Tag Archives | Twitter

Getting sucked into social media? When to say no. When to say yes.

By on April 5, 2012 in publishing industry, social media

Knowing my book would be out in the big wide world caused me to really analyze and think about what I was doing. What worked? What was effective? There seems to be two different ways of thinking and of course everything in between.

On one side, there is the author who spends maybe 50% of her time promoting. The writer feels the pressure to join the latest thing (Pinterest anyone?) and to be current with all things social media.

On the other side, there is the author who chooses here and there what to join. I’m not saying one way is more right than the other. It’s a personal decision.

Before I decided to self publish, before I took this on as a business, I might have jumped on any one of the social media wagons. Because finding success in blogging and watching my numbers grow gave me that feeling of moving forward.

I thought for sure once I was on the publishing path, I’d feel the desire to promote more. But it’s almost had the opposite effect. I’ve realized that writing is king. And now that also means formatting, organizing blog series, writing guest blog posts. But I still want to spend as much time writing too. So I went down to blogging two days a week. I had to be selective.

I joined Google + but so far not really getting into it. I don’t see a lot of interaction. It’s like a different Google reader.

I created a Facebook Fan page.

But that’s it. I haven’t joined Triberr or Pinterest. Not because I don’t want to. I just don’t have time. Maybe after this first book is out? Maybe?

One thing I see to be true. Promotion doesn’t mean much without great product. And I’ve seen authors shoot through the charts and barely touch social media. So though I want to do my share of it and be available, I will be putting much more focus on the writing.

What do you think? Has your opinion on social media evolved at all?

photo credit

Comments { 32 }

Must-know Twitter hashtags for writers.

By on March 30, 2011 in social media

I know many of you balk at the idea of Twitter. Or you signed up but felt like a wallflower so didn’t click on it much. Or you just plain old didn’t get it and didn’t appreciate all the authors that tweeted over and over again about their books without contributing much else.

Or it could be that the well-known hashtags could never quite capture what you were feeling or the exact stage you were at in the writing or revision process.

Well, no more.

You can slide into Twitter with these new and improved hashtags that are sure to go viral.

#amwritingfirstdraftcrap
#amwritingwhilemykidsarescreaminginthebackground
#amwritingeventhoughIneedtofoldlaundry
#amwritinganditfeelslikethewordsarebeingpriedfrommybrainwithaspoon
#amwritingandthewordsareflowinglikemoltonlava

#amrevisingbutihavenocluewhati’mdoing
#amrevisingandamdoubtingmyentirepurposeinlife
#amrevisingandthisisthebeststoryeverandwillsignanagentwithindays
#amrevisingbutcan’tfigureoutwherethiscommashouldgo
#amrevisinganddonaldmaasstipskeepoverwhelmingme

#askagentbutican’taskaboutqueries
#askagentbutiwilllooklikeakissupstalker
#askagentbutaren’tagentslikemeanscarypeoplethatjustwanttoinflictpain
#askagentiaskedbutnooneansweredthequestion
#askagentgotagreatquestionbutforgotthehashtag

#yachitchat?
#yatitfortat?
#yadothesepantsmakemelookfat?
#yaiswhereit’sat
#yai’mawriterdoesmybuttlookflat?

Okay, you get the point. So now you have absolutely no excuses. Just use some of these hashtags and you will have hordes of followers within days.

What hashtags did I miss that should be on this must know list?

Comments { 39 }

To twitter or not to twitter?

By on May 21, 2010 in social media

Tough question.

It’s almost like asking someone if they like chocolate cake. Some people love it. Some people don’t. And some just say, “Eh.”

Reasons I joined Twitter:

  • Curiosity – (I had to see what all the fuss was about.)
  • I’d rather learn it and develop followers as an unpublished writer.
  • Follow agents and get a feel for their personality. (Research baby.)
  • Connect with other writers.
  • To tweet about contest and get more points.

I went into it the same way I did blogging. I had good reasons.

Why I’m glad I joined Twitter:

  • It’s been so cool to connect with blogging friends. Blogging is like waving from across a crowded room. Twitter is like having coffee by the pool early in the morning.
  • It’s been great to encourage other writers and promote other writers.
  • It’s been fun experimenting with voice and humor.
  • It hasn’t been a time suck. I check in. Read. Post. And leave.
  • I’ve run across great retweeted blog posts.

Do I understand everything about Twitter?  Heck no. I finally understand hashtags. I know how to block spammers. Baby steps.

My biggest frustration: For the life of me, I can’t figure out how to get a twitter button to show up on my sidebar. (But that dips into my blog deficiencies and this is about Twitter.)

Final words:  Social media comes second. Writing a fantastic book comes first!

What are your hesitations or frustrations about Twitter?

Comments { 11 }

“Twisdom” (It’s not what you think.)

By on February 8, 2010 in Random

Dear God,

Please forgive me.

I know it was wrong. But sometimes I can’t control the stray thoughts that enter my brain, even during church. I mean, shouldn’t my brain know that certain thoughts don’t belong in the sanctuary? I think so.

I was listening to the sermon. Honestly. But when Pastor talked about true wisdom versus false wisdom, I couldn’t help but make the connection to writing. I don’t think that’s what my Pastor intended. Okay, I’m almost positive he didn’t.

But, it’s really not my fault. Actually, if you break it down, I think it’s my Pastor’s fault. The title of his sermon was “Twisdom”. Immediately, I groaned (inside my head, of course). I thought, how in the world is he going to connect wisdom on Twitter to my spiritual life? I’m positive there are no prophecies or scriptures referring to Twitter. (I’ve never tried to solve the Bible Code, though, so who knows, maybe there is some prophecy I don’t know about.)

It turned out he wasn’t referring to Twitter at all. But can you understand why I got sidetracked? Especially with all the Twitter vocabulary fluttering through the blogosphere. I’m sure you think it’s getting a little ridiculous too. Even up in Tweaven.

Sorry. Back to Twisdom. I mean wisdom. Pastor said that true wisdom is humble and teachable. And that false wisdom is basically acting like a jerk and showing a know-it-all attitude. 

And that, God, is when I thought about my writing journey. How the more I learn, the more I realize how much more there is to learn. The more great books I read, the more I realize how much harder I have to work. Humble. Teachable. Good things to be.

That’s how I want to be. And writing shouldn’t have been the first thing to pop into my mind, because I need all the humbleness and teachableness I can muster when it comes to being a parent, a wife, a friend.

So, in closing. If you could strike that stray thought from my record, I’d appreciate it. And while I’m at it, I should apologize for the time I used my sermon bulletin to list plot points.

       Twamen

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