.jpg)
I’m all for social media. (My friends snicker when I say that…they know the truth.) The fact is, I’m not patient with social media. I am one who is being dragged into the world of tweeting, beeping and facebooking by the hair of the head.
I grow tired of seeing endless books thrown in my face, while my peers (me included) try to help “market” the paper child we’ve birthed. So this summer I’ve done some research. I’ve observed. Paid attention to the truth about social media.
As writers, we tend to preach to the choir. Our “friends” are other writers, not our readers – so when we start to market our books, we’re trying to sell to the wrong crowd.
*Babies, puppies and kittens & birthdays get the biggest response on Facebook. Why do you suppose that is? Because we’re social. We love to snuggle up to the sweeter things of life, enjoy the things that our friends enjoy. It’s our curious nature to want to know what’s going on in other folk’s lives (even if it is a gross picture of spaghetti that looks like it’s been eaten, not once, but multiple times.
*People want to be cared about, thought of, held in some sort of regard. Not in a bad way, but we all want to be noticed to some extent. And when our lives are placed out there in tiny chunks, people become concerned and involved with us. Relationships form. Friendships happen – even if you’ve never met that person face to face.
I love to see my friends Kevin and Charlotte count down the days to Octoberfest. Who doesn’t enjoy Debbie H.’s daily information on what the National Day is..i.e. National Cucumber Day or National Eat a Hot Dog Day. It’s a blast to read my minister’s humorous view of everyday blunders and sundries and even more fun to see where my high school buddy Steve sets up the stuffed blue monkey for the next unique picture.
This is the joy of Social Media – reading through these things because we love the people. Bear with me…the point is coming.
So if we enjoy the puppies, kittens and babies we see on Facebook, shouldn’t we find the importance in beginning a friendship with those folks – offer them encouragement, laughter and prayer? Suddenly we find ourselves putting the Social back in Social Media. And when we care about others…they begin to care about us. The genuineness of our friendliness rises to the surface and instead of looking like an author who is waving a flag with their book on it, screaming, “Buy my book! Buy my book!” We begin to reach those who love us for who we are and, yes, they’ll want to read our books. Not because we shoved it in their face but because they care about us too.
I’m sure there are tons of folks who’ll disagree with me. And that’s fine too. But I still try to look at things through the eyes of Jesus. He never flaunted His position as Son of God, instead, He was in the trenches saying, “Send the children to me.” Jesus, ate with those no one else wanted to be associated with. He fearlessly touched the lepers. Jesus was very social and if He were on Facebook today, I feel sure He’d be posting things like, “Love that picture of your grandbaby.” “Only ten more days to feasting at Octoberfest!” More so, Jesus, I feel safe to assume, would be praying for those who posted a need or a hurt. He’d be rejoicing with the successes of our lives. And as people grew to follow Him because of His kindness, they’d want to know Him deeper. Maybe even read His best seller. Now how about that?
My point is simple. Don’t let social media take over your life, but commit to visiting 15 minutes a day and in that few minutes, develop relationships rather than waving a flag. Learn to know your readers, interact with them and they will follow you. They will want to read your book because they’ve grown to love you.
Put the social back in social media. Learn the art of people first then when you are gifted a book to market, the road will be a little less bumpy. Those “Friends” will support you by the droves.
Photo credit: www.haqjo.com
Integrity - An Authors Valued Trait
1/8/2021 7:00:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
Homonyms – Did You Sea/See Them Their/There?
1/8/2021 6:00:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
Writer Self-Care - Welcome 2021
1/4/2021 10:22:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
Hope in a New Year
1/1/2021 7:00:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
Silent Night
12/25/2020 9:22:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
One More Christmas Thought - Taken from ChristianDevotions.US blog
12/25/2020 6:00:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
A Christmas Saga - Joy in the Season
12/24/2020 7:00:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
When Writing Grows Hard
12/22/2020 9:02:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Permission to Quit - No Way
12/18/2020 9:55:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
The Power of the Pen
12/15/2020 7:00:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
The Good, The Bad, and the Memoir
12/11/2020 10:59:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
The Immeasurable Power in You
12/8/2020 2:37:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Scratch It Till It Bleeds
12/5/2020 7:00:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
Closing Up Shop - Renting or Selling Our Parent's Home
9/5/2020 8:33:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
Humility in Writing
7/7/2020 7:00:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Let it Percolate
7/3/2020 7:00:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Mentoring - A Wise Choice
6/29/2020 7:00:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Divorce My Words?
6/23/2020 7:00:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Icy Self-Talk Will Freeze Your Writing
6/19/2020 7:00:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
The Power in You
6/16/2020 7:00:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Waiting
6/12/2020 7:00:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Who Really Sells Your Books
6/9/2020 3:47:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Social Media When You Aren't Social Media Minded
4/20/2020 6:43:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
What Really Is Important
4/12/2020 7:00:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
In the Midst of Chaos
3/17/2020 10:37:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
The Heart of God
2/14/2020 7:00:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Writing in a Pickle
1/30/2020 3:00:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
The Adult Day Care Alternative
1/23/2020 5:09:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Social Media Blitz
1/19/2020 11:20:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
The Joys of Aging
12/30/2019 7:53:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
The Reality of Who We Are?
12/22/2019 7:53:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Publishing Trends
11/30/2019 8:16:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Be Thankful ANYWAY
11/28/2019 7:00:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
Writing Your Mission Statement
11/19/2019 7:38:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Perseverance to Write
11/16/2019 12:00:00 PM by: Cindy
Common Sense Tips for When You Write
11/9/2019 10:26:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
The Battle is Fought
10/15/2019 7:00:00 PM by: Cindy
Twelve Tidbits of Wisdom from Top Christian Writers
10/5/2019 7:00:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
Pray with Fire
10/3/2019 7:00:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
The Easy In
9/24/2019 8:00:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
The Art of Self-Editing
9/10/2019 10:00:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
Questions, Questions
9/6/2019 10:00:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
15-Minute Appointments - Important Networking
9/3/2019 7:00:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Don't Close Your Eyes - Bob Hostetler
2/5/2019 by: Cindy Sproles
Love Your Faculty
10/17/2018 3:00:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Forging Ahead after Rejection
7/17/2018 8:12:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
cindysproles.com Privacy Policy
6/4/2018 8:00:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Closing Up Shop - Guiding Seniors to Letting Go
4/9/2018 10:56:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
Publishing Naysayers
3/16/2018 1:30:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
In Prayer - I Write
3/3/2018 9:00:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
Keep Them Reading
1/12/2018 11:23:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
Encouraged - Even When . . .
1/2/2018 12:00:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Christmas Tears
12/18/2017 12:00:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Holiday Elder Care - Be an Elder Elf
11/12/2017 7:00:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Grateful for a Dream I Didn't Know I Had
11/9/2017 6:30:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Keep Them Reading
11/1/2017 7:00:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Chicken Soup for the Soul - Writer Call Out
10/27/2017 10:05:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
Five Ways to Assure Your Work will Find the Slush Pile
10/24/2017 7:00:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
23rd Psalm Revisited
10/21/2017 7:00:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
Contentment in Writing
10/19/2017 9:30:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
5 Common Sense Tips to Better Writing
10/10/2017 7:00:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
Overshadowed
8/21/2017 10:05:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
Chicken Soup for the Soul Callout - Stories about Love
8/21/2017 7:54:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
Five Keys to Overcoming Rejection
8/12/2017 7:00:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Writing Call Out - Chicken Soup for the Soul
8/10/2017 8:47:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
When Words of Encouragement Wane
6/28/2017 10:54:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
Writing Truth with Love
1/13/2017 11:05:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
Oh To Be A Writer
1/4/2017 11:12:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
Why Write?
1/1/2017 11:16:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles
Scammed
6/21/2016 3:48:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
The Pain of Unsolicited
3/9/2016 3:51:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Not Alone: A Literary and Spiritual Companion for Those Confronted with Infertility and Miscarriage
11/21/2015 3:02:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Thankful Despite . . .
11/20/2015 3:04:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Stepping Up to Na-No-Wri-Mo
11/16/2015 3:08:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
The Gift of No Gifts
11/2/2015 3:11:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Writers Be Encouraged
10/15/2015 3:17:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Keep ‘Em Reading – It’s the Writer’s Responsibility
8/13/2015 3:26:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Saying Goodbye
7/17/2015 3:31:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Overcoming the Fear of Writing Failure
7/8/2015 3:38:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Making the Move – Home to Assisted Living
6/17/2015 3:41:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
I Kid You Not
6/6/2015 3:44:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Hearing the Call to Foster – Renee McCausey
1/13/2015 3:54:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Throw Out the Crutches
1/10/2015 5:02:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
So You Were Asked to Be A Beta Reader?
1/10/2015 3:59:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
REJECTIONS – Aaughhh!
1/5/2015 5:04:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
The Bachelor – Stephanie Reed
12/14/2014 5:06:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
The Making of a Servant
11/30/2014 5:10:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Miracle in a Dry Season Review – Yvonne Lehman
8/27/2014 5:12:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Write Anyway
8/26/2014 5:17:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
World Blog Tour – Catching Up with Cindy Sproles
7/22/2014 5:19:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
The Progression of Life
7/17/2014 5:23:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Instrumental Writing Helps – Aaron Gansky
7/4/2014 5:27:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
The Question Saga
6/29/2014 5:28:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Defy the Night – REVIEW
4/28/2014 5:30:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
When the Work is Hard to Do
4/1/2014 5:31:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
My Heart Belongs to Him
2/14/2014 5:32:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Review of The Vicar’s Wife
2/2/2014 5:44:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
The In on Self Publishing – Part 2
12/29/2013 3:44:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
The In on Self Publishing – Part 1
12/26/2013 3:47:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
In a Pickle
10/1/2013 3:52:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Bigger and Better
9/27/2013 3:54:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Putting SOCIAL back in Media
8/10/2013 8:08:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
After the Conference Ends…
8/8/2013 8:13:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Here a Tweak, There a Tweak, Everywhere a Tweak, Tweak
8/2/2013 8:15:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Can You Hear Me Now?
7/23/2013 8:18:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Golden Years, Cherished Moments
3/20/2013 7:47:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Broken Heart Syndrome
9/26/2012 7:56:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
What About Our Elders
8/24/2012 7:57:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
A Minute – A Lifetime
8/10/2012 7:58:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
Water, Water – Who’s Got the Water
7/31/2012 7:59:00 PM by: Cindy Sproles
