At the RWA National conference, I sat in on an informative workshop about building your career with Facebook and Twitter. The speakers were Sheri Brooks, Cissy Hartley, and Jayne Ann Krentz. Here are some key points they made, and a few hints that might be helpful for other writers who, like me, are scrambling to keep up with how we can best use our time to market our books.
I don’t Twitter (not yet, anyway) so most of my notes were about utilizing Facebook as a tool to make friends in the reading/writing community.
The speakers emphasized the benefits of a Fan Page on Facebook. Even though you may not have “fans” that you know of, a fan page is a place to update what is taking place in your writing life. Before you say, “Whoa. I don’t have time to keep another page up,” let me explain. You can add an RSS feed on your Page, so that updates go there without you having to do it individually. It holds your book covers and any other content you want to put there, such as upcoming releases or signings.
Put Widgets on your FB page so entries will go to your Home Page. Also, use the Discussion Tab on your Fan Page. The speakers suggested holding a writers’ workshop, where people can pose questions.
Fans can interact with each other by using the Wall or Discussion Board on your fan page. Also, as admin, you have access to stats on the traffic for your fan page.
On your Fan Page, you can have a Favorites Pages box, where you highlight other pages you like. It could serve as a link-exchange tool and bring you more fans.
Once you get your Fan Page up (and you can do it all behind the scenes before you click “Publish”), put out an announcement that you’ve opened a Fan Page and that there is a contest there. A prize offering will guide them to your fan page.
So, now that I’ve told you what I learned, I’m going to try to build a Fan Page myself. Authors: Let me know if you have one already, or if it’s something you want to do. Readers: Would you like your fav author to have a fan page, where you could keep up with her books and discuss them with other fans?
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10 comments:
Another helpful posting! No, I don't have a fan page but I am on Facebook and seem to be connecting with a number of people, some I know already and some I don't. It's fun. And I mention news about my writing. Some people appear to be interested.
I have a fan page in addition to my personal profile page. Right now I still have more "friends" than fans, but I have a lot of fans who aren't friends on my profile page, so it seems I'm reaching a few more folks out there.
Hi Joyce, great post. I am too dummy to make a fan page. (grin)
See you tomorrow. I hope you have fun. Sharon will not be there, you know why. But we will still have a great day for you! We are looking for pictures now to add to the blog.
Remind everyone! And I hope it gives you lots of promo.
Hi Marie-Nicole: I love your name. It sounds French--they use double names often. And you like the Brandenburg Concertoes. I have a CD of that and when I'm making a long trip I listen. I'm going to look at your fan page now. Thanks for stopping!
Hi Mary: See you tomorrow on Roast and Toast. Don't make the fire too hot. Thanks for coming by my blog.
Hi Jacqueline: I posted an earlier reply--I thought. It disappeared into cyberspace. Anyway, thanks for stopping. I'm sure some friends would go to your Fan page, but some visitors would be totally new ones, if what they said was true. Good luck if you decide to put one up, and tell me. I'm your fan!
Hi Joyce! First time here and with a novella coming out 9/1 from TWRP, this post is amazingly timely. I was also at National and due to conflicting topics had to miss this session. Thank you for sharing your notes. I'm off to build my Fan Page and have made a note to watch for yours! Denise Golinowski
Hi Denise: I went to your webiste and tried to leave a comment, but it didn't have a google option and I don't have accts. with those other two. Anyway, love your book cover. One of my author friends wrote a novella for TWRP and it did very well, so good luck. Thanks for stopping by, and come back to Florida in the winter. You'll love it.
Thanks for stopping by Travels with the Muse - I'm following your blog too - thanks for sharing such helpful information!
Hi Joyce. Glad you stopped by. Also, you jolted my memory. I need to add your blog to my list at the right. Glad to share any new info that comes down the pike!
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