Facebook for Writers | Social Media & Marketing Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 in my Social Media & Marketing series. If you missed Part 1 you can check it out here.

Today we're going to take a look at Facebook and what it does--and doesn't--do for writers and authors.

Facebook for Writers

I've decided to break this up into pro and con sections here. These aren't 'end all, be all' truths for everyone, but they are things I've observed about Facebook. Below that, you'll see some suggestions I have for interaction and best practices on Facebook.

Pros

• It does allow writers to connect with other writers and readers (or potential readers, depending on where you are in the publishing process).
• It does offer you promotional/sponsored options and the ability to 'target' your audience (as Misty talks about in this article).
• It does let you schedule posts out in advance so you can get ahead of things.
• It doesn't limit you on words and gives you the option to express yourself in short or longer bits of writing.
• It does have "groups" which is a great way to engage further with readers.

Cons

• It does require some careful planning and daily upkeep.
• It doesn't allow your content to go out to a lot of your followers without paying (most of the time).
• I does get bogged down with controversial/political topics and can lead conversations in a negative direction. (It can also open up conversation to some great, though controversial topics, which I'd mostly see as a pro.)
• It is still relevant, but I have a feeling we'll be seeing Facebook's popularity lessen in the coming years (likely because of the previous point). 

How to best use Facebook as a writer

This is a pretty broad thing to say, so I'm not expecting these points to cover "all ways to use Facebook ever". But, I will highlight some of the things that I've seen work well for me in the past.

Know who your audience is (does this sound familiar?) and be relevant to them
I'll be harping on this a lot for any social media site and for marketing in general, but know if your readers are typically engaged on Facebook. Why spend time building a platform there if your readers congregate elsewhere?

Attach pictures to your ideas 
Hugely important on social media in general - photography! I'd say I know a fair amount about photography and the reasons I love it are the same (or at least similar) for the reasons others love it. It's eye-catching, it can give you insight to the post or text causing you to read further, and it gives someone something easy to share. We'll talk more about this later in another post.

Post frequently and consistently to engage daily users 
I'm the worst at this on Facebook - I admit it right now. But, I do know the benefits of regular posting on other social media sites. And I'm not just talking about sharing a quick link to the book you just published. As with any social media site, people are following you for your content. That said, make sure it's well thought out, inline with your branding and market, and engaging (see more below).

Be the right kind of personal
I cannot stress the words "right kind" enough here. Readers love to know the "real" you, but that doesn't (typically) include angry rants, too much information about extremely personal things, or maudlin posts of bemoaning and complaining. "But that's not honest" you say. Well...okay, here's where discernment is crucial.

I'm not against people posting any of these things, but the way in which we post is what matters (like I explain in this post). If you aren't sure about a post, I recommend asking yourself these two questions before posting:

1) Will this encourage those who read it?
2) Am I thinking of my readers or myself in this moment?

I often find that, when I want to go on a rant or complain about something it's often because I want to be cheered up or feel vindicated rather than offering something encouraging to those who follow me. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to limit your honesty, but I do want to stress the spread of encouragement and giving back among my fellow writers and authors.

Post about your books/writing
YES! Readers are following you for these things - they want to know what you're up to and what you're working on. BUT, if this is the only thing they see from you (like "buy my new book" for every post) chances are they will feel cheated. No one likes a hard sell all the time.

Post about things you love
Guess what? People are going to follow you not only for your books/writing but also because of who you are. Included among other content, share about your favorite TV shows, books, actives, food, you name it! Just know that you'll find common fans among your followers which can help your interaction.

Provide chances to see "the real you"
Um, maybe brush your hair first--or not...Hey, you do you!--but let people see you. I realize this is not fun for some who do not wish to share their photos on social media, but that's a whole different post. I just mean that giving your readers a chance to see you offers another level of connection and honesty with them. It's why I do live videos on Instagram (still haven't ventured to Facebook live yet, but I'll be doing that soon). It's why I will include fun/funny photos of myself in my newsletters on on blog posts (*cough* to the left *cough*). And it's why I've started creating Youtube videos. It's a 'more personal' look at who I am and helps to put a face (and voice) to my words.

Offer giveaways
People like getting things. People like getting free things even more. Give people an opportunity to win things, which will attract new followers, and then keep them engaged with your regular posts to keep 'em around!

Use thoughtful, relevant questions to engage your readers 
Give them something to talk about. I know a lot of people post controversial questions and this certainly engages people, so that is definitely an option, but I prefer to be a little less...confrontational? (Totally a personal thing.) I gravitate toward questions about favorite things, recommendations, or life updates.

Writers: How do you use Facebook? Do you have any pros or cons to add? 

Readers: Do you like engaging with writers on Facebook? What are some of your favorite posts?

Why We're Social | Social Media & Marketing Part 1

As I mentioned at the beginning of Misty's post, we're talking about Social Media and Marketing again here on the blog. If you missed last year's posts you can see my wrap up here.

This series will be good for those just starting out in social media, those looking to improve their presence, and even those who aren't sure they want to dive in just yet. Its aim is toward authors (since that's often who I work with) but the tips and tricks provided in these posts will be helpful for anyone wanting to improve and widen their online presence. For readers, I think this series can be a fun look at "the other side". Your comments will be hugely helpful to see what actually works. What makes you pick up a book? What makes you follow an author on social media? Feel free to chime in so we can all learn!

Why We're Social

To kick things off I thought I'd start with the biggest question of them all:

WHY? 

Why are we social? Why do we spend so much time online? Why is it important to have an online presence? Is it important? I'm sure there are a million other questions we could ask, but these seem to weight in at the top.

In response, we're social for two reasons (in my opinion):

1) It's how we function best: I believe we were created to be social with a focus on family and community. We see that (most) are happier when they have a solid familial structure or community that they can rely on.
2) It's necessary in today's market: This takes on the more technical side of things, but it is nearly impossible not to be social in today's society. Or, I could put it like this: you won't get anywhere if you aren't incorporating social media into your life in some way.*

*Let me be clear here. For #2 I am strictly talking about successful promotion and visiblity as a writer/author, not success in life 😉

So what? 

This means we need to look at three things...

1) Who is our audience? 
If you've been a part of my blog before or looked through my past material you'll know I focus on this a lot but that's only natural. If you don't know your audience, you can't connect with them. Misty did a great job talking about this and why it's so important to know your audience and how to best connect with them.

I'd even go so far as to say there's a 0.5 step to this: know yourself. Wow, I realize how completely"out there" that is, but let's look at it this way. You attract the audience you want, but you first must decide who that is (is this sounding a little like the chicken and the egg to anyone else?). Know who you are, your brand, and who you wish to attract, then you can go "out there" into the social world and find them. Some will also find you, but just like a flower must attract a bee, so must an author have the right pollen, 'er books, to attract the right bee or, um, reader.

2) How will we connect with them? 
This is the next, most logical step. We've decided who our audience is because we know who we want to attract, but then the question becomes: How will we get to them? If you are hungry and want food, you go to the grocery store. Why do you go there? Becuase they have become known as places where you can buy food. So too will your readers come to you, if you show them who you are and what you offer.

This is where I think marketing and your platform/branding come into play. If you're an historical mystery author you will want your content and social media platforms to reflect that this is what you're offering. This can show itself in a wide range of ways, but you'll best reach your reader by showing them what you're offering and then following through with that.

3) What form(s) of social media will help us do this? 
This last one is more about the how than it is they why. How will we best showcase what we're offering in places and ways that will attract the 'right' type of reader. Let's go back to that historical mystery author. They aren't likely to find loyal readers among the Science Fiction community. Instead, they'll want to see where other readers of historical mystery "hang out". This is where market research comes in handy.

Some tips: Find authors who write what you do and see where they spend time. Is it on their blog, Goodreads, or Pinterest? Guest post on blogs that cater to your genre. See if there are conferences you can go to to network with other authors in your genre. Sign up for newsletters of author's in your genre and see where they are being "social". Engage with them and their readers on a genuine level and who knows, you might just make a few friends along the way.

To wrap this up, I'll put it out there again: To succeed in today's market as an author, you must be social in some capacity. Unfortunately, even if you are published by a large publishing house, they are often looking at your "already established" platform. They want to know where your readers will come from (and we're not just talking about friends and family). They want to know that, among their own marketing efforts, you will be ready and willing to do your own part.

Another side of this to consider as well is the focus of this type of marketing. The heart behind it if you will. If you approach social media as if it is only there to benefit you, you've missed the point. Those who excel at social media do so because they make a connection with their followers. They are genuine, honest, and real with them. They share their struggles as much as their successes, and they don't make their platform about "purchasing their latest novel", they make it about genuine connection.


Authors: Do you see the need for "being social"? What social media platform(s) do you like the best?

Readers: What do you like best about author's social media platforms? What turns you off from an author (in regards to social media)?

Finding Your Target Reader by Misty Beller | Guest Post

Emilie here: This month my focus for the blog is once again social media and marketing. It's a topic I will likely post about once per year because it is such a rapidly growing, changing enigma that bears necessary repeating, alteration of approach, and further discussion. To start us off, we have a lovely guest post by Misty Beller! 

Finding Your Target Reader 

The more I’ve delved into marketing and ways to find new readers, the more important it’s become for me to understand who my target reader is. What kind of people tend to fall in love with my books? (Not just those who can tolerate them.) Where do I find those people?

The more I understand the freeing power of knowing my target reader, the more it influences my story lines, the types of characters I write about, the settings in each book, my book covers, back cover blurbs, types of advertising, you name it!

In other words, almost everything I do related to books centers around my target reader – making sure they can find my book, and then making sure they love it!

So how do you find that elusive person? Is it a demographic (women from 35-60)? Is it a lifestyle? How can you possibly know?

It’s possible that each author comes to their understanding differently, but I’ll share some tips that might help you take a more direct route to your “ah-ha” moment.

What stirs emotions in you?

This technique works best if you write the kind of books you love to read (and in general, I’d recommend that you do write in the genre you enjoy reading). If, for example, you’re a 50-year-old writing middle grade (children’s) books, you might try asking a middle-grade student these questions.

Also, this technique works for both pre-published and published writers.

Think about a location or setting that stirs you. What ignites a spark in your soul? Maybe it gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling, a yearning, or makes your pulse race.

For me, I love mountain settings. The beauty…the majesty. Standing on the edge of a peak looking out for miles and miles…I come alive in a way that’s almost intoxicating. And my favorite season in the mountains is winter, when snow covers everything. Some of my happiest times have been spent in a mountain cabin, hiding away from the world as the snow covers the peaks in a soft blanket of white. Just thinking about it fills me with an intense craving to be there.

That, my friends, is a setting that stirs me. And it stirs a whole audience of people. I can write with passion, helping others experience the same gamut of emotion that I do for the topic.

What do people talk about when they post a review?

Read through your Amazon reviews, looking for consistent themes. What did people love about this book? Was it the hero’s tragic past, and how he learns to forgive himself? Was it the fact that heroine came from a wealthy upbringing, yet had the tenacity to learn the skills needed to survive in a wild, barren country?

Find those themes and drill into them. Then, weave those same elements into future books. Chances are, they’re also characteristics that drew you to your hero and heroine to begin with.

These will become elements of your brand as an author.

Use Facebook Ad targeting to discover more about your target readers.

This method was a bit of a surprise for me. If you’ve not used FB ads before, they allow you to target people based on things they’ve shown an interest in. For example, you can target well-known authors, publishing houses, interest groups, locations, etc.

As I tested several audience types with various interests, I found some common themes among the groups that resulted in the lowest cost-per-click. Those groups had shown interest in Janette Oke, the Love Comes Softly series, Hallmark movies, and Bethany House Publishers. Are you hearing a theme?

Additionally, Facebook shows you cost-per-click breakdown by age range and gender. I found my lowest cost-per-click with women in the 45 – 65+ range. That didn’t surprise me, but it did surprise me that I paid almost twice as much for any click outside of that demographic. Huh.

I also did a quick look at the Google Analytics data for those who have visited my author website, and found similar results. Great validation!

If you don’t already have a strong connection with your target reader, take the time now to discover them. There’s nothing quite as special as a kindred spirit!
_____________

Misty M. Beller writes Christian historical romance, and is a hybrid author of eleven novels, all of which have spent regular time on the Amazon bestselling lists. With a background in project management and marketing, Misty uses her experience in the corporate world to develop best practices in her writing and book marketing efforts. It is her passion to help other authors on this same journey. You can find her on her reader website (www.MistyMBeller.com) or her marketing blog for authors (www.TheAmbitiousAuthor.com).

--> A Rocky Mountain Romance 
by Misty M. Beller

The Wyoming mountain country seems like the perfect place for Zeche Reid to find himself. When a blizzard sends him scrambling for cover, he stumbles upon a lady and her professor father holed up in a remote cabin. His protective instincts won't let him desert them to continue his travels, especially when the father’s haunting memories from the War of Secession put his daughter’s safety at risk.

Fighting her own nightmares after the war, Greta Michelly is trying to settle into this rugged mountain land, but her bad memories are nothing compared to the demons that haunt her father. The haven they’ve found in these Rocky Mountains seems to be the solace he needs to find peace—until a mysterious sojourner appears on their cabin doorstep. She can’t help but be drawn to the wild aura that surrounds the man, but that strength seems to be that very thing that intensifies her father’s struggles.

As Zeche is torn between his craving to protect Gretta and the awful realization that he’s the one putting her in more danger, he’s forced to make a difficult choice. But when a run-in with an elk changes his plans and Gretta is faced with a danger Zeche is powerless to control, Zeche has to find a way to protect her at any cost. Even at the cost of his heart.

Purchase: A Rocky Mountain Romance  (releases March 21st!)

Unconventional marketing…because why be normal? by Melissa Tagg | Guest Post

When Emilie asked if I’d be interested in writing a guest post for her blog about unconventional social media marketing, I instantly said “yes.” Not because I necessarily think I’m an expert on this. I’m not. Seriously, guys. Pinterest makes me twitchy and anytime someone gives me a “rule” for social media, my instant urge is to go and break it.

But no, I jumped at the opportunity to write this simply because in the past couple years I've happened to stumble upon a few things that really seem to work for me social media-wise…especially when it comes to my Facebook page, which is what I’m going to focus on here. No, I don’t have tens of thousands of followers, nor would I win any awards for having the coolest, most consistent presence around. But I do have fun with it and have, thankfully, seen some nice results.

I’d like to specifically talk here about how to create posts that are unconventional … charming … quirky … fun …[insert any word that’s the opposite for “normal” or “boring”].

To make this super organized (a massive feat for the girl who arranges her life by post-its and has never once made it through a whole year of using a planner), I came up with an acronym! So here we go.
 
Note: All the examples included below are from my Facebook page…not because I think I’m the only one with great content but simply because it’s easier than trying to gather other examples. In other words, I’m lazy.

How to make your Facebook posts more fun and less conventional
 
Be Relevant:

No, you don’t need to infuse all your posts with up-to-date pop culture references. But before crafting a post ask yourself: Does this have any relevance whatsoever to a) my readers and b) my books and c) my relationship with these people I’m interacting with. And it’s okay if the post is about YOU. I think sometimes we worry that we’re going to come off as self-centered, but people wouldn’t be following our author pages if they didn’t want to actually know us. Crafting posts that give readers insight into both your books and your life creates a meaningful connection.

Example: I did a post recently about how I’m an early bird. I included a picture of my open window and talked about how I love to write during sunrise. I asked my Facebook fans whether they are early birds or night owls. It let my readers know a little more about me and my writing process and also invited them to participate in the conversation.
 
Be Enthusiastic:

I read this quote once from Coldplay frontman Chris Martin: “Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically and people will like it more.” It made me laugh…but man, it’s so true. Enthusiasm is contagious! We can foster that in our readers and online friends by writing posts in which we’re just plain excited…not only about our stories and characters, but about the other things in our lives that make us unique and personable. (And also, by being intentionally enthusiastic, we avoid the kind of complainy, ranty, whiney posts that no one needs to be subjected to!)

Example: I wrote a giddy post recently about how much I love baby goats and why I’m putting one in my next story. I had tons of fun interacting with commenters, ended up getting invited to a goat farm AND it gave people insight about me and my upcoming book.

Be Authentic:

Nope, this is not a call for intense and uncomfortable sharing of too many personal details. LOL! Authenticity can be as simple as being silly. I have crafted posts about my slight (okay, fine, massive and ridiculous) crush on my own main character, for instance. But it can also mean sharing little snippets of what God’s doing in your heart or what you’re learning through your writing.

Example: I work at a homeless ministry and recently had the chance to interview a man with a powerful story and big dreams. I wrote a looooong post about how much he inspired me and how I believe God doesn’t give us dreams for no reason. It was a sincere peek into my heart and life that hopefully inspired readers.

Be Lenient:

Be lenient with yourself. Back when I was trying to follow all the marketing experts, literally ALL the fun of social media drained away for me. But lately I’ve pulled away from much of what I thought was a must-do in the past. I’m to the point now where I don’t feel guilty if I need to take a few days away from my Facebook page. Or if I write a post that’s *gasp* six paragraphs long and *double gasp* doesn’t include a fancy graphic. By being lenient with myself and taking off the pressure, I've found myself crafting much more fun and engaging posts—because it no longer feels like a task with a ton of rules attached to it.

Example: Last year, I began doing a series of classic movie/actor face-offs on Facebook. They were a blast and frankly, got lots of traction. But I found myself having trouble getting the posts up on the same day each week. And sometimes I skipped a week. A couple years ago, I would’ve lambasted myself for not being consistent. But I realized, fans couldn’t care less if I do the face-offs on the same day each week…or if I happen to skip a week here or there. Eventually I stopped doing the face-offs for a time, then reintroduced them around Christmas-time. I’ll probably do another round soon. By not forcing myself to keep to a strict schedule or worrying about others’ expectations, it’s keeping it fun and fresh for me.

Did you catch the acronym? Be REAL. Really, I think that’s what the best social media marketing comes down to. Being a real person. Building real relationships. And having real fun. :)

Melissa Tagg is a former reporter, current nonprofit grant-writer and total Iowa girl. She’s also a multi-published novelist. Her latest book, Like Never Before, was named by Publisher’s Weekly to their spring 2016 “Religion and Spirituality” Top 10 list. Melissa has taught at multiple national writing conferences, as well as retreats and workshops. When she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever–not that she’s biased–watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next book. Melissa loves connecting with readers at www.melissatagg.com and on Facebook and Instagram.

4 Tips to Successfully Using Instagram as a Writer

My oh my...who doesn't love Instagram? Maybe I'm jut crazy about it because I'm a photographer? That's more likely I'm sure, but I did want to take a few minutes to chat about using the Instagram platform as a writer. Not to worry, if you aren't a writer you'll still enjoy this post because I'll include pretty pictures ;)

4 Tips to Successfully Using Instagram as a Writer

1. What to post

Ok, I'm not really going to tell you what to post, but I will give some helpful tips in how to decide what you should post.
1) Ask yourself what type of account you want to have. Writing/book promotion, for fans, personal use, or a mixture of these.
2) Think about sharing photos that fit with the type of account. For example, my Instagram account is for my photography business and writing but it's got a personal flair to it. My point of consistency is in the look of my photos though. We'll talk about that later.
3) Like with any/all social media for promotion sake, think about sharing things that fit with your brand. This picture of a typewriter fits with my writing and I could talk about what I'm up to writing wise in the comments (also more on that in a minute).
4) Consider your audience and followers. If your account is personal, then 10 pictures of your kids may be expected. BUT if you are trying to gain followers, consider their feeds. 10 pictures of your kids in a row (though they may be the cutest kids EVER) will quickly have your followers considering unfollowing  you.
5) Ask why you are posting each picture. This may seem extreme, but if you're serious about gaining followers and posting within your brand (to an extent) then have a purpose behind your post. No, this doesn't have to be some grand concept and you could use a random photo to tell your fans you just wrote "The End" but it helps to have a reason for each post - even if that's just to share a fun quote.

2. What to say

The comment section of Instagram is a hugely untapped resource (in my humble opinion). I know there are Instagramers out there who are super clever and just post one word captions (or no captions). I've done this. BUT, we're writers! Use your words ;-)
I've personally found that people are more willing to connect with me (and like my picture) if I've got something worth saying. Again, that's not to say that my captions are life changing, but they should be relevant to you, your brand, and your followers.
Use Instagram to give out fun info about your day like you do Twitter, but tie it to a picture. Maybe it's your work space, your coffee, your editing screen, or your TBR pile. Whatever it is, share about it. People can love your images, but they can also begin to love your voice even over Instagram.

3. How to make it pretty

Yes, I know that Instagram comes with it's own filters...but there are some awesome apps out there that give you even more control over what your photos look like.

VSCO Cam
This is my personal favorite! It's what I edit every photo with on my phone. Maybe that's because I like to tweak things (the photographer in me) but they've also got some great presets.

Afterlight
There are some fun things with this app, like the ability to add some old-school flair to the side of a photo, overlays, and great presets.

ProCam
This app gives you a LOT of control. Maybe too much for those of you who just want to snap a shot but hey, here it is.

Diptic
Want to combine two photos - or more like I did here? Use this app! It's one of my favorites for the ease and ability to do a whole bunch with it.

P.S. I was in our local Christian bookstore and saw one of my author headshots on the back of this lovely novel. Eik! See that...E.A. Creative Photography. That's ME :D Ok...back to Instagram stuff...

4. How to be Effective

• Make your account public (and don't post anything you wouldn't want "everyone" to see)
• Use hashtags (research popular writer/genre hashtags like #amwriting or #books or #scifi etc.)
• Tag people and products (as long as it's relevant to the photo of course)
• Use personal captions when possible
• Post around 2AM or 5PM and on Wednesdays (so they say...?)
• Follow Instagramers in your "field" as well as book bloggers/reviewers and comment on their images
• Be interactive! Comment and reply to those who comment to you (don't for get to tag them specifically with the "@" sign or else they won't see it)
• Be consistent! Build up a fun gallery of images that represent YOU and what you like. Your readers will love seeing that. 

I hope this has been helpful! Instagram is a great platform and can definitely help you connect with more readers on a personal and fun level.

Are you in Instagram? I'd love to connect with you! 

@createexploreread

A Look at Instagram for Writers

At first glance Instagram may not seem like the "ideal" medium for writers.

We deal with words, not pictures!

I hear you. I really do! But it's not about you being a photographer (unless, of course, you are--like me). It's about marketing. Remember that fun little word? Well, it's true. Everything we're talking about all circles around back to the fact that we do social media to market us, our books, and our ideas.

That seems a little cold, Emilie. 

You can take it that way, but that's definitely not how I mean it. Marketing doesn't have to be bad. It also doesn't have to involve shameless self-promotion. It's a way to share who you are with others so they are invested in you and your idea/product/book.

I recommend Instagram to writers for two reasons: 

1. It gives (or can give) a view into the everyday life of you, the author. 
2. It's easy, it's popular, it's trending.

Okay, I overstepped my bounds on that last one and made it three things but hey, that's a good thing, right?

#1 The Personal You
I think this is the best part of Instagram - it's a look into the everyday lives of authors and what it's really like to write books for a living (or a portion of your living). If you're content being real with your audience and showing them the sometimes-unglamorous-side of writing, I think you'll gain some great friends and a loyal following.





#2 Easy, Popular, Trending
It's not hard to snap a pic, slap on a filter, and stick it up on Instagram. You may need to think through your hasthags (yep, there everywhere!) but think of it more as showcasing your personality than it is selling your books.

However, I will say it does take some work if you are interested in something a little more...viral.  Being a photographer and a writer I want my photos to showcase the fact that I'm a professional photographer, but (get this) the explanation of my photos can showcase the fact that I'm a writer. Two birds. One stone.

My advice...

Decide what you want your account to showcase and be great at that! (tweet this)

• If you want your Instagram followers to see you at your best and your worst, then post away without much thought or strategy. Think about fun times, sad times, boring times, anytime - and that will be the right time to post.

• If you want your followers to see a more stylized view of you, that will take some extra planning. You may decide to artfully display the books your reading, highlight beautiful scenery, or show off creative images of your shoes (yes, please!). But, the key to this type of Instagram account is consistency in style, content, and editing. (I use VSCOcam to edit almost all of my photos). They also recommend less selfies...just saying.

Where does promotion come in?

No, this isn't something I'm offering!

Using Instagram can help with promotion, but it's a little more...communal than you may be used to. A lot of bloggers and/or photographers are now coming together to offer prizes like a $1000 Anthropology card (yeah, that really happened!), but this required a large group of people committing to this.

I'm not going to lie, I stay away from giveaways like this. I mean, I won't even touch them with a 10 foot poll because of the incredible effort it takes just to actually enter. It was some crazy thing of liking a certain number of photos, following an unidentified number of accounts, and circling back around to leave a comment with your social security number in it. Okay, (hehe) I'm joking, but only on the last part there.

Personally, if you're going to promote yourself via Instagram be very careful as to how. Remember, it's more of a lifestyle showcase than it is a hard-promotion vehicle.

Do...

• Mention you're working on your book
• Tag others and ask questions
• Talk about your release date
• Encourage others
• Make your comment section count!
  (Speak from the heart - people love a great story to go along with a great image!)
• Point back to your blog/website/FB page using the link section of the profile
• Talk about giveaways they can enter outside of Insta (ie: a blog or FB giveaway)
• Share a short excerpt from your book
• Be involved with your followers - yep, LIKE & FOLLOW back!

Don't...

• Post too many selifes...
• Only post promotional images
• Have really poor quality photos (um, this is the photographer in me coming out)
• Post all. the. time.*
• Forget you have an Instagram account...

Your challenge:

• Share your Instagram account info in the comments (let's be friends!)
• Come follow me: @createexploreread

*A note of caution...please don't be that person who posts a million photos of their _______ (fill in the blank with: children, food, cat, dog, husband, back yard). It's good to post, but consider the frequency of your 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)