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Monday, September 13, 2010

Writers Movement Guest Blog Appearance: David Fingerman

Today's Guest Blog Appearance is by David Fingerman. He has shared some of his experiences with online marketing and how it has helped him as an author. Please check out his post below and be sure to visit his website for more information.

Online Marketing

Just over a year-and-a-half ago my first book, "Edging Past Reality" was released. To say I knew absolutely nothing about online marketing would be a gigantic understatement. Last month my latest novel, "Silent Kill" was released. What follows is the little bit that I've learned about online marketing since "EPR" and what has worked for me, and what hasn't. I still feel like a dinosaur at the computer, totally out of touch with all the new technology that seems to be bombarding society on a near daily basis. I'm definitely at the low end of the learning curve, but at least I am still learning.

Start a blog. I know, on the common sense level this would rate around a "duh." Keep your blog interesting and make it look professional. I've seen some blogs that read like "Dear Diary . . ." and they are so boring they make my life look interesting (trust me, unless you suffer from insomnia you don't want to go there). Keep the subject matter fresh and update often. One of the best things I've found one can do is what Writers Movement is doing ~ opening up to guest bloggers (soft jazz doesn't hurt, either). This is one of those cases where it's a do as I say not as I do. My blog is part of my website (http://davidfingerman.com) and as you can see if you check it out, it doesn't look all that professional (something I will remedy soon) and I don't update it nearly enough. That might very well explain why some people are having so much success with their blog and I'm not.

If you want to advertise something and don't have a MySpace and a Facebook page yet ~ get one (I know, another 'duh'). I'm guessing that just about everyone reading this already has one or the other if not both, but are you utilizing it them best way you can? Yeah, it's all fine and dandy to play mafia wars and to keep tabs on friends and let them know what you're up to, but these are two of the best marketing sites on the web (in my opinion - there are bunches of others which are also quite worthwhile, but these two seem to be the most popular). It's taken a little discipline, but I have weaned myself off the zoos, the farms, the mafia wars, etc. Instead of playing games, I've met a number of other writers that I am now friends with. We've developed quite an information-sharing network. I've even sold a couple of short stories because of recommendations of writers I didn't know a couple of weeks ago but can now call friends. One thing that didn't work for me was buying ad space on Facebook. The hits on my website went up, but I noticed no new book sales because of it.

Along these lines is open a twitter account. Be a follower and make comments. Soon people will be following you. Tweet a lot, but not only about your book or that will turn people off just as quickly as you telling them what you had for breakfast or other inane things. Make it personal, but keep it interesting. And don't be afraid to retweet. If someone you follow has an interesting article, share it again with your followers.

Are you all way ahead of me? One last thing that I was surprised a number of people didn't already know about were virtual book tours. This is where an author (like me) is a guest blogger or interviewee. As stated above, Writers Movement has opened itself up to this venue. I think it's a win/win situation. The blog site gets fresh new writing and the author taps into a new audience and maybe some new followers (hint, hint).

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Chat Transcript 9/4/2010: Traditional vs Self-Publishing

Feature | Block WritersMovement @AuthoressKimani you too! #writersmovement -7:03 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block AuthoressKimani @WritersMovement Enjoy your holiday weekend, everyone #writersmovement -7:02 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block AuthoressKimani @WritersMovement After you get people to actually pick up your book it's the way the story is told #writersmovement -7:02 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block AuthoressKimani @WritersMovement The cover design would be the 1st thing to make your work stand out. #writersmovement -7:01 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement Good chat, even though I wasn't prepared bcuz those crab legs had me in another place ;-)..... Enjoy your weekend folks! #writersmovement -7:00 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block AuthoressKimani RT @WritersMovement: so the bottom line is the choice between traditional publishing and #selfpublishing depends on YOUR personal goals #writersmovement -7:00 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block maddwriter @WritersMovement Be original and put be willing to put in the work to make urself stand out. Connect w/ur fans. #writersmovement -6:58 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement so the bottom line is the choice between traditional publishing and #selfpublishing depends on YOUR personal goals #writersmovement -6:57 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement Keep in mind that consumers don't care who #published your #book! They care about the content and its curb appeal. #writersmovement -6:56 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement RT @AuthoressKimani: I would say traditional publishing would make it "easier" but thats because of the politics behind it #writersmovement -6:55 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement RT @maddwriter: But, if a book is good, its going to get noticed regardless. <---- cosign #writersmovement -6:54 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement @maddwriter with so many self-pubbed authors now, what can you do to make your work stand out from the others? #writersmovement -6:54 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block AuthoressKimani RT @maddwriter: With social media it's a lot easier for an author to spread the word about their work now. #writersmovement> #Truth -6:54 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block AuthoressKimani @WritersMovement I would say traditional publishing would make it "easier" but that's because of the politics behind it #writersmovement -6:53 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block maddwriter But, if a book is good, it's going to get noticed regardless. #writersmovement -6:53 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block maddwriter With social media it's a lot easier for an author to spread the word about their work now. #writersmovement -6:52 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block maddwriter @WritersMovement I would say the self pub route because the author is more in control of their success, but that's just me. #writersmovement -6:51 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement *self pub route #writersmovement -6:50 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement every writer dreams of becoming a best seller..does that dream seem more feasible with the trade or pub route? #writersmovement -6:50 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block maddwriter @AuthoressKimani Oh I definitely agree with you. To me it seems like writing is now a fad & no longer an art <--- cosign. #writersmovement -6:49 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block AuthoressKimani @authordlsparks Oh yes. I agree. They both have their ups and downs respectfully #WritersMovement -6:47 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement RT @authordlsparks: @AuthoressKimani I think theyre both equally hard, just in different ways. <---- very much so #writersmovement -6:47 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block AuthoressKimani @WritersMovement Oh I definitely agree with you. To me it seems like writing is now a fad & no longer an art #writersmovement -6:46 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block maddwriter @WritersMovement Most definitely I would but NOT if it involed changing anything about #HUB or how I put them out. #writersmovement -6:45 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block authordlsparks @AuthoressKimani I think they're both equally hard, just in different ways. #writersmovement -6:45 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement @AuthoressKimani i agree.... but not everyone that is trade published are good writers also. am i wrong? #writersmovement -6:44 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block AuthoressKimani @WritersMovement And some feel that it's the "lazy" way out instead of putting your all into being chosen by a pub house #writersmovement -6:42 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement @maddwriter if a trade publisher wants to sign you after reviewing hub 1 & 2, would you go that route? #writersmovement -6:41 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block AuthoressKimani @WritersMovement ...whether they have the talent to write or not #writersmovement -6:41 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block maddwriter @WritersMovement I think they think that because, technically, anyone can self-publish. #writersmovement -6:41 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block AuthoressKimani @WritersMovement I think it's because self-publishing opened up the gate for EVERYBODY to release a book... #writersmovement -6:41 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement @authordlsparks got cha! #writersmovement -6:39 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement I've read several times that self-publishing has less status with some people...why do you think that is? #writersmovement -6:39 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block authordlsparks @WritersMovement I always knew i wanted an agent, so I guess it wasn't really "choice" as it was a "step" for me #writersmovement -6:39 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block maddwriter @AuthoressKimani I'm not sure. They prob would have wanted the more trad book instead of small broken down volumes. #writersmovement -6:36 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block AuthoressKimani @maddwriter What about #HUB do you think a traditional publishing house would have changed if you went with one? #writersmovement -6:35 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement @authordlsparks what made you choose the trade route over self-publishing? #writersmovement -6:35 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block authordlsparks @AuthoressKimani Pretty much free reign. I always keep in my the image of myself and my house when lookn for ways to market #writersmovement -6:34 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block AuthoressKimani @authordlsparks Are there guidelines/restrictions on what kind of marketing you can do or do you have free reign? #writersmovement -6:33 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block maddwriter @AuthoressKimani Hey! good to see u here. #writersmovement -6:31 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement @AuthoressKimani hello ;-) #writersmovement -6:30 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block AuthoressKimani @maddwriter Thanks & hello everyone. #writersmovement -6:30 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block authordlsparks I am responsible for probably 80% of my own marketing. #writersmovement -6:29 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block authordlsparks I don't like being immersed in the "business" end of it....takes the passion out of it for me. Makes it more of a labor #writersmovement -6:28 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block maddwriter @AuthoressKimani Being traditionally published, how much of your own marketing do you do? <--- good question. #writersmovement -6:27 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block maddwriter @authordlsparks When you say that traditional fits ur writing personality what exactly do you mean by that? #writersmovement -6:26 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block AuthoressKimani @authordlsparks Being traditionally published, how much of your own marketing do you do? #writersmovement -6:26 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block authordlsparks @WritersMovement yeah, my agent is VERY good about speaking up and supporting my concerns. #writersmovement -6:25 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement @authordlsparks so were you able to still maintain a high % of "say so" with your work? #writersmovement -6:24 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block authordlsparks @maddwriter I'm actually pleased with my agent and my house up to this point. Traditional fits my writing "personality" #writersmovement -6:23 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block authordlsparks I have been blessed with good and helpful editors. Their red marks come with "direction" @WritersMovement @maddwriter #writersmovement -6:23 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement @authordlsparks self publishing in the near future? #writersmovement -6:22 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement @authordlsparks thats good to know....so what has your experience been like so far a trade pubbed? would you ever consider #writersmovement -6:22 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block maddwriter @authordlsparks Do you have any regrets going the traditional route or are you happy with it? #writersmovement -6:22 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement @authordlsparks @maddwriter....so wrong lol #writersmovement -6:21 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block authordlsparks @WritersMovement @maddwriter I am traditional published, I guess it depends on the editor. #HUB #writersmovement -6:21 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement @maddwriter .....at a publishing house rips that manuscript into unrecognizable shreds #writersmovement -6:20 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block maddwriter @authordlsparks Didn't miss anything due to someone being late *cough*TIFFANIE*cough* LOL #writersmovement -6:20 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement @maddwriter true because Often an author's joy at selling a manuscript turns into despair when an over-zealous editor.... #writersmovement -6:20 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block maddwriter I don't think I would have the same freedom with #HUB that I would have if I was with a traditional publisher. #writersmovement -6:18 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block authordlsparks @maddwriter @WritersMovement What'd I miss? #writersmovement -6:18 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block maddwriter @authordlsparks Hey! Glad you could make it. *waves back* #writersmovement -6:16 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement @authordlsparks hey lady.....thanks for coming #writersmovement -6:16 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block maddwriter @WritersMovement I would say having control of ur manuscript and quick turnaround are the most important to me. #writersmovement -6:16 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block authordlsparks *waving* hey all @WritersMovement #writersmovement -6:15 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement @maddwriter its cool....everyone is probably hanging with fam stuffing their faces anyone...I sure was ;-) #writersmovement -6:15 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement OR are control of your manuscript and quick turnaround most important #writersmovement -6:14 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement Is it better to play the waiting game in order to earn a large advance from a traditional publisher? #writersmovement -6:14 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block maddwriter @WritersMovement sucks that it's just us two. #writersmovement -6:13 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement seems like it'll just be us 2 tonight....since its a holiday weekend we can keep it short. so.... #writersmovement -6:12 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block maddwriter @WritersMovement I seen that I had an email from you. Glad you like it. Tried to up the ante on volume 2. #writersmovement -6:09 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement okay, so todays topic is about traditional vs self-publishing... the pros and cons for each... #writersmovement -6:08 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement @maddwriter dont do that.... BTW, Im done editing #HUB2... you got another hit on your hands son #writersmovement -6:07 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block maddwriter @WritersMovement I was eating some good ole crab legs, stretched out on the couch and forgot about chat! <--- smh #writersmovement -6:06 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement I was eating some good ole crab legs, stretched out on the couch and forgot about chat! #writersmovement -6:05 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block WritersMovement @maddwriter I made it lol #writersmovement -6:05 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block maddwriter So what's going on everyone? #writersmovement -6:04 PM Sep 4th, 2010



Feature | Block maddwriter #editing #DIVA by @authortiffanie #writersmovement -5:48 PM Sep 4th, 2010

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Tiffanie Minnis: Blog Talk Radio Interview with Boyd and Lucinda

Listen to internet radio with Boyd and Lucinda on Blog Talk Radio

Tiffanie's Radio Interview on blogtalkradio

Our very own Tiffanie Minnis was on The Streets Don't Love You Back radio show on blogtalkradio on 9.1.10 and I encourage EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU to check it out and give a listen by clicking http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thestreetsdontloveyouback/2010/09/02/the-streets-dont-love-you-back

Tiffanie discusses her upcoming novel ~D.I.V.A.~ Domestically Involved In Violent Affairs, which is set to be released on 10.20.10, as well as her experiences which led her to write ~D.I.V.A.~

I felt SO PROUD listening to her on the radio and I hope that you all will listen and spread the word because domestic violence is something that EVERYONE is familiar with in some way. Be sure to pick up a copy of ~D.I.V.A.~ when it's released as portions of the proceeds will go towards domestic violence causes so, not only will you be helping Tiffanie, you will also be helping a great cause.

You can find more information on ~D.I.V.A.~ as well as Tiffanie Minnis by visiting www.tiffanieminnis.webs.com