tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post4161663848810686125..comments2023-11-18T03:15:19.102-06:00Comments on Straight From Hel: Your Online PresenceHelen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-1787450430873905002010-04-29T06:31:31.751-05:002010-04-29T06:31:31.751-05:00Promoting anything online requires either money or...Promoting anything online requires either money or time (and usually lots of time spent rather tediously).<br /><br />I've seen a lot of authors who seem to think that their Twitter feed should have every other tweet devoted to pushing their new book or who run so many blog debuts on facebook that I can't see anything "real" on my calendar there!<br /><br />So, yes, social media, but just showing up isn't enough! But neither can you use it as a constant stream of 'buy my books buy my books' without putting people off.India Drummondhttp://www.indiadrummond.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-91083301897597693222010-04-29T05:04:21.648-05:002010-04-29T05:04:21.648-05:00I joined an online group, but I gave up reading. I...I joined an online group, but I gave up reading. It became confusing with different opinions. Some were scaremongering so much, had I of stayed, I think I would have given up my wip.<br />I love my blogging community and twitter when I can. Facebook I keep for family. I have fan group for my poetry on FB, but not an author one. That will probably come later.<br /><br />Interesting post/Interview. Thanks.Glynis Peters https://www.blogger.com/profile/01175378917872403609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-16269843737194054382010-04-28T22:40:55.589-05:002010-04-28T22:40:55.589-05:00Good ideas, Maryann.
Seems like quite a few have ...Good ideas, Maryann.<br /><br />Seems like quite a few have online groups. That's actually a great idea in this day and age.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-14254501200909497502010-04-28T22:15:36.578-05:002010-04-28T22:15:36.578-05:00I belong to a couple of online groups and sites th...I belong to a couple of online groups and sites that offer group promotional opportunities. BooksWeLove.net is a good one that has a page for each author and lots of contests. All the authors there do what we can to promote the site and the contests, which helps all the authors.<br /><br />Linking Web sites is also a way to promote each other.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-29118164351420665502010-04-28T21:40:03.194-05:002010-04-28T21:40:03.194-05:00I can't agree more here. The heavy lifting an...I can't agree more here. The heavy lifting and networking is clearly on the author's shoulders in almost every instance now. <br /><br />I remember hearing John Grisham talk about his extensive marketing efforts after writing his first book as an unknown. He gave away car loads of books to any potential readers.Slamdunkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13087161268629251860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-7165131274423221082010-04-28T21:32:18.381-05:002010-04-28T21:32:18.381-05:00I think that's a great idea!I think that's a great idea!Jenn McKayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08096584277185808602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-25402926686742533242010-04-28T20:21:31.049-05:002010-04-28T20:21:31.049-05:00Facebook was too crazy for me but I have enjoyed a...Facebook was too crazy for me but I have enjoyed and got a lot out of blogging. (Your blog in particular Helen). I have a group of writer friends and we keep in touch, mainly by e-mail, with tips, encouragement and ideas. My concern with spending a lot of money on marketing, when you are with a publisher, is that they can stop print at any time. I've heard horror stories of writers doing book tours and spending both time and money only to find out their book has been yanked from the shelves. The one thing I've learned is that you need a lot of patience.<br />Ann<br /><a href="http://www.annsummerville.com/" rel="nofollow">Ann Summerville</a><br /><a href="http://www.cozyintexas.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Cozy In Texas</a>Ann Summervillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13300190648788509096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-15445888261401762152010-04-28T19:34:00.822-05:002010-04-28T19:34:00.822-05:00We can try every marketing tool in the book, but n...We can try every marketing tool in the book, but nothing will replace good the old-fashioned buzz that happens when readers discover a book that captures the imagination and touches the heart. We still need to focus on writing first.<br /><br />Now I need to stop reading blog posts and follow my own advice. :)Patricia Stolteyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17192369425956406122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-55876352279855754962010-04-28T18:45:27.697-05:002010-04-28T18:45:27.697-05:00I have to agree that your time can be so quickly s...I have to agree that your time can be so quickly sucked away with all the Twittering, Facebooking, Ninging and everything else. Somehow some authors seem to be able to do it all.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-10731896959690908182010-04-28T18:03:14.264-05:002010-04-28T18:03:14.264-05:00Helen, since so many of us offer promotional tips,...Helen, since so many of us offer promotional tips, I think many of us bloggers could be considered a business collective!<br />And I'm on more social sites than I can tolerate.L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-79912085156181983452010-04-28T17:49:18.661-05:002010-04-28T17:49:18.661-05:00My problem is I get bored writing the same type of...My problem is I get bored writing the same type of books. It's hard to build a brand when your interests are so diverse. I could change my pen name to reflect the different types of books I like to write, but then I'd lose what followers I have.<br /><br />Morgan Mandel<br />http://morganmandel.blogspot.com<br />http://facebook.com/morgan.mandelMorgan Mandelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-60820885200974346492010-04-28T17:16:04.779-05:002010-04-28T17:16:04.779-05:00Great blog, Helen! As for collectives--my writer&...Great blog, Helen! As for collectives--my writer's group has always been an online entity--we have a website that has been devoted to drabbles to date, but we started a collective Facebook Group and are now discussing a group blog, all for the purpose of cross promoting and such, once we really need it. It's a work in progress, but we are taking the social networking piece very seriously.Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-6798440539123134742010-04-28T16:07:30.718-05:002010-04-28T16:07:30.718-05:00I do wonder if we are all spinning our wheels, it ...I do wonder if we are all spinning our wheels, it sucks up so much time, all this blogging and social networking. Lately, I have been MIA for several reasons, but one thing positive, I am writing more. That's what it's all about. Great post.Elizabeth Bradleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03150221675618198674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-10578723657625681772010-04-28T14:54:30.772-05:002010-04-28T14:54:30.772-05:00Today, I had a question that I needed help with. I...Today, I had a question that I needed help with. I emailed it to my group of writer friends (who, when we meet we don't talk about writing, but just laugh a lot). Within minutes, I had answers. That kind of support is amazing.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-82577132029680432052010-04-28T14:13:42.471-05:002010-04-28T14:13:42.471-05:00I will definitely read it!I will definitely read it!Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-34156667443202838042010-04-28T12:00:47.423-05:002010-04-28T12:00:47.423-05:00It's probably a matter of someone taking the i...It's probably a matter of someone taking the initiative and inviting other like-minded authors to join, either in your community or virtually.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-31823778465231713042010-04-28T11:54:59.714-05:002010-04-28T11:54:59.714-05:00I would be very interested in an authors group. I ...I would be very interested in an authors group. I feel a bit disconnected at the moment and would benefit from such a group. I also think I could bring something of value to the participants too.<br /><br />Stephen TrempAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-58242774801528977342010-04-28T11:21:46.460-05:002010-04-28T11:21:46.460-05:00I don't know the answer to that, Jane. It'...I don't know the answer to that, Jane. It's a good question.<br /><br />Wow, Marian, you belong to a lot of groups. You're probably an expert on what works and what doesn't with those kinds of groups.<br /><br />I hadn't considered an online group. I was thinking of local writers who get together. I can see the benefits of a virtual group, though. For one thing, you'd have a written record of suggestions and ideas.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-16805226518035563652010-04-28T10:47:25.899-05:002010-04-28T10:47:25.899-05:00I belong to several online groups where marketing ...I belong to several online groups where marketing is exclusively or occasionally addressed. I also belong to one critique group that meets weekly and sometimes discusses marketing, one that meets monthly and sometimes discusses marketing and a relatively new one that meets monthly exclusively to discuss marketing and promotion. We're all over the map on how and how much we've published, and all have different connections and ideas to share. Most helpful.Marian Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15842321321484056422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-79154200617101292612010-04-28T10:18:08.602-05:002010-04-28T10:18:08.602-05:00Very good article, Helen. I'm reminded of the ...Very good article, Helen. I'm reminded of the Santa Fe (New Mexico) Co-op writers group of the 1980s, which traveled to outlying towns in a small bus to hold signing parties where writers had never been. It was very successful. <br /><br />With online groups, you have to be careful to weed out the ones that aren't helping you directly. I got in involved in so many that I've had to withdraw from most of them because they take too much time from my writing. I think your idea of once a month brainstorming is a terrific idea. Sign me up.Jean Henry Meadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08146960738692672013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-7437573104562243662010-04-28T09:23:38.899-05:002010-04-28T09:23:38.899-05:00Even in the blogosphere, you can see the differenc...Even in the blogosphere, you can see the difference between those who us FB and Twitter to market themselvess. Their numbers are significantly higher than those who don't, like me. For now, it's a decision I've made because I spend too much time non-writing as it is. When I have something I need to market though, I'll get there.Lizahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16170701034715108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-41891048860350231412010-04-28T09:14:25.993-05:002010-04-28T09:14:25.993-05:00I wonder how much of the $10,000 he made back in s...I wonder how much of the $10,000 he made back in sales. I belong to two local writing group where these discussions do go on, but I still feel like I need more details and help with time issues when it comes to maintaining a good on line presence.Jane Kennedy Suttonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12519340747761460017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-36054583492001206582010-04-28T09:13:13.494-05:002010-04-28T09:13:13.494-05:00If I put together a group, it wouldn't be a tw...If I put together a group, it wouldn't be a twice monthly or weekly group, like a critique group. I just don't have time for that - and I feel sure others don't either. Maybe quarterly or at the most monthly. I'm thinking casual, more of a think-tank group. It might could be done via email, though. I'll have to ponder that. It seems to be, though, that the best ideas come through one-on-one interaction.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-10176004645616324272010-04-28T08:49:31.577-05:002010-04-28T08:49:31.577-05:00I follow a number blogs and am learning a lot abou...I follow a number blogs and am learning a lot about writing and publishing from them. I have two blogs, and through them I've formed connections with other writers. Blogging also increases my fluency (I think) and gives me the pleasure of writing for an audience, even a small one. Blogs are seductive, however; it's much easier, and more fun, to dash off a few hundred words, revise, click "Publish," and pretend I'm PUBLISHED than it is to struggle through rough spots in my manuscript. Like much else writing involves, it's a discipline thing. I recognize the need to get my name out there, but if I don't work smart, my name will be all I get out there. So when I say "platform," my critique partner says, "write."<br /><br />(I just glimpsed a blog headline: "Are social media the new drug?" For some of us, yes.)<br /><br />So far, I've used Facebook to learn which of my teen-aged relatives is currently b-o-r-e-d.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-12873444562663228292010-04-28T08:23:03.041-05:002010-04-28T08:23:03.041-05:00Yes, I'm in a group of mystery writers that is...Yes, I'm in a group of mystery writers that is a promo group. We share out info on social media and marketing within it. Very useful.<br /><br />Elizabeth<br /><a href="http://mysterywritingismurder.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"> Mystery Writing is Murder</a>Elizabeth Spann Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625595247828274405noreply@blogger.com