Thursday, June 30, 2011

Social Media Doesn't Do You Any Good If No One Knows You're There

If you decide to open a Twitter account or a Facebook account with the intent of building your brand, then you need to let people know you're there. Add in your signature line a link to one or both and make sure to cross reference your accounts on your blog, your website, and in your book's bio. You aren't going to build a social network if no one can find you.

Jessica

10 comments:

Donna K. Weaver said...

Funny how some of us miss the obvious.

Or not so funny. Thanks for the tip.

Rick Daley said...

Damn. "If you build it, they will come" worked so well for Kevin Costner in "Field of Dreams"...

@rjdaley101071

WORD VERIFICATION: himonter. A greeting intended for a monter.

Richard Mabry said...

Wow, I'm so busy getting "connected" via the social networks, I don't have time to write. (At least, that's my excuse). But as you say, it does no good if no one knows you're there. The link in a signature line seems so obvious...but I missed it.
Thanks for the reminder.

Beverly Diehl said...

One of my friends (who does PR professionally) suggested not just putting a link to your blog in your e-mail signature line, but put a picture, funny quote, etc. once a week that contains the link, so even longtime friends will click it more often.

I may even try that someday.

(Techno-challenged but crawling into the 21st century.)

Unknown said...

@ Beverly, now that's a new idea-loved it and thank you. latinapen.blogspot.com

Carrie Butler said...

Great point, Jessica! Networking, of any kind, requires an honest effort. We have to build meaningful relationships with people before they'll believe in our "brand."

----------------
Keeping with the spirit of this post, if any of you would like to follow me on Twitter:

@CarrieAButler

I'll be more than happy to follow you back. :)

Kristin Laughtin said...

While publicizing myself is going to be THE hardest part of the publication process for me, these just seem too obvious and simple to miss. Once I have a website and all that, I will definitely cross-reference.

I also just like to use the Name/URL option for identifying myself when possible, so it goes straight to my blog if people click on my name. It eliminates a click.

Word verification: "retro". Funny since we're discussing that newfangled social media thing. ;-)

Anonymous said...

For people who are uncomfortable plugging their work, social media seems to be a good way to start. In terms of building a writing career, social media is a tool at the writer's disposal. I won't apologize for promoting my brand. This is about more than one book for me. You don't see Emily Giffin or Anita Shreve apologizing for promoting their work. No writer should.

Http://rebeccakielpages.blogspot.com

Karen Duvall said...

i just joined facebook about a week ago and it totally confuses me. I don't get it.

ryan field said...

"i just joined facebook about a week ago and it totally confuses me. I don't get it."

Hang in there. And have fun with it. I started six years ago and didn't get it either...until I started having fun with it. I've made good friendships with people all over the world. The key word is "social," as in enjoy the other people you "friend."