Friday, January 28, 2011

Baffled by Social Media? Read Susan Gunelius's Amazing Book

So much is happening so fast in the world of Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, My Space, Linked In, etc.) that writers and business people often are baffled about how to utilize these new methods for  promoting themselves and their business.  Sometimes we're puzzled about how to simply use them...and wonder why we should.

Susan Gunelius, a very knowledgeable author, teacher and speaker on this topic has many great tips in her latest book, 30-Minute Social Media Marketing: Step-by-Step Techniques to Spread the Word About Your Business.  She literally takes you step-by-step into this world if you're new to utilizing social marketing.  Also, if you have been involved, she introduces you to more techniques that will help you spread the word.

Also, with Susan's methods, you don't need to spend hours at a time on the Internet, thus neglecting your business or your writing.  She breaks it down into only 30 minutes a day.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Postcard Promotion for Your Books - Try Jennifer Chiaverini's Method

I've used postcard promotion for a number of my books, sending out postcards to announce the new release, even printing an order blank on the card.  I've also had extra cards printed without order blanks and use them when I correspond with fans, family and friends.

I'm impressed with the use of postcards to announce Jennifer Chiaverini's new Elm Creek Quilts novel, The Union Quilters.  Jennifer mentioned on Facebook that she had 20 postcards and a Union Quilters' pin, to send to the first 100 people who responded with an e-mail.  She would appreciate their distributing the cards, which announced her new book and listed her upcoming appearances.

I responded in time to receive the cards and have been handing them out to my daughter's quilt group, the local library and a local bookstore where I teach workshops.  I'm also mailing them to friends who read the Elm Creek Quilts books and/or are involved in quilting.

Do you have unique ways of using postcards to publicize your books?

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Teaching Family History Writing Classes

What fun I've had recently, teaching family history workshops at Mansfield's Books & More. People need to save their family stories for future generations. I enjoy reading about my ancestors and their lives in letters and story.

"Mom, you must write down the stories of your life," my daughter said.

This got me thinking about teaching others how to do it, whether they want to be publicly published or write simply for family reading. I'm also planning on doing some online classes. I'd like to develop a workshop I can teach to groups via Skype or ooVoo.

Any suggestions? Or interest?