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| Image courtesy of Google |
They say a writer needs to have “a social media presence”
to be a successful author. The sooner the better, they say. By ‘they’ I mean
all the web sites I’ve visited, all the articles I’ve read, all the podcasts
I’ve listened to, all the books I’ve researched, etcetera, etcetera- that’s
the ‘they’ I’m talking about. They who
seem to know. They who have experience. They who have connections. Them guys.
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| Courtesy of Google Images |
But one site(this blog), does not “ a social media
presence” make. My Facebook page can’t really count as a second site because it
has nothing to do with reading books or writing books. It’s like most other
people’s Facebook pages—you know- filled with pictures of little kiddos dressed
up for Easter and dogs doing weird things.
That leaves me with a couple other choices like Instagram
and Twitter. (And probably a few dozen other
social media sites that I’m not yet savvy to.)
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| Image courtesy of Google |
Instagram’s focus is on visual media. Take a picture,
give it a caption, and post it. Twitter allows pictures, videos and very short
posts of just 140 characters or less. (This
is the length and breadth of my social media knowledge.)
My brother-on-law suggested I set up a Twitter account.
He said I wouldn’t be sorry. He said I gotta have Twitter if I want a social
media presence. So I did. I didn’t have any idea what I was doing. I had to ask
a few people for advice and guidance, but that’s o.k. I’m all about finding out information from
those in the know.
And you know what? My brother –in – law was right. I’ve posted
my blog to Twitter, but more than that, I’ve tagged some famous people in my
tweets. That’s the very best thing about Twitter- you can send a message to
ANYONE.
I’ve receive messages back from (*fan-girl alert,
fan-girl alert!*) several published authors!!!!!! EEK!
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| Courtesy of Google |
Blake Crouch, author of, among others, Dark Matter;
Heather Gudenkauf, fellow Iowa girl and author of, among others, The Weight of
Silence; Ann Hood, author of, among others, The
Book That Matters Most; Sharon Creech, author of, among others Love That
Dog; Sonya Sones, author of, among others, Saving Red; and, Kate Messner, author
of, among others, Marty McGuire have all tweeted me, liked, or retweeted my messages. So Cool!
.
And, yes, I’ve saved every message I’ve received from
these authors. Just like I’ve saved my rejection letters. They’re all proof that I’m being a mover and
a shaker in my chosen field.
Also because of my Twitter activity, bookish places have
started to follow me on Twitter! How cool is that!?!
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| Courtesy of Google Images |
Oh, and I just recently opened my private Pinterest board about THE INK OF TIME, so I guess that makes three. Hey, I’m on my way!
Now I just need to sell a book.
Working on that one, too. J
Let me ask you to do this: Seek out the advice of someone
you trust on something that’s important to you. Their perspective will give you
new perspective.
Until next time,
Be Good to Yourself,
~Nadine
P.S. You can tweet me @ NadineNmr
