Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion
II. Publishing & Marketing Tips
>
Social networking tips
date
newest »
newest »
@Jason - I don't agree with your rather mercenary attitude. This is SOCIAL media you're talking about, not free promotional sites. It's quite disturbing there are writers like your who see their friends and fans as nothing more than potential profits. Experimenting to find out how to best make use of these people is just sad. I refuse to insult or demean internet friends and fans by posting spam or only talking to them on a schedule designed to increase my numbers and ultimately my profits. I have good friends I respect. I would never use them for personal gain, just because we interact over Social Media.
I noted you have posted these "tips" in several GR groups. I don't know about other members, but I find your whole concept disgusting.
Disgusting is a bit strong wouldn't you say, anybody would think I was advertising internet porn.The point is I appreciate all the people who have brought my books. I certainly do not consider them as things, which is the way I have probably come across to you.
But the simple fact remains, there are problems when you engage with everyone. I'm sure JK Rolwling or Dan Brown have had their fair share of people trying to tell them how to write.
Several weeks ago I received a message from someone who I thought was a fan of my work. We engaged in conversation and I though everything was fine until the guy said he had been to my home town taking pictures, and that he was planning to move to my home town in order to be close to me. He even sent me pictures of my local town centre. It could have been a prank, but I couldn't afford to take the risk. The scary thing is he could well have moved here. Its not all that hard to track down my home address.
So you see not everyone can afford to have tea and buns with their fans.
It doesn't matter whether you are a world famous author or a small independent author, some people can freak you out big time.
Good tips, Jason, and most writers would do well to follow most of them--although I don't agree with checking in with the social sites just once a month. Any writer who hopes to make a living at writing has to treat it as a business, and knowing your customers and how to reach them is a part of it.
I enjoy chatting with those who comment on my page.
@Jason - I have no problem with a writer promoting his book. I have a BIG problem with a writer who thinks he can use SOCIAL MEDIA to mislead people and promote his books. There are all kinds of book promotion sites out there - why not use them.I assume you think Goodreads is going to fall into your promotion model by using this thread to get attention and promote yourself. You have started the same thread and copied the same comments into at least 4 different groups - I'm sure to pickup more "friends" and "fans" who you can then exploit into buying your books.
Your tips may sound logical to a few newbie writers and that is probably your target. Your stalker story is interesting, but given how few people actually stalk someone, its a bit far-fetched and I'm sure related here to garner sympathy.
IMHO your comments and attitude are nothing more than sophisticated SPAM.
Jason wrote: "4. Do not engage! Repeat do not engage!There’s no other way I can put this: Your fans are not your friends, they are your bread and butter, a source of income. "
Wow. I feel sad for you, you are missing out on such an opportunity. I have people who read my books who have become friends. We talk on social media about a range of topics (and only rarely about my books). I can't imagine treating readers as walking dollar bills. Personally I will continue to engage with readers and will continue to treat them as interesting individuals with their own stories and experiences to share.
I'd be interested to know if your "tips" are working for you & resulting in sales. I note the only rating on your books on GR appears to be your own.
Jason wrote: "4. Do not engage! Repeat do not engage!"Hole yourself up from the world! Be a recluse! A hermit! People are to be avoided! Barricade the doors and windows and if you must go out DO NOT make eye contact. Someone might want to actually engage with you.
Sorry Jason. Some of your tips are all right, but this one is ridiculous. Being a published author is a nice accomplishment, but it's no excuse for being snobby. If someone wants a free copy of a book and I don't feel it's appropriate to give one, I can say "no". If someone tells me how I should write a story or what should come next in a series (should I ever write one) I will politely thank them, but explain I already have it worked out.
I don't friend people I don't know on Facebook because I'm a teacher and there are rules that say not to friend anyone under 18 on Facebook. However, I'd be glad to chat with anyone that comments on my page.
I have to agree with Dwayne on his point. Most of the tips mentioned seem reasonable and interesting, but the one about not engaging? I couldn't disagree more. Accessibility is so powerful. One of the things that has most caught me off guard by this publishing thing is the ability to interact with real readers who are interested in my work. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
As to not engaging with your readers, I have two words: Amanda Hocking.For books that are terribly written, terribly edited, and published by a complete unknown, in November 2011 she was selling 5,000 books a day and her story had hit the NYT. Her only "promotional activities" were on social media where she engaged with her readers and treated them as friends.
She now has a contract with one of the big 6. The millions she has earned from her books are enough to put a stake in the heart of this argument.
That exactly. 'do not engage' is not specific enough.Stay friendly, stay neutral, don't discuss over anything that might end up giving yo a dents in anyone's perspective.
Treat everyone equal, don't contradict yourself.
@B.R.Another person who has developed a really large following by being engaging and accessible on his Facebook page is Stephen Amell. Yes, he's not a writer, I know, but there's still a lesson to be learned there.
My reasons for engaging readers are much more self centered. I find it flattering that they want to interact and I want to encourage it.
I guess I am on a learning curb here, many apologies If I have offended as anyone with point four.
By using social media as a digital billboard, you’re providing readers, this reader at least, with the perfect reason never to read your work. If all you do is promote—which, let’s face it, is nothing more than passive spamming—you will be quickly sussed out and blocked by folks who use social media for what it was intended. Clicks do not equal sales.While you’re right, I don’t want to see Grumpy Cat, I’d love to see an admired writer’s pet, or anyone’s pet for that matter. The fact is, if I like you, I’m more likely to check out your work. That’s how social media works.
As for stalking, it was around long before social media. If you’re providing enough information that a reader is able to track you to your home, the responsibility lies with you. Most sites allow you to easily block anyone you might be wary of, and email programs offer filters.
Point 6 is both the most salient and the most difficult to achieve, particularly if you’re not a genre writer. You may know your audience, but they can be very difficult to find. I recently left one targeted Goodreads group because none of the group reads or books discussed actually fit the group's genre. Still scratching my head.
I would like to start a facebook author page, but I'm socially inept. I love interacting with those who like reading my work, but I don't know where to go from there. I have a sorry blog on GoodReads. (I told you, I suck at this)Can anyone point me to an author's page on Facebook that would be a good example to follow? Thanks!
on your own personal facebook page, there is a section of links on the left side called 'Pages'. Under that is a 'create a page' link. click that and work through the process. I'm trying not to use every thread I talk in as my own personal advertising opportunity so I'll point out this thread:https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
You'll find TONS of facebook author pages to look at for examples. I'd also be glad to answer any questions you might have (to the best of my knowledge, of course) if you PM me...
It seems like the OP was just trying to share his experiences. Some of the feedback given seemed, imo, to be mean. None of us are experts at marketing. All we can do is share what we're doing, right?I have no idea what I should post or how often. I find people sharing their experiences to be very helpful and hope others aren't discouraged by the response this OP received.
Brian
@Brian: Most of the responses seemed reasonable. There's always a few ultra negative people on any forum. The best thing the OP can do is just not respond to the trolls.
JD,Understood.
Like I said, I find such threads useful and hope the negativity doesn't discourage anyone else from posting.
Thanks for the comment!
Brian
1. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and increases likes.
I think one of the main problems that people face with social networking is the amount of time they spend on sites like Facebook and Twitter. Reduce your time drastically and this will leave you with more time to write. I haven’t been on Facebook for over a week and when I finally went on there I had had picked up over 70 likes on one of my pages. I did make time to check out the people who clicked on like and they are genuine. I also plan to cut my social networking time to just once a month.
2. No cats please.
No one wants to see a picture of a grumpy cat. The people who clicked on like to your page are fans of your work, so irrelevant posts can lead to people unliking your page.
3. Spamalot
It is possible to spam yourself. People who have read your books won’t want to see constant newsfeeds leading to links they have already clicked on. So try to avoid ‘please buy my book’ posts. But what about the people who haven’t read your book? Well, if you have set your page up properly newcomers will find their way to all the relevant links to your Amazon page.
4. Do not engage! Repeat do not engage!
There’s no other way I can put this: Your fans are not your friends, they are your bread and butter, a source of income. Getting chatty can lead to all kinds of complications. From people wanting a free copy of your book, to people trying to tell you where you should be going with the book series. Its ok to click on like to the odd comments and post the odd thank you, but direct contact with your fans is a big no no. Try to be a little mysterious that way people will start taking about you.
5. Book promotion pages.
My advice, don’t bother, you’re just preaching to the choir. Look though some of these pages which allow you to plug your book. See if anyone is actually liking the posts other authors are posting. You’ll find hardly anyone is getting a like.
6. Know your audience.
Targeting fans of your genre is very important. There are plenty of pages, tweets and forums covering all manners of writing styles, from Game of Thrones to Fifty Shades. Form professional relationships with moderators. Always ask if its ok for you to post, don’t just jump in an spam.
Things take time but with a little patients you could be earning a few well earned extra pennies on top of your day job. And with any luck you could match your income.
As soon as I think of some more tips I’ll post again.
Good luck guys.
Jason