Author Platform: Accessibility on Social Media

I've noticed a lot of authors with Facebook pages and other forms of social media don't mention they're a writer or provide any helpful information that's easily accessible on their accounts, and this is a mistake. If your social media is intended to be part of your author platform or has anything to do with book advertising, etc., you should have information regarding yourself as an author readily available to those who might be seeking you out. What's the point in making it a mystery? You want to be accessible!

Here are a couple things you should have available for possible readers or even fellow authors:

Facebook

A lot of the friend requests I get are from people who have a bunch of mutual friends who are authors, but they have nothing written under their intro or on their "About" page. That's two strikes right there. If I'm in the right kind of mood, with a bit of time to kill, I'll scroll through their posts to see if I can identify whether this person is an author, book reviewer, or why it is they might be sending me a friend request. Many of them have their page locked down so thoroughly that I can't figure anything out from that, either, so how am I supposed to know if they're just spam accounts? Well, I don't, so I delete that friend request.

At the minimum, you should have something brief under the "intro" section, which shows up on the top left of your profile. Example: Mine says "Horror and fantasy short story author. Fan of all things creepy." It conveys what I do and what I'm interested in. No mysteries here!

You can also update your job on the "About" page, and you should link to any other social media you want people to see, such as your blog and/or website. I have links to my website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, and Pinterest.

Consider making some of your posts public. If that's something you prefer to avoid, pick a couple that you feel will be representative of you (book release posts or updates on writing or anything random about writing) and just make those public. This means someone checking your page will see you're a writer/author.

Have cover images, author photos, etc.? It's a good idea to have those visible to the public, as well, either in your cover photo, profile photo, or visible on your timeline.

Twitter

This one's easier. Say something about being a writer or about your work in your profile information showing under your name. If your "handle" is not your name, be sure your actual name shows up on your profile somewhere so you're searchable. If you have a book cover, it's good to have it as your banner.




Website/Blog
This is where you really must have some personal information, and there are plenty of places to do it. It should be clear on the front page somewhere who you are. If your name is not in the title, be sure it's visible on the front page. Write a visible bio that includes any pertinent writing details. Make sure there is a visible way to find any books you may have out. Mine are listed along the side of my blog, as well as in a publications tab.

It's a good idea to have a few types of tabs with information. For instance, I have an about me with some random facts and pictures, a publications tab that lists all my available publications and where to buy them, a media kit tab where information about me can easily be grabbed (long bio, short bio, my social media links, headshots, and how to contact me), and an appearances tab so people know where I'll be signing and/or speaking. All of these hopefully make me more accessible and save people some legwork.

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See the IWSG blog for a brief post about GDPR that includes information on how the IWSG is dealing with it and a few links I found helpful in getting the IWSG newsletter GDPR compliant.

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Horror Addicts have put out another collection! Here's the press release below:

Music has the power to soothe the soul, drive people to obsession, and soundtrack evil plots. Is music the instigator of madness, or the key that unhinges the psychosis within? From guitar lessons in a graveyard and a baby allergic to music, to an infectious homicidal demo and melancholy tunes in a haunted lighthouse, Crescendo of Darkness will quench your thirst for horrifying audio fiction.

HorrorAddicts.net is proud to present fourteen tales of murderous music, demonic performers, and cursed audiophiles.

Crescendo of Darkness includes:

“Audition” by Naching T. Kassa

This could be a guitarist's ticket to the big time, if he survives auditioning in a ghoul-protected graveyard.

“Circe’s Music Shop” by A. Craig Newman

A music store owner, who won’t be bullied into submission, teaches two hitmen the meaning of pain.

“Last Lullaby” by Emerian Rich

An opera diva is haunted by a dangerous secret which threatens to end her career and her life.

“Loved to Death” by Sam Morgan Phillips

Death explores his dream of being a rock star, but can’t avoid his purpose when a young woman forces him to live up to his destiny.

“The Music Box” by Daphne Strasert When a mom finds her childhood music box, she unleashes a tragic horror on her family, dooming them to repeat history.

“While My Guitar Gently Bleeds” by Benjamin Langley A rock musician is visited by an undead band member and forced to pay for his crimes against rock ‘n’ roll.

“Six String Bullets” by Cara Fox

The pull of a busker’s song becomes too much for a young woman to resist.

“Lighthouse Lamentation” by R.A. Goli

A lighthouse keeper helps a mysterious guest, but the stranger’s haunting sea shanty might drive him mad.

“Solomon’s Piano” by Jeremy Megargee

A grieving husband builds an unnatural piano, but can his music raise the dead?

“They Don’t Make Music Like That Anymore” by Kahramanah

A musician’s obsession with creating a masterpiece leads to him discover why they don't make music like that anymore.

“Become the Music” by H.E. Roulo

A cellist would do anything for her child, even give up music, but that might not be enough to stop a curse from consuming her baby.

“Keep the Beat” by Calvin Demmer

A young girl questions why her tribe plays the djembe drums every night and finds it may be more than just a tradition.

“The Legend of Crimson Ivory” by Sarah Gribble

An audiophile finds a legendarily sinister demo at a used record store and decides to play it, despite his friends' warnings.

“A Whisper in the Air” by Jeremiah Donaldson

Employees at a job find solace in playing music on break, but a haunted melody draws in more than just new musicians.

Crescendo of Darkness

Direct link: https://www.amazon.com/Crescendo-Darkness-Jeremiah-Donaldson/dp/1987708156

Edited by Jeremiah Donaldson

Cover by Carmen Masloski

HorrorAddicts.net Press

Let music unlock your fear within.

Have you maximized your social media? Do you have information that's readily accessible for those searching you out? Have you gotten your page and newsletter updated to be GDPR-compliant?

May you find your Muse.

Platform Building Crusade, Colorado Top Blogs & Contest

It's a lovely sunny day outside. We've just finished our daily thunderstorm (something that occurs only every so many years here in Colorado Springs--usually we are quite dry with only occasional rain or snow) and everything smells delightfully clean and fresh. Add to all that natural loveliness that I opened my Warrior Muse email today to find an email saying my blog has been chosen to be on the site Colorado Top Blogs! I went to look and, sure enough, there I am on the list of linkies on the left side. Exciting!

This news brings the P-word to mind: Platform. While I did not start this blog with an eye to platform, I've learned it can be an aid in publication further on down the line. Because of this, I do keep a mind to that purpose. For that, and other reasons (my readers being the biggest one), I've been trying to post somewhat consistently, to the point of having a theme on some days. I've said it before, but one of the big things I learned about platform at the conference (PPWCON) was that you have to post regularly, at least twice per week, be established for a year and have followers who regularly read and comment. Even without that "requirement" I would seek comments, as I enjoy reading them. I especially enjoy when it becomes a conversation.

The interactions within the blogging community are important to me. If these interactions have the side effect of helping to build a platform, I am not going to complain. Every little bit counts, and every reader counts, whether you comment or not. Things like appearing on a local blog aggregate like Colorado Top Blogs are one of those much appreciated side effects of getting to know all of you better and discussing things that are important to me. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I am extremely grateful for the blogging community, and glad to have begun finding myself a place within it.

Getting back to platform, I am planning on participating in Rachael Harrie's Platform Building Crusade, which will take place from August to October. For more information, you can go to Rach Writes... and click on "Platform Building Crusade." Sign-ups begin August 22 and end August 31. It sounds like a fun crusade/blog hop to take part in, and is aimed at those wishing to create an online platform.

Aside from that, I wanted to mention a contest on author and fellow blogger Carole Anne Carr's website, where you can win a copy of her newest book Thin Time. You can either click on THIS LINK or go to www.caroleanncarr.co.uk and click on "News" in the upper menu banner. All you have to do is leave a comment as to why you'd like to read it.

Have you started building an online platform? What are your platform goals?

May you find your muse.

Publicity Primer - Conference Workshop

Before I start, I wanted to mention that I will be changing things a tiny bit. Mondays I will write my regular post; Wednesdays will be [Mostly] Wordless Wednesdays, where I post photos I've taken; Fridays will be Feature Fridays, where I post about a blog I follow. I thought this would be a good way to introduce the blogs I find interesting and why. This is possibly just a change for the summer, but I'm finding my time more limited than I had expected. I reserve the right to post extra posts any time I want, though! My next post will be Monday and Feature Friday will begin next week.

It's been awhile since I posted notes from a conference class. I didn't want to continue beating people over the head with the conference, so I figured I would spread out conference posts. This workshop was called Publicity Primer - Ideas and informal Q & A with Sue Mitchell & Deb Courtney. You can find Deb Courtney at The Conversational Shoplifter and she is the person who runs the Monday writer's nights at Rico's. I am unaware of a website for Sue Mitchell. This workshop was to inform writers how to do their own publicity, which is quickly becoming primarily the writer's job.

Firstly, you should create a marketing action plan, complete with a press kit. Have a marketing approach before you begin selling yourself.

Elements to include:
*Marketing Overview
*Synopsis - Thumbnail (log line), Short (1-2 paragraphs), Full Page
*Follow-Up/The Next Book (If you have another book planned, mention it now to whet appetites)
*Author Info/Bio (why should they be interested in you?)
*Knowing the Customer/Audience (who will be interested in your writing)
*Knowing the Competition (what established authors do you compare to?)
*Creating Market Opportunities (ways you know you can present yourself--platform, connections)

Action Plan
Objectives
Pre-sales (sense of how many pre-sales you'll have from local bookstores and Amazon pre-sales--you'll need an ISBN and bar code)
Second Run
Secure Retailing
Strategies
Book Positioning
Author Positioning (website, for instance)
Customer Rewards (mailing list on your website--run a contest, use review copies for giveaways on your site and/or at conferences)
Tactics
Public Relations/General Releases
Retailing/Book Tour (book your own if your publisher can't, do a couch tour*, walk into book stores to see if they're willing to carry your books, find a local rep for big book chains and ask them)
Event Appearances (conferences, seek out local writer's groups for events)
Speaking Engagements
Multi-Media/Interview Questions (virtual press kit**)

*Couch Tour: Definitely focus on your local area book stores, but also be aware of places you can travel to with lower expense, such as cities where you have friends who will let you crash on their couch)

**Virtual Press Kit: Synopsis, head shot, picture of your book cover, pre-answered questions on stuff you're comfortable talking about, copies of reviews

Press Releases - Format & Spin
A press release is like a news story. It should be topical, timely, interesting and geared toward the specific recipient you're contacting. Each paragraph should only be a couple sentences.

Media Relations - Who, How & The Big Interview
College radio stations, local radio stations, local TV stations. Figure out questions ahead of time and rehearse answers.

Blog
Personal:an established blog is one year, with posts at least two times per week, getting reads and comments.
Huffington Post or Equivalent: Bloggers can get established on there with a link to their personal blog at the bottom of their post/article.
Platform

Free Resources:
Look around on the internet and locally.

Book Reviews
Getting Them: Find people on Goodreads or other blogs who are willing to review your book. Even if you get ripped apart, be polite and thank them. Be gracious.
Writing Them: This can get you out there, as well. Set up your own blog, write reviews for other authors.

Social Networking:
Facebook: They have books and library courses to help you set this up. Make a fan page in your name for people to "like" and pages for your books.
Twitter: Follow publishing houses for information/announcements

Linked Online Presence:
Set your blog up as a networked blog to Facebook and Twitter, so all posts will go to both places. (I need to figure out how to do this; it would make my life easier!)

Create an online presence for yourself. Use Fark.com, Digg, Reddit, etc.

Don't send a press release if you're not willing to include your personal information (you can get a Google Mask #).

Don't post a lot of personal information about yourself online.

Don't send stuff out constantly or you will over-saturate with your presence.

***They also gave us a sample Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Name/Firm
Phone Number
Email/Web Site

HEADLINE (Capitalize all but prepositions)
Date, or Date of Event/Release
Location of Event

COPY: Begin with timely introduction, unique information or story angle. Bring in details. Synopsis in regular sentences of the event, not the piece of fiction. Ex: "Local author, xyz will be doing a signing on x date..." List who, what, when, where, why and how.

BOILER PLATE: Information about author, history, organization, etc.

Centered at the bottom of the piece, put: -30-

-30- means there is not a second page to the press release, that it is complete. Do not put -30- if it is not complete.

I hope this helps!

Do you have a press kit for yourself yet? Have you had experience with any of this? Do you use Digg, Reddit or similar sites to get yourself out there?

Happy Writing!