, Deb! I haven't ...I understand your frustration, Deb! I haven't got the hang of Twitter either - it seems too 'transient' for me, with millions of tweets so it's too easy for your own tweets to get completely lost.<br />However, Facebook is something I've used for about 8 years now, and I have to say that if you try to use it solely as a 'promo' tool, it won't work for you. It's a social site, and you have to spend a lot of time building up your 'social' contacts there, posting regularly and responding to other's posts (and I don't just mean the kittens and food etc!). Over the years, I have built up quite a large network of friends - and yes, they are friends now, and not just names, and I've met quite a lot of them in 'real' life too. But of course, it is time-consuming, and I couldn't do it if I had a full-time job like you have. <br />Having said that, people on FB won't usually respond to book 'adverts' they see from people they don't 'know'. You have to interact with people first, and then hope they might be interested in buying your book when you tell them about it. <br />Not sure that this helps really, because I understand how limited your time is. If all you really have time for is 'advertising', look at some of the advertising sites - although for most of those you have to pay. 'The Fussy Librarian' is one of the less expensive ones I've found.<br /><br />Good luck! Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.com