HOW USEFUL IS FACEBOOK AND OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA?

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In your opinion, do you feel that Facebook provides an advantage to your ability to share your books or is it just a giant "timesuck?"

I go there to promote myself, but tend to get caught up in commenting on other's posts, playing games, and trying to avoid arguments.

When I first became an author, publishers pushed you to have your own website, myspace page, and even a monthly newsletter so you could better connect with readers.  Now there are so many authors using social media, I'm wondering if I'm just lost in an ocean of blurbs and covers.  Is there a more efficient way to get your work in front of an audience?

 Over the years, my newsletter turned to a blog...this one, which I appreciate much more because I can share issues on a daily basis if I wish, and if someone leaves a comment, I can respond...which puts me more in touch with visitors.

When Rita Karnopp joined me as a partner, the variation of posts helped grow our popularity.  I stuck more with relying on guests to help keep my weekly features going, and Rita, tended to publish helpful tips and hints about writing.  Sadly, Rita is retiring from blogging, but I'm lucky to have snagged Jamie Hill.  I wonder what type of posts she has in mind for us.

Anyhow...I've made it my mission each day to share our posts on FB, Twitter, Pinterest and Google.  Whether or not it helps with sales, I'm not sure, but I do know one thing...if you don't keep your name out there, you'll be lost in the sea of every growing authors.

 Twenty years ago, when I started writing, people who read and reviewed my books were only readers, and now years later, they have become authors as well.  Finding a place that will review your work requires twice the effort it once took.  I'm not sure what to make of that.  I recently read an exchange on Facebook between two reviewers, and they talked about how boring blurbs have become.  Sometimes authors don't have much recourse, but my publisher has always told me that you should strive to snag the interest of the reader.  I thought I was doing that, but my books don't seem to get reviewed on the major sites I used to count on.  I don't think I'm boring.  *lol*

Back to Facebook.  I've given up Myspace, Linked In and yahoo groups and moved with the times.  Linked In doesn't seem like a good fit, and I don't understand how people who don't even know you can "endorse" you for talents in certain areas.  I'm about to surrender my website because of the costs involved because I feel I can get the same coverage on my blog and share the same information.  I'm sad to let http://www.gingersimpson.com go, but only because there is a bit of myself in the design since I did the website myself.

Is it just me, or did everyone give up reading yahoo groups?  Some authors have even gone "digest" on their author's loops.  That, to me is a sad testimony of fear to participate in a group.  I can say that because it's happened to me.  I have too little time left on this earth to worry about being singled out for daring to ask a question. I swore I would never go digest on such an important loop, but... Okay...rant over.

Twitter seems to be helpful only to those popular folks who are trending.  I belong to Triberr, but I'm not sure all the effort I put into sharing everyone else's post is helping me.  I'm so confused!

I guess what I'm wondering...are we authors really spinning our wheels?  Every day, FB is saturated with shares from authors about books coming, new, and old.  Is there a secret to making people want to read your books to find out what type of author you are?  Does posting every day to FB make people excited to read your work or bore them to tears?  Do people even read our tweets?

I rearely get comments, but I'm hoping for some today.  Please share your thoughts.  I've always followed the rule that if you don't keep your name in the public eye, you'll disappear.  What do you think?

A Sea of Blogs by Ginger Simpson

http://govietnamvisa.com/

Do you have any idea how many people blog these days?  If you aren't promoting your blog and garnering followers, you might as well be talking to an empty room.

I'm not a blog snob, but it's a waste of time to post on one that no one will see or share.  I like to know how many hits per day a person has, if they have regular followers, and if the blog is shared via a blog feed.  I'm surprised how many people don't do anything other than post on a whim.  

Most blogs have share buttons at the bottom, and if you have FB, Google and Twitter accounts, sharing on those three venues takes about twenty-five seconds, if that long.  If you're the blog owner, add them, use them, and encourage others to do the same.

I started Dishin' It Out in 2007 and most of the wonderful people who'd been receiving my monthly newsletter, confirmed their membership to receive my blog via email.  Thanks to adding Rita Karnopp as my blog partner, we get well over 200 hits per day.  She's a guru when it comes to writing and a very prolific one.  After all, how many people do you know who want to click a url and see the same thing day after day?

 We've been fortunate enough to attract the attention of over 200 followers, and our blog feed is shared via Triberr, on my Amazon "author's" page and other places that allow feeds to be posted At the present time, over 400 people have subscribed to our blog via feedburner.  Setting up the blog there was quick, easy, and well worth the time spent. 

When I started blogging, I never expected to have so many entertaining guests or a partner who posts some of the most interesting and teaching posts.  I'm very fortunate.  And guess what...it's easy to grow your audience if you only try.   When guests are here, they also share the url of their posts with friends, who might share with their friends.  Hopefully, they promote on their FB and Google pages and tweet about their posts.  Even if the effort garners the attention of one or two people, the key is that having guests to help you promote your blog is key. You have to get the word out and having people who help is awesome.

Although  I've devoted most of this post to Dishin' It Out, I'm also the proud owner of Cowboy Kisses, which I decided to share and was lucky to gain a myriad of talented Western authors who each took an assigned day per month to blog.  That site is growing in popularity because I've also got a feed set up, share buttons in place, and the site  is well promoted because of the number of gals who post there.  Each has her own following and is well versed in the importance of promoting.  Check it out, you might see something you like there.  I'll bet you will.  *smile*

Back to this blog...Rita and I compliment each other.  While most of her posts are writing related, I, on the other hand, add variety with humor and weekly features such as my Wednesday "A Page Straight From...." That idea has been an overwhelming success and booked months in advance.  I believe people like variety, and we provide that here. 

Oh,  we're still accepting guests, so if you're interested in appearing on "Dishin' It Out for a Wednesday slot or to promote a new release, simply email me at mizging @ gmail dot com, without the spaces and spelling, of course.  Rita and I follow a schedule, so we do have days open for guest bloggers.

Thanks for taking time to visit today, and I hope I've given some of you inspiration to be a better blogger...at least a more informed one.