by Edie Melson
@EdieMelson
I teach social media all over the country. My students include writers, authors, ministries, even businesses. I’m asked over and over again for the secrets to my own success. Everyone is looking for that insider tip that can take social media to the next level.
2 Simple tips from @EdieMelson will take #SocialMedia to the next level (Click to Tweet)
@EdieMelson
I teach social media all over the country. My students include writers, authors, ministries, even businesses. I’m asked over and over again for the secrets to my own success. Everyone is looking for that insider tip that can take social media to the next level.
Today I’m going to give you 2 of them.
But I’ve got to warn you, they’re not some difficult
algorithm or complicated series of steps.
The simplicity of what I’m about to tell you will cause many
to shake their heads and walk away. These tips seem too easy to work.
Truthfully though, they are the secret to my own success.
TWO Most Important
Things that will Take Your Social Media to the Next Level
1. Don’t talk about
yourself, your product, your book, or your blog very often. I can see the
head shaking from here. I can also hear the questions.
I’m doing social media to get found and to get work out
about my book. How can I do that when I don’t talk about it?
Bear with me while I explain.
Think for a minute about what you like and don’t like when
you’re on social media. Do you like to read posts asking you to buy a book,
post a review, read a blog? Unless you’re in a very tiny minority the answer is
NO. None of us is on social media to read commercials. We get enough of those
on television and in magazines.
For me, I’m on social media to connect with others. I want
to see what’s going on in my friends’ lives. I want to see pictures and share
life.
I follow other authors because I want to know THEM. I love
to get to know the person behind the book.
I don’t mind an occasional sneak peek at a new cover or
sharing the joy at the first box of books to arrive. But I hate post after post
trying to sell me something.
That is why I instituted Edie’s 5 to 1 Rule. I never wanted
to be the source of more commercials (I call it noise) on the Internet.
When we stop talking about ourselves, we take the focus off
of ourselves and put it where it should be—on others.
I promote others by sharing things they post. Even for
others, I don’t do a lot of “buy this book” posts, because too much can read
like a commercial. I find things that I find valuable and I share those.
By doing this, I build trust with my audience. What I’ve
found is that when they trust me, they will go to the mat to support me. It’s
that simple.
2. Practice small,
consistent steps. By this I mean, no more than 30 minutes a day on social
media 4 – 5 days a week. BUT do it consistently.
Social media success is found in momentum. Momentum is built
through consistency. If we spend two hours on social media one day, then don’t
set foot on it again for several weeks, everything we’ve built has evaporated
and we’re back to square one.
By spending even only 5 – 10 minutes on social media 3 – 4 days
a week, we can begin to build momentum. And it’s those small steps, done
consistently that give us amazing progress when we do them over weeks and
months.
I hope you’re not too disappointed, but these two things
really are the secret to my success. I’d like to know what you’ve found to take
your social media to the next level. Be sure to leave your thoughts in the
comments section below.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Edie
TWEETABLES
These are great! I have always heard not to sell, sell, sell but I didn't know what to share, share, share. Ha! So, I did the same thing, I started sharing other people's blogs, posts, etc. that I found interesting and helpful and my social media has exploded.
ReplyDeleteWanda, that's awesome! Thank you so much for sharing your experience! Blessings, E
DeleteThank you Edie
ReplyDeleteJann, I'm glad you found the post helpful! Blessings, E
DeleteGreat advice, as usual, Edie. I LOVE this: "I follow other authors because I want to know THEM. I love to get to know the person behind the book." Hmmm ... the person behind the book. May have to steal that for a blog post. :)
ReplyDeleteAndrea, steal to your heart's content! Blessings, E
Delete#1!!! While it does seem counter intuitive, like Wanda said, it's true! Father God whispered to me 2 1/2 years ago to share others' blog and FB posts, and as I have my circle has grown. and now? I'm seeing more peeps following and commenting back.
ReplyDeletebut the best part is getting to know others!! that circle? Ya'll are friends to me now and I love getting to know people!!
Robin, that's awesome! You do so much to help other authors also. Thanks for sharing! Blessings, E
DeleteGreat advice.
ReplyDelete