Days after I signed my publishing contract with Curiosity Quills Press, YA acquisitions editor, Krystal Wade, emailed me and said, "I can't find your author Facebook page and Twitter account." Well, my friend, that's because they don't exist yet. So, it's true, you really do need that stuff before you're published.
Because I wanted to do it right, I finally cracked open Kristen Lamb's We Are Not Alone, which I won in a giveaway on Laura Barnes' blog months ago. I looked at a few other social marketing resources, but Lamb's book quickly became my social marking bible. Whether you're an old pro at social networks or never heard of Twitter before, this is a great book. It talks about what accounts to open and how to optimize them. She talks about how to gear your blog posts towards your readers (not just your friends) and how to show up in more searches by putting the right tags in your bio.So, if you are in fact fond of me, please like my Facebook page and follow me on Twitter. I will be happy to do the same for you.
I also have a question. In Lamb's book, she feels strongly that authors should also create a My Space page. What do you think? Is this advice outdated? Do you use My Space?
I'm not published, so take that into account. I would skip the Myspace--I don't really know anyone who has one. But maybe authors do have them too.I don't know.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check out that book! I still have a Myspace page up b/c I put it on my business cards and haven't made new ones yet, but I can honestly say nobody contacts me through it, and I never go on. It was fun while it lasted but I think that info is outdated . . . although I'm not a pub'd author!
ReplyDeleteI read Kristen Lambs blog - it's pretty informative. And of course I'm heading to your FaceBook page now. I don't tweet yet, though:) Also, I don't know any authors that have MySpace - everyone I know has switched to FB.
ReplyDeleteyay. i already like you, now I'll just make it official ;)
ReplyDeleteas for myspace, I don't know anyone who uses it - except some musicians. I don't feel like it's a valuable tool when there are so many others out there.
what does Kristen say about Tumblr? That's one I'm puzzled over...
Awww...thanks. :) Lamb doesn't mention Tumbler. But the book is from 2010, which in social network world might as well be 1910 I'm guessing.
DeleteI would say MySpace is kinda over. Not to say more profiles would dilute your brand, definitely not! More the merrier.
ReplyDeleteBut if you are investing time in growing them, I would say G+ and Pinterest are the places to be right now besides Twitter and FB.
Also, check out Triberr that increases your blog and Twitter reach something crazy - and lets you connect with some targeted cool folks in the process. We have a Tribe there, too. Email me if you want to be walked through it? Because if there's anything Triberr is not, it's immediately intuitive :)
Thanks! This is great information. Checking out G+, Pinterest, and Triberr are now on my to-do list.
DeletePS - You should take note of what Lisa has to say, she's one of the editors at Curiosity Quills!
ReplyDeleteI'm reasonably sure that MySpace stopped being relevant as soon as News Corporation bought it. :)
ReplyDeleteWhoa, MySpace! I haven't bothered with them since... 2002 or so. I would definitely skip 'em and focus on Twitter, Facebook and GoodReads to start instead.
ReplyDeleteAs for my book, Rebels of the 512, you can download a free copy until May 31 at Smashwords! Here's the link: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/129672
Hi Matther & Laura,
ReplyDelete:) Good to know! I need to add GoodReads to my list of networks I should have been on yesterday. I'm intrigued about Rebels of the 512! I'll download now.
I haven't worried about Myspace and I don't think others have either!
ReplyDeleteNow for facebook and twitter, those truly are hotspots for authors! I connect like nobody's busines!!!
It's my first time visiting and you have such a cute blog! I hope you'll stop by my blog, Unedited, for a visit!
Eek, MySpace is outdated. I won't be getting one of those. I have enough social media I can't keep up with. :D
ReplyDelete