A Look at Marketing for Writers

Writing. Reading. Creating....Marketing?

Um, one of these things is NOT like the other. Or is it? Why is the word "marketing" so scary? Why do we as writers (or, at least some of us--myself included at times) think that marketing is beyond what we're capable of?

Let's start with a definition. We're writers, we like words, right?

Oooo, that may be part of the problem. Words like "promoting" and "selling" don't feel creative (at least not to me). They sound more like work or self-promotion. What if we took a step back and first asked ourselves a few simple questions:

1) Why do I create?
2) What do I create?
3) What makes my creations different or unique?

The answers to those three questions are quintessential to marketing. It's easy to start to see dollar signs or people only out for opportunities and networking when we talk about marketing, but for Christ-followers I boil it down to this:

Marketing means showcasing your unique, God-given talents in a way that points to the Creator, not the created.  (tweet this)

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Woah, I took it there, didn't I? I know, we try to make marketing this business-y thing (which it is) but we forget that, without creative inspiration from the Lord, we wouldn't have these great ideas in the first place.

Plus, as this quote points out, this life isn't just about us. It's about how God will use us and our talents, for His glory! How exciting is that?

Now, take a step forward with the thought that you are now sharing the beauty of God-given talent with others. It's not about you, it's not even about your product, as much as it's about owning up to the fact that you can point to the Creator through the act of marketing. Okay, back to the business realm (without forgetting what we just discussed, of course).

 The Other Side

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Marketing does require a type of self promotion, but the key thing to remember here is how you package your marketing ideas and materials. Your audience is who you're trying to reach with this. It will take some creative brainstorming and often help from professionals for materials or even print copy, but it can be done well without feeling overly "sell-focused".

My number one piece of advice for all forms of social media and any marketing you will do is to showcase who you are (this is technically your business). You establish your brand and then you promote, discuss, and talk about everything in reference to that brand (we'll talk about branding next week).

This looks like: 

Blogging: Choosing a theme that matches (or is complimentary) to your genre.
Facebook: Your author page interacts with you audience through fun posts in relation to your topic, shared posts from authors in your genre, questions that delve into a personal nature, giveaways focused around your novels/topic.
Twitter: You follower popular authors in your genre, retweet them, create tweets that focus around your genre, and post personal tweets in relation.
Instagram: Posting pictures of your life, your interests, and maybe your writing in line with your brand.
Guest Posting: Picking blogs that support your brand (ie: Historical blogs that offer guest posts if you are a historical author).

In all of these realms of social media, make sure you are consistent (to an extent) with the overall look and design of your platforms. I'm not the best example of this since I have varying passions of writing and photography (for example almost all my social media is @eahendry but my twitter is @eacreativephoto...*sigh* the perfectionist in me wants to change it but I probably won't ha!). But the more uniform you can keep your online presence, the better established your brand will be.

Flickr by asenat29

The last thing I'll say is marketing for writers a matter of balance (tweet this). You will easily find there is a bit of discrepancy between you and your brand. That's understandable since you aren't selling something tangible (aside from a book, of course). Plus, books cycle through very quickly in today's market and by the time you are talking about one, the next one is lined up and ready to go.

 

Marketing you will never go out of fashion or print. If you take time on anything, focus your effort on establishing solid connections to your readers. It's there that you'll strike marketing gold!

Your Challenge:

• Write out your answers to the questions above
• Tweet one of your favorite quotes from this blog
• Comment honestly: do you struggle with marketing? Why?

(Don't forget to use the hashtag: #ttmediachallenge when posting!)

A Look at Guest Posting for Writers

To guest or not to guest. That is the question for today's social media and marketing post. 

If you've been following along (take a look at Blogging for writers, Facebook for writers, Twitter for writers, and a lovely post by Ralene Burke on social media for writers) then you know my focus for this month is social media and marketing for writers. If you're not a writer I'm pretty sure you'll still find some helpful tips for marketing and social media, but realize I am speaking to the writers out there.

Back to the question at hand...guest posting. Is it worth it? Is it too time consuming? What do you say when you guest? Where do you guest? Why should you even bother guest posting? I'll answer these questions and more below.

Guest Posting For Writers: To Establish and Build a Platform

To guest

We'll be talking about platform next week, but to start this discussion I want to hit the positive sides to guest posting.

1) Spreading the word

The most obvious reason to guest post is to spread the word about you. (Are you sensing a theme this month?) When you guest post on blogs or websites you generally get the opportunity to do a little bit of promotion at the end. Don't have a book to promote? That's okay! Promote your social media links and/or blog.

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2) Follower fans

Another HUGE bonus to guest posting is the fact that you can gain new follower fans! Guaranteed that, should someone like your post, they will want to find out more about you. If they like what they find, you've just gained a new follower and/or reader fan!

3)  Be an expert

Guest posts allow you to be the expert. Choose your topics wisely (more on this in a minute) but make sure you freely give away some expert advise. You new readers will thank you--and sometimes that means a follow or like.

4) Discipline

The less-thought-of reason to guest post is discipline. When you agree to be a guest, you are then "chained" to a date and forced to think through your post. This is great practice for making deadlines, writing creatively even when inspiration may not be striking, and a fantastic way to hone your online writing style and voice.

Not to guest

Though there are some great reasons to guest, there are some downsides to guest posting as well.

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1) Time's a wastin'

The number one issue with guests posts are the fact that they can take up precious writing time! (Let's be honest though. What doesn't take up time?) If you find yourself spending more time working on numerous guest posts than on your next novel, you've hit the "not to guest" side. Take a step back and re-evaluate the need to guest.

2) Small numbers = small reach

It doesn't matter how fantastic your guest post is--you may have just solved the problem of world hunger--but if no one is reading the blog you're guest on...it was a wasted effort. Sort of like a tree falling in the forest is a guest post going live in a small, carved out space of the internet no one visits.

Make sure you are spending your precious time crafting your masterpiece guest post for a blog that gets decent traffic. I'm not saying ignore anyone with a small readership, but evaluate where you're spending most of your effort and time.

3) Repetition isn't helpful

If you're hoping to write one guest post and recycle it through a string of blogs across the vast expanse of Internet-space let me save you the trouble: DON'T. Why? Well, the overbearing ruler of the Internet these days is Google. Love Google or hate it (or a little bit of both) but don't anger it.

Google is great at detecting repetitive content in multiple locations. To Google that looks like plagiarism and therefore not-good content. That is a no-no in Googles eyes. So, if you aren't up to creating new content for every guest post, it's better say no.

Where to guest

There is no right or wrong answer to this. Since I'm a member of ACFW I've used connections I've made through the organization as well as at conferences to guest on other blogs. The best types of guest post positions allow you to get in front of an audience who will be receptive to what you are sharing.

Start by connecting with authors who write what you write (and who have an active blog). Check out their blog, read it, and see if they offer guest post options. If so, risk asking if you could guest. Before you do though, make sure you have an idea in mind and possibly a title. Being able to give them a snapshot of what you'll share can help them make a decision about letting you guest on their blog.

What to say when you guest

The last part is the actual writing. If you've decided to guest, take your time and make sure you're putting forth your best effort. Remember, you're acting as a type of "expert" in your field so make sure what you're saying is helpful, efficient, and accurate. Guest posts can also include things you are passionate about.

As example, I've guested about writing tips, photography, faith, and marketing. If you are using guest posts to grow your own audience and platform though, I'd recommend writing about things related to your writing or that capture the attention of people who would read what you write.

Don't forget a killer bio, links to your social media, and a headshot that accurately displays your personality (and isn't a selfie...please!).

End result: Guest posting can be a big aid in growing and expanding your platform but it can also eat away at your own writing time. The best approach is to schedule posts far enough apart and to write them as quickly as possible once assigned. Have fun, draw readers in, then give them the opportunity to connect with you on your own platform.

Check out some recent guest posts I've done: 
Reading and Writing: God's at work behind the pages on InkWell Inspirations
How to Create and Cultivate Community on the ACFW blog
A Page from My Journal on Trust on Putting on the New
Writing Like a Photographer: The Key to Descriptive Writing on Seekerville blog
Why Authors Need A Professional Headshot on PR by the Book

Your challenge:

• Do you guest post? Reply yes or no!
• Share the link to a guest post you've written
• Share what topics you'd like to post about
• Share what topics you'd like to read about

(Don't forget to use the hashtag #ttmediachallenge when you share your thoughts and tweet)

___________________________

 Last weeks //WINNER//

I had the lovely Alice J. Wisler on the blog last week and she offered to giveaway a copy of her latest novel, Under the Silk Hibiscus. The lucky winner is...

Daniel Bryl

Congrats Daniel! Contact me and we'll get you your book!

A Look at Twitter for Writers

*I will fully admit to listening to the Lord of the Rings soundtrack during the writing of this blog...

It's time to take a journey. No, you wont be taking a ring to the fires of Mordor, but you will be weighted with glorious purpose.

The mission: To use Twitter more effectively
The destination: Spreading the word about your writing and you!
The guide: Your passion (and maybe some tips from this blog)

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7 Twitter Tricks to Rule Them All

1) A Plan

In order to go anywhere you need a direction firmly in place. But you also have to understand the way to get there. With Twitter it's easy to get overwhelmed by the fast-paced, ever changing, stream of tweets. Let's start out by establishing one thing first though:

Twitter isn't about permanence, it's about relevance. (click to tweet this) 

Yes, it's great to have something "go live" on Twitter but it will be gone in the blink of an eye should your followers have more than fifty, Twitter-happy people they are following (or even 10 people who Tweet at a constant rate).

Think through these things with regards to your Twitter plan:

• Who's your audience? (Take a look at Ralene's post from yesterday for some great ideas to establish your audience.)
• What can you share with your followers: What are you an expert in or have knowledge about?
• What are you directing them toward: Facebook, Blog, Website?
• What's your approach: Funny, helpful, informative?
• What can you sustain: Tweet frequency and content?

Once you've established these things, then create a plan to follow through with. Something as simple as: Every Monday morning I'll spend 30 minutes preparing and scheduling tweets.

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2) Presence 

Thought this image is funny, it actually applies to Twitter. How, you ask? Well, first off, when you establish yourself on Twitter you are one in a sea of unending people who tweet. There are business, public figures, cities, authors, other entrepreneurs, hey there are likely even Orcs on Twitter! You will get lost in that if you don't make yourself stand out.

BUT, do not misrepresent yourself.  Don't be putting up something on Twitter that isn't really you.

Instead, take time to put these things in place:

• A short but informative bio (here's a place to showcase your whit)
• A lovely cover image that's relevant (you can use this space to advertize your books but be wary of the transition from a webpage to a mobile device - where most people will see it)
• A profile picture (I'm pretty passionate about professional headshots. You can see why here, and here, and here too!)
• An active link (soooo important - and this goes back to part 1 with the question of where you're directing your Twitter followers to)
• A location (less important, but it could be an asset depending on what you write. Example: "You write novels set in the South and you're from Alabama")

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3) The Right Words

Just like they had to say the right words to open the Doors of Durin, you need to use the right words (and number of words) to unlock the secrets of Twitter.  

//140 characters//

Yep, I just heard the anguished cry of writers all over the world shouting about the injustice of it all. I know, I know, I hate the limitation too...But it can have its benefits.

Things to consider when writing out tweets:

• Use a question to capture attention
• Think of Buzzfeed or Huffpost titles like "Dog stranded: You won't believe what happened next!"(ooo...you have to click to find out what happened!)
• Use snipits of news or blurbs from your post
• Share something funny

Keep it short--don't try to say too much--and realize not every tweet will go viral. It's not about that, it's about providing quality content to your followers while having fun and showcasing your personality.

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4) The Right Crew

Without the help of the hobbits the ring never would have made it to Morodor. Just as Fordo couldn't have made it without Sam and they couldn't have made it without the help of the others. It was a team effort.

Twitter may seem like a different realm to you, but it's just social media! Yep, social. People follow you because they are interested in what you have to say with those 140 characters.

But remember, to get a friend you have to be a friend. Retweet others tweets, favorite things you like, tag your friends in posts. This is the best way to guarantee new followers but also to "give back" in a sense. 




5) Links & Pictures

This is in line with using the right words (#3) but is so important. First off, including a link is a great way to draw your Twitter audience to your other platforms of social media. I often find myself using a link to draw attention to a post I've just written that I think will benefit my Twitter followers. I also try and use photos as much as possible because people are more likely to look at pictures than anything else.

WARNING: Using links for your books is great too, but don't make all of your posts promotional. No one want's to follow someone who just spouts off tweets about their books all day. It gets tiring and a little like the boy who cried wolf. When you tweet about something important people may not see it due to your previous content.

Don't forget to keep it short: I use Bitly to shorten my links but I'm sure there are other websites out there that do that as well.

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6) You have my sword, my bow, my axe, my...hashtag?

Hashtags are so so so important on Twitter! Hashtags are the grouping system that Twitter uses to collect topics around the same thing. When you're Tweeting, you can type in a # sign and then type in words after to see what comes up (these are typically popular hashtags you can use). The use of a hashtag or two increases the visibility of your tweet. Remember, relevance is important too. Search Google for popular, trending hashtags and create some of your tweets around those.

If you are creating a hashtag, first check to make sure it isn't already taken (type in the hashtag you want into Twitter and search - same goes for Instagram). Then, create away and encourage your followers to use it. My hashtag for this month's posts and challenges is an example: #ttmediachallenge

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7) Perseverance

Last, but certainly not least, is the idea of pressing on. Twitter can appear a little overwhelming, but go back to #1 and remember your audience. Your rally cry may not be "For Frodo" but it can be "For ______" fill in the blank of who your audience is.

When crafting tweets, get a good mix of helpful, funny, informational, promotional, and personal tweets. This well-rounded approach to Twitter will lend itself well to your followers and I believe will show you an increase in followership as well as interaction.

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So, what do you think? Are you ready to join the journey?

Additional tips: 

• Follow people/products/businesses you adore and Tweet @ them when relevant. You'll often find they retweet a lot which gets YOUR name out there!
• Also, retweet any posts you are featured in - share and share alike!
• Use a service like TweetDeck to schedule your tweets - it will save you a LOT of time. 
• Use Click To Tweet to create a link people can click to tweet your great ideas!
• Get a new follower? Don't be afraid to interact with them via a tweet or Direct Message. (This won't always work--especially as your following increases--but it wont hurt when you are trying to build your audience.)
• Use twitter for fun too! I've already said this, but really--tweeting about a movie you just saw or something funny that just happened can draw great attention to your twitter page.
• Don't be afraid to have conversations with other twetters! Chime (or chirp -hehe-) in to get the convo going!

And I don't know about you, but I am more than ready to go watch Lord of the Rings from start to finish...the extended versions nonetheless!

Your Challenge: 

• Schedule out tweets for a full week in advance using slightly different content for each tweet and including a hashtag or two. 
• Send out a tweet about your favorite of the 7 tips from above
• Tweet out your favorite LOTR character! (If you don't like LOTR...well...just never mind)

(Don't forget to group it to the hashtag: #ttmediachallenge)

A Look at Facebook for Writers

Facebook. I love it. I hate it. It tends to go in circles for me, but I usually end on the loving side...most of the time.

7 ways to use Facebook more effectively

1) Personal is Preferred

I can't say this one enough (hence the #1 spot). People want to interact with you. I have found Facebook to be the best way for my personality to shine through - funny faces and all! It's not about getting followers or "likes" necessarily, as much as it is about personal connection. Make a friend on Facebook and you could have a friend for life (which, if you're an author, could mean a reader for life as well).

2) Images take the cake
 ...And images of cake are great too! But I digress.

In all seriousness though, using images on Facebook is one of the best ways to ensure that others will see it. If you are an author already, make sure you have great marketing materials to share.

Some suggestions:

• Use your book cover and colors that match
• Use a quote from the book or review sentence 
• Use images to spread the word about giveaways and contests 
• Pick something unique from your book and find an image of that (Example: Is your book about a woman who loves cookies? Use a cookie in your images)
• Keep it simple: Don't make the images look like spam or overly try and sell your book. It's about drawing positive attention to you and your page, not just to sell something

Being a part-time designer myself, I know for certain that the more images I use (whether it's a marketing image or a personal picture) the more attention that posts draws.

3) Questions?

You've probably heard this one, but I'll say it again: ask questions! You want your audience to engage with you, not just skim by your posts. Ask things that relate to your book or writing, but don't get stuck on that. Branch out. Know your audience. When you know them, you'll know what to ask that will gain a response.

Though I'm definitely one to shy away from conflict, I know for a fact that potentially controversial posts usually generate more responses. My caution for this though is to recognize the potential debates and to act as a moderator as well as peace keeper. Negativity isn't an attractive thing.

4) Call to Action

A relatively new addition to Facebook pages is the "Call to Action" button. This is a helpful little guy located right next to the  "share" option on your home page screen. You can choose between a few different options (shown to the right). If you have a newsletter (which is a great idea) I'd recommend using the "Sign Up" action button. If you don't have one, any of the other options are great. I personally use "Contact Us" for my Author page and the "Book Now" option for my photography business page.

This is an awesome feature because it allows you to "call to action"  your readers. It allows them to participate, and for you to connect with them. And that's what Facebook is great for - personal connection!

5) Make 'em Laugh

Time and time again I'll come across a hilarious video of cats or dogs or babies (those are the typical things that are hilarious on Facebook) and I'll share them to my page with a personal comment. Without fail, those shared posts generate more views than anything else.

I ask myself: What is going on? But, it makes sense. Humor is infectious (in the best way) and people want to take part in it and enjoy it.

Here's a great spot to talk about meme's too. Don't know what a meme is?


The dictionary says;

Meme: An element of a culture or system of behavior that may be considered to be passed from one individual to another by nongenetic means, especially imitation. 

A humorous image, video, piece of text, etc. that is copied (often with slight variations) and spread rapidly by Internet users.

So there you have it...Still don't know? Check out Pinterest and type in "Grumpy Cat". I think you'll catch on quickly.

6) Schedule for a stress free week

If you don't know this, you are in for a treat (or you've been living under a rock?). Either way, the good news is that you can schedule your posts!

All you need to do is add your photo, link, and/or text and press the down arrow next to "post". You'll then have the option to set the date and time. Then you're set! Take time at the beginning of each week to do this and schedule out your tweets as well. You'll thank yourself later ;)


7) Tagging (and I'm not talking about graffiti) 

Interested in drawing more attention to your page? Then find a way to draw in the fans of others. I'm not talking about stealing here, just sharing the love. For my author site this looks like me tagging the authors whom I host on my {Writer Wednesday} spotlights. I make sure that I have either Friended them or at least liked their Facebook page so that I can tag it in the post on my page. For my photography page, that looks like posting images of my clients and tagging them (all with their permission of course). I draw a lot of traffic that way and so can you!

Honorable mentions:

• Use hashtags in your posts
• Check out the "trending" options on the side of Facebook to create relevant posts
• Use plugins like Rafflecopter and Instagram to spice up your page
• Share in your fellow writers good news, book giveaways, and discounts - the best way to get friends is to be a friend

So, what about you? Do you use these things? If so, which do you find most helpful? Have a tip to add?

(Don't forget to tag #ttmediachallenge when you Tweet/Google+/FB your replies!)

Check out these resources for further learning:
45 Fabulous Facebook Advertising Tips & Magic Marketing Tricks
Meme Generator 
Best Times To Post (love a good info graphic!)

Social Saturday: Make New Friends

I haven't had much time this week to interact here because I've been doing some interacting of my own in the "real world" ;)

My dear friend Steffani has joined me in DC and we've been on some grand adventures. See>>> That's us at Gettysburg! Yep, it was freezing! But totally worth it.

Anyway, I know the importance of friendships in every day life but I also know the importance of friendships in cyber-life. We're talking about Social Media and Marketing this month and really, when you boil that down, it's who you know and what they say about you. (More on this later).

Today, I wanted to open up the opportunity to connect with you all! I also want you to connect with one another. I'd love for Thinking Thoughts to be a conduit for connection.

So, if you haven't already, come find me on these lovely forms of social media and let's become friends!!! Then, in the comments below {if you're feeling brave} share a link to your blog or other forms of social media so we can all connect with you!

Connect with Me

Facebook Author Page 
Goodreads
Google+ 
Twitter
Instagram
Blog
(if you haven't already, follow me by email or via Google>>>)

I can't wait to meet you! And don't forget our hashtag: #ttmediachallenge

Social Media & Marketing Month

Welcome to what I'm fondly calling: Social Media & Marketing Month here on Thinking Thoughts. If you're a reader, don't worry, I'll still be posting my weekly New Novel News posts as well as introducing you to new writers on {Writer Wednesday}. So no, I have not (nor will I ever) forget you!

But, part of this blog is devoted to writers and one thing I've become increasingly aware of (and passionate about) is marketing. Oooo! The dreaded "M" word. But, as much as there are some scary notions associated with marketing, I've realized that it doesn't have to be that unscalable mountain looming in the distance. It can be...well, fun!

This month I'll be taking a look at the big dogs...

• Blogging
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram 
• Pinterest
• Evernote
• Google +
• YouTube

The difference about these posts? Well, they will be with YOU, dear writer, in mind. That's right, I'll be looking at utilizing social media well as a writer. That means I struggle with a lot of the same things you do...voices in my head, procrastination, great ideas, no time....the list goes on!

So, check back during this month for posts directed toward you writers with fun ideas, time savers, expert guest posts, and hopefully a few things you can tweet about too!

And please feel free to join in on the fun! I've created a hashtag for this month (um, don't know what those pesky hashtags are? We'll talk about that too!). So, if you're posting on Social Media make sure to use:

#ttmediachallenge

Yep, not only is this month dedicated to social media, but I'll be challenging YOU after each post to utilize that particular platform. So, how about it? If you're exited about this let me know. The first post will be this Friday (March 6th) so I expect to see you here!

Tweet your excitement using the hashtag above to: @eacreativephoto