Facebook

 Last week we talked about Twitter and today it's all about Facebook. I'm sure many, if not all of you, are on Facebook and have a pretty general idea of how to use it as a marketing tool. But I wanted to start out with the basics. Get it all down before I jump ahead to the really fun stuff.

Facebook is also about the connection with your readers. It is the perfect place to interact and to get a conversation going. You just have to be creative with your posts. If you are trying to build an author page and are not yet published, discuss books in the same genre you wrote/write. Make a post that says something like "Just read Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles. Alex was definitely my favorite character. Who's yours?" Once the conversation gets going, don't drop off the face of the earth. Check in every now and again and continue to be a part of it.

Once you are published you can gear questions towards your book. "Have you read (insert title here) yet?" And then ask a question that relates to your story. The conversations will start flowing and for those who have yet to read it, most likely will have their curiosity piqued.

Make use of the photo albums as well. Start conversations by the images you post. It could be a picture of your bookshelf or a picture of a cute dog. Again anything to get a reaction and people commenting. Once you get the comment your door is open to keep the conversation going.  

You can also post about contests and giveaways and anything you'd like. But the most important thing is the connection. Form relationships with your readers. It will make you stand out from the rest.

Like Twitter, Facebook will pop back up in future posts.  Do you use Facebook as an author? Or like me haven't ventured there yet? What do you think of using Facebook as a marketing tool?

FFF Day

I'm over at Falling For Fiction today talking about Colleen Hoover's Slammed and Point of No Retreat. Actually it's more like a lovefest. Check it out here.

A Saturday Quote

 
The idea is to write it so that people hear it and it slides through the brain and goes straight to the heart.
-Maya Angelou

Social Networking

First off I can't believe I never acknowledged the fact that I am now officially a Falling For Fiction Girl! I'm so honored and so excited. And today is my first official post. So if you have the time please hop over there.  http://falling4fiction.blogspot.com/

Now onto my scheduled post:

Marketing a book is a totally different concept than marketing any other product. With a book, your book, the most important tool is yourself. You need to put yourself out there and connect with your readers or potential readers. It's all about building a relationship. Social Networking has made this so easy for us up and coming writers.

Twitter and Facebook are the two sites that come to mind when discussing social networking. Both are amazing tools if used the right way. Today I'm going to discuss Twitter. Next Week I'll discuss Facebook. I want to get the basics out of the way before I jump into the really fun stuff.

First let's start with the Do's and Don'ts of Twitter:

Do's of Twitter:
Do engage in conversations
Do comment on others Tweets
Do retweet a tweet you like

Dont's of Twitter:
Don't only tweet about yourself
Don't only promote your book
Don't not reply to someone who took the time to tweet you

I think the last don't is my biggest pet peeve with Twitter. If someone takes the time to tweet me I immediately tweet back. If I tweet you and you never respond, I'm sorry but I lose a little respect for you.

I've tweeted several authors and when they tweet me back you would think I was invited to have dinner with them. I fist pump and get this big ol' Kool Aid smile. When they don't tweet me back, my first thought is okay they're busy. I'm sure they get a lot of tweets, but then if I tweet them several times after that and still no response, it makes me think they don't care about connecting with their readers. If Simone Elkeles, Toni Blake and Stacey Kade can take the time to tweet me back, why can't they?

There is so much more you can do with Twitter, and it will definitely be mentioned in future posts. Anything you as a writer are doing can be promoted on Twitter: Bloghops, giveaways, contests, cover reveals, interviews, anything and everything. Consider today Twitter for beginners and check back to see how else you can use Twitter as a Marketing tool.

Are you on Twitter? Do you agree with the Do's and Don'ts? What would you add to the lists?

A Saturday Quote

Even if you have nothing to write, write and say so.
-Marcus Tullius Cicero

Another Day Another Pin

I wrote this post before my Monday post, but it definitely relates to my new Wednesday topic. Marketing and Books. So let's kick it off.

At 68 Boards, 1082 pins, and 158 likes I think it's time to admit...I'm obsessed. And considering I'm writing this post in advance I can guarantee those numbers have increased greatly. (And they have)

I started my Pinterest page months ago when it was all anybody would talk about. However, I didn't get swooped up in it until now. 

I have a board for keys. KEYS! Why do I need a board dedicated to keys? I'll tell you why. Because they are so pretty. The same thing goes for bikes and colors and food and everything else I can create a board for.Can you tell? Obsessed.

Though, I must admit I think it can definitely be another tool for the day I become a published author. Right now I have two boards that are called New WIP and Another WIP. In these boards I place images about the book I am writing. Something I have always done on my own desktop, but now it is accessible to others. And what I think is so great  is that as an author you gain a following and they count down the days until your next book is released. By having a board for your next WIP you can give little clues to your readers and help get them excited about release day. It's just another level of communication with those awesome people. I also think it's a great way for them to get to know you a little better. I definitely think you can find out what type of person I am more so through Pinterest and pictures than with any other social networking site. . 

The other thing that is so great about Pinterest: The ideas it creates. I just look at a picture and I need to pin it and bank it because I know I can create an entire setting, character, plot around the single image. If you ever have writer's block, I recommend hopping over to Pinterest. Just search anything related to your story and watch the story come back to life before your eyes.

Are you on Pinterest? Do you think it's a another great Marketing tool? Or just another thing to suck time out of your life?

If you're a Pinterest freak like me, I'd love for you to check out my boards. There's a little preview below. To see the rest go here.  

Happy Pinning!

Happy Monday!

I haven't been able to come up with any post ideas lately and I think it's because I really don't have a general focus. My blog has always been write whatever I want about whatever I feel like. So I've decided to try and give myself a little more structure. In doing so I will be dedicating Wednesday posts to my two favorite things: Marketing and Books. 

Even though I don't have an agent, yet, my brain can't help but think about all the great ways to market my manuscripts. I will share ideas as well as discuss my feelings on current marketing tactics. Ideas can be as big as a book launch to as small as a giveaway. I honestly believe it's never too early to start planning a strategy.

My first post will be this Wednesday. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Happy Monday! Oh And Happy October!!!