tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post4052917956257860172..comments2024-03-28T16:52:31.923-04:00Comments on The Write Conversation: Social Media Basics for Writers—Part One, Know Where You Are & Where You’re Headed!Edie Melsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-23690105669496618342015-06-02T06:19:40.678-04:002015-06-02T06:19:40.678-04:00Thank you, Edie. This helps a lot. I've been...Thank you, Edie. This helps a lot. I've been turning circles in the social media world trying to figure out which way to go. I have a solid Facebook account with over 600 friends. I JUST started a Twitter account following 77 and have around 20 something followers. I have G+ but haven't spent much time there because it doesn't seem as active. Just opened an Instagram account because I am trying to reach teens. I also started a new blog, but can't seem to get people to really participate which is kind of disappointing--but the blog I feel is a God thing so I can't put it down now. Can you advise me on what I should focus on? And should I set the blog aside for now or keep trying?H. R. Hookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12269042241253582682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-83144982325011611422015-06-02T03:09:07.565-04:002015-06-02T03:09:07.565-04:00Our blog (meta right?) is an amazing source of inf... Our blog (meta right?) is an amazing source of information for VO news, products, bike stuff, tips, instructions, and happenings; it is also our foray into social media. Now, we have more outlets than ever to get info into the virtual hands of our customers. <a href="http://dripfollowers.com/buy-instagram-followers" rel="nofollow">dripfollowers</a>Richard C. Lamberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766504022599651016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-11989813197049348612015-06-01T21:20:03.181-04:002015-06-01T21:20:03.181-04:00Edie,
You raise some good questions, too. Maybe i...Edie,<br /><br />You raise some good questions, too. Maybe it would help to give you a little background.<br /><br />I started blogging about art, which is my primary business. I blogged about myself as an artist and talked about the paintings I was doing, shows I was going to, and so on.<br /><br />When I started blogging about writing, I assumed I'd do the same thing. The problem was that I wasn't writing as regularly as I was painting. Even when I was, I didn't have much to show for it. You know how long it takes to write a book and get it marketable!<br /><br />But I believed I needed a blog, so I started one.<br /><br />It gradually morphed into describing how I was writing and when some of those posts became popular, I wrote more on the same subjects.<br /><br />Then Danielle and I started Indie Plot Twist and I've been writing that kind of content (writer support) ever since.<br /><br />To be honest, I feel a little strange having an author blog because the only things I've published are art how-to books. I know. A book is a book, but what I want to be known for is writing novels and I'm not even close, yet.<br /><br />It sounds like you're telling me I don't need an author blog; that it's all right to build platform through a partnered blog. Is that correct?<br /><br />I already own the domain www.carrielynnlewis.com/ but I know owning a domain doesn't mean you have to use it.<br /><br />If you haven't already figured it out, I'm not sure at all what direction I want to go with the author blog. I'm much more comfortable with Indie Plot Twist and what I'm doing there, so maybe I should let the author blog go for the time being and do the you assignments for Indie Plot Twist.<br /><br />Thanks for taking the time to answer. I didn't expect such an in-depth response, but I sure do appreciate it.<br /><br />Carrie<br /><br />By the way, thank you so much for the comment about having a lot of followers. That's very encouraging, since it so often feels like I'm sitting here by myself, talking to the wall!Carrie Lynn Lewishttp://www.carrielynnlewis.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-90205390476261814832015-06-01T13:23:13.415-04:002015-06-01T13:23:13.415-04:00Shaneeka, so glad to help! Thanks for dropping by,...Shaneeka, so glad to help! Thanks for dropping by, Blessings, EEdie Melsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-24490308700586600522015-06-01T13:22:17.788-04:002015-06-01T13:22:17.788-04:00Carrie, you pose some GREAT questions! I have seve...Carrie, you pose some GREAT questions! I have several thoughts as I read through you comments. But the first is that it's very difficult to pour effort into building several social media personas. <br /><br />I am curious as to why you thought you needed a separate author blog. Here's why:<br />Just the fact that we're novelists isn't enough of a reason for readers to follow us, at least it isn't until we're really famous. There has to be another reason, another hook, to entice people to connect with us. That's easier for non-fiction writers.<br /><br />For fiction writers, we must write about something we’re passionate about. Perhaps it’s travel, motorcycle riding, history or even knitting, when we choose one of these topics, we don’t hide the fact that we're writers, but that isn’t our focus. Then, as the blog following grows, my name comes up more and more often. My loyal blog followers are happy to share my writing successes and my platform builds.<br /><br />But back to my question. You already have a considerable following - of writers, just like me. we're exceptions to the rule of not targeting writers as our platform. But once we've done it, it only makes sense to capitalize on that base. We can branch out and add more limbs, but there's no reason to plant a whole other tree.<br /><br />I think you're wanting a site that's completely yours maybe? If so, I'd link it heavily to the sites where you already have a strong following. This is a long answer and I really think I can help you better if you just email me - ediegmelson@gmail.com. <br /><br />Maybe this has given you some food for thought! Blessings, EEdie Melsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-77703192852479591062015-06-01T12:49:32.684-04:002015-06-01T12:49:32.684-04:00Edie,
This is a very timely series because I'...Edie,<br /><br />This is a very timely series because I'm trying to decide how I want to position myself in social media.<br /><br />For years, my writing blog has been more about helping other writers become better writers than about my own writings. I've also been partnering with a friend and we focus on our personal indie publishing experiences and helping others navigate that course (www.indieplottwist.com/)<br /><br />But I recently launched an author blog under my name (www.carrielynnlewis.com/).<br /><br />The problem is that it appears there isn't much overlap between the two markets.<br /><br />Should I start a step before what you're suggesting and figure out which side of the coin I want to promote?<br /><br />Should I change the LinkedIn and Twitter accounts to reflect the name under which I offer writing instruction (since both of those accounts are established and I've been using them to focus on writers)?<br /><br />I confess that blogging is my favorite. I do Twitter "because I have to" so is it something I should even consider doing?<br /><br />In other words, HELP!!!!<br /><br />Thanks again. This series couldn't be beginning at a more opportune time!<br /><br />Best wishes,<br /><br />CarrieCarrie Lynn Lewishttp://www.carrielynnlewis.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-37299100994007412722015-06-01T12:05:19.951-04:002015-06-01T12:05:19.951-04:00Thank you so much Edie! Thank you so much Edie! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15924092944734600512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-57025050090003836702015-06-01T11:28:57.800-04:002015-06-01T11:28:57.800-04:00Susan, that's a good start. We'll keep wor...Susan, that's a good start. We'll keep working and you'll be surprised at how quickly you begin to show up topically. Blessings, EEdie Melsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-14288084536878215092015-06-01T11:28:22.204-04:002015-06-01T11:28:22.204-04:00Barbara, that's great! You are definitely doin...Barbara, that's great! You are definitely doing things correctly. Thanks for sharing your journey with us, Blessings, EEdie Melsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-56852086097588004642015-06-01T11:27:53.042-04:002015-06-01T11:27:53.042-04:00Molly Jo, thank so much for stopping by! Blessings...Molly Jo, thank so much for stopping by! Blessings, EEdie Melsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-46508632679631846342015-06-01T11:27:38.020-04:002015-06-01T11:27:38.020-04:00Cherrilynn, it sounds like you're on the right...Cherrilynn, it sounds like you're on the right track. As far as who to check, look for someone who writes what you want to write, topically. For me, as a military family writer, Ellie Kay was someone I plugged in. Blessings, EEdie Melsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-74269391132750951222015-06-01T10:38:25.223-04:002015-06-01T10:38:25.223-04:00My name and blog name past the test. Not so sure a...My name and blog name past the test. Not so sure about topic searches. But it's a start. Thanks for posting this information. I'm looking forward to more!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06941827904676775715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-42480434525961978332015-06-01T10:08:32.870-04:002015-06-01T10:08:32.870-04:00Since I am still learning to navigate these waters...Since I am still learning to navigate these waters, this information is vital to me. You are my encyclopedia for social networking. I never thought to do the searches but when I did I found my obituary! (At least it wasn't really me). I was surprised to find I showed up on the second page with a google search and the first page when I used my blog name. I even came up under our local paper where I write a monthly article. This inspires me to know I am making progress!Barbara Lattahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06095727992126656197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-15439879694679461402015-06-01T09:59:31.594-04:002015-06-01T09:59:31.594-04:00Thanks, Edie. I'm looking forward to these pos...Thanks, Edie. I'm looking forward to these posts!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11664011241804942648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-45799583004057535412015-06-01T05:45:48.301-04:002015-06-01T05:45:48.301-04:00This is so informative. I am currently doing most...This is so informative. I am currently doing most of this. I need to check the search engines by topic now. As a non fiction writer who do you suggest I follow? I spend most of my time on Twitter. Thank you Edie. You rock.truthtoshine.blogspot.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05911184699045569514noreply@blogger.com