But is all of it necessary?How do you know what is and what isn't going to be a useful tool in pumping up your blog or your book?
Twitter. Facebook. Dig. And now I find this link: social plugins from the Facebook developers.
So I added a Facebook "Like" app to my sidebar. See? Look right. See it now? Right below "The Writer." Pretty spiffy, eh?Oh, goodness. Another technology to learn.
What apps/widgets do you use and recommend?
Michele - I know what you mean about social media and applications. It can be hard to decide which ones to incorporate.
ReplyDeleteI've actually created a Facebook page for my writing: Margot Kinberg, Author. That's where I put things like reviews of my books, etc. I think it's a good way for people who are on Facebook, but not necessarily in my "friends" circle, to get to know my writing.
And yes, I use Twitter, too. I feed my blog through there. I actually like some of the social networking apps very much. It's hard to make the time to use them, sometimes, though.
I have given trying to keep up with social networking. It takes away from the paying work...that being said, I use my blog to connect with other writers and Twitter to advertise a current short stories posted. I only use Facebook to connect with family/friends.
ReplyDeleteI was the first to like your page!!! Woohoo Go Me!!!
ReplyDeleteAs far as different places to network I'm taking the slow approach. I started with blogger, since it's been about 5-6 months I decided to open up my facebook to writers, I'd used it long before my blog just not for my blog buddies, I attempted twitter and failed.
I would say to do only what you can handle. You want to give as much attention to something as you can, adding extra will only overwhelm and make you lack in other places, which you want to avoid!
I don't have a Facebook account - I just don't have any time to add in another social networking site. I do have a Twitter account though. I usually check it out daily - but not always.
ReplyDeleteI just sent you a friend request. I don't know much about Facebook or twitter, I don't use it often except to post my blog post but I know many use it well.
ReplyDeleteCD
Margot- I run this page through Twitter each day, too...and I have it set up to update Facebook as well! But I'm not sure how to set up a Fan page...Is that what you did?
ReplyDeleteAlan- I almost gave it ALL up last week! Had absolutely no time for anything. But, I'm trying to be more organized and pare down to what really works...Facebook? Twitter? What else? As for using Facebook for family/friends...this is one reason I want to start a Fan/writer's page.
Jen- Awww, thanks! I hope it works, as there's not actually a Southern City Mysteries page on Facebook. But does that matter? I don't know--I don't really get it!
Twitter takes some work at the beginning, and occasionally if you want to make it BIG. But now I have 100 or so followers and I keep the Twitter follow button up here, so that grows by five or so each month. Feeding the blog through there is one app I like!
Jemi- Twitter to me is less interesting than Facebook. I originally used Facebook to find old friens from high school and college--and it has worked fantastically for that! Checking Twitter daily? I think you'd have to check it hourly to keep up!!! But you're way ahead of me there.
Clarissa- I think the expert here will be Elizabeth Spann Craig...If you go to her blog http://mysterywritingismurder.blogspot.com...and search social media, you'll find excellent advice.
I'll be watching the comments here carefully because I'm in the same boat as you are. I'd like to improve my blog, which includes cool widgets, but I'm clueless which ones work the best (or how they work).
ReplyDeleteI've put those little tools underneath each of my posts which my readers can use to immediately share my stories they've liked with their Facebook, Twitter or MySpace readers and friends. It's a cool little linky thing, but it wasn't easy to install thanks to BLOGGER having all in HTML!
ReplyDeleteI think I'll just stick to blogging and twitter.
ReplyDeleteDL- I'd love the input on what to keep and what to lose. It's hard to keep up with it all!
ReplyDeleteDez- I've tried that and can't seem to get them to work. Maybe you could post some directions or a site to get the info from? I want to the 'share this' button, but it hasn't worked for me.
Alex- Well, you say that now...But wait till you're promoting your book!
Michele, you always seem to have cool widgets and gewgaws and thingamabogs on your blog. I know I've stolen a couple of those ideas!
ReplyDeleteThese different apps, etc, always boggle my mind! I don't understand GoodReads...and I feel that's something I'm really missing out on. So much to learn out there!
ReplyDeleteI can't bring myself to do much on Facebook except send a status update once in a while or promote my guest bloggers. I'm focusing on my blog and Twitter. We can't do it all.
ReplyDeleteAlan- Welll, thank you! My goal now is to pare down to what's actually useful and innovative. Steal away!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth- GoodReads doesn't thrill me, but so many people are on it! I would imagine it could be very helpful to an author.
Patricia- You are absolutely right. And blog and Twitter seem to be the most important. No wonder you're so successful!
Goodreads is awesome!!
ReplyDeleteI'm there, as well as on Twitter and Facebook. I don't have time to be anywhere else...
:-)
- Corra
The Victorian Heroine