T.R. Robinson's Blog, page 6

November 20, 2020

Her Next Door by T. R. Robinson – A Perceptive Review

Review by Ernesto San Giacomo:





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“Her Next Door” by T.R. Robinson is a short story that can be classified as both thriller and drama. Within these pages, Ms. Robinson creates an in-depth main character, Tara, with a backstory that makes the reader concerned for her well-being. Of course, in the scope of a short story, that is a rather difficult task, but Ms. Robinson pulls it off with great success.





The quality of the writing is neat and clean. No glaring errors in punctuation, spelling, or gaping plot holes. Also, the copy editing was well done, with no repeated words, amateur body language, or dialog flubs.





The protagonist is affable. Despite her horrific backstory, Tara gives other people a clean slate, unless they do or say something to warrant an apprehension. Here’s where T.R. Robinson’s writing skills shine. At first, we’re not sure if Tara’s mental “red flags” are real or if she’s merely hyper-sensitive on account of her past. You’ll have to read it to find out.





The use of setting for thematic purposes is also well done. Tara’s new home serves as a metaphor for her life. The run-down condition of the house represents her former existence. As the story moves forward, now she’s forging ahead, reconstructing her surroundings as she also reconstructs her life. However, houses exist within a community of other dwellings, and those homes have people, too. Will “Her Next Door” neighbors live up to her suspicions? Or will she open and proceed through “Her Next Door” to a new and better life?
 
I highly recommend this little gem. “Her Next Door” is the first in T.R. Robinson’s series called “Bitches.” The series has progressed from an initial short story into a series of six. If this story is anything to go by, all of them should be great reads. You can readily find all of them on T.R. Robinson’s Amazon Author Page.





T.R. Robinson has a rather in-depth author blog among other social media locations.





The book is available in paperback and ebook formats from most popular and favoured retailers.





Details may be found under the Books tab above or alternatively from here or here.





Those who favour Amazon may click anywhere within this sentence to access the site for their location.





Original review.





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[image error]Ernesto San Giacomo interview







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Two of Ernesto’s books have been reviewed in this website blog:




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Click relevant cover image to access review.

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Published on November 20, 2020 06:18

November 10, 2020

NEW! Author Craft Resources

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Authoring in the modern world is challenging no matter whether traditionally published or independent. For the latter it is even more so because they have to undertake every task imaginable.





To help those who may be struggling, and even those who are not, a variety of resources, as outlined below, are now available through this website.





These may also be accessed by means of the Resources tab above.





Podcasts



Podcasts are a poplar form for entertainment and enhancing knowledge while on-the-go. With the accessibility of mobile devices, they also facilitate multitasking. Something many find a necessity in their busy lives.





A number of author craft podcasts are available from this website. They may be accessed from the Podcasts page.





Note: There are also podcast extracts and introductions for several books.





Presentations



The old adage ‘A picture is worth a thousand words.’ remains valid, especially in modern visually orientated society. This may be extend to include text based information presented in visual format (often referred to as presentations or slide shows).





Some author craft presentations, which may be either viewed in self-play format or as self-paced work throughs, are available. Both options may be accessed from the Presentations Page.





Worksheets



A worksheet may have a variety of uses.





At present there are none generally available from this website. When there are, they will be designed to assist authors in determining some fact or facts relating to an aspect of their author craft. They may also help increase or improve knowledge.





In principle these will pose questions and provide a panel for the author to note their answers, which may then be utilised to hone the task in hand. Where considered appropriate brief guidance may be supplied.





As they become generally available, details will be added. Watch this space!





Checklists



In an author’s busy life there are constant lists of things to attend to and it is easy to forget a step in the midst of all the activity. Checklists are a way to organise what needs doing and ensure everything gets done.





A checklist is primarily a list of tasks to be undertaken with tick boxes to show when each has been completed.





To assist authors, a series of checklists are available from the Checklists Page.





Infographics



An infographic is generally a condensed visual presentation of information that comprises minimal text. The aim is to provide easy-to-understand overviews for specific topics.





Infographics are useful ready-reference aids which may be kept handy as quick reminders. (Sometimes referred to as Desk Aids.)





A number are available from the Infographics Page.





Updates



Notification of new resources, as they become generally available, will be provided either through social media or by means of this website’s newsletter. Subscribe by means of the sidebar template or from the button below.






Yes Please – Subscribe Me




Both lead to a subscription page where basic details are entered.





To fully comply with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) the subscription request has to be confirmed from the email subsequently received.





(If not seen within reasonable time the spam/junk folder should be checked.)





Please note: All content is subject to copyright. © T. R. Robinson/T. R. Robinson Publications





© All rights reserved.

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Published on November 10, 2020 06:37

November 6, 2020

NEW! – NEWSLETTER

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Over the years occasional consideration has been given to the topic of providing a newsletter for this website however, various concerns prevented moving forward upon the idea. Some of these have now been addressed and it is considered followers and regular visitors to the website, and integrated blog, may benefit from the addition of a newsletter option. These would provide dedicated information that will hopefully enhance what is already shared within the website and blog articles.





The newsletter facility has now been set up. The following is a resume of potential content that subscribers may be interested in:





Updates relating to T. R. Robinson Publications;New resources made available;Recommended facilities, services, and resources;Occasional competitions;Advanced notice of forthcoming publications by authors who have some connection with T. R. Robinson Publications;Latest publication news;Most popular articles or posts;Anything else considered will be of interest.



An undertaking is given not to send spam or to otherwise misuse the information provided as part of the signup process, as outlined in the Privacy Policy.





Frequency of the newsletter is yet to be decided. Ultimately it will depend upon uptake and interest shown. In the meantime the proposal is for a regular quarterly one with occasional interim communications when there is something considered will be of help or interest to readers. Again, assurance is given not to send spam.





Anyone interested may subscribe from the subscription template in the sidebar or from the button below.






Yes Please – Subscribe Me








Both lead to a subscription page where basic details are entered.





To fully comply with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) the subscription request has to be confirmed from the email subsequently received.





(If not seen within reasonable time the spam/junk folder should be checked.)





To ensure future receipt to inbox, the newsletter address should be added to contacts.

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Published on November 06, 2020 06:37

October 27, 2020

Author Guilt

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Authors by definition have one primary overriding desire: to write and publish. In itself this can create undue pressure to constantly achieve. But that is not the end of the story. In modern times they are also pressurised to market extensively. This is applicable to both traditionally published and independent authors. These demands can lead to conflict. Mostly internal though undoubtedly, there are times when it may burst into the physical, interactive, world like some multi tentacle alien monster. This article will principally contemplate some of the internal conflicts and what, if anything, may be done to mitigate the consequent arising emotions. In this context guilt is defined as: ‘A feeling of having done something wrong.’ (Oxford English Dictionary)





Family and Relationships



Authors often find themselves torn between the duel desires of dedicating time to writing and spending time with their family or friends. Consequently guilty sensations, when choosing to do one above the other, usually when locking themselves away to write, frequently arise.





The importance of maintaining healthy relationships has been previously highlighted in the family and relationships section of the article Priorities – Values.





Due to the driving force within them, authors are naturally reluctant to give up writing time however, not to do so carries many dangers. There is also the fact they do not have to give up writing altogether. What they need is a balance. To achieve this it may be necessary to draw up a schedule. Of course, life is not static, or if it is to be a healthy one, should not be. A formal schedule may go against the grain but what is more important, good relationships or having a published book? Is life about the book or about the people? Best advice is to discuss the issue with those impacted and come to an understanding. If there is a healthy relationship most will comprehend and are usually supportive. Once an understanding has been reached, and provided the author sticks to it, there should be no reason for guilty sensations to persevere. Naturally, there will be times when the agreed schedule will not be appropriate. Life requires flexibility with its tendency to throw up unforeseen situations. However, if all have accepted this beforehand there should be no insurmountable problems.





Marketing



Wherever an author may look for advice, one thing is for sure, the constant counsel to publicise and market. This comes from both people recognised as experts in the publishing business and those the author has come to trust. It goes without saying, there has to be at least some publicity otherwise how will readers know a book exists. However, the continual barrage to be super active comprises just another pressure the poor, struggling, individual author has to cope with. And, yes, it can result in a sense of guilt if they think they are not doing enough or not living up to expectations.





Marketing is no easy task and is one that requires substantial time commitment. That is if the author wants to see a reasonable return on their investment, whether it be time or money. But, there is also another truth to be acknowledged. Many authors are sensitive introverts to who public exposure and the need to push themselves and their books goes against the grain. In all things, allowance should be made for the individual character and personality and though marketing is a sensible occupation, it should not be at detriment to the individual.





Sometimes it is sufficient to the author to just let a few people know about their book and rely on word-of-mouth thereafter. Of course, all depends upon what they are aiming for. If they want their writing to become their primary occupation and source of revenue, then they have to accept marketing as part of the package. On the other hand, it they are content with just writing and being delighted if they gain any financial benefit, then marketing is not an issue.





In either scenario the author should never feel guilty. They do what they can and what suits them. What other people think does not change a person and should therefore never be allowed to determine actions and emotions. Naturally everyone wants to be liked but in reality that never happens across the board. Everyone does what they can and that has to be sufficient. If the author has set unrealistic goals then, once realised, these should, must, be adjusted.





Social Media



Along with marketing, the budding author, and not so budding, is continually advised to be active on social media. After all many believe this is where more complete, and hopefully longterm, relationships are formed. However, social media can be a minefield. First there are so many varied sites and second, a lot recommend opening accounts with most. Thankfully, there are also those who aim for a more practical approach but that is not a discussion for this article.





If the author is to make effective use of social media they are advised to be constantly active in every site they have an account with. This does not only apply to their own profile but also to any groups they have joined. A challenge for the most proactive and agile user let alone a struggling author. Inevitably, the inability to keep up with such a regime results in yet further sensations of failure and guilt.





Best advice is for an author to test each social media site. Recommendation is for two or at most three, at a time. By so doing they will be able to assess if a site is for them and whether it achieves the results they want. Subsequently, they must assess, taking into account all other demands upon them, their availability. Trying to unrealistically ‘keep up with the Joneses’ will result in frustration and failure. What follows? Guilt of course. Naturally, once committed to a site or group, the author should do their best to regularly interact, otherwise what is the point. But activity does not have to be every day or for hours on end. Sometimes a quick visit three times a week is sufficient.





A further point is to be careful of the distraction and time consumption social media can be lead to. It cannot be denied there is much of interest published every day. Any inquiring mind will be tempted to dive down the proverbial rabbit hole.





Employment



By nature an author’s mind, consciously or subconsciously, is regularly occupied with thoughts of their tales, where it will go and what will happen, and books. This occurs no matter where they are or what they are doing. Unfortunately such thoughts can intrude when they should be concentrating on their work.





Not only could this lead to a failure to complete the task in hand to the standard required but may also lead to disciplinary repercussions. Everyone owes it to their employer to produce the best they are capable of. If the author is a conscientious person, which it is hoped they are, such a shortcoming will result in a sense of guilt. It must be said in this instance, rightly so.





It may be difficult but the employed author needs to discipline themselves to compartmentalise. They need to concentrate on the work in hand and push the intriguing ideas to the back of their mind. Keeping a notebook handy may help. Often, when a new thought hits, writing it down helps overcome the fear of losing it and thereby frees the mind to the task in hand.





Roundup



Authors do not have to feel guilty but inevitably there will be times when they suffer such a sensation. To overcome this, they should determine, as early in their career as possible, what they wish to achieve and what is important in their lives. For most, though they would like it otherwise, the reality is authoring verges on being a hobby. Some are fortunate enough to end up making a living from it but the majority do not. Family and employment must come first as well as anything else they have committed themselves to doing. Authoring is a pleasure, even if it feels like a task at times, and does provide a sense of achievement but it should not be to the detriment of more important aspects. Provided the author has prioritised and planned properly, there should never be a sense of failure or guilt, just an acceptance of the realities.





Much more could be said about the sensation of guilt and the various related topics. However, the aim here is simply to provide food for thought and hopefully some helpful solutions to the problem.

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Published on October 27, 2020 07:25

October 23, 2020

Stasis by Ernesto San Giacomo

[image error]Is this just a work of fiction or a timely warning? It must be considered both. As the blurb makes clear, this short story revolves round one man’s encounter when returning to society after a lengthy absence. An encounter it is hoped no one reading this review will have to experience.


It is a warning of what could potentially occur if citizens fail to resist an overbearing, supposedly protective regime. If they give up their freewill and cow-tow to those they have placed, or who have manoeuvred themselves, into positions of political authority. The scenario is all too much a reflection of some modern day administrations and also of the inherent dangers in others.


Despite being a very short story, the author has created clear, relatable, characters and locations. The tale flows smoothly, effectively enabling the reader to take the unexpected surprises in their stride. Admittedly the specific situation encountered is a bit farfetched nevertheless, it helps emphasis the haunting possibilities. The ensuing, almost inevitable, tussle of wills is well portrayed, reminding readers they have a responsibility within their own cultures.


Nothing further may be said without spoiling the enjoyment for prospective readers.


The book is available in digital (ebook) format.


Amazon.com            Amazon.co.uk


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Ernesto San Giacomo is the author of several books.


He has recently participated in an interview that may be accessed here.

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Published on October 23, 2020 06:36

October 13, 2020

The Difference between Publicity and Marketing

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Due to advancing social media usage clarity between what publicity and marketing are has become blurred. Many now use the terms synonymously however, they fulfil different functions, or should. This article aims to clarify the issue and help authors in particular understand how to employ each.









Note: Though it is principally authors this is being written for most will also apply to others who run a business or have a product or service to offer.





Definitions



It may help before continuing to see how each are formally described.





Publicity



‘The activity of making certain that someone or something attracts a lot of interest or attention from many people, or the attention received as a result of this activity.’ (Cambridge Dictionary)





‘An act or device designed to attract public interest.’ (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)





Marketing



‘A job that involves encouraging people to buy a product or service.’ (Cambridge Dictionary)





‘The process or technique of promoting, selling, and distributing a product or service.’ (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)





As may be seen, these definitions confirm the two are recognised as having different purposes and aims.





Functions



In essence, as already stated, publicity and marketing have, or should have, different aims though they do effectively contribute to the same overall goal.





Publicity



At its core publicity is not about selling. Its primary function is to attract attention to the author or organisation, not the product. This is achieved by:





releasing and managing information regarding the author or organisation;building relationships between the author and the public;creating Brand awareness;attracting media interest;dealing with ‘Meet the Author’ events;establishing the author as an expert;handling enquiries from the media or other sources.



Publicity specifically aims to create and maintain positive opinions. Throughout, at every stage, it is publicity that has to deal with any negativity, should any arise. Of course, the intent is to try and ensure that does not happen but it is never possible to account for everyone.





In the past, opinion was, if the publicity was to be recognised as valid, it had to come from earned sources such as, journalists; respected publications; famous people; and the like. However, times have changed. Now, beside websites and blogs, comments, likes, shares, etc., on social media are recognised as a primary source though, naturally, any earned publicity is more than welcome and continues to carry weight.





Professional Publicist



A good publicist is worth their weight in gold, to coin a phrase. However, a majority of authors, especially independent ones, do not have the means to pay for a professional publicist or any other professional. They have no choice but to undertake all tasks themselves. There is no argument a good proactive publicist can achieve much, especially as they will already have established contacts in the media. If an author has the means and is reasonably certain of recouping the outlay from sales, employing a professional makes a lot of sense. Regrettably, few are in such a position.





Marketing



Whereas publicity focuses on the author or organisation, marketing is all about the product. For authors the focus is on the book or series of books. Marketing aims to:





highlight the book and that it is for sale;oversee the placement of the product;identify audience needs;acquire and retain customers;talk directly to customers about the product;manipulate the audience’s thought processes;engage with people in a way that induces them to take an action;build a connection between the book and the audience’s money;employ and handle paid promotion;manage sales of any subsidiary products e.g. bookmarks.



Marketing is all about selling the product and is where the buying and selling processes are handled. By nature it may appear mercenary and aggressive, which of course, at its root, it is, though it should not be overtly so. This is one reason the average author finds it a difficult area to deal with. Many are quiet, introverts who do not like shouting about themselves or their books. However, if they are to gain any meaningful sales, it is a necessary component of authoring. That said, the best marketing is persuasive rather than belligerent. It asserts there is something of quality to be had but in a friendly tone and manner. It is where the customer need is created. In other words, where the audience is persuaded they have a need for the book or product.





Throughout, the focus of marketing should be on the product not the author. Naturally, there may be some overlap though essentially it should be left to the publicity to handle the more personal elements. Many readers often like to know more about the individual behind the book they have enjoyed but for that they should be directed toward an author’s website or social media accounts. It is not the job of marketing to fulfil such a desire. In this context publicity and marketing do overlap. In fact, when establishing a marketing plan the author should be identifying publicity as a component. It would be foolish not to see it as such though it is in practice a separate activity.





Some identify marketing as the area where the four P’s of product; price; place; promotion; are overseen. Some go so far as to suggest it is where the process of creating the product is handled. That may be open to debate nevertheless, it is where the impact of pricing and placement will be considered.





Promotion, a term that sometimes arises in discussions like this, has not been mentioned so far. It is identified as helping the progress of something or publicising a product. In this writer’s opinion it crosses the boarders between publicity and marketing and consequently may damage the distinction between the two.





Conclusion



There is no doubt modern usage has blurred the differentiation between publicity and marketing. Indeed many authors intermix the two activities when informing people about their books but do nevertheless see results. However, they would enhance their efforts if they used the two correctly. Marketing and publicity go hand in hand but should be separate activities. Publicity may commence anytime, preferably sometime prior to the book’s publication. Marketing comes into its own once the book is available either for pre-order or immediate purchase.

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Published on October 13, 2020 06:38

October 9, 2020

Water Ways by Valerie Poore

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How many people would have the courage to leave the warmth of South Africa for the cool, damp, climate of Holland. This lady is one. Admittedly the initial move was not at her instigation however, the pull on her spirit and soul was such that she eventually and permanently, voluntarily relocated to a water bound life on Dutch canals. This is the first of Valerie Poore’s memoirs relating her subsequent experiences.





With a mixture of humour, honesty, realism, and self-deprecation the author shares the joys, difficulties, and realities of life on a barge anchored within the community of a unique Dutch harbour. Characters are introduced one at a time in a manner that enables the reader to visualise each and to also enjoy their company along with the author. Financial constraints are the driving force for many living such a life nevertheless, they all appear to be happy with their lot. There is a true sense of community, camaraderie, neighbourliness, and joint venture, which most modern societies have sadly, and to their own detriment, lost. The difficulties of living in cramped, limited, space without the modern amenities most have become accustomed to, are not overlooked. Nonetheless, everyone does what they can and willingly share ideas, advice, and resolutions with each other.





The reader is treated to depictions of historic buildings and the beauty of landscapes the author encounters as she travels the canals and waterways. Along with these are accounts of the fun and terrors of negotiating locks and the dangers from fast moving commercial water traffic: Holland is still a country where the canal systems are in constant use for commerce as well as pleasure.





In the midst of the humour and story telling there are palpable moments of revelation through which some of the author’s difficult psychological and emotional moments may be seen. However, she does not dwell on them, though it pays the reader to note they exist. Life is never a complete bowl of cherries for anyone. Along with these the reader is also treated to accounts of how friendships form with even the prospect of a loving relationship arising. Throughout, there is a sense of belonging and enjoyment of the comparative freedom such a lifestyle brings.





Beside being the author’s own tale there is considerable practical insight into what it takes to live in a barge with all the necessary maintenance. It is not a life for the feint hearted or those who prefer a laidback existence. Nevertheless, having initially rented a barge, the author determines to find her own and the reader finds themselves becoming just as excited as her when she discovers a beauty to her liking.





Due to the practical nature of much, the book may not appeal to all readers however, if anyone is contemplating such a life they would do well to read this memoir first. It does not hide the realities and challenges of such a life and will help balance any romantic notions some may have. That is not to say the life does not have its appeals but they need to be balanced with the practicalities.





The book is available in print and digital (ebook) formats.





Amazon.com





Amazon.co.uk

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Published on October 09, 2020 06:36

September 29, 2020

The Why & What of Author Bios

[image error]Authors and readers will have come across references to author bio but what is it and what function does it serve? Bio of course, stands for biography which is defined as ‘The story of a person’s life.’ (Oxford English Dictionary). In essence an author bio, in the context being discussed here, is where an author may establish who they are and why a reader should choose their works.


A bio is one of several available opportunities through which an author may establish a connection with their readers. It is in fact an important one because they appear in many varied locations. These bios are especially important when it comes to new readers who have not encountered the author or their books before. It can have a significant impact upon sales, reputation, validity, followers, social media connections, etc.


It is generally accepted many authors are shy introverts who do not like writing about themselves, pushing their books, or public exposure. Nonetheless, unless they really do not care if no one reads their books, they need to provide readers with at least some limited background. A bio is where an author may determine how they wish to be perceived and how they want to brand themselves.


Having established the value of an author bio, what to include and how to include it needs to be considered.


Credentials

This will be easier for authors of non-fiction however, if a fiction author has some, it is worth mentioning them. The following are recognised as credentials:



Awards.
Endorsements.
Degrees.
Training.
Accomplishments.

The primary aim is to help readers understand what makes the author an expert on the topics they write about and why they should listen to them. Naturally, as already mentioned, non-fiction authors will find this easier nevertheless, fiction authors may have credentials proving their ‘expertise’ in subject topics encountered in their books.


Where an author has received multiple awards they would be wise not to try and list them all. Beside boring for the reader, it may come across as arrogant and may turn potential readers off.


If the author holds no formal credentials they should skip this section. Bios must be factual and honest. Any attempt to manipulate with untruths or distortions will be noticed with consequent results.


Achievements

Here matters are balanced out for the author without formal credentials. Obviously that does not exclude non-fiction authors but this is certainly an area where the fiction author may establish their right to write the books they have. Things that could be included:



What the author has achieved in their life. (Not restricted to authoring.)
Any unusual traits or experiences.
Passions.
Interests.
Hobbies.

It is very important not to go overboard or brag. Again the point is to let readers know why the author is in a position to write what they do. As far as possible, though it does not have to be exclusive, authors should align what is shared with the content of their books.


Relevant Names

If an author considers there are well known authors whose books align with their own, they may wish to refer to them. However, they must ensure what they say is factual and true and is shared in a positive light. To do this may appear inappropriate or manipulative but name dropping is seen by many as a valid promotional tool. The individual must decide for themselves whether to employ the tactic or not.


Perspective

When writing a bio authors need to remember it is not for them but for their readers. The bio is where they:



explain who they are;
what they write;
why readers should trust them;
how they stand out from other authors;
what makes them unique.

The primary motive should be to determine what it is the reader wants to know and to share the relevant information.


Further, consistent advise is to write bios in the third person, which is seen as providing a more professional presentation. In most instances that stands true nevertheless, this writer considers there are times when first person would be suitable. Most authors tend to utilise one bio everywhere however, it may be more sensible to take into account the individual aspects of sites and format bios accordingly. The only danger with first person, is not to make the bio overtly a ‘Me’ ‘Me’ product. Throughout, the fact a bio is for the reader not the author should be held in mind.


Personalise

Frequent suggestion is for authors to display their personality in the bio. That makes sense considering this is where they intend letting readers know who they are. However, they are advised to be circumspect. Some will go so far as to state, personalisation should only be employed if it adheres with the content of their books. In other words, if, for example, they write horror tension, thrillers, or the like, then a jovial, carefree, personalisation may not be appropriate.


Connections

As a bio is intended to form a connection with readers it makes sense to include links to where the reader may discover more. For example:



Website.
Blog.
Retail pages.
Landing pages.
Social Media accounts.
Contact forms.

One person recommends viewing author bios as a business card. Certainly makes sense provided the author remembers this is where they are trying to form a personal connection with their readers. Too formal a business style could prove counterproductive.


Length

Suggestions vary but in general most agree a bio should be between one-hundred-and-fifty and three-hundred words. Many consider the shorter the better. There are a couple of matters that effect:



where the bio is to be published; and
whether a site limits the number of words or characters.

To provide for variations there is advice for authors to create three bios of:



One-hundred-and-fifty words;
One-hundred words; and
Fifty words.

Bearing in mind the suggestions of what to include these short lengths may be seen as challenging. Indeed they are. Nevertheless, most people have, little time, short attention spans, or general impatience and will skip anything that appears lengthy. Beside it does authors good to encapsulate information into single sentences. This helps their general writing by teaching them not to ramble.


Frequency

To keep it relevant and appropriate, authors are advised to update their bios regularly. This not only enables them to share changes in their personal lives but to also include details of their latest publications or offers. One point frequently made is not to include a date. It does not look good if, when there has not been anything new to add, a bio is dated some years prior to someone reading it. Outdated information can put people off by implying there is nothing of relevance in it for them.


Conclusion

Author bios are an important tool. These are where an author may display their authority for writing upon the topics in their books. It is where they initially attempt a connection with potential readers. An author bio may break or enhance their reputation and readability.


Several sites provide templates to assist authors in the writing of a bio. No such attempt has been made here because there are many possibilities of what to include, or not. It would be difficult to cover all of them in one template. It is hoped the advice provided above will assist authors in drafting their own individual, unique, bio.

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Published on September 29, 2020 06:47

September 25, 2020

50% OFFER ENDING!

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All books in T. R. Robinson’s Bitches series have been available, longterm, at half price.



That offer is now coming to and end.



Just six days left!



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Details of all books in the series may be viewed under the Books tab in the menu bar above or here.





Alternatively, direct access to favoured retailers may be obtained here.





These are principally stories, based upon real people and situations, of women who fulfil the ethos of the series title.





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If preferred each book’s unique landing page may be accessed by clicking on the relevant cover image below.



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All include links to popular and favoured retails sites.
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Published on September 25, 2020 06:22

September 15, 2020

Best Times for Posting on Social Media

[image error]Anyone who has a product for sale will appreciate social media has become an important avenue for doing so in modern culture. This applies no matter whether the seller is an incorporated company or an independent individual. As usual in this website, independent authors are to the forefront in these considerations, though much of the following may also prove helpful to others.


There is much with social media that may appear mysterious or difficult to fathom. Algorithms for instance, especially when the hosting company prefers to keep the operational methods secret. These deserve investigation by those who have the skills but this article will not make such an attempt. Here it is intended to simply try and assess the best times for posting content into Facebook; Twitter; Instagram; and LinkedIn which are considered the primary social media sites for selling. Of course, there are others some readers may prefer but to make this a reasonably accessible article it has been limited to those.


It is worth noting the nature of a business or an intended purpose may impact which are the best times to post e.g. commercial business; media outlet; non-profit organisation; healthcare provider; etc. In the following an attempt has been made to identify the times considered best for general sharing. The information is broken down by site and day of week.


Facebook

Monday: 10am + 1-3pm

Tuesday: 9am – 2pm

Wednesday: 9-11am + 1-3pm

Thursday: 9am-2pm

Friday: 1-3pm

Saturday: 1-2pm (poor engagement)

Sunday: 11am-1pm (very poor engagement)


Twitter

Monday: 9am-3pm

Tuesday: 7am-3pm (and possibly 7-8pm)

Wednesday: 8am-3pm (and possibly 5-6pm)

Thursday: 9am-3pm

Friday: 8am-2pm

Saturday: 8-10am (poor engagement)

Sunday: 9am (poor engagement)


Instagram

Monday: 11am-4pm + 7-9pm

Tuesday: 5am + 11am-4pm + 7-9pm

Wednesday: 5am + 11am-3pm + 7-9pm

Thursday: 5am + 11am-3pm + 7-9pm

Friday: 5am + 9am-1pm + 7-9pm

Saturday: 9-11am (poor engagement)

Sunday: 11am-2pm (poor engagement)


LinkedIn

Monday: 11am-1pm

Tuesday: 7am-2pm + 5-6pm

Wednesday: 7am-12pm (noon) + 5-6pm

Thursday: 7am-1pm + 5-6pm

Friday: 6am-2pm

Saturday: 8-9am

Sunday: 9am (poor engagement)


Note: LinkedIn itself suggests: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 7.30-8.30am + 12pm (noon) + 5-6pm


The information provided has been consolidated from a large variety of sources many of which contain substantially differing estimates. The times shown are an attempt to discern the most viable overall periods for posting. No guarantee may be given that these will prove entirely effective for everyone but they will hopefully prove useful for some.


As stated, the times mentioned are a general overview. The best option is for the company or individual to test their post engagement rates by adding content at various times over a reasonable period. Such things as audience location; product type; when and where customers prefer to spend their online activity time; etc. will have an impact. It would also help to analyse any data available to them from each social media site.


Note: Most studies draw statistics from United States of America activity nevertheless, there is no reason to think the findings do not also stand good for any territory or time zone.


Conclusion

Anyone who wishes to sell a product or service has little option but to accept social media, whether they like it or not, is almost an essential if they are to succeed. When to post is however another issue and one that requires research. A search of the internet will reveal multiple studies of the topic though with varying findings. This does not mean they are not useful. It is possible to gain an overall comprehension of times that, if nothing else, give the user a basis from which to work with their own testing.


It is hoped the resumé of findings provided in this article will assist users to find their best times for posting. Perhaps, in the first instance, it will be worth posting within the suggested time periods and see what engagement is like.

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Published on September 15, 2020 06:47