M.J.’s Comments (group member since Jan 23, 2018)

M.J.’s comments from the Navigating Indieworld Discussing All Things Indie group.

Christine wrote: "Hi everyone! As most of you know, I've been a member of Medium for awhile, but hadn't written any stories.

Well, I just posted my first one. Here is the link: https://medium.com/@artsmithcris/hey-..."

I LOVED THIS! Clapped & Shared

This is so great! Thank you Carole & all who worked on this! :)

Angel wrote: "Anyone who wants a Medium.com Author Feature Article-Interview on my Goodreads blog please pm me so you won't get lost in this thread. Plus it helps me keep up with who wants one. Ben I received yo..."

Angel, Tried to message you through Goodreads but I think we have to be 'friends' first?? It wouldn't go through.

Angel wrote: "I'm offering to do Author/Story Features for authors of Medium. I want to use my following of a total of 7,013 followers-friends to promote Medium authors. I have often used my following to promote..."

Angel, Yes! I'd be very interested. :)

I've only got one article up on Medium so far but expect to put another this week.

Thanks!
MJ

Karen wrote: "M.J. wrote: "Hello! For me as an Indie (especially one at this under 2 years), I'm still getting over the fear of 'bothering' people. People tell me all the time they like my work, some of them rev..."
That's a very good point, Karen! I'm sure many of you remember the days when you were getting used to calling yourself an 'author'. I supposed I am still settling in with the idea. I've marketed and produced my books as professionally as I can, and that's paid off with the attention I've received. But sometimes I'm afraid someone is going to peek behind the fake-it-til-you-make-it curtain!
I'll be looking into this! -MJ

Hello! For me as an Indie (especially one at this under 2 years), I'm still getting over the fear of 'bothering' people. People tell me all the time they like my work, some of them review. But I hate putting them out by reminding that I'll need a review for that ARC, or nagging with newsletters or emails or posts.
I do love CONNECTING with the people that enjoy connecting with me.
As far as the authors I admire, I've only connected personally with one. She's been sort of a long distance mentor, just with me asking off the cuff questions as she speaks openly about topics she feels strongly about (indie pricing, reviews, etc.) But I never even THOUGHT to ask her to read my first novel (even tho she bought it to support me, totally on her own, and shared the buy links with her very large reader group). I felt like that would be asking a lot, to outright ask if she'd read it - almost like it was an unwritten 'no-no'. It's time away from her own writing, and editing, and full time author career. And she probably gets tons of asks like that.
If I'm the one reviewing or blurbing, it's hard to believe someone cares what I have to say about a book. I might love to do it (honestly I love writing my own blurbs for back covers!), but I'm not sure anyone would accept my offer to read and review...because they have no idea who I am.
So, in conclusion...I'd say that's why I personally don't do it. It just didn't occur to me. If I wanted to, where does one begin to offer to, or request of, other authors, without being a PITA, esp. given I have no awards or credits to my name beyond self-pubbing a trilogy of novels in one year? Thx for your post. :) -MJ

Great article Erica! :)

Dale, Followed and clapped for your well-written and poignant article! :)

I'm hoping to post my first one this week! I'll look for the rest of you on there. :)

Carole wrote: "Julie (Gerber) once told me that you don't post regularly- people will drop you. I didn't think anyone actually cared- I never received any comments on my post- until one day- I did. It was strange..."

That's awesome news Carole, opportunities you have the power to turn down are still great milestones! Yes, you keep telling me Medium, I've gotta sign up. So far, I've just been on there clapping for you. :) What's the platform you're talking about, where you didn't think you were missed and then you found you had an audience?

Thanks for further insight Alex & Carole! :)

Essentially I'm up front with people by telling them there is no consistency with me, at least with email. I think people do appreciate only hearing from you when you have something pertinent going on, not just to invade their inbox for the sake of reminding them you exist. (I've heard this advice given on occasion, and IMO it seems counterproductive.)
I'm setting the goal of keeping in touch once a month, and if I dive into as many projects as I have in mind, I should have news that often.
I do connect with people on social media almost daily, even if it's not about my writing but just connecting with other authors or readers of my genre who are not even aware I write books. That sometimes motivates me to do more, reach out to my own people or do something different to reach new readers.
I think the best advice I've heard is scheduling time each week for promotion stuff, whether it's brainstorming or working on a blog or newsletter. Putting it into practice is another story. I totally get the shutting down thing. I did it this winter, which is why I'm behind on my self-imposed deadlines. Good luck, Michael! And thanks for the feedback. :) I appreciate it!

Michael wrote: "I think the site works really well. I like the banner, ti all seems to work pretty nicely.

what are you thinking of doing to help keep the consistency going? just curious because i have this issu..."

Thanks ladies! Great feedback. It's very hard to promote books when you just want to write and not "sell". I hate 'bothering' people. But I want to make a living (so I can write more!), and I gotta get out news somehow! :)

Thanks, Angel! I'd love to change up colors but with this version of Spark (ie. the FREE one LOL!) I'm locked into their templates unless I pay. Sound advice though, thanks!!

Angel wrote: "Seems to be a good start, M.J. It immediately grabbed my attention. But maybe more contrast with color can be applied to accentuate certain features such as the link buttons for example."

Hey everyone,
I'm still fairly new around here. I've been indie writing for over a year now, and am creeping up my reader numbers for the series of full length romantic suspense novels (3) I released in the last year.
Problem is, I'm terrible about consistency connecting with them. Part of me feels like I have nothing to say (or the 'no one cares' mentality), then when I do, I'm inundated with other tasks in writing, editing, and releasing. I need to keep folks engaged even while I'm between releases, though.
Some authors have HUGE successful reader groups on Facebook or other social platforms like here (which I realize takes years to build). While I use those platforms too, I don't think I can invest huge time blocks to connect with readers in those places this early on. I think I have to start small with the list of a couple hundred folks that actually give a shi...*crap* about what I'm doing, and not all of them are even on social media.
Solution: newsletter.
I wanted something visual that people can scroll in literally under 2 mins. I won't send weekly or even monthly.
I've done my 'first installment', as I'm calling it, and wondered if any of you would mind taking a look? Goals: Grab attention without being too heavy on information and/or short on advantages to you as a reader.
I always approach in terms of how I feel: I hate reading through promotional emails, even if it's for stuff I like! So I want to answer the question quickly of "what's in it for me"? Keeping in mind, this would be sent to my email subscribers only and not random people. Here's the link, and thanks for any insight! This is literally the only group I come on Goodreads to talk with, and it's such a great community. Cheers, all! https://spark.adobe.com/page/Ygnyx7kI...

I've only met a few bloggers, and have given away some digital copies with them, but the ones I know are fairly small in their reach.

In the romance genre, I've found it difficult to get on their radar as, understandably, their TBR lists are very long already and they all have tons of great authors they're already affiliated with. I did find a good thread here with Indie World about places to do promotions and giveaways, so I'll be looking more into that too!

Thanks for the feedback Erica. :) I'm glad I'm not alone in thinking this seems harsh.



Erica wrote: "It does cost now. The change was announced at the beginning of last year and took affect early to mid january - I believe. I agree, that is too much for an indie author. Since the giveaways policy ..."

Thanks, Erica! I'll do that. :)

MJ

Erica wrote: "We have been going through the thread and clicking the names above the comments as new people join in. It will take you to their profile page, and if they are and author, you can click "follow auth..."

Has anyone in here done a GR giveaway recently? I see ebooks are on the table now, but had a fellow author mention to me that it now COSTS us money to list a giveaway. Is this true?!

I've done two of them in the past with paperbacks, and didn't realize much from it. Though over 500 entered each time, I didn't get much feedback or interaction. The best thing was having many people add to their TBR.

Are they trying to eliminate indie authors altogether? Just earn a buck?
Who can afford $119 to put up a giveaway each time, where you're already GIVING AWAY your product (and if PB, paying to mail it?!)

I'm hoping this isn't right, but I haven't looked into it yet.

Perhaps this should've gone under the Grrr thread, but...anyway. This just seems ridiculous to me. It seems I'm reading about blow after blow to the indie author who is trying to make a living writing. I'm all about spending where needed to release a good product, and put the work in to tell a good story before that.

But navigating this Indie World, just trying to get your books to be seen...seems like Indies are constantly sailing against a current that's only getting stronger.

Thanks for any insight.
-MJ

Where do I find a list of you to follow?? I'd be happy to do this. I'm not in here a lot, but I check in periodically throughout the week. Having followers wouldn't hurt this newbie either. Thanks!

I'm so deeply sorry for your loss, Carole. Wishing you peace in any little corner you can find it. You and your family are in my thoughts.

HA!!! That's so funny. I had no idea people were listening then! I thought it was recorded live for later release. Cool! I have some people that want to hear it. Reaching out soon.
M

Carole wrote: "Not yet, MJ- I'll send it to you as soon as they air it. It was a great show!! They said they had an amazing turnout for the live radio show.

what can I say- sex sells. lol

Yes- please write an ..."