Hot Trends, Hot Markets – Adding Friends to Social Networks by Cheryl Kaye Tardif ©2008
By Jerry D. Simmons | September 23rd, 2008 | 4 Comments » (Click to add yours!)
This is the final segment in my Hot Trends, Hot Markets online social marketing section.
Friends are gold; they’ll promote you just because they know you. And if they read your work, they’ll promote you even more. Friends connect you to strangers without you having to do anything. They tell two friends and so on…and so on…
Build up enough friends in your networks, and you’ll build momentum. The next thing you’ll know, you’ll have people messaging you and asking to be friends.
In every online social network, the friends you add are very important. These are people who will be interested in you and your books for a variety of reasons. Not only do you want fans of your work and close friends and business acquaintances you already know, you want to invite complete strangers. Again, having a genuine interest in meeting new people and getting to know them is a huge plus. Learn to love your friends, even the ones you haven’t made yet.
Ask yourself: Who would I like to know personally (famous authors, famous people, famous actors & singers, etc)? Which industry people would be beneficial (agents, publishers, etc)? What kinds of people will help sell my book (librarians, booksellers, etc)?
Search for:
• Authors
• Writers
• literary agents
• publishers
• librarians
• editors
• teachers
• book reviewers
• publicists
• booksellers
And search for friends who:
• love books
• love reading
• are fans of authors you like and ones you’ve been compared to
• are fans of books like yours, titles your books have been compared to
• live in your city, town, province, state, country
Now think completely outside the box–think movies, TV shows, films based on your books, and invite:
• actors
• film producers
• directors
• music composers
• musicians
• singers
• songwriters
• film companies
• screenwriters
Now think of your book. What topics are discussed? Now search for friends who relate to your book’s topics (ie. if your book–fiction or nonfiction–is about a character with Alzheimer’s, use that search term and you’ll find groups, support groups, associations etc–all great contacts for you)
The last way to search for friends is what I think is the most fun. I recently experienced this, and I have to say it’s opened up opportunities but also there’s something both weird and exciting in it. This last tip is for fiction authors. And this is what you do…
Add your characters as “friends”:
Make a list of all the main characters in every novel or short story (published or unpublished) that you’ve written.
Then make a list of secondary characters–ones that are interesting and important to your story.
Search for your characters’ names on all of the online social networks, especially MySpace and Facebook.
Invite your “characters” to be your friend.
When they accept, leave a comment on their page (for ALL to see). Let them know that they have the same name as your character. Tell them a bit about this character and your book. Invite them to order it online–leave the link–and offer to send them an autographed bookplate or bookmark. You can do this in stages–replying to the friend.
Recently I’ve had the pleasure of sending many bookplates to people with my characters’ names. They’re all quite thrilled at the idea, and many are very curious. So am I! Again, it’s an opportunity to promote your work, but a rare opportunity to connect with a “character” and this can lead to some interesting conversations. I love it! More and more, I’ve been blessed by meeting wonderful people from all over the world. These are my readers–actual and potential. And I value each and every one of them.
This concludes the 5-part series on Online Social Networking. If you have missed any parts, please click the links below. If you have enjoyed this series please visit my website and consider purchasing my novels while you’re there. And do leave me a note, or you can comment on this article at my website.
~ Cheryl Kaye Tardif, a.k.a. “Shameless Promoter”, is a freelance journalist and bestselling suspense author of Whale Song, The River and Divine Intervention. Cheryl has spoken at numerous writers conferences on the topics of book marketing, especially online marketing. She currently resides in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Hot Trends, Hot Markets – Optimizing True Social Networks Like MySpace, Facebook & Ning by Cheryl Kaye Tardif ©2008
By Jerry D. Simmons | September 10th, 2008 | 2 Comments » (Click to add yours!)
When most people hear the words “MySpace” and “Facebook”, they’re most likely to think of these in terms of their teenage kids. But times have changed, and these ‘just ain’t for kids anymore’. I’ve spoken to entrepreneurs, including writers, about using these two social networks to promote their various products and services. Some look at me as if I’ve completely lost my mind. Some of them, I’m sure, think I’ve spent far too much time locked away in my office while writing my next suspense novel. Most wonder or ask how MySpace or Facebook could possibly be anything but a waste of time.
MySpace has revolutionized the social world of marketing. Gone are the days when MySpace was just for kids, a place to talk about music and share photos. Remember those days–back when you were afraid to let little Johnny post his profile and picture? Well, YOU are little Johnny now, and MySpace holds far more opportunity than danger to you.
And what about Facebook? When it first started out, it was similar to Classmates.com–only FREE. People were able to reconnect with long lost friends, school mates, lovers, and a few birthmothers were able to reunite with their children.
And now there’s Ning, social networking that is grouped into specific targets: Bookmarketing.ning.com is for book marketing; Canadianauthors.ning.com is a group for Canadian authors and those who love books by said authors. You can search http://www.ning.com/ for groups that might interest you, book reviewers, librarians, people etc. Or you can start your own Ning network.
Now that the rest of the world has caught on, in particular the adult community, you’ll now find that a wide variety of smart, savvy entrepreneurs, business owners, authors, artists and performers are using MySpace, Facebook and Ning to promote their business, work or name. Think of it this way, if you have something you want to sell or promote, you’d want to reach the most people in the fastest and least expensive way.
These social network sites become a “vehicle” for you, a vehicle that will take you from point A to B. Yes, you CAN waste a lot of time and energy with these sites if you aren’t sure of how to do things and why you are doing them. So I urge authors to set a timer, if you must. Allow youself 1/2 an hour to promote on each site. And do this once a week, more if you have the time.
Authors, here is the how and why for MySpace, Facebook & Ning:
1. Set up your profile. Sign up, add your photo, or better yet the book cover of your latest book. Add your bio info and make sure you add links to your sites and blogs. Add photos, book trailers, etc. This let’s people know who you are and what you do.
2. Add friends. Plan to add 10-50 friends a week, especially in the beginning. When you have 500 or so, add 10/week. Friends are the backbone of any social network and you need them. More on how to add ‘good’ friends in Part 5.
3. Write every week in your MySpace or Ning blog or import a blog into Facebook. I import my Blogger blog into my Facebook page. Write about anything. Blogging regularly attracts more visitors to your page. Search engines love blogs because they are always being updated.
4. Comment on your friends’ pages. Visit their page and leave a comment, including your signature, which should include your name, book title or ‘Canadian suspense author’ and your website URL. This brings you more traffic. Not only will the friend visit, but so will people who are checking out their page and reading their comments. It’s free advertising. But be genuine; comment on something they’ve said/done, something you like about them etc.
5. Post a bulletin on MySpace. This is great when you have a lot of friends. They will all automatically receive your bulletin. Use this for breaking news, events or to announce a blog post. Make sure you add your signature line and URL.
6. Ask some of your friends to read and review your book. You have access to book reviewers…and people who love to read. Plus big name authors have pages on MySpace and Facebook. You can message them and politely ask if they’ll consider reading your book and writing a review blurb (for the cover) or a review for Amazon.com or Chapters.ca, etc
7. Connect with other writers/authors and get involved in multi-author events–like online book fairs. Ask to guest blog on their blogs and send them an article about your book or an interview or an article on writing.
8. Invite friends to events, real life or virtual.
9. Ask your friends to spread the word about an event or piece of news. Offer to blog about them in exchange.
Social networking is a two-way street. Don’t be the kind of person who always asks and takes; learn to give in return. There are often unexpected rewards in being genuine, in taking an interest in someone else’s life and gifts. When you focus on ‘what can I also do for someone else?’ you’ll find that great connections will ‘happen’, and success is one step closer.
MySpace, Facebook and Ning can help you achieve success by connecting you to people who are willing to help you. There are wonderful, awesome people out there. I know; I’ve met them. So now it’s your turn. Be bold, step out of that box and into the world of online social networking.
~ Cheryl Kaye Tardif, a.k.a. “Shameless Promoter”, is a freelance journalist and bestselling suspense author of Whale Song, The River and Divine Intervention. Cheryl has spoken at numerous writers conferences on the topics of book marketing, especially online marketing. She currently resides in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Professional Services offered by Jerry D. Simmons
By Jerry D. Simmons | September 4th, 2008 | No Comments » (Click to add yours!)
Sales & Distribution
Direct face-to-face presentation of your book to buyers from the largest booksellers in the country by a professional sales force is what the INDI PublishingGroup is all about. For complete details on how to qualify for this unique program contact me via email.
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Pre-Publication Plan
Writing is half the process of becoming an author, the second half is figuring out that next step. This plan thoroughly examines the goals for your book, combined with your personal motivations for becoming an author. You will receive the pros and cons of each facet of publishing and this plan will offer guidance and advice on the best method to meet your goals and match your motivations.
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For writers who want an objective professional opinion on their writing. The goal is to give you the information that an editor at a New York publisher would provide. For a very small investment you can have your manuscript read in its entirety and critiqued by a professional freelance editor who will outline in great detail what you need to do to improve the reading and quality of your writing. These critiques add value and expertise to your writing. This is a very important step for every writer.
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Once your manuscript has been evaluated and critiqued, the next step is the content editing. This involves a professional freelance editor making absolutely certain the writing follows a lucid story arc. Content editing involves the development of a story line and or logical display of information, depending on the genre, as well as the development of the characters in the manuscript. With informative nonfiction, the editor focuses on consistency, logical order, a comprehensive overview of the material and clear competent thinking.
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After your manuscript has been evaluated and developed for content, it requires a line by line appraisal to assure standard usage, workable grammar for the context, efficient sentence structure, spelling corrections and other suggested changes. This is time consuming, meticulous work and is critical to the success of any published work. Copy editing is not flawless, in corporate publishing the rule of thumb is an allowable three mistakes per every one thousand key strokes, so this process is necessary but not without human error.
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This is the final step in the editing process and deals with the final polish that copy editing began. Proofreading is the double check at the level of the sentence and paragraph and can only be done effectively once content and copy editing is complete.
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If you would like professional guidance every step of the way, then book coaching provides this and more. From the day you begin writing, or the day you finish your manuscript, through the editorial process and eventually to a finished book, as a book coach I become your partner with every decision. You have at your disposal 30 years of professional experience to help guide you in your decisions, resulting in the best quality book for the least investment. Spending thousands of dollars is not necessary, this is the most cost effective method of achieving your goals as an author.
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If you’ve tried yourself and are tired of the time it takes and rejections then consider a professional service. You complete a lengthy questionnaire then have the letter written and submitted for you. We will rewrite and revise the letter and continue the campaign until you have received a minimum of ten requests for your full manuscript. That is our promise to each of our authors. We cannot make promises that you will receive a contract but we guarantee your manuscript will get attention, and that is the critical step.
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Literary agents and publishers typically want a complete book proposal on every title they consider. This includes a thorough overview of your manuscript or book, sample chapters or complete manuscript, author bio, market analysis, competitive analysis, promotional and marketing plans, and more. The query letter is important, the proposal is what seals the deal. We offer a professional service that will write a complete and detailed book proposal that will impress both agent and publisher.
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Packaging is important, making certain your cover fits the market is the key to selling books. Creating the proper package for your finished book requires an experienced eye. It’s not about your personal likes, it’s about creating a design that consumers will pick up and want to own. Packaging is more than designing a cover, it’s about creating a finished book that looks professional and feels of quality. Includes front and back cover, spine, placement of quotes, front and back copy. Also includes the digital file transfer of your formatted manuscript to the printer. The finished product is print ready in a digital format that is then transferred to your printer.
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The quality of the finished product and appearance is vitally important. You need professionals to help you make this very important decision. You need flexibility in trim size, paper quality, paper color, and quantity with small first print runs. Don’t cut corners and never go with the least expensive, it will be a mistake that could cost you sales.
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I offer a complete range of services to fit any need that results in a professional finished book of the highest quality. I have 30 years of experience, 25 with two of the largest publishers in the world. I have the knowledge and will provide you with all the publishing tools necessary to make your experience a good one. In addition to all of the services listed above, I can provide:
Marketing Materials
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I can advise you on an ISBN number for your book, Library of Congress Number, and bar code.
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The creation of your own web site for you and your book is an important component of any successful author. I can offer advice on what you need to start and what you don’t, what tends to work and what doesn’t. I’m not a computer expert but I have experience to guide you before you invest thousands of dollars unnecessarily. If you decide this is not an expense you are ready for in the beginning, then create a personal profile for free at www.NothingBinding.com and link all of your author information to that site.
Summary
I provide everything you need to publish the finest quality book with the greatest potential for success possible. I make my living working with authors and publishers, each of the services offered require my time. A small investment of time is better than trying to make decisions without necessary and relevant information. I do not attempt to “sell” you on any particular type of publishing, I match your goals with the best option for the market. I have the experience, knowledge, and objectivity to offer you the best advice gathered over 30 years of experience. I would be more than happy to extend to you a free 15-minute discussion to explain how I can help. You may contact me via email, thank you.
