by Maria C. Ferrer
You've been hearing it all last year -- an author's presence
on the social networks helps to sell books. Yes, it's true! Your Facebook page,
Twitter account and Pinterest files are being watched by editors and agents
alike. In fact, the number of your friends, likes and retweets can guarantee
you a sale.
What does this mean to us authors? It means that we need to be
seen and heard on the social networks.
SEEN
Here are the basic four I recommend:
1. Website -- think of this as
your "business card" on the web. This is a stationery location for
all your data, including bio, photos, books or works in progress, links to your
blog and social networks, excerpts, etc. Keep it updated.
2. Blog -- think of this as your
soap box. Chat about your writing, your research, your opinion of the latest
episode of Scandal, the runway in Paris, etc. You can even do interviews with
editors, agents, other authors, etc. These are very popular.
3. Facebook -- great place to
catch up with friends and authors and make connections.
4. Twitter -- another great place to chat and one that forces
you to be witty in 140 characters or less.
Remember that you can link all your social networks to each
other and your website and blog. This way your presence is everywhere.
HEARD
You need to be "heard" on the social networks. Here
are some tips on being heard:
1. Start by commenting about a TV
show. For example, while "Scandal" is on, thousands of fans are
chatting online. Use the hashtag and join in on the "conversation."
2. Like and retweet comments from
other writers, publishers, industry professionals, friends, etc.
3. Make comments of your own to
what others are posting. You want to make your presence known.
4. Do interviews with editors, agents, authors and others.
Post them on your blog and then promote on your social networks. Again, you
want to get your name out there and people commenting on your posts.
Now before you run off and sign up for every social network in
the universe, let's be realistic. Before catching up with all the social
networks, let's look at our writing schedule. Some people recommend posting at
least five times a day; others recommend five times a week. I recommend
studying YOUR writing schedule and THEN making the best choice for you. But
note that even once a day is fine.♥
Maria
C. Ferrer is RWA/NYC's Blog Mistress. She is very interested in increasing her
presence on the social networks, and is willing to share her findings. Maria
hopes others will share as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment