Where Do You Start With Social Networking?
A friend called me the other day. She was almost in tears because everyone she talked with told her she needed to be active on the Internet in order to promote her books. Everyone told her she needed to do active social networking.
She had heard she needed a blog, needed accounts in Twitter and Facebook, needed to do videos and book trailers. How was she suppose to do all that and still have time to write?
After I talked with her for awhile, she calmed down a little. I assured her that you can’t build an Internet presence overnight. Like anything else, you can get things done a little at a time.
Since you are reading this, I know that you are further along than my friend. You know your way around the Internet well enough to read this blog.
To avoid overwhelm, map our your promotion strategy. Break the results down into smaller pieces. Then start on the first small task.
Here are some steps you might consider.
- Reserve your %%%domain name%%%
- Write a 100 word bio
- Edit your bio down to 160 characters or less
- Get an informal photo taken
- Get a Google account
- Post a profile in Google
- Set up a Twitter account
These steps will help you get started. Don’t try to do all of these steps at once.
There will be plenty of time to do the advanced tasks. Start small. Every step you take will move you closer to your goal.
Pick one task and do it. You can make great progress by accomplishing one task at a time.
Soon you will be able to use social networking to promote yourself and your books.
Lynn – I was right there with you up until you said “Post a profile in Google”, don’t know what that means. Can you elaborate?
I have a friend who is thinking about venturing into business for herself. I’ve told her that, these days, she needs to be prepared to promote herself in cyberspace. You blog post is a great intro, and I plan to share it with her. Thanks, Lynn!
Cassie Tuttle recently posted..Mini Grammar Lesson: Does “number of” take a plural or singular verb?
Hi Darla,
I’m so glad that you ask about Google profile. It’s a feature that Google implemented without much fanfare. It’s tied into Google buzz.
It guarantees your information will show up on the first page of Google when someone searches for your name as long as your name is part of your Gmail address.
I’ll put up a post telling how to set up your profile soon. Stay tuned.
[...] Lynn Jordan: Empowering writers to use technology to write and promote better, faster, and easier « Where Do You Start With Social Networking? [...]
Great tips here!
Never thought about actually using the google profile that way. Then again, no one really searches for a name a weird as mine
Thanks for the ideas!
–PK
Piotr Krzyzek recently posted..Intermediate SEO Tips For Best Search Engine Rankings – Part 3
Piotr,
With your name, you don’t have to worry about ranking for your own name. I’m competing with a singer with a band and some woman who likes to post pictures of herself with very little clothes.
Hi Cassie,
It’s good to see you here again. If your friend (or you) have any areas you’d like me to cover, just drop me a note.