Category Archives: social networking

December 10, 2012   Jane   advice, Jane, social networking  
13

Social media—do I practice what I preach?

So, many of us here have been “preaching” to our clients for years about the importance of them using social media to build their fan base and to sell their books.  We have even created an “Author Website and Social Media Guide” which we share with everyone we represent.

This week, one of my authors called me on my Twitter usage (or lack thereof), saying that I wasn’t following her and asking me why that was.   She told me how important it was to her to have me follow her on these sites and I realized that if that was the case for her, then it must also be true for many of my other authors as well.  The fact is that I simply don’t use Twitter much and am only a bit better on Facebook.  Don’t even talk to me about LinkedIn.

Why is that?  The truth is that despite its value, I don’t really know how to use social media effectively – what to say, how often to say it, and most of all does anyone care are all issues that  stop me from being more active on these sites.  In fact, I who preach using it every day, several times a day to whomever will listen, am totally intimidated by it.

I wonder, as the year is coming to an end and I establish a new year’s resolution to increase my social media presence whether you can suggest ways to make this easier for me. I am eager to hear your ideas.

January 09, 2012   Jane   about us, advice, Jane, social networking, Twitter  
15

@jdystel

Happy New Year everyone!

So, after resisting the urge to join Twitter, I just read this piece in yesterday’s New York Times Book Review written  by Anne Trubek, and I decided it was absolutely time for me to get on board.

Quite frankly, I haven’t been certain that being a part of this community would be useful and, considering that all we have is time, I am very aware of how I use mine.  But Trubek’s piece makes some very good points about being isolated from those we really should be communicating with and so I am learning.  It is going to take a while, but I actually think this could be even more fun than Facebook.

I would love to hear what benefits you get from being on Twitter. Any and all opinions are welcome as I am at the beginning of my learning curve and as with everything I do, I would really like to get it right.

October 24, 2011   Jane   Jane, marketing/publicity, opinion, platform, social networking  
17

Book promotion sure ain’t what it used to be

In “the old days,” as recently as five years ago, it used to be that book publishers were instrumental in helping  authors with their publicity, promotion, and (for the major authors) advertising.  But, sadly that is no longer true.

Very few publishers these days do anything substantial to support their authors in these areas.  Especially their first time authors.  This lack of support often results in minimal sales and then, of course, the publisher doesn’t pick up their author’s next book because the last one didn’t sell.  It’s a frustrating and vicious circle.

So in this really troubling climate, what is an author to do?

Last spring, my client John Locke wrote and self-published a book titled How I Sold 1 Million eBooks in 5 Months.  In a nutshell, this book describes John’s marketing system for becoming a bestselling author.  Among other things, he includes information about how an authors needs to identify their audience even before they write their books; how to create a memorable and creative website; how to use Twitter effectively; how to create a simple, no-nonsense blog; and how to write life-changing blog entries.

John’s system worked for him and for many, many he has shared it with.  I strongly believe it can also work for those who publish their books more traditionally as well.

Just last Friday, one of my publishing colleagues, an editor at an established publishing company e-mailed something that I have found to be very important and I think it worthwhile that I quote him here:

“About the digital and social media outreach, the one thing I’ve learned from experience is that it’s a little too late when the book is just launching to start an initiative.  You build those followings over months, even years and then blast them when you have a new product.”

I hope that all of those currently writing books will pay attention to this sage advice.  In this day and age where publishers are pulling back this kind of very important support, the authors themselves must step up to the plate.

Of course, I am always eager to hear your thoughts.

June 03, 2011   Lauren   Lauren, marketing/publicity, opinion, social networking  
1

A different kind of pitch

A few weeks back, John blogged about a New York Times essay on author brand-building.  Inspired by the same piece, The Awl—one of the greatest things the internet has done for humanity—found some amazing YouTube videos of authors hawking others’ wares.  These days I feel like I hear (and, let’s be honest, talk) more about brands as extensions of individuals than about the term’s traditional product- and corporate-oriented definition.  In some ways that makes me sad for us all, to be sure.  The intrusion of marketing psychology and corporate speak into the realm of the individual has always felt a touch Orwellian for my liking.

On the other hand, I’d love to see authors finding new revenue streams, since they should get to be just as disgustingly, appallingly wealthy as musicians, actors, athletes, and the other people who provide us entertainment.  That said, actually, Mickey Spillane pushing Miller Lite kind of makes author Twitter accounts seem more…honest.  Do I think Mickey Spillane cared if I drank Miller Lite or that Kurt Vonnegut believes sincerely in the value of a Discovery card?  Not at all.  No more than I think that Britney Spears or David Beckham wants me to drink Pepsi.  (It occurs to me that I really have managed not to watch commercials for quite some time—thanks, technology!—since the reference I just pulled out is presumably a touch outdated.  Unless they both still shill for Pepsi, in which case, let’s just ignore this parenthetical and pretend that I’m totally with the times.)

But you know what I do believe?  I believe that authors want me to read their books.  They really, really, really want it.  And not just so they’ll get paid.  They want me to read because they’re passionate about what they do for a living.  And because they just want me to read in general, because they care about the written word and storytelling and narratives.  So, you know what?  I’m going to brush aside that last vestige of cynicism that lingered about as I talked to authors about the importance of authenticity and connection in social networking.  Trusted “authorities” have always been used to shill—and authors are traditionally undercompensated for the good they do for us all—but it’s not really shilling if you genuinely believe in what you’re selling.

March 16, 2011   Miriam   advice, controversy, marketing/publicity, Miriam, opinion, social networking  
8

It’s not always good to share

We DGLMers have spent the better part of the last two years hammering the idea of how important it is to build an internet platform into our clients’ heads.  We even went so far as to create a social media guide that we share with new clients when their agreements are signed.  Obviously, having a successful blog, lots of Facebook friends, Twitter followers and downloads of your videos on YouTube are the name of the game in today’s competitive publishing market. It’s not enough to write a great book, you have to be able to subtly, humorously, and persistently get all your friends, followers, and online stalkers to buy it and, better yet, talk about it.

But, as with all things, there’s a dark side to this platform building; when in our zeal to “share” our innermost thoughts, beliefs, and philosophy with our vast audience we get ourselves in trouble by writing or saying things that are better kept between the pages of our paper journals, you know, the ones with locks on them.  The recent firestorm caused by a prominent mommy blogger who confessed in a post that she preferred her son to her daughter is a case in point.   As the back and forth between the blogger and her readers became more irate and meanspirited, I wondered whether the blogging format with its insatiable need for content is in part to blame for this kind of injudicious oversharing.

Then, I think of certain writers who have no problem writing in a public space about their contempt for the publishing business in general and agents and editors in particular while assiduously courting us to represent or publish their work.  Are these people forgetting that everyone can see their posts…including the people they’re dissing?  Or are they just giddy with the thought of the thousands who will read their rants, if not their books?  I can’t speak for all my colleagues but I don’t think I’m alone in feeling that however brilliant an author’s work is if s/he is given to vilifying our industry while trying to get their foot in the publishing door and keep it there I don’t want to work with him or her.

So, yes, you need to blog and friend and be followed but be smart about what you say and how you say it.  And, really, before hitting “post” on that nasty or ill-advised commentary, put it aside and wait a while.  If you still want it out there after thinking it through, well, that’s what makes for internet s***storms.

Have you guys come across any particularly egregious examples of what I’m talking about?

January 10, 2011   Michael   advice, conferences, feedback, Michael, opinion, social networking  
3

Miami this weekend!

I’m really looking forward to my first conference of the year, the Wizarding World of Writing conference held by SCBWI Florida (which you should know I’m attending because it’s on our nifty new calendar over yonder).  I’ll be doing some manuscript critiques, a fantastic “Psst! Wanna Know a Secret” agent panel with fabulous agents Erin Murphy and Sarah Davies, and a workshop on social networking.  I’ll also be spending time with the amazing faculty, which includes editors and authors I very much respect and admire.  What can I say?  I love publishing!

But I’m really here to ask for your help.  As I mentioned, I’m doing a workshop on social networking, officially titled “I’m Mad as Hell, and I’m Not Going to Tweet It Anymore!”  I have a good presentation put together about my perspective, but I’m wondering if our amazing blog readers have any questions they’d like answered or wisdom they’d like to share.  I want to make sure I’m addressing what writers are thinking (and worrying) about, not just what’s on my mind.  I have a lot of opinions, as you know!

Send me your thoughts in our new comments when you have a chance.  Doesn’t the redesigned site look great?

November 03, 2010   DG&B   advice, marketing/publicity, opinion, social networking, Stacey  
6

Social networking means business

by Stacey

Everyone talks about how important social networking is for marketing and promoting your book, both before you’re published (especially for nonfiction, where without a sizable platform you’re dead in the water before you even begin) and after. That it’s important is not new news, but I found this piece in Publisher’s Weekly about a recent webcast about digital marketing interesting because it goes into detail on just how social networking influences consumer buying habits. This offers a small way to quantify its impact on selling books. And the numbers are pretty powerful — “consumers are 67% more likely to buy from the brands they follow on Twitter, 51% more likely to buy from a brand they fan on Facebook, and 79% more likely to recommend brands and products they follow on social media.” I also like the suggestion “Don’t spray and pray. Listen, reply and engage.”

To me this piece serves as yet another reminder that whatever your goals as a writer might be, it’s important to find those important connections to others both inside and outside the community. It all starts with talent, and sending out a message or a piece of writing that your audience can connect with in a meaningful way. The broader your reach, the easier time you will have finding agents and publishers to pay attention to you and the work you’re doing. The numbers prove it!

May 11, 2010   DG&B   advice, Chasya, marketing/publicity, our blog, social networking  
8

Cash for pageviews

by Chasya

These days we often advise our clients to get out there and build a presence on the internet. We may sound all broken–recordish on this issue, but the free publicity an author can get simply by engaging in social media is becoming more and more necessary and invaluable! And, of course, we’ve been practicing what we preach right here on our blog and by spending time reading and boning up on social media ourselves. Which is why this great piece from The Awl caught my attention. Looks like the New York Observer is offering cash prizes for certain achievements made by their staff on the interwebs! Authors, take note, because the tips they offer to achieve these goals are fantastic and can be used to boost your own web presence. Check out their advice on how engaging readers in discussion and offering commentary on buzz-worthy topics can get your name out there.

Any other helpful tips you’ve come across in your own quest for internet domination?

April 28, 2010   DG&B   marketing/publicity, Miriam, opinion, our blog, social networking, writing  
27

Is blogging killing writing?

by Miriam

Being the chatty bunch we are here at DGLM, we spend almost as much time talking about whether we should be blogging as we spend actually blogging. For us, the issue is the time it takes to come up with a blog topic on our allotted blogging day each week, the time it takes to find an interesting story to comment on, the time it takes to write our post, the time it takes to read the ensuing comments and respond, if appropriate or necessary…. In short, all of us are conflicted about how much time away from our always reproducing piles of work blogging demands. And, yet, we do it because you can’t be a forward thinking outfit in this day and age without a blog presence (secretly, some of us even enjoy the interaction with our readers and followers).

This piece in the Daily Beast is interesting in that it raises another topic. Is blogging making writers less able to write anything with more substance than a People magazine article? Is it imperiling long, satisfying narratives, replacing them with the literary equivalent of gossipy chit chat?

Obviously a lot of people are worried about the fate of the publishing business. But what about the fate of literary works and the actual craft of writing?

March 31, 2010   DG&B   Facebook, marketing/publicity, Miriam, opinion, social networking, Twitter  
5

If Margaret Atwood can do it…

by Miriam

One of the more frustrating things about our work these days is trying to convince certain authors of the need for establishing a presence on Facebook, Twitter, etc. Some of them claim that they can’t possibly do this, as it would prevent them from meeting their deadlines. Some tell us they’re too old to learn new tricks and they’d rather leave that newfangled stuff to the kids…who don’t read anyway. Others get on a very high horse and lecture us about the death of culture these sites represent and chasten us for asking them to prostitute themselves.

Then, there are those adventurous souls who are game to try anything that will broaden their readership, allow them to connect to their fans, and sell books! So, it was with great delight that I read this piece by Margaret Atwood–whose literary bona fides are hard to challenge and who could comfortably rest on her mountain of laurels at this stage of her career–about the pleasures of tweeting.

What it boils down to is “communication,” isn’t it?

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