Monday, September 13, 2010
Which Shoe Fits?
Morning! Bo’sun here! Didn’t I do a great job with our fabulous guest yesterday? I know, I’m just brilliant. I tell you all yet about buying a townhouse? The ipod? The…
Hee, hee. Just kidding, 2nd Chance here. We’re messing with the blog this week and everyone is out of whack, schedule wise. For today, pretend it’s Friday. Or don’t, since Friday has been shutting down so quickly lately!
On with the blog!
Well, as most of ya know, I signed a contract yesterday with Decadent Publishing, for The Kraken’s Mirror. Yippee!
I was figuring on something like this happening once Saritza Hernandez, my agent with the Lori Perkins Literary Agency, started shopping my story around…but really didn’t think it would happen so soon… ( No complaints!)
But, I figured on getting ready for marketing, publicizing, promoting more than a month ago. Let’s face it, we all know that authors are expected to do a whole lot of this stuff themselves nowadays. I have a website, and spoke with a wed designer about redoing it back in April, but she was slammed, and nothing is going on just yet. I started a new blog on Typepad which I intend to be my official writer’s blog eventually. (Do come by, it’s called Believing in Second Chances.)
Being the bright and going-for-it pirate writer that I am, I enrolled in an online class called Making Money with Your Writing Blog. I wasn’t really all that gung-ho about making money with my blog, I just wanted to learn how all the other things worked. Like Twitter, Mailing Lists, and all of that. It’s the stiletto heel of classes…
I mean, look at this synopsis!
CLASS SYLLABUS
WEEK 1 - Blogging and Website Basics:
* A quick overview of Setup, Domain Names, Taglines, and Themes.
* How to Blog in a way that will bring readers back.
* How to Blog in a way that appeases the Search Engine Spiders and moves your site up in the rankings.
WEEK 2 - Getting Readers for Free
* An overview of RSS and Email Subscriptions
* Social Networking Basics and why Social Networking Works
* LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook
WEEK 3 - Making Money
* No-Pressure Money-Making Elements
* An Overview of Affiliate Income
* Products that will Make You Money and Help You Sell Your Books
WEEK 4 - More Readers Than Ever Before
* Building Your Mailing List
* How to Get Massive Amounts of Traffic
* How to Keep People Coming Back
Like, wow! The class started first of September and within a week I was doing great. I was dancing the tango, I was learning how to foxtrot…I was…totally overwhelmed with my head spinning and plastered to a wall, eyes wide open and wondering what the hell I’d gotten myself into.
This was so fast! I needed an easier dance shoe!
So, I followed my normal course of action. I hid under the covers and sent an frantic e-mail to the Bo’sun about it. She said, “Relax! You started a blog, your publisher will help you figure out where to go, you don’t have to do it all at once…” Something like that. Very calming and practical.
I love the Bo’sun.
And I realized she is so right. All the stuff in my class that had me freaking out… RSS Feeds, LinkedIn Groups, Plug In Options, Aps and Aps and Aps…and wordtracking…
*pant…*pant
It’s nuts. And then the bulletin board of people taking the class, over 40 starting chiming in with what they did and how they did and this service and that service and…and…and…
*pant…*pant
You know, I want to do this right. I want my book to be the start of a career and know I need to be on top of doing it right from the very beginning. But I think I almost need a by-my-side tutor. I’m not ancient and I’m not a total boob with the technical jargon, but I’ve decided to take a step back. And work on making what I have pretty.
Wearing shoes I know I can dance in for now… I’m going to step back and get the website redone, get a professional to help. Work on learning Twitter. Since Scape got me started in Orland. (It just took me nearly two months to actually get a posting up…) (It sorta scared me…)
So, I’m curious. The crew be from many backgrounds and generations… (I feel so old sometimes…) How do YOU learn this stuff? What do you figure is imperative when it comes to promoting yourself and getting ready for that great call? Come on, you all know my MO, I’m looking for shortcuts! ;-)
Hee, hee. Just kidding, 2nd Chance here. We’re messing with the blog this week and everyone is out of whack, schedule wise. For today, pretend it’s Friday. Or don’t, since Friday has been shutting down so quickly lately!
On with the blog!
Well, as most of ya know, I signed a contract yesterday with Decadent Publishing, for The Kraken’s Mirror. Yippee!
I was figuring on something like this happening once Saritza Hernandez, my agent with the Lori Perkins Literary Agency, started shopping my story around…but really didn’t think it would happen so soon… ( No complaints!)
But, I figured on getting ready for marketing, publicizing, promoting more than a month ago. Let’s face it, we all know that authors are expected to do a whole lot of this stuff themselves nowadays. I have a website, and spoke with a wed designer about redoing it back in April, but she was slammed, and nothing is going on just yet. I started a new blog on Typepad which I intend to be my official writer’s blog eventually. (Do come by, it’s called Believing in Second Chances.)
Being the bright and going-for-it pirate writer that I am, I enrolled in an online class called Making Money with Your Writing Blog. I wasn’t really all that gung-ho about making money with my blog, I just wanted to learn how all the other things worked. Like Twitter, Mailing Lists, and all of that. It’s the stiletto heel of classes…
I mean, look at this synopsis!
CLASS SYLLABUS
WEEK 1 - Blogging and Website Basics:
* A quick overview of Setup, Domain Names, Taglines, and Themes.
* How to Blog in a way that will bring readers back.
* How to Blog in a way that appeases the Search Engine Spiders and moves your site up in the rankings.
WEEK 2 - Getting Readers for Free
* An overview of RSS and Email Subscriptions
* Social Networking Basics and why Social Networking Works
* LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook
WEEK 3 - Making Money
* No-Pressure Money-Making Elements
* An Overview of Affiliate Income
* Products that will Make You Money and Help You Sell Your Books
WEEK 4 - More Readers Than Ever Before
* Building Your Mailing List
* How to Get Massive Amounts of Traffic
* How to Keep People Coming Back
Like, wow! The class started first of September and within a week I was doing great. I was dancing the tango, I was learning how to foxtrot…I was…totally overwhelmed with my head spinning and plastered to a wall, eyes wide open and wondering what the hell I’d gotten myself into.
This was so fast! I needed an easier dance shoe!
So, I followed my normal course of action. I hid under the covers and sent an frantic e-mail to the Bo’sun about it. She said, “Relax! You started a blog, your publisher will help you figure out where to go, you don’t have to do it all at once…” Something like that. Very calming and practical.
I love the Bo’sun.
And I realized she is so right. All the stuff in my class that had me freaking out… RSS Feeds, LinkedIn Groups, Plug In Options, Aps and Aps and Aps…and wordtracking…
*pant…*pant
It’s nuts. And then the bulletin board of people taking the class, over 40 starting chiming in with what they did and how they did and this service and that service and…and…and…
*pant…*pant
You know, I want to do this right. I want my book to be the start of a career and know I need to be on top of doing it right from the very beginning. But I think I almost need a by-my-side tutor. I’m not ancient and I’m not a total boob with the technical jargon, but I’ve decided to take a step back. And work on making what I have pretty.
Wearing shoes I know I can dance in for now… I’m going to step back and get the website redone, get a professional to help. Work on learning Twitter. Since Scape got me started in Orland. (It just took me nearly two months to actually get a posting up…) (It sorta scared me…)
So, I’m curious. The crew be from many backgrounds and generations… (I feel so old sometimes…) How do YOU learn this stuff? What do you figure is imperative when it comes to promoting yourself and getting ready for that great call? Come on, you all know my MO, I’m looking for shortcuts! ;-)
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119 comments:
Blast it. Make that my MO ... that's what happens when yer week is all out a whack! Typos.
Chance, congrats again! I am so excited and thrilled for you, and can't wait to read this wonderful book. :)
I can sympathize with you on feeling old sometimes (I'm hitting 54 in a few weeks), and there is so much to keep up with technology-wise. BUT it's also amazing what we can do to promote ourselves and our books without even leaving the computer!
I was nervous about Twitter at first, and it took me forever to join, but I love it. It's like being in a party and you can just chat with whoever strikes your fancy and ignore the rest. I make sure I have more conversation tweets in comparison to my "come read my blog post" tweets -- because people seem more interested in your blog posts if they're interested in YOU first. :)
Okay, that's my shortcut for now. Come over here so I can rub your head for luck. LOL
Typos? I never have typoets! Whuts wrung with ewe poeple? ConSINtrate ohn what your righting, four gosh sacks!
What do you figure is imperative when it comes to promoting yourself …
Get your name and your presence out on the blogs. Which you are doing Chance, right here. One of the biggest steps for someone who wants to be a paid writer is …
Get your work out so that people can see it. Don’t lurk. Comment. Participate in online Bbs and blogs. That is one of the most cost efficient and effective ways of creating an interest in your writing. Get online fans/following and you have a better chance of getting a contract. Why? Because you already have a following. A market share. A writer who has already proven that she is marketable is a good investment. Bottom line? The publisher can see that you are marketable, and therefore, Profitable.
Which gives you a better chance of getting offered a book contract than someone else who is "unproven" among the readership community.
Okay, I think I fixed what Chance said in an email wouldn't work. But it's hard to tell.
I totally understand how this could seem extremely overwhelming. Personally, I'm choosing not to think about it until I have to. I suppose I'll have a blog/website and I'll have to actually use my Twitter account, but other than Facebook, I won't do much more.
I've no interest in having a money-making site I have to keep up with. Life is already too hectic. Bottom line is, you simply can't do it all. And you can't know it all. So you do what you can. Seems fair.
Congrats again on signing that contract. SO exciting. And stop making me sound like such a saint. I could never live up to the hype!
I don't know. I'm more of a "word of mouth" girl. I do enjoy an author's website that shows stuff, like current books, new & upcoming, bio, and events. I don't really like writer blogs--mainly because writers don't have time to keep them up. I prefer if the author is part of a group blog--not because we are--but because Squawk Radio made it work so wonderfully. That way I get consistent content from my author and I get MORE. (I'm all about getting more.)
I think of promotion as more in getting in good with independent bookstores who would be more willing to hawk (did I spell that right?) your wares for you. Word of Mouth Promotion.
Granted, I'm thinking "old school" print book mentality; and there might not be a "word of mouth" movement in the e-pubbing world per se. But I think so long as the e-pubbed author also had the books page on her website and shared excerpts to tantalize the author--I think that's the BIG part. I'm all about reading the first pages.
And I'm about consistent content. Group writer blogs sometimes have crossovers. If you find a group of published authors who are published with the same company or write the same kinds of things, a fan of one author may read your blog or peruse your website and decide to read your stuff. Then if they love your stuff, they'll promote you word of mouth. :)
Ooh, Facebook. I'm beginning to get why Facebook is important. *LOL* (Not so much MySpace. I'm glad that eyesore is going away, so to speak.) I hope I don't have to learn to Twitter. *sighs* Ugh.
Oh! A super huge congratulations, Chance! I'm so happy for you!
Now as for the web presence, I think you're doing just fine as you are. You can't fool me. You are as tech savvy as most and have a great eye for design. Btw, love the shoes pictures and how they fit in with your blog -- this blog. I'm sticking with the flats. :)
That brings to mind my only tip. Pace yourself and wear flats. LOL Consistency is key and you've got the advantage, not disadvantage, of being older. I've discovered this in my studies. I'm surrounded by younger, tech savvy students who zip along at the speed of light. I'm in Labs and group projects with them and they don't hesitate to get finished while I'm "holding them back" by saying silly things like..."uhm, let's read the directions first." I can feel like an anchor sometimes but that's not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, the professors sometimes say the younger students don't like older students because they "ruin the curve" by getting a higher grade than the rest. At exam time, often the majority (younger) crash and burn spectacularly. Then I feel better. Ha! That'll slow 'em down. :)
Anyway, that's my take on learning when older. You can learn anything...just pace yourself. :)
I have big glaring typos in my comment, but I'm not fixing them. You'll have to figure them out. Where's my Mountain Dew? Gah!
I'm doing my best to make sure I don't have to learn Facebook. LOL I like Twitter, but then, I've been an instant messaging gal from way back, so it feels very natural to me. Facebook, on the other hand, feels like a big drunken sprawling mess of a tabloid -- I don't trust it (obviously! LOL) I suppose I'll have to deal with it one of these days though.
I agree with the consistency angle of an author's blog, which is why I decided a few months ago to post on mine twice/week. I may go to three, but I may also wait til I have more viewers before I commit to that.
Melissa, I find that so intriguing about younger vs. older students! It makes sense that the whippersnappers would be in a hurry, because they don't have the experience of knowing the benefits of taking their time. (Wait -- did I just describe something else? LOL)
Julie! You slay me. Some wonderful person snuck in and corrected me typo problum.
Donna - I'll keep that in mind! Now, I just need to figure out how the rest of you do those retweet things and the short url links... I'm surprised at the followers I have who I don't know...that is sorta scary.
Wait, Julie...you mean I have to comment on other blogs, not just my own!?
I knew I wasn't doing this right...
Bo'sun, you keep talking me off the ledge. What can I say.
I mean, sure...it would be sweet to make money off a site, but as I said, that wasn't really why I took the course. I just wanted to learn about all those other neat-o things.
I was actually thrilled to read in class that the advent of sending out e-newsletters is dying out. In favor of tweeting. One less thing I'd have to do!
I like...never open the ones that get sent to me, 9 times out of 10...
Chance - Re-tweeting and short URLs are easy. I can show you. (I say they are easy because I figured it out and if I can do it, anyone can. LOL!)
Melissa - My second go-round at college was with all older students, like me, so I didn't have to deal with the younger set. I'm now feeling pretty thankful for that.
Donna - You so strayed from the topic there...
Facebook and Twitter, etc. give me a headache. It's that consistency thing. If you only post once in a while it seem like you've been the one who shouted at party right when the noise and music turned off. On the other extreme I've got a friend whose posts consist of announcing the day of the week. She's consistent, I'll give her that! LOL
Donna - We are total opposites. I can't stand Twitter (though I'm told I'd like it more if I used Tweet-deck) and love Facebook. I don't update often on Facebook, but I've seen authors use it really well to have direct contact with their readers. Authors like SEP get hundreds of comments on a single update. That's a wonderful, direct, immediate way to talk to your readers.
Maybe if they made them exciting...like Ten Ways to Poison their Rum or The Care and Feeding of Kraken.
Hee, hee.
Oh, that would be my newsletter, if I had one.
What would yours be?
Chance, if you want to tweet your own blog post, you can click on the Tweet button underneath the post (assuming you have that feature set up on there). If not, go to www.bitly.com and paste in your blog post URL -- it will shorten it for you and you can copy it into your Twitter post to send out. Easy sleazy.
As for people following you. . .apparently some people search for certain words and then follow whoever uses those words. Like one day I commiserated with someone who ran out of printer ink, and then all of a sudden somebody who sells printer ink cartridges was following me. LOL Same with somebody who sells witch costumes. It's pretty funny (and annoying).
If you only post once in a while it seem like you’ve been the one who shouted at party right when the noise and music turned off.
This made me laugh out loud. Very funny.
And Terri, I didn't stray off topic. Melissa started it. :)
Uh huh. Strayer.
Other than the bitly thing up there, you totally lost me. And I use tinyurl. :)
Donna, I was thinking about your blog as an example of consistency with your twice weekly posts. Great idea. I do remember that and think, oh, it's Monday and Friday..or was it Wednesday?...really, I think I remember. LOL Usually not Tuesday or Thursday anyway. Everyone likes a pattern! :) (One of those things I know is a good idea...for someone else. LOL)
True, Hellion...I'll be interested to see how the Decadent Publishing blog works. I've glanced at it but now I guess I need to bookmark it and pay more serious attention to it.
They did discuss, in class, that the 'writer's blog' of how to, etc. was an overcrowded field and if you want to stick out, find something to the spark up interest. I'd like to think we do that with our more pirate themed stuff...
And word of mouth with electronic publishing is really Twitter and FaceBook more than anything else... And strong arming friends to post a good review on Amazon (or a really bad one since that will also attract traffic, interestingly enough).
On the other extreme I’ve got a friend whose posts consist of announcing the day of the week.
Yeah, those facebook announcements I don't like so much. Fortunately most of the authors I do follow (Teresa Mederios clearly likes Facebook and Twitter *LOL*) are very quippy. It's not so bad to follow them. Or you can be like Eloisa James and have your Facebook stuff sound like bits of poetry--I'll never be like that. And I never use facebook (yet) to post about what I'm doing, simply because I have nothing to say. Other than updates about what level I am in Frontierville.
Terri, I think Facebook is an amazing way for authors to connect with their readers, and I will succumb to it at some point. My private little soul cringes at how unruly and unpredictable FB is with information -- especially because of how that information can be used and forwarded and controlled by OTHERS, despite my efforts to contain it.
With Twitter, I have more control over what is done with my words. At least for the moment. LOL
It depends on the newsletter. Yes, a lot of the time I delete. But I almost always open Eloisa James' and Elizabeth Hoyt's newsletters. Mainly because their content is better. Esp Hoyt--she has historical extras.
I don't get a lot of newsletters, but I do look at the ones I get. I'd rather do the newsflash thing and only use it when I have something to actually alert the readers about. If I have a book coming out twice a year (I can dream!) then I'd send them around release dates.
No idea what mine would be called. Lookie Here! maybe.
Melissa - Flats!? Well, only if they are really cute. And if I need to run, it's my ASICS athletic shoes.
That is interesting, what your prof said. Older students get better grades, eh? I know I did good when I was strolling the halls of academia, but the youngers...well, it's hard when you're working full time, partying everynight, surfing every afternoon and you need that 4 hours of sleep at night...
Cap'n! A test!? Too early in the morning, the comment looked fine ta me...
And oh yeah, Facebook helps build yer online community! My instructor was also big on LinkedIn, which my DH used a lot when networking for a job. I haven't looked at it yet...
Terri, tinyurl.com is another one like bitly -- I just happen to use the latter because it's connected to my TypePad account. And the "hit the Tweet button under your post" applies to TypePad blogs, which I know Chance has, so that's why I mentioned it. The rest of you can disregard. LOL
And I like the new name: Strayer (I sound like a heavy metal band, don't I? LOL)
Donnaroo - I think the trick with Facebook is watch who you friend and bury all the 'crap' that is distracting. Like Farmville and MafiaWars and all the glitter crap. Just keep it to amusing news and snippets and build your list of those you know can get the word out.
And if you write erotica, don't friend your family. Have two Facebook accounts so that your family won't see all the 'nakid' men the erotica writers like to tease each other with and wonder what the hell you're doing...
It also means they are less likely to pray for you and offer up sermons. (This happened to someone I know.)
Melissa, yes, I do Mondays and Fridays (with occasional Wednesdays thrown in to see who is paying attention -- LOL). Although I guess I'm a "how to write" blog, so I need to find a way to stand out. Mmmm.
I was wondering about doing a newsletter, but it doesn't look like TypePad has that as an option so I'd have to find another program to add -- sigh. Not on the To Do list right now!
Melissa - The thing with Facebook...I don't think the party ever dies down enough to feel like the awkward person who just asked about Aunt Sadie's goiter during the music lull...
Twitter? I'm not sure yet. I'm new there... And I try to be very witty and concise. I just need to figure out how to link to brilliant things I've read. I hear retweets is the thing...
Until another thing comes along! LOL!
Yup, Donna wins the award for off topic fastest!
And I'll be e-mailing you, Bo'sun, about how to do the short urls and retweeting...
OK, Donnaroo, I saved that bitty url link and will look at it later.
You mean I'm going to have Kraken Chow salespeople blathering at me now?
Good thing old Krakey likes salesmen...
*evil snicker
Can I suggest something NOT to do? LOL I've gotten a couple emails this past week or so from authors promoting their books -- only I don't know them and haven't heard of them, I haven't commented on their blogs, and I haven't signed up for any newsletters.
So I guess they've gone to my blog and gotten my email off there -- which is fine. But without me having some kind of connection to them that I've initiated, I'm not really favorably inclined towards their books. It feels like a telemarketing phone call at dinner. Am I just being a crank? (Okay, I guess I know the answer to that!)
Yeah, Facebook is sorta cool. If they'd quit messing with the security settings!
I had a mini convo with Karen Hawkins yesterday about whether my pirate shoes were tax deductible... And a few weeks back a chat with...dang it, what was her name? Sacramento big time romantic thriller author... Brenda Novack! About Apple Hill, an apple growing area north of where my Mom lives where you can tour the orchards and get the freshest of all things apple...
*must go back and read Melissa's comment, see what Donna is talking about...
Melissa - Yeah, constintency is an issue with blogs. Donna is Monday and Friday. I went with Sunday and Wednesday... I hate it when people post...oh, every other full moon or on days they eat fish.
I mean, it can be so random! Not that the moon is random...
Nevermind.
Donna - I think you just have to be careful with FB, but the stream moves so fast...if you put your foot in your mouth, it gets buried and hopefully never surfaces again...
I got into a snipy little bit with some b*tch who was being smarmy about how much room fat people take on airplanes and it go a bit flamish. I backed off finally and she shut up.
B*tch.
Donna- You got a cold call newsletter? That takes cajones right there. I'd be disconnecting myself from that list real fast. You do NOT send newsletters/updates to anyone who hasn't specifically asked to receive them. Major no-no.
Hellion - Yup, Eloisa's journal of her year in Paris is going to be released as a book, they were so darned poetic!
I'm not so hyped on the FanPage stuff...mainly because it's another link I have to click to! Come ON!
Chance is onto my "only on days I eat ham" blog schedule. Damn it.
Seriously, I am so random. I'm lucky if I hit once a month these days. Though to be fair, I'm not giving it any effort and not using it to promote or build anything. I suppose when I get to that point, I'll try harder.
I like facebook, but I use it more to stay current with friends than anything else. And usually my updates are whatever stupid thing I've done that day, so hopefully they're funny *g*
Twitter though....I don't get it. I can't figure out what all the @ signs mean. Who is talking to whom here? Are people talking to me, or someone else? And there's little posts after my name -- is that spam? Is my twitter account tweeting for me? I'm so confused. So I just don't log in. Ever. Out of sight, out of mind :)
You know, there are days I'm lost and a post saying what day of the week it is wouldn't be a bad thing...
After my first RT I ended up with all these newsletters showing up in my mailbox from people who held drawings... People I had no idea who they were!
But yeah, a newsletter that had some tidbits I could use would be fun...
Terri, yeah, somebody just sent me an email about their books, and I don't know who they are. LOL When I comment on other blogs I use my blog URL and my email address (but that doesn't show up) -- but I didn't recognize anything about this author OR their website. Which means they found me somewhere. LOL I just wonder if this method works for them with other people they email -- it must.
Donna - See, I won't open e-mails from people I don't know. I was infected by something a few months back and I don't trust 'em! Wait for me to show an interest and agree to recieve your stuff. Otherwise...leave me alone!
Though to be fair, I’m not giving it any effort and not using it to promote or build anything. I suppose when I get to that point, I’ll try harder.
That's how I feel too. I don't have anything to promote yet, so it's hard to keep up with it.
Chance, I forgot in my comment, but CONGRATS!!!! How exciting that you get to start all the marketing and promotion stuff! It's a lot, but it's such the "next step" that it must be thrilling (if overwhelming!)
My First Minions -- lol! Nicely done of you to entertain the troops, Chance!
Days when you eat ham? Lord, I'd post a few times a year!
The thing about a following...I am a bit of someone to some of those newbies I work with at RT. And a fair amount of them have kept in touch... So, I figure their my first minions. Must keep them entertained...
Donna - Someone may be collecting e-mails from comments and using them. Which I have been told is a big no-no. But they may not know that...
No way. I've got those boys packed in my cabin down below, and I'm not sharing.
Besides, I'm preggo. I need them, if only to distract myself from all that yaking that is STILL going on. Ugh.
Chance, if you sign up for a drawing, then yeah, you expect to be on somebody's mailing list (that's why they're having the drawing). Everyone knows what's going on there.
Okay, I'm off to find Terri's story (fingers crossed). I'll have a fit and fall in it if I don't find it today. LOL I've tried four places already!
I'm hoping Facebook and Twitter stays fun, no matter how I start to promote. I mean, if it isn't a fun thing to do, I'm not doing it.
Thanks, Hal! Bring any Brazilian Firefighters with you?
Bummer, Hal! Still losing the lunch and other meals!? Well, honey, you take 'em if they are helping you!
Donna - I was new, I didn't realize it then. Now? I'm more picky about what give aways I enter... I don't want another vampire based newsletter showing up in my mailbox! LOL!
Sorry to hear about the upheaval issues, Hal.
*sprays Brazilians with AXE to cover smell of smoke*
I never want to cross into telemarketer territory. If someone is nice enough to ask to hear from me, then they will hear from me. But I'm not sending anything unrequested. Except queries, but that's totally different. LOL!
Does AXE smell good? I mean the commercials make it look like some chick magnet odor...
The class is careful about the telemarketer idea... She does stress finding your niche and using that to build a following that will buy your book. I'm gonna look into an add with Pirates Magazine...
First, congratulations, Chance. Someone else needs to come up with a drink today in honor of your achievement.
I loved having "returning students" (what we called them rather than "older students" since they ranged from 25-75)in my classes. They were almost without exception excellent students--motivated, purposeful, and just more interesting because of life experience.
I have two FB accounts, one for family and RL friends, and former students and one for my writing world. I don't comment a lot on the latter, but that may change since the EJ/JQ bb is shutting down in two weeks. I am tweeting less these days. It was proving a real time suck. Then, too, I have a major problem saying anything in 140 characters or less. Blogging seems more natural to me. I only blog on Thursdays now, but i'm thinking about adding a Monday blog just for reviews.
I know all the social networking is important, but I think writers have to be careful. It's easy to let such things cut into writing time.
Janga hit it on the nose for me - it's a matter of TIME. I really don't see how people get anything done when they are on Twitter all day. And you can see the time stamps, they are on there ALL DAY. I've tried talking to people at conference who wouldn't pull their noses away from their phone long enough to make eye contact. They are too busy tweeting every heartbeat.
Yet in everyday life, this is not a problem. Sometimes I think giving writers another place to "write" something is just too dangerous. There seems to be a shallowness to these things, and I'm not big on that.
Judi McCoy was adament about not being distracted! So, I get that. I've seen the total tweet addicts and nope, not going there! A discreet tweet now and then and comment on a tweet now and then... The blogging is harder to break away from. But I find I can write and when I hit a still spot or a natural break, I can slip over to the active internet window...then back to the book.
Thanks, Janga! It is good to hear us returners kept the profs engaged. I remember one English class where I sat next to a 75 year old lady. It was fascinating, her perspective was so different then the 'kids' in the class. I wasn't quite a kid...
Ter - there was actually a great conversation about this on Jessica Faust's blog last week, about agents who can update their twitter status every 10 minutes, but not reply to a solicited request for months on end. It's definitely a whole new world :)
http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2010/09/am-i-more-important-than-twitter.html
OK, crew...off ta walk the dog and see what the ocean will reveal today!
I read that blog, Hal. And I appreciated Jessica's effort at being diplomatic, but I don't buy it. LOL! If you're having witty conversations about this show or that fashion or this link, then you're not doing other things. You're clearly distracted and it's a time management issue for me.
The bottom line is, that slush pile is not as important as tweeting. And I suppose it doesn't have to be, but I'm still not a fan of the situation.
And let me make it clear, I mean "the situation" in the tradition, true-meaning sense. Not that idiot from reality tv. Talk about a waste of mass...
You don't think The Situation is hot? LAMO!! I love that show. I can't seem to stop watching it. They're just so dumb! I mean, the level of genuine stupidity just leads to hilarious moments.
I have no tolerance for stupid. LOL! Besides, if I want to watch the escapades of incompetent people, I can just come to work. ;)
There are so many reasons NOT to watch this season of DWTS, but he might be the biggest.
I have big glaring typos in my comment, but I’m not fixing them. You’ll have to figure them out.
Wait a minute here! You can fix your typos in your comments? I wanna be able to fix my typos in my comments too!
Uhh…
What’s a typo?
Not that your DH is stuffy, Chance. My sister? Yes ...
LinkedIn does seem like it is for professionals *cough-stuffy-people* looking for networking opertunities. I’ve had two requests in the last month or so to join LinkedIn. But my thoughts on this are … Seriously? Do you really wants me wandering around that site Unfettered.
Plus I feel like I have to wear a business suit & heels to fit in there. LinkedIn seems to be a place to network (read look for a job) but not a place for building a readership following. IMO.
And I'm glad, I think, that I don't know what the Situation is.
Hal - I'll have to check out Jessica's blog. I do think when agents/editors are doing mass rejections via Facebook, the world as we know it is in deep doodoo.
I remember seeing that about a month ago and it just blew me away. Or doing it via a blog. I mean, come on! People! We know we are on the last stages of a polite society, but geez! That is just cold!
Just keep it to amusing news and snippets and ...
Yep. Thats me on Facebook. All amusing light & breezy news & snippets. Except for that freedom isn’t free lets have a revolution thing. And that lady with the gold watch wasn’t exactly breezy . It was more like a typhoon . And yesterday? Well … that’s what yah get for asking ...
From what the instructor said, LinkedIn is a way to find a niche. She said join smaller groups, less than 1000 and ... I guess use them to help get the word out. I haven't done any looking into it yet.
Not sure I'm going to find a special interest group that I'd fit into... Pirate Romance, maybe. Kraken Care, doubtful...
And today? The bay was full of dolphin. Calm, still waters and a dozen dolphin. I bet the sardines are running up the coast. Masses of birds going mad here and there...
I'm on LinkedIn but only as a business person, and not writing business. I don't see the site becoming anything you can't live without. Like I said, you flat out can't do it all. And it seems counterproductive to go to smaller groups when the goal is to reach more people. Having to find a focus and keep up with it is just another time suck.
Wow, I'm pretty opinionated today. I mean, I always have opinions, but I need to chill out today. Guess this topic gets me riled. LOL!
Well, the class is about Making Money...so I think she's pushing all the freebies she can as a way to instigate chatter and get things going. If you wrote a blog about...oh...juggling your career in the office with your passion for cupcake recipes, a LinkedIn group that also loves cupcakes recipes, and another about women with two careers...etc...might amount to a goodly amount.
She stressed smaller groups so you don't have to spend too much time trying to keep up with them.
I still think I need to just stay in the pirates-for-fun groups. Serious pirate re-enactors would slice me to ribbons... And I might be able to slip into the sidelines of the steampunk groups...
Nothing against dancing grandmothers now...
Nothing wrong with opinions, Bo'sun! I read the Jessica blog and I think a lot of people missed the point. The writer objected to being given a response time and never hearing again. I imagine it would be like the guy you adore saying he'd dance with you before 9pm at the big ballroom dance party. And as you wait for your time and it slips away, he's dancing with every single other woman in the room, even the grandmothers and toddlers...
I'd be pissed, too!
Course, if I were an agent/editor and waiting for a finished book from an author and saw them spending massive amounts of time on FB and Twitter and missing deadlines, I'd get fried about that, too!
Yep
I’m on LinkedIn but only as a business person, and not writing business.
Terri, I agree with you on this. So get as fired up as you want.
I'm late. I'm sorry. This week is insane for me. Kiddo's starting preschool a couple days a week this week and I'm going in for minor surgery on Thurs. :( Bleh.
I am woefully negligent on networking. I rarely update FB, though I do check it now and again. I have a twitter account, but I never check it. I'm not LinkedIn and I can barely make it here sometimes. When I get a contract, I'll figure it all out. These days, I can barely keep in touch with you wenches let alone with everyone else but I really make an effort to get here cause I need some pirate love everyday.
Congrats on your contract again Chance! And when you figure all this stuff out, well, I'll be thieving it. (PIRATE!)
Thanks, Julie!
This definitely goes both way, you're right, Chance. I see established writers tweeting 10 times an hour for every hour that they're awake and wonder when they get the writing done!
Marn - I'll write all me secrets up in a book, seal it in a chest and let the Kraken hold it fer me...
Dive for it, babee!
Nah, I'll share and blog about it, no doubt!
Is alright. I'm a better than decent swimmer. :P
Just keep swimming!
Now I have to go home and watch "Finding Nemo" ... Sigh.
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming....
*humming off key to myself*
And the blog slides into the after lunch coma. Fair enough, did better than I thought it would. I'm off to walk the doggums again. Stretch my legs and maybe see about a bite of lunch!
Good walk, peanut butter on toast when I got home... BTW, the high heeled shoes area available from Pyramid Collections. The other two come from http://www.piratemerch.com/
I want these...
http://www.piratemerch.com/pirate-boots-legend-8868-p-562.html
And legs skinny enough to wear them.
Oh yeah, don't we all wish we had those legs! If the peep toes fit well I want to check out these boots http://www.piratemerch.com/womens-period-pirate-shoes-full-lacing-p-1529.html
For the steampunk costumes!
And the blog slides into the after lunch coma. Fair enough,
Alas , Lass I have responsibilities. There’s many a web site I must Plunder. But I bring gifts.♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸❤¸¸.•*¨*•LOOK!•´¯`•.♥.•´¯`•.Happy its junk♪♫♬
Here Chanche this looks steampunky
Ꭶ
Its a Ga.
Chance~ Huge congrats on the contract!!
I missed the blog yesterday, but I'm heading there next to read it. I love Jeanne Adasms.
This is timely for me, I just signed up on facebook this week. I bought a facebook for dummie. So far, i've found some class mates, and an aunt.
Di
OK, Julie...how did you do that? Send me how!
Di R...friend me! I'll blather you via Facebook!
Hal~
Congrats on the pregnancy!
Sorry about the nausea, been there done that. Both times. Keep saltines handy, they really do help. Mint will also help relieve it.
All the best,
Di
♫ Ooh Hal, congrats on the pregnancy from me too!♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸❤
Blasted show off! Fine, don't share, wench! I can go back into the comments on the web and look it up so...there!
;-p
OK, Julie…how did you do that?
♪♫•*¨*•.¸Magic My Child ... Magic*•.☆
Of course Thou may ✄ & paste. Whilst ♀thou art waiting to be Initiated into The Pirate’s Magic Code.
How dost one spell phbttttt!?
Kissy ❤ Kissy, Chance!
I think you spelled it JUST right. :> Chiming in late to say that I *bow* in your general direction, Chancie. Both for selling - WOOOOOOHOOOOO!!! - and for taking a class on making the blog do more work for you.
I've got more work than I can handle NOW, so I'd be right there against the wall panting too. URG!
I like the shoes though. Do they come in a 9.5 narrow? Grins.
Hey Julie!!
Greatings la Duchesse ♕
Don't talk to her, she's being a brat, Duchesse.
Showin' off and all, danglin' her pretties in me face but not sharin'!
I'm gonna poison 'er rum.
Hey la Duchesse !
What Do YOU think?
Yay or nay?
Does she or doesn't she get Initiated into The Pirate’s Code?
Do I take a Chance on chance. Can she be trusted.
Well ... of course not ... but she knows were the firemen are hidden. hmmm
Honestly, Jeanne, I feel like this class is just showin' me how much I don't know, don't understand and don't stand a' chance of figurin' out!
But I'm keepin' all the lessons in a folder and I can sneak back to 'em when I'm ready fer 'em.
Gonna be a real dry voyage fer ya from now on, Julie. I'm gonna cut ya off!
BWAH HA HA!
;-p
And Chance, I'm telling you, you're a braver lass than I for even TAKING the class. Grins.
Oooh, don't risk being cut off from the rum, rum and more rum, Julie!
Go for the initiation - that usually involves rum AND firemen! Grins.
Like the pretties me'self, I do!
Go for the initiation – that usually involves rum AND firemen! Grins.
A Wise Woman, Jeanne.
So 2nd Chance be yea of pure & honest heart?
Hint: If yea arrre then forget it1 Won't work! so say Nay.
♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸ Ode to The Pirate’s Code ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪
From Fakespeare’s HomieJoe & Julie-eh
"Alike betwitched by the charm of books,
But to her foe supposed she must complain,
And if she steals the codes complete, I give her fearful looks:
Being held ? To slow? Thee may not have access
Till
You breathe such vows as Pirates use to swear;"
2nd Chance do you Solemnly swear to … well to do something to someone sometime?
With the powers vested in me( cuz the Captain is in bed sleepin) I now pronounce you a Status Symbol. Please stand, if yor not to drunk, and face the Book.
And darling I mean Literally.❀
I found these world wonders whilst I wandered around FaceBook.
May we have the ✉ please?
The site is ….
Status Symbols
http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! I be...blasted wit' symbols!
I solemnly swear to do something to someone!
Ooooh The Power be going to her head already!
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