Fulfill the Promises You Made Your Readers!

Edie here. Today we're welcoming another amazing writer to the Write Conversation columnist team. Welcome Molly Jo Realy! She a writing coach, social media expert, and one of my dearest friends. She also has several books out, including her novel, NOLA.  Be sure to give her a warm TWC welcome!

Fulfill the Promises You Made Your Readers!

by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy

 

If y’all are family, friends, or follow me on social media, you’ll know I moved to the South around two and a half years ago. I spent a few decades in the desert of Southern California, and while it had its perks, the Southern Life is where it’s at. 

Big Social Media Numbers Aren’t Always Best

by Molly Jo Realy on @MollyJoRealy

It’s nice to be noticed, isn’t it? It’s fun when you get that little “ding” on your phone that tells you someone shared your post, or tagged you on Twitter. The best is when someone subscribes to your blog or email . . . Or is it? 

A Writer's Identity and Social Media

by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy 

If you’ve been doing this writing thing for a while, and you, like me, have grown oldermore maturechanged directions in life, it’s never too late to change your identity. You don’t even have to go into hiding to get it done! [A little Hoffa Humor, there.]

When & How to use Your Social Media for Marketing

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMoJo68

You’ve heard me say it nine cajillion eight thousand okay, a lot of times: media is not the same as marketing. All the Pros will tell you the same thing: if the only thing you’re doing is pushing your product, just open an online store.

Media is where you connect with your Swarm. It’s the different hives you foster, the communities you help build.

Be Fluid With Your Social Media Brand

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMoJo68

Who are you, really? Are you just a God-loving, cat-cuddling, coffee drinker? Or is there more to you, more to your writing? Maybe your manuscripts are full of prose you want to share with the world, but you also enjoy baking for your family and neighbors.

My point is, there’s not just one, two, or even three aspects of you. The many people in your world see the many facets of you. Like a diamond, shining in all your hard-pressed glory. The viewing angle determines the color and intensity reflecting what’s inside.

Guard Your Social Media Reputation

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMoJo68

We all love to blow off steam and when Friday rolls around, most of us are counting the seconds til closing hour. Then, bliss! Over sixty hours to spend however we want.

10 Ways to Market Without the Social Media

Connect through more than just social media

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMoJo68

I get it. People are social by nature, but sometimes you just want to remove the media marketing aspect. Am I right? You’re out with your girlfriends and some teen nearly divides your group in half because he’s reading his text messages instead of watching his steps. Or you miss an important piece of conversation with your dinner partner because the group next to your table is loudly observing the newest YouTube video. Folks, we don’t want to be like them, do we? Heck, no! Can I get a holla, holla?!

Winning at the Social Media Game

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMoJo68

If you build it, they will come.

Social media (emphasis on social) is more than just "look at me." It's a mutual support.

When you place your focus on "social", "media" is just the means by which you connect. As writers, we are the first generation to have instant worldwide access. Why wouldn't you want a piece of that pie?

Proofread Your Social Media Posts

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMoJo68

Even social media typos can challenge our
credibility as writers.

We see it a lot. Those nasty little things we call typos. They’re everywhere. And *gasp* we’re even responsible for some of them. Oh, call the writing police and throw me in jail!

Folks, that’s why we have editors. Amazing, awesome, hand-holding editors who take the reins and shape our story into what we want it to be. They can see beneath our fast-typing mistakes. They interpret the message from what we mean to what it’s supposed to be.

Is It Possible to Have a Godly Marketing Strategy for My Book?

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMoJo68

It’s not wrong to want to be successful with our writing. Whether we’re writing devotions, Bible studies, fiction, or poetry, we want our words to reach others on a level that other writers can’t. Deep within us is a hunger to be recognized. But we also want to be recognized as His vessel, and humbleness comes with the territory. We should always desire to keep our followers’ focus on Him, not us. Maintaining a godly marketing strategy is a dichotomy we need to navigate.

How to be a Zebra on Social Media

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMoJo68

Occam’s Razor is a theory, mainly used in medical diagnoses, that simply states “If you hear hoof beats, think horses, not zebras.” They teach med students to stop looking for the gloriously exotic diseases, and instead see the ordinary, already right in front of them. Because social media is not a one-size-fits-most commodity, I say forget the horse. Be the Zebra!

How to Green Thumb Your Social Media

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMoJo68

How to green thumb your social media.

It’s Spring. Or at least the calendar says so. Time to do some social media gardening, yes? Are you ready? This shouldn’t get your hands (too) dirty. Take these seeds, plant away, and let’s see what grows.

Your overall social media presence can be a beautiful garden, but only if you tend it properly. Think of each site as an individual plant needing care. This includes feeding, watering, and pruning. When everything is harvested in its time, you’ll have a variety of offerings for your (media) table.

Using a Calendar to Storyboard Your Novel

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMoJo68

As a discovery writer, I sometimes feel as though I'm just a passenger on this train. I'm the transcriber of events observed. Or a screenwriter giving words to the movie playing in my head. Often, my characters will rebel, refuse, and rearrange the scenes I'm trying to create.

Recycle Those Blog Posts!

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMoJo68

Everyone loves a good repeat. Am I right? We buy DVDs to watch our favorite movies more than once. We keep leftovers in the fridge for the next dinner. We revisit our favorite coffee shop, public garden, and stores.

The same goes for social media and blogging.

How My Day Planner Recently Became My Social Media Best Friend

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMoJo68

I’m all about the social scheduling. I like the one-and-done apps when I can share one link and it will post about nine different ways or more. Especially when I can use my Smart Phone to get things done. I have all the social media world I need in the palm of my hand.

But scheduling posts doesn’t always keep me on track. I rely on my memory from day to day, only to find the occasional overbooking has occurred with media posts and social events. What’s This Girl to do?

Tips for Tromping Trolls on Social Media

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMoJo68

Social media is one of those love-hate relationships. There’s a lot of good buzz it can create, but there’s also a bitter aftertaste if a troll decides to attack your territory.

It’s important to understand the difference between trolls and someone who just doesn’t like you. You have every right to delete inflammatory comments and keep peace on your pages, but be careful to not manipulate the system so you’re only seeing the sunny side of things. If a person voices their dislike, let them know it’s okay and different people have different views.

What To Do With a Bad Review

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMoJo68

Have you experienced a bad review? 

I say experienced because that’s really what it is, isn’t it? You don’t just read it and move on. Not if it’s about your book. Am I right? 

A while back, I had such an experience, and was able to use it as a Cinderella moment. 

Grab yourself a glass of tea while I tell you a story.

5 Simple Ways Counting Kittens Can Boost Your Blog Traffic

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMoJo68

For realz. Who doesn’t love photos of cute kittens? (Which begs the question: Are there ever any ugly kittens? I think not.) And better ratings? And smart, helpful people? Those social bees will be swarming all over for a piece of this sweet pie.

Just like with books on the shelf, a post on the blog is competing with many more like it. The reality is titles are the money-maker. You could have found the cure for the common cold, but unless your title gets the reader’s attention, no one else will benefit from your wisdom.

Email Etiquette for Writers

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMoJo68

Welcome to The Right Conversation. I’m one of your social media ninjas, navigating you through the cyber-world with all its twists, turns and rabbit holes.

This month’s topic: Email Etiquette.

In today’s world of instant gratification for questions and answers, it’s important to pause before you hit send. Whether you’re initiating or replying to an email, here are few guidelines to help you maintain a respected and respectable email reputation:

Ten Tips to Create a Positive Social Media Buzz—To Be and Not To Be

Edie here. I'm really excited to introduce you to our newest contributor to The Write Conversation. Molly Jo is a social media ninja in the truest sense of the word. I'm thrilled to be able to offer you all even more info about the world of publishing and social media. Be sure to give Molly Jo a warm welcome in the comments section below!

Ten Tips on Creating a Positive Social Media Buzz—To Be and Not to Be

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68

Welcome to Social Media MoJo. I’m your social media ninja, navigating you through the cyber-world with all its twists, turns and rabbit holes.