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photo credit: Free Digital Photos // Stuart Miles
photo credit: Free Digital Photos // Stuart Miles

You’ve gotten started on social media. Facbook, Twitter, maybe another. Are your profiles working for you?

A profile is more than the image you see at the top of Facebook, Google+, Twitter and any other spot on the web. It’s the about section, the presentation, the images.
If used well, profiles can be a window display for your business. A part of your branding. How people know who you are and why in the world they should follow you.
Here are 6 tips to make your profile work better for you.
  1. Be consistent among all your profiles. You don’t want visitors to your profile to wonder if they have reached the right spot. Use the same author picture (or at least from the same photo session), same colors, same feel.
  2. Use a professional quality author photo. It looks vastly different online from just a snapshot or selfie. If you want to be taken seriously (even if your act is comedy), then present a professional image.
  3. Use quality images for any graphics in your profile header. Make sure you own them or you have the appropriate permission to use them. Sometimes you have to pay and sometimes a simple attribution works. But, DO NOT just grab them from the web. Being on the web does not make them public domain.
  4. Fill out your profile completely. This is often the place where people connect with you. Because your message resonates with them. Because you went to the same school. Because you both love pets. Lots of reasons to connect and this is where you provide those reasons if they don’t already know you from somewhere else.
  5. ALWAYS have links to other places online they can find you. They may stumble across you in one social media, but prefer a different one. Don’t make them work to find you there. Make it so easy they can’t do anything but follow you.
  6. Be active on your profiles. This does not mean you have to tweet 30 times a day or post on FB a zillion times in a week. But when people stop by there should be life. No one wants to hang out where no one else is. How much is the right amount? Whatever you can keep up with. If you can only post once a month or once a day, do it faithfully.
Suggested Resource: Check out Canva to create great headers and covers for your profiles.
Have you found a creative way to use your profile?
When things don’t work exactly like we want after following an expert’s book marketing advice, we can easily become discouraged.
Don’t get me wrong, we need to listen to what they say and watch what they do. We need to read and grow and improve our social media skills. If we want to sell our books.
A lot of what they have to say is on target and has broad principles that can easily be applied to multiple brands. However, there are a couple of things I have heard and seen implied by marketing techniques that can lead to quick discouragement.

#1 “If you’re spending more than 30 minutes a day on social media you’re doing something wrong.”

I actually read this one somewhere, but it is not a true statement across the board. It depends on your goals. If you are simply using it as a tool to make announcements or already have a large platform (or an assistant) then, yes.
HOWEVER, if your goal is to build relationships, then I have another version of the story. It takes time. Either a tiny bit at a time over a longer period or more time in a shorter period. It all depends on where you are in your platform building.
This is a good reason to start building your platform early. You CAN spend just a little bit of time each day and make it happen. But if you wait…and need that platform “yesterday”…then I hate to tell you, it will take more time than 30 minutes a day. It does not happen overnight.
Bad news: It takes time to build a platform.
Good news: A little bit every day can work if you have time to spread out your platform building, and start before you need it to be in place.

#2 “It worked for me and if you follow this formula you will have success.”

This one is more implied by all the ads for methods and classes and seminars out there. After a while all the blogs about building a platform start sounding alike. Really. But one size does not fit all. If it did – EVERYONE would have a quickly built, huge online platform. Granted, one size will fit a lot of people, but if you’re the one it doesn’t fit, it can be discouraging!
There is so much more to building a platform than someone else’s technique. Yes, there are principles that work across the board that you should keep in mind, but you have to personalize it. Make it fit your audience, your message and your style.
Here is a formula for you:
Audience (know who they are and where they are) + message(content) +style (voice) + social media platforms (and there are tons!!!) + technique = building a platform
Each element has multiple variables. And there are certainly variables I haven’t mentioned! This creates multiple ways to build your online presence. See how un-one-size-fits-all it is?
Bad news: you have to figure your own way to some degree.
Good news: this means you don’t have to be discouraged when someone else’s way doesn’t work for you.
What does this mean for you and me? It’s kind of like writing. You have to learn how social media works before you can make your own rules. Find your own voice in the world of social media so you aren’t drowned out because you sound like everyone else. I hope that encourages you like it does me.
Have you ever been discouraged be a piece of platform building advice you heard then applied to only find it didn’t work for you?

Have you found a way to truly connect with your readers that gets around the above two myths? I would love to hear from you.

My daughter recently asked, “So Mom, do you have tons of blog followers now?”

Hmm. If she defines “tons” as some, then yes. Whoo hoo! I have tons of followers.

The pressure to hook readers can be intense for new writers like me. I’m tempted to grab people on the street, drag them into a dark alley, and force them to sign up for my blog and newsletter.
“C’mon, it’s free. And I give gifts. What are you afraid of? Just sign up. DO IT.”

Since the police won’t let me use that technique anymore, it’s back to work. I need to

  • Be diligent in writing
  • Submit my work
  • Stay active with the social media sites I use now.

So what’s the problem? When presented with new technology my fight or flight response kicks in. Learn how to create a podcast? Aaagh! Run! Escape to the safety of the refrigerator!

Picture courtesy of iosphere @freedigitalphotos.net
Does anybody else push dreaded tasks to the back-burner?
Hmm, I can’t do that now because it’s time to
           Make a Starbucks run
                       Wash the car
                                   Check on the sleeping children AGAIN
                                                                       Cut the grass…with scissors.

My current lofty goals:

1) Stop chasing my tail like a Yorkie on crack and take advantage of free resources like YouTube. Sometimes their videos give clearer instructions than a company’s tutorials.
2) Better utilize my current social media sites, like posting interesting and relevant content to my Facebook author’s page.
Jeanie’s tutorial, “What to post on a professional page.”
A) A video of a two-headed lamb. Interesting, but not relevant. Leave it.

B) A video of a two-headed lamb writing poetry. Interesting and relevant. Post it.

In my last blog I promised to share

Jeanie’s Super-Secret Newbie No-No’s

Those are things that cause editors to shred your writing, drive to your home, and sprinkle the pages like confetti over your head. Which is inconvenient for them, and wastes a lot of gas. In the interest of conserving natural resources we learned:
Exclamation marks scream, “Newbie!”
Today’s secret is
Adverbs are our adversaries.
Using them tripped me up badly, royally, horribly, and exceedingly.
Our critique group leader read my first submission, stifled the urge to roll her eyes,  and told me to search out every word ending in “ly.” A peck of them peppered the pages.
Here’s the fix: Use strong verbs
Example using Dreaded Adverb:John walked slowLY behind.
Better: John lagged behind.
Best: Leave John at home. He needs us to make a Starbuck’s run for him.
Platform building also includes face to face human interaction, which I love. So on June 28th I’ll be at Bible Truth Ministries church sharing my experiences with others who want to start their own writing journeys. You’re welcome to join us.
When developing your online presence, it is important to be professional if you want to be taken seriously. Here are a few tips ensure you are putting your best foot forward.
  1. When you create your online ID make sure they are the same on all sites. It’s easier to find you and establishes a stronger presence. Use similar colors and publicity picture on every site. This creates a cohesiveness for your brand.
  2. Update all profiles for all social media sites you are on. DO NOT leave them blank. Put contact information into each one. You are leaving bread trail for people to follow back to you.
  3. Have your pictures taken professionally. If a friend takes your pictures, make sure they are professional quality.
  4. Be active if you are on social media sites. An inactive site is worse than not having an account on that site. So, don’t bite off more than you can chew. You don’t have to post, share or Tweet every hour, as long as you post regularly. You can schedule your posts if you choose. There are various sites you can use for this.
  5. Keep it simple. An uncluttered website is more inviting to linger on.
  6. Write an interesting bio. Make sure it shows your personality while remaining professional. Write it in 3rd person to give it a more professional tone. If you like, you can write two with one more casual.
  7. If you use pictures on your blog posts, give the appropriate attribution. Just as you wouldn’t want someone to use your writing without permission, don’t use someone’s photo without permission. You can’t just grab any picture you see out there and use it. Check the rules of the sight you go to for permissions necessary.
  8. Have a way for people to keep up with you. Make it easy to find the links on your website. At the very least, you need to have a newsletter for people to sign up for. But many people would rather just follow you on Facebook or Twitter.
  9. Make your blog stand out. Templates are great for beginners, but if are able, upload your own picture. Some of the pictures provided with the templates get used in multiple places and start looking like worn out repeats. If you upload your own picture, google the size necessary for the particular social media site. Otherwise, the pictures may look stretched out or out of proportion. Fotoflexer is on online editor that is easy to use without downloading any software.
  10. As you post, remember how you want people to see you. For instance, I care a lot about politics, but rarely post about them, because that is not my “banner”.  Represent yourself intentionally the way you want people to see your brand. Some things I will post to my personal Facebook profile, but not to my fan page.
In everything you do to build your platform, do it right. Don’t just make do. Google it. Ask a friend. Watch a tutorial. Pay someone to do it for you. At the end of the day, you may just attract someone’s attention because your presence stands out from the rest.
What have you seen other bloggers do that scream 
“unprofessional” to you?
You’re writing your first book and you want to be ahead in marketing when you approach a publisher or agent. You’re willing to jump in to social media, but it feels overwhelming and you don’t know where to start. I have a few suggestions to keep in mind as you start.

1. From the beginning, use the name you are writing under to name EVERYTHING to give it a streamlined look. Once you have an online identity, then every time you leave a comment, on a blog or on FB or Twitter, that comment will lead people back to you. Other bloggers will begin to recognize your name. You’re leaving breadcrumbs for people to follow right back to where you hang out.

2. Remember: you cannot do everything. You simply don’t have enough time. Don’t spread the time you have too thin. It’s better to be great at 2 or 3 than mediocre at a dozen or to start something and leave it unattended. Choose wisely. But do keep a list of all the ideas and links you run across – for possible use later.

3. Remember: one size does not fit all. Not everything works for everybody. And even if you are determined to use what another author uses, you need to MAKE IT YOUR OWN. Put your own twist and personality into it. Ask the questions in #5 to help you determine which ones will fit you best.

4. Start with JUST the basics: Facebook (I think google+ is also a great basic) and a website. By limiting how many you start with, you allow yourself plenty of time to become proficient at one thing before moving on to others.

5. Ask critical questions to help determine other social media involvement:

  • Where are you active already as a consumer or an
    author?
  • What are you comfortable with? If twitter  isn’t your thing – it can wait till later – see if you really need the headache of learning it. If you don’t do photography, then Flickr may not be for you.
  • Who is your target audience (genre/age)?
  • How much time do you have?
  • What is your brand/purpose/message?
Give yourself an edge as you head toward publication. Whether traditionally or indie published, you need an audience to read your book. Get ahead of the marketing by starting early. Avoid being overwhelmed by keeping it simple.
Action:
If you have a blog, leave the address in the comments below. Then visit someone else’s blog listed in the comments below or on the members page tab.
Are you already active in social media?

If not, what is your greatest deterrent?

Next week-Thursday, January 30 at 10:15am- we are hosting a panel discussion all about blogging and websites for beginners on a Google+ hangout. You can join us live or we will be recording for those who can’t join us. If you have a question you would like answered, leave it in the comments section below.
photo credit: www.freedigitalphotos.net //isophere
I have a confession. I don’t usually buy fiction at full price. I go to the library, look at garage sales, or borrow from a friend. If it touches my life in some way or I know the author I might invest in a brand new copy.
The other day, however, when I was in the mood for a good book I visited the bookstore. After reading a ton of book blurbs, they all started sounding alike. I defaulted to an author I was familiar with and whom I knew wrote quality stories.
Familiarity with your name influences the purchase of your book. The more places you get you and your writing in front of people, the more likely people will pause when they see a book with your name on it. And buy it.

Getting in front of potential readers is something you can do now. Well before the contract. Here are 5 ideas for building familiarity:

1.      Interact with potential readers and influencers on social media
2.      Write (articles, devotionals and stories) in offline markets
3.      Guest post on other blogs
4.      Write an ebook/PDF download to offer as free content
5.      Do reviews for others and post them
Action: Visit the social media sights of 3 of your favorite authors. Take note of what they are doing. Which of these things look like they would fit with your purpose?
When you go to the bookstore or library to find a good book, how much do each of the following affect your choice? Book cover? Back blurb? Author familiarity?
Why start now?I don’t even have a book written.

Whether you self-publish or publish traditionally, you need an audience to read your book. That’s what building a platform is all about. For the most effective book launch, you want that audience built ahead of time.

When approaching publishers and agents, that is one key element they will look for.

For myself, involvement with social media was limited prior to my contract and the learning curve for building a platform took away from actual connection time with people as well as creative time to write my content.

How do I start without getting overwhelmed?
  • Keep it simple.Choose one social media venue at a time. Take time to learn the ins and outs before you add more.
  • Supply quality content, one blog post at a time. Don’t worry about offering the same amount of content as an established blogger. But keep your promises. If you promise to blog once a month or once a week, do so. People don’t like to follow links to dead ends. They want to discover what you do. Show them.
  • Focus on making connections. How would you connect face to face? Keep it real in your interactions. Be helpful, not just self-promotional. Visit other blogs and Facebook pages and comment. Join online writing groups and participate.
Think of everything you do online as a piece of the puzzle. You are building your reputation or brand as a writer. Your brand is what people come to expect from you. What you write about, how you write about it and what you do with it.
Action: Do you have a FB fan page? If not, start one (link back to previous FB article). This is a great place to learn how to interact with your audience. And if you’re not ready to start posting on a regular basis to a blog or feel overwhelmed at the thought, this is perfect. You can still share content – in bit size pieces.

Here are two previous posts about using Facebook to help you get started: Building a Platform Part 1  and  Building a Platform Part 2

I’ve noticed a few common threads throughout the articles I’m reading while I work to build my platform. Consistency. Value. Engagement.
Consistency: Give your readers what you have promised them.
Frequency. If you tell them you will be blogging on Mondays. Then blog on Monday. If you want to blog 3 times a week and tell your readers, then do so. Better to blog once a month and be consistent than for your readers to never know what to expect. They will most likely move on.
Content. If they become followers on your blog because you write about your grandmother’s recipes, then all of the sudden you switch gears and talk about motorcycles, chances are you will lose your audience. Unless of course, you’re talking about recipes your grandmother used over the campfire while she toured the country on her motorbike.
Value: Give them something to make their lives better.
Listen. Find out what your readers want. What matters to them. Check out other blogs and see what gets people talking. Ask questions. Take a poll. Look at your stats and make adjustments according to which blogs attract the most interaction.
Make it count. Whether it is encouragement, education or entertainment, enrich your readers’ lives. I doubt they want to hear about how well you brushed your teeth. Unless you’re a dentist writing about the value of dental hygiene.
Engagement: Interact with your readers.
  
Talk WITH your audience, not to them. Invite them in by asking questions. Encourage them to comment by not filling in ALL the blanks. Make them a part of what you are doing. Give them ownership.
Call to action. Whether you ask them to like your fan page, leave a comment, retweet your message, or tell their friends, ask them to participate in some way.
There are more ideas out there than I could possibly write about. Undoubtedly you have found a few favorite tips of your own. Please feel free to jump in and share what you are learning.
Angela D. Meyer lives in Omaha, NE with her
husband and 2 kids.She is working to build her
platform while awaiting the release of her debut
novel Bruised Reed. Check out her website: