A silly question. Of course you are! I'm the laggard here.
I’m such a slow old-timer. These new methods don’t come easily. My intuition doesn’t handle them very well. I bought a copy of Facebook for Dummies and worked my way through it. I’m getting a grip.
We writers are always looking for new ways to promote our books (and ourselves). I must admit that I’ve been too slow to pick up on Facebook – thought it was mostly a place to post family photos. Was I wrong! I was taken aback when I finally got around to listing one of my events on Facebook. The response was much larger than expected. Clearly, a lot of you are using the social media.
Our world marches on. Familiar objects, everyday tools disappear right in front of us, or morph into recognizable shells with new mysterious innards. Novel household tools push the old familiar ones to the back of the pantry. We struggle to stay agile with new kitchen appliances, new foods, new miracle meals. Lord, what next?
How much longer will we have the printed word? Will pixels replace pages? It’s happening faster than I’d like. Yes, I read e-books and they serve me better in some circumstances. But – I cannot sell and sign an e-book. Not yet, anyway. Please don’t take that away.
Next is Twitter for Dummies and Linkedin for Dummies and (heaven help me!) Social Marketing for Dummies.
I’m finally on Facebook. Please be my friend. Please write something on my wall.
Dac Crossley
June 25, 2011
“When all men think alike, no one thinks very much.” – Walter Lippmann.
Just finished "Return of the Texas Ranger". My first ever Western Novel. Truly a reading pleasure! Would have finished it sooner if I hadn't spent all that time learning Facebook and LinkedIn.
Posted by: Joe Cobb Crawford | July 14, 2011 at 10:07 PM
Exposure is exposure wherever it might be; take heed from famous authors, like Stephen King who received 30 rejections on the thriller “Carrie.”
Emily Dickinson who was all but ignored during her lifetime having but a few poems published out of her almost 1,800 completed works.
Go for it Dac, and have fun!
Posted by: Angelica Reyna-Bland | July 05, 2011 at 12:38 PM
Grandpa Dac, I guess I must be the only 47 year old without facebook. I still love to send and receive mail through USPS....I know, I guess since I was born in the 60's I must still be there! Or maybe we could blame it on Nannaw(Dac's Mother)who was always sweet to write me usually a couple times a month when I was a girl. Much Love, Angie
Posted by: Angela Blankenship Corum | July 02, 2011 at 03:16 AM
Facebook is a great way to get people to come to events (like book signings, or nature hikes in my case). It's also a great way to keep up (a little) with people you don't get to see very often. I find it valuable. Twitter, on the other hand, is for insomniacs with short attention spans...doesn't sound like your scene, Dac!
Posted by: Mike Draney | June 27, 2011 at 12:19 PM
Oops, it's "like" on Facebook and "follow" on Twitter. For me it's Beer Wine Chocolate on both!
Cheers,
Liz
Posted by: Liz Rachun | June 27, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Dac, I highly recommend Twitter. I have made contacts all over the world since I started promoting my blog on Twitter. I'll be happy to talk to you about how I've done it. It's a blast when folks from Russia, Norway and Estonia have checked out your blog! And I'm on Facebook as both Liz Rachun and "Beer Wine Chocolate" "Friend" me at Liz Rachun and "Like" me at Twitter and I'll like you back!
Liz
Posted by: Liz Rachun | June 27, 2011 at 10:28 AM
PS Someone mentioned putting a link to your website or blog in your bio as an aid for research. Leads readers to you and is always there as you don't have to tweeting it.
Posted by: irene black | June 26, 2011 at 09:58 AM
Haven't made Facebook. A fall project--Have the same book to use as a guide.
Yesterday at a book festival I told a publisher about the Porta Potti ad -- he loved it.
A friend in New Eng. who breeds horses said she always posted her for sale list by the restroom doors.
Twitter takes time, but it does work if you don't do too much BSP. Five tweets to one ad seems a good ratio. Retweeting of others tweets when it is info about writing or an interest gains you friends.
Put lots of information in bio as to other interests. I don't following anyone who follows me without some information. I'm not in the numbers game and seldom follow those with huge numbers because I do try to read (scan) what people post.
Posted by: irene black | June 26, 2011 at 09:54 AM
You are right, Janice. A few years ago - that would have been asking for trouble!
Posted by: Dac Crossley | June 25, 2011 at 06:05 PM
I remember when "please write something on my wall" would have been an invitation to graffiti. ;-)
Posted by: Janice Pulliam | June 25, 2011 at 05:45 PM
I am the #1 laggard. Facebook - tried it - NOT for me.Linked in serves no purpose for me.Twitter & Tweet - I can't say any- thing in such few characters. Do not like e.booksLike the feel of book in my hand,
can make notes in margins, highlight the
profound statements, add post-it notes.
Keep this blog going!!!!! "When all men think alike, no one thinks very much" your quote from Walter Lippmann. This applies to a political party I know. Thanks. You go Dac.
Posted by: Jan Okey | June 25, 2011 at 05:03 PM
I'm not laughing at Facebook for Dummies, because I joined a year ago and became so frustrated with it I deleted my account. But every publisher I have has a page and I need to be there--things like that. So I rejoined and now I'm trying to find friends, too! Yes, I'll friend you, my friend. Twitter? Worthless, in my opinion. Linkd In? Probably a little worthwhile. Have a great weekend. Celia
Posted by: Celia Yeary | June 25, 2011 at 04:17 PM