I’ve had a couple of questions lately from writers who are just starting to dip their toes into social media promoting.
They asked me which social medium I recommended. I think they were hoping that there was one main application that would cover everything that they needed to do for promo.
But I don’t think there is one application or platform that is The One. I think it depends on what each writer feels comfortable with.
If we don’t enjoy something, we’re not going to be in any hurry to use it.
Here are some popular ways to network and build a platform online.
Blogging. Blogging is a great way to become part of the writing community. It’s a good way to find support and information, too. Plus, it’s a way to build a daily writing habit/warm-up into your writing routine. There is definitely some work that goes into it, though. You’ll need to be prepared to post on a regular basis and visit other blogs to build readership and forge online friendships.
Facebook. Many writers find Facebook very addictive (which can be a downside.) But it’s a good way to interact, on a more casual basis, with other writers…and there are plenty of readers on Facebook, too. Consider having 2 accounts—a personal and professional one. That way old high school friends can’t post pictures of you on your professional account’s wall.
Twitter. Twitter, for me, is all about sharing resources and information and links to interesting posts. Some people do use Twitter to hang out and interact—but to me, this isn’t its strong suit, since the conversations are so fragmented there, as opposed to seeing a whole conversation on a ‘wall,’ like Facebook. Some writers have mentioned to me that they found Twitter difficult to learn.
Google Plus. Google+ is a new application that’s a lot like Facebook. One reason I’d recommend that everyone spend at least a little time on Google+ is to claim your name there. Google will make sure that their listing for your name is near the top of any search engine results (an easy way for readers to find you and your books online.)
But please—don’t force yourself to do something you don’t enjoy. There are so many different applications you could try, instead.
Got one type of promo you favor over others?
I prefer Facebook over Twitter. And I’m seeing great results from Goodreads. Twitter and LinkedIn … not so much. Maybe its just me. But as of right now, FB and Goodreads are leaders of the pack.
I’m doing a bit of everything – FB, Twitter, blogging, and three yahoo groups that my publishers have created for their readers and authors to “meet” each other. Goodreads is something I’m still learning, but I can see the potential there. One of these days I’m going to have to devote some time to learning all its facets. I have a feeling it’ll be worth it. :)
Great post as always, Elizabeth!
Blogging is still tops for me. Although I’m “on” FB and Twitter, I don’t do much with either. FB is mostly a way for me to see the latest pictures of my grandkids.
Hi Elizabeth .. by having a blog – you’ve got a permanent presence which is ‘totally yours’ (with commenters) – but is always there to showcase your writing, your books etc etc .. in one place and not lost within the time-frame of social media.
I’m sure people get more reaction from FB and Twitter but it’s more ephemeral …
There’s certainly lots of openings .. cheers Hilary
Elizabeth – I’m so glad you brought this topic up! I like Facebook for promo, mostly because I can have an author page where I post news about my writing. That way, I can direct people right to that page. It’s a really useful way, to me, to promote without being BSP. Twitter is really useful, though, for putting out news of an event, and I like that about it. It’s more “up to the minute,” which is nice. And I’m glad Stephen mentioned Goodreads; I like that site, too. And, both Facebook and Goodreads let me feed my blog right in – it makes for a smooth inter-connectedness that I like. May I also suggest Amazon’s Author Central and (for mystery authors) Crimespace. The one thing that all of this social networking is teaching me is – have a professional persona that you present everywhere that you go online. Make it a consistent picture of you that you want to use to welcome readers.
Nice post, have to bookmark this one…
Job Description
I love my blog. Even though I’ve not managed to keep to the scheduled format I had a few months ago, it’s still my favoruite place to try and open up discussion.
Facebook and Twitter, though, are great for meeting new people. I see them sort of like a perpetual mixer party, while the blog is the after-party glass of wine and chats with friends.
I like blogging most, still can’t figure out the use of twitter well.
Every Savage Can Reproduce
I use the different sites for different purposes. FB is my biggest, although I’m “picky” about what appears on my wall, and have disabled any games, have never poked anyone (or understood what it means) and I’ve set it so my wall isn’t nothing but lists of who I’ve added as a friend or the like. It’s pretty much governed by what I put up there, and we have some fun discussions(especially when I post my Word of the Day or pictures from restaurants where I’m eating out.) I belong to a few FB groups, but don’t do much with them, as they’ve turned into massive promo sites with everyone posting, but nobody commenting.
Twitter is where I’ll share links to blogs I like, and also just have a little ‘water cooler’ fun.
Google+ won’t take blog feeds, and I’m totally lost as to its value, since there’s no way to default to anything but your entire stream when you open it up.
I think that’s the downside of ALL these media — they move so quickly, you’re really only zeroing in on a handful of posts.
(And, sheesh — I’ve already got my post for tomorrow about Facebook ready to go. We’re in synch again.)
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
Thank you. Commonsense. Most of the time, bloggers advise writers to participate in as much social media as there are hours in the day – in order to build a platform/following. Makes it difficult to find time to write.
Writing books is my number one professional objective. Maintaining my blog and my connections is number two, FB and Twitter are tied at three – I don’t use them for idle chatter. FB is linked to my blogsite/webisite and Twitter is a great way to pass on information and follow interesting links.
Stephen–I’ve dropped the ball on Goodreads and I need to pick it back up. Thanks for the reminder!
Stacy–I need to run a contest or 2 on Goodreads, I think—that seems to be a good place to do that. I’m definitely not getting the full potential from Goodreads.
Hilary–Very good point! Blogging means a permanent link. Twitter and Facebook posts are flashes in the pan.
Shaik–Well…thanks! Although I have a suspicion you might be a spammer. :)
Paul–Facebook and Twitter *are* parties! Ha! Great analogy there. :) I love blogging, too.
Enid–Twitter is a little confusing. I think it’s best for sharing information.
Susan–I like blogging best, too. I’ve got 3 Facebook accounts, but it’s not a favorite of mine. :)
Margot–You have got some great ideas! I’m on Amazon Central, too–I think my blog drafts over there automatically. Same with Goodreads. I’ve been bad about keeping up with Goodreads, though.
I blog and am on fb. Have not heard of the Google program but will have to check it out. How do you get on it?
I think the most important thing is what’s FUN. People can tell if you’re just plugging links vs. enjoying what a program has to offer. I’ve found out, for example, that Google + is usually not my cup of tea, but Tumblr has been pleasantly surprising in the best way.
I agree with you about Twitter, Elizabeth. Some people seem to get a lot of ‘contacts’ etc out of it but as far as I’m concerned it is more for sharing useful links etc. I sometimes post what I’m doing or something about my cats, but I can’t seem to use it for any real interaction.
I’m glad someone mentioned Goodreads – I feel I’ve just scratched the surface of it but it seems very promising – if only I can work out more things to do with it!
Oooh, send up lots of flares if you decide to run contests on Goodreads, and I’ll help shout about it! Not only do I want to try and get my hands on some lovely swag, I’d love to see what you come up with! *is excited* *shamelessly using Elizabeth as guinea pig* :D :D :D
Good advice. I think I’ll check out google +.
I like blogging the best. I feel like I get to know people best when visiting their blogs. And I’ve learned SO much from writer’s blogs over the last couple of years! :)
I definitely favor blogging. The only one I don’t do is Facebook. No desire. I do enough!
Terry–I like what you’re doing with Facebook! Hmm. Something to think about because I’ve not been happy with Facebook so far.
I’m putting my Google+ updates on as public updates. I know what you mean, though–I’m thinking that that’s going to be something they’ll tweak in a later version. I like Google+ mainly because it’s not Facebook. Ha!
Julia–Some people seem to be able to do it all…I’ll admit to failing on that front! We don’t have to have blanket coverage out there…we just need to be connecting with people *somewhere* on an app we enjoy. :)
Annie–Yes! We shouldn’t do something we don’t enjoy because it will definitely show. Very good point.
Sheila–I’ll DM people on Twitter, but usually I’d rather send them an email…140 characters usually is pretty limiting for a conversation!
Stacy–Thanks for the encouragement! Ha! Not that I know what I’m doing over there, but I need to figure it all out!
Mary–I like it pretty well…more than Facebook, for sure.
Warren–You have to have an invitation for Google+ right now, because it’s so new. I’ve sent you one. :) If you decide you’d rather not use Google+, no worries!
Alex–I think you’d do really well with FB because you have a very conversational manner. But you don’t have enough hours in the day!
Your headline says it all, especially when you mean social media.
There is more to promotion than social media, but it all comes down to what’s natural for you. It’s making friends, letting people get to know you — and getting to know them.
Like you, I much prefer Twitter as a form of “microblogging” — which is what it’s designed for. I didn’t really “get” Twitter until I started following an active news story, and realized that it’s a wonderful news feed – much better than any particular newspaper or news channel. And I find that holds true for my special interests as well.
Jemi–I have, too. :) Blogging is definitely my favorite.
I prefer Twitter and blogging. Twitter, while the conversations are fragmented, seems more time efficient when set up properly (Tweetdeck and SocialOomph are great programs for this). It can have a learning curve but there are resources out there to reduce that. I’ve never been able to connect in with Facebook, perhaps it was that my early experience with it was bad (day job stalkers). Goodreads is also turning out to be a good connection source.
Though I still struggle with the regular posts and visiting of other blogs, I prefer blogging to all the other social media available. I do facebook (personal page only right now) and Twitter is so foreign to me. I once went to their homepage and the word “trending” freaked me out so I ran away. Yes, I am that petty :D
I agree with you; if you don’t enjoy a form of social media, you’re not going to stick with it. Sometimes, sticking with the ones we enjoy can be hard; trying to continue at something you’re miserable doing is no fun at all!
~Jen