I’m working on a presentation for authors about Social Media & the publishing world. I’d love to get some feedback on any of the following questions:
#1 What is your connection to the publishing world?
Author
Illustrator
Editor
Agent
Publicist
Other. Please explain.
#2 Which of the following to do you participate in?
Blogging?
Facebook?
Myspace?
Twitter?
Linkedin?
JacketFlap?
Goodreads?
Other? Please explain.
#3 List your favorites from above and explain why and/or how you use them.
#4 Has Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin helped you in any way with your job? Research? Finding a job? Making an important connection? Please give any examples.
#5 What is the best and the worst about Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin?
#6 How to do you manage to participate in social media and still have time to write/edit/do your job?
#7 Have you ever made a mistake in the social media network and wish you could take it back? Can you share?
#8 How important do you think it is for authors to utilize Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin and why?
Thanks in advance! And please, if you can, help spread the word so I can get as much feedback as possible.
If you would rather not respond online and want to email me, you can send your responses to: susantaylorbrown (AT) gmail (DOT) com
Who is the presentation for?
Good point, Lawrence. I added in that this particular one is for authors but I hope to do an article and perhaps an online class as well.
1. Author
2. Blogging, Facebook. LinkedIn a tiny bit. Still trying to figure out JacketFlap. GoodReads, but I just narrowed that list down a lot.
3. I love blogging–I always wanted to write a column, and this feels like it–without the deadline. 🙂 And I love connecting with other writers online. I also have fun with Facebook, but mostly reading updates & linking to my blog posts. I’m sure I haven’t maxed out on its possibilities yet.
4.I think Facebook has brought more people to check out my website/blog, which–yes, will hopefully help sell a few books.
5.The worst about Facebook? Can’t think of anything. LinkedIn, to me, doesn’t seem to do much good for writers–it seems set up much more for people networking on more traditional-type jobs.
6.Ha! I try to separate the two, but it doesn’t always work. Always open to new suggestions! I’m lucky, right now, because I think being online is tied to the book I’m writing and to getting the word out about it/me. But that’s probably just an excuse.
7.Not in many, many years, since I sent a (justifiably) rude email to the wrong person. I learned my lesson then. I don’t put anything out there, online, that I wouldn’t be comfortable with EVERYBODY reading.
8.I just don’t know. I think, with the book I’m writing, I may be an exception because my market is writers and that’s who I choose for my friends and want to connect with, anyway. For writers of novels–I’m not sure how they’d find their audience and how they’d tailor what they’re posting, etc.
Thanks, Becky.
Yikes on that email! Oh and you reminded me to add JacketFlap and Goodreads.
My answers…
1] Bookseller and retailer – http://www.mikescomics.com/BOOK3.html for non-genre books; otherwise please check out the Mike’s Comics main index for media tie-ins.
2a] I am most active in blogging on LiveJournal – and WordPress at http://booksellerbynight.wordpress.com.
2b] I have a MySpace account that mirrors my blog[s], but I have connections there that do not automatically cross over.
2c] I have a Facebook account, but my professional interactions there are equally divided between the comic book industry and the traditional book trade.
2d] I have a personal Twitter account and several separate ones for my business pursuits [the BLAKE’S 7 audio adventures, for example].
2e] I have just started on LinkedIn and have not really explored its social-interaction potential; it’s a resume-builder / networking tool to me.
3] See my breakdown on #2.
4] Twitter and Facebook are actually starting to get the bookselling side of my business more attention than the science fiction merchandising side [that side seems to sell itself; bookselling needs more hands-on help]. MySpace and LiveJournal have helped me more directly with author-to-bookseller interactions.
5a] Twitter can be annoying insofar as opening one up to being spammed.
5b] MySpace has too, too many ads and too many people thinking that graphics-heavy backgrounds and Flash animations make them stand out.
5c] LinkedIn seems very static as far as interaction, but that’s just me learning the ropes there.
5d] LiveJournal, with its true interactive community feel, can breed a false sense of security and lull one into sharing too much, which flares up into “drama” all too often… the recent highly charged discussions of cultural appropriation being a prime example.
5e] Facebook has too many trivial applications that can become timesinks for the undisciplined.
6] I set hard and fast time limits to how long I spend on social media. I also actually schedule my times for updating my own sites and reading others’ sites.
7] No, because I’m very, VERY cautious about what I say or do online. Always have been, from my earliest experiences in 1996. I’m probably TOO cautious; I second-guess myself so often that I end up being silent, and that may have cost me opportunites for business growth.
8] I think it’s very important for authors to spend some time on social media, but not an excessive amount. I like reading about the writing process; I like having some accessibility to authors, but I don’t expect them to be online so often that they never get anything written! The most important thing I get from authors when they participate in social media is awareness of their works. They are sometimes better than my book trade sales reps at putting their work into my hands, so that I can handsell their work to my customers.
p.s. I will point folks in your direction for this survey, both on LiveJournal and elsewhere.
Do you have a deadline? When is your presentation?
Thanks for the answers and helping spread the word.
The presentation is this coming Saturday but I am hoping to pull this into an article and possibly an online class so all info is good.
Heidi R. Kling, Author, SEA Putnam 2010
Blog, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, GoodReads
I’m a moderator for The Tenners (www.TheTenners.com) which is on live journal, it’s a debut group for YA/MG debut authors. We have about 30+ authors now, so I blog as the creator of that communitiy.
I use my personal blog, SEA HEIDI WRITE, to connect w/ friends/writers/readers. Facebook seems to be about connecting with people who knew me in junior high. Someone posted a picture of me in my 7th grade volleyball uniform. Oy.
Twitter is just silly and the ‘in’ thing right now. I follow Ashton Kutcher and Neil Gaiman. He actually wrote me. Not Ashton, but Neil. So Twitter is all good. I’m on twitter as ‘seaheidi’
Goodreads, reviews. I’m not on their much and only review my top top faves.
My blog has helped me enormously with connecting with the kid-lit community. I can’t imagine life without it. It would be like writing in a damp dark cave reaching for the light from my sad, wet, lonely keyboard.
I don’t *have* time, I *make* the time. For me it’s worth it. (As the laundry cries for attention.)
YES! I believe it’s extremely important for authors to be connected online. It’s where everything happens these daze. And I’m grateful for it.
Hope this helps!
Thanks so much Heidi. It can be a time drain, I know, but heck, laundry can wait, right? 🙂
That’s my motto anyway. And you’re welcome. =)
1. I am an author, as yet unpublished. I’m revising my first novel and hoping that it will eventually be worth submitting.
2. Twitter, Facebook, blogging, Goodreads (just joined), Plurk, and Ping.fm to post status updates to all except Goodreads.
3. Twitter is a fave. I recently found #queryfail day to be entertaining and a little scary. Facebook is just plain addictive. I love being able to stay in touch with people that would otherwise slip out of my life.
4. Facebook has helped me reconnect with a load of people and I few new ones. A lot of my acquaintances now know that I have written a novel, and several want to read it. It’s a start. And the Facebook ads can work. I just clicked on one last night for a book called Breathers. Now I want to read it. I expect blogging has the potential to be useful, but it requires more energy and time right now than I have.
5. I have no complaints about Twitter. Facebook is highly addictive.
6. It can be a problem, but if I weren’t doing social networking, I would find other ways to waste my time. Before Facebook, internet research surfing would suck away hours and hours, but at least it usually turned out to be productive. Writing is very intense and I need to take breaks.
7. Not yet, and/or not that I am aware of.
8. I think it’s important, but I think time will tell. Those who are creative with their marketing will benefit the most.
Thanks for participating. You also taught me something new. I hadn’t heard of Plurk. 🙂
#1 Author (Alma Alexander, latest works the Worldweavers YA trilogy from Harper Collins)
#2 Which of the following to do you participate in?
Blogging
Facebook
Myspace (only sporadically)
Twitter?
JacketFlap (registered but barely have time to dip in)
#3 List your favorites from above and explain why and/or how you use them.
I blog – I like blogging, it keeps writing muscles stretched. So my LiveJournal, as well as my guest blogs at SFNovelists.com and Storytellersunplugged.com, are something I keep up with regularly. Facebook and MySpace were both suggestions by my editor, to get my profile out there. MySPace… hurts my eyes. I don’t linger there much. Facebook is a time-stealer which I am trying to cut back on.
#4 Has Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin helped you in any way with your job? Research? Finding a job? Making an important connection? Please give any examples.
I’ve got a few interviews and review requests via Facebook. research? Not so much.I don’t do research on Facebook.
#5 What is the best and the worst about Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin?
They Steal Time (or at least Facebook does). I’ve had to be forceful about Facebook apps. It was fun in the beginning to play around with them but they avalanche and then they take over. I’m kind of done with that now.
#6 How to do you manage to participate in social media and still have time to write/edit/do your job?
There’s the million dollar question. I don’t know. SOmehow. I suspect that when I curtail Facebook I’ll have a bit more time left over for the REAL work.
#7 Have you ever made a mistake in the social media network and wish you could take it back? Can you share?
Not so far, thank the gods of the Internet.
#8 How important do you think it is for authors to utilize Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin and why?
Well my editor seemed to think that it might be important. Particularly so for the YA crowd which hangs out in such places. I don’t know about how much impact it has really had though.
Thanks so much for participating. It is hard to know, isn’t it, if it is all worth it?
Linda Joy Singleton’s reply to your questions
#1 What is your connection to the publishing world? YA AUTHOR
#2 Which of the following to do you participate in?
Twitter? YES
Blogging? YES
Facebook? YES
Myspace? YES
Twitter? YES
Linkedin? NO
JacketFlap? YES
Goodreads? YES
Other? Please explain. ALSO: http://thespectacleblog.wordpress.com/
& http://www.verlakay.com Blue Board group
#3 List your favorites from above and explain why and/or how you use them.
FACEBOOK is fun & interesting
MYSPACE keeps my in touch with teen fans
TWITTER is new and evolving for me
LIVEJOURNAL is where I find out what’s happening in publishing and with author friends
BLOGGER connects to other sites but doesn’t result in very many friends following me
GOODREADS is fun for a big reader like me
JACKETFLAP has lots of potential but I don’t really know how to use it for promotion
http://WWW.VERLAKAY.COM (bulletin board) is an amazing resource and writer community.
#4 Has Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin helped you in any way with your job? Not really but I enjoy them and feel less alone at my computer.
#5 What is the best and the worst about Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin? Addictive. Hard not to check in to see what’s going on.
#6 How to do you manage to participate in social media and still have time to write/edit/do your job? I don’t manage it well. I should be writing on my book now instead of on LiveJournal. But I do make myself write regularly most mornings and if I have a tough deadline I forbid myself to go online until after I achieve pages.
#7 Have you ever made a mistake in the social media network and wish you could take it back? Early on with LiveJournal I occasionally posted something too personal but I quickly learned to delete and keep it professional. I will rarely post about bad moods, heartbreak, rejections or family drama. I keep it focused on sharing upbeat information.
#8 How important do you think it is for authors to utilize Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin and why? It helps to get the word out when you have news like a new book. Will it make or break a career? Unlikely. Bottom line it’s about sales; publisher distribution and print-runs. My teen fans haven’t found me on Facebook or Twitter. But I have great conversations with them on MySpace.
Re: Linda Joy Singleton’s reply to your questions
Thanks so much Linda Joy!
survey
#1 What is your connection to the publishing world?
Author
#2 Which of the following to do you participate in?
Blogging
Facebook
Linkedin
JacketFlap
Goodreads
#3 List your favorites from above and explain why and/or how you use them.
I love blogging (although I’m not dedicated to doing it all the time) because it’s a way for me to post recent info about me and my books. I can’t yet do that on my website, and have to pay my brother to update things for me.
I’ve enjoyed Facebook so far because I’ve been able to reconnect with old, old friends.
#4 Has Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin helped you in any way with your job? Research? Finding a job? Making an important connection? Please give any examples.
No, not yet!
#5 What is the best and the worst about Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin?
I tend to spend too much time exploring them, reading, connecting with people, updating, etc. That’s time I should be writing.
#6 How to do you manage to participate in social media and still have time to write/edit/do your job?
One of them ends up suffering. Right now, the sufferer is the social networks; my writing still comes first. I’m working now on setting a time limit that I will spend each week doing the social promo stuff.
#7 Have you ever made a mistake in the social media network and wish you could take it back? Can you share?
I haven’t, although my sister-in-law posted a picture of me on her Facebook profile and tagged it, so everyone can see it. It’s awful of me and one I would rather not have teachers, parent and my readers see. Nothing embarrassing or revealing, I just look like I had surgery about ten minutes before the photo was shot.
#8 How important do you think it is for authors to utilize Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin and why?
I think it depends on who their audience is. I write mostly for kids ages 12 and under, and from my experience they don’t spend as much time on Facebook or reading blogs as teens do. It’s possible, though, that I don’t really know how to utilize these social networks to their full advantage.
Re: survey
Just so you know (if you didn’t), you can un-tag yourself on Facebook or even make a tag private, I believe, and even specify who can see tagged pictures of you. I make heavy use of the friends lists on Facebook, and when someone tags a picture of me, only people I’ve put on my “personal friends” list can see those pictures (I think–I might have changed it). At any rate, you can keep your personal and professional lives pretty separate on Facebook using those filters. It’s great–and something I love about LJ, too.
(In case you’re wondering where to find how to change this, it’s in the privacy settings.)
Re: survey
Thanks so much, Lee. Trying to find that balance is hard, isn’t it? Sigh.
1 — Author (and blogger and volunteer librarian, if those count)
2 — blogging, Facebook, JacketFlap, GoodReads… and soon, Twitter
3 — I like them all, but for different purposes. Jacket Flaps is an amazing resource for the publishing side of things (and for reading blogs, too). GoodReads is social and a good way for me to read about books. Blogging and Facebook are about community, but in different ways at times (My blog gets new visitors all the time, but not so Facebook). All are useful for promotion.
4 — Facebook has helped me make connections. It’s amazing who’s on there if you search for them!
5 — the best and worst are probably the same: the immediacy AND the permanence!
6 — I view the social networks as PART of my job, but there are certainly times it impacts my writing time. I constantly have to re-evaluate and make sure that I keep the balance right. As an author, it doesn’t matter how much I’m “out there” if the writing isn’t happening and isn’t good!
7 — not yet, thankfully. But give me time 🙂
8 — I think having an active presence is very important (though NOT in the writing side of things). But I also think it’s a personal decision. Simply being on a network doesn’t accomplish much if you’re not willing to explore it, figure out how to use it, and then followthrough. I couldn’t imagine NOT being online, but again, that’s just me!
1 — Author (and blogger and volunteer librarian, if those count)
2 — blogging, Facebook, JacketFlap, GoodReads… and soon, Twitter
3 — I like them all, but for different purposes. Jacket Flaps is an amazing resource for the publishing side of things (and for reading blogs, too). GoodReads is social and a good way for me to read about books. Blogging and Facebook are about community, but in different ways at times (My blog gets new visitors all the time, but not so Facebook). All are useful for promotion.
4 — Facebook has helped me make connections. It’s amazing who’s on there if you search for them!
5 — the best and worst are probably the same: the immediacy AND the permanence!
6 — I view the social networks as PART of my job, but there are certainly times it impacts my writing time. I constantly have to re-evaluate and make sure that I keep the balance right. As an author, it doesn’t matter how much I’m “out there” if the writing isn’t happening and isn’t good!
7 — not yet, thankfully. But give me time 🙂
8 — I think having an active presence is very important (though NOT in the writing side of things). But I also think it’s a personal decision. Simply being on a network doesn’t accomplish much if you’re not willing to explore it, figure out how to use it, and then followthrough. I couldn’t imagine NOT being online, but again, that’s just me!
Thanks Greg. Yes, I agree, it is part of our job. And you’re right, just being on there doesn’t do it – you have to figure learn the ropes and make it work for you.
I can’t imagine being unplugged either!
Survey
#1 What is your connection to the publishing world?
Author
#2 Which of the following to do you participate in?
Blogging? Yes
Facebook? Yes
Myspace? No
Twitter? No
Linkedin? No
JacketFlap? Yes
Goodreads? No — but this one is new to me — I’m going to have to check it out!
Other? Please explain.
#3 List your favorites from above and explain why and/or how you use them.
I’m on Facebook because I’d heard that authors should utilize Facebook in their marketing efforts. I’m still somewhat of a Facebook “newbie,” so the jury is still out as to the professional usefulness of this social networking tool. However, when you get a mix of Facebook “friends” that includes people from every aspect of your life, past and present, you just never know what kind of magic might happen. Also, I’ve recently started blogging, and I’m looking forward to utilizing that avenue of social media to both increase my writing output and hopefully promote my career as an author.
#4 Has Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin helped you in any way with your job? Research? Finding a job? Making an important connection? Please give any examples.
Not so far — but as I’ve mentioned, I’m relatively new to this whole arena. I’m encouraged by the growing number of authors who are on Facebook — I feel like I’ve made a good decision to “get on board,” and hey, it’s increased my “cool” factor with my kids!
#5 What is the best and the worst about Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin?
The best thing for me? It’s the unknown — you never know who is going to find you on Facebook — and what door it might open. The worst thing? It’s a time sucker — time that might be better spent working on a manuscript.
#6 How to do you manage to participate in social media and still have time to write/edit/do your job?
I try to limit the amount of time I spend participating in social media.
#7 Have you ever made a mistake in the social media network and wish you could take it back? Can you share?
Only once — it was on a listserv a number of years ago. I’d rather not share, though.
#8 How important do you think it is for authors to utilize Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin and why? As I’ve said, I’m still on the fence. But as long as I take care not to spend too much time on Facebook, I think it’s another option for getting my name out there. And if you get your name out there enough, something has to stick, right?
Re: Survey
Thanks so much for participating!
susan survey
#1 What is your connection to the publishing world?
aspiring Illustrator and Author
#2 Which of the following to do you participate in?
Blogging yup
Facebook yup
Myspace yup
Twitter yup
Linkedin yup
#3 List your favorites from above and explain why and/or how you use them.
Live Journal…the most .html friendly, the most interactive….
#4 Has Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin helped you in any way with your job? Research? Finding a job? Making an important connection? Please give any examples.
No. Other than Linkedin, I don’t think the others are intended as such. The others are like “high school on-line.”
#5 What is the best and the worst about Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin?
Twitter…don’t know really.
Facebook…it’s quick and you can basically “spam” people with something that’s happening. But if you’re suppose to be “friends” why would would spam them?
Linkedin….this is like “Resume-ville” and so maybe folks looking for a job might find it helpful. I’ve written some recommendations but other than viewing the updates and adding a friend here or there, I don’t really know “what and why” of it all.
#6 How to do you manage to participate in social media and still have time to write/edit/do your job?
You have hit on the major problem I have with them all!
I suspect I may reduce my participation down to Live-Journal and Blogger as the formats are similar enough that I can just dual-post.
#7 Have you ever made a mistake in the social media network and wish you could take it back? Can you share?
Not that I’m aware of yet.
#8 How important do you think it is for authors to utilize Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin and why?
See answer 6. I’m not sure I know….
Live-Journal sends people to my website.
Illustration: Friday sends people to my website and my blog.
Blogger gets my name searched and occasionally sends people to my website and or my blog.
The others don’t.
So, that’s where I see the benefit and the priority.
Re: susan survey
Thanks so much, Slatts. I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. I hope I can pull this into useful stuff for others for the presentation.
1. Author
2. All except JacketFlap
3. Blogging because I can pontificate to my heart’s content; Twitter because I’m totally limited so it’s fast, fast, fast (I actually blogged on this at one point and then Twittered the blog; I believe the two work together to achieve the perfect author’s ‘net presence.)
4. Facebook has helped keep in contact with old friends; I haven’t used LinkedIn in a professional way yet, but it definitely has more potential than Facebook or Twitter to connect with pros.
5. Best thing about Twitter is that it is uncluttered. Both Facebook and LinkedIn tend to be cluttery. Great things on the Internet are not swiss knives. They do one thing and one thing well. Facebook and LinkedIn tend to offer too much. IMHO.
6. I don’t. It’s one or the other.
7. I don’t believe anything is a mistake. Ever.
8. It depends on where you are with your career. If you are a known entity, social media isn’t very important. Keeping up with your fans? Just do a newsletter and a chat room once in a while. If you are an unknown author it is very important if you want to connect with the growing online reading community. IMHO
#1 What is your connection to the publishing world?
Other. We’re a nonprofit for literacy. We connect via donations publishers send us … our reviews are the *thank you* for donating a book we can give to at-risk readers.
#2 Which of the following to do you participate in?
Blog: http://readingtub.wordpress.com
Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, LinkedIn, JacketFlap, and Ning Groups, and a NearCircle group for KidLit
#3 & #4 List your favorites from above and explain why and/or how you use them; benefits derived.
Twitter: It’s short and sweet, and with TwitterFox easy to follow. I have gotten a number of leads for books, reviews, and articles about reading from Tweets.
LinkedIn: I like being able to connect in several industry-specific groups and the discussions. Last week’s discussion: managing social networking tools.
Goodreads: It’s a nice alternate bookshelf for our collection and reaches an audience who wouldn’t otherwise know about us. Have gotten author requests based on GR presence.
#5 What is the best and the worst about Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin?
Twitter – The best is its conciseness. The worst is the pop-up when I’m trying to do something in another program.
Facebook – My page is in large part an extension of my *business* presence. Get a lot of social fun/games stuff and it takes time to turn all that off. There is no easy way to say “Please don’t send me apps.”
#6 How to do you manage to participate in social media and still have time to write/edit/do your job?
To keep it in balance, I use email notifications. That helps alert me to things I need, without spending hours trolling the Internet.
I don’t hit every media type every day, Twitter being the exception since it comes to me.
#8 How important do you think it is for authors to utilize Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin and why?
These are media outlets and promotion is part of the author’s toolkit (not the responsibility of his/her publisher. Even if an author uses social media, they still need a well-crafted website and/or blog to back them up. You can’t get the full story (no pun intended) without the more comprehensive tools. The media offer an opportunity to dialogue and to identify broader interests and trends that can help hone your message, give you a new angle, or get a sense of what works/doesn’t work. Gail Gauthier had an excellent piece about 10 days ago about building a “following.” I’m not an author, but I found it very insightful.
Oops! Anonymous is me, Terry D.
social media
1.Author
2.Blogging only as a guest or to leave comments on someone else’s blog. I don’t have one of my own yet. Also just joined Goodreads and aside from Author pages at a few ning sites, twenty-seven loops at yahoo
3.Don’t have a favorite, still easing into all this promotional stuff
4.N/A
5.N/A
6.Have a hard time doing full-time job, writing and doing all the Yahoo groups. Writing and housework tend to suffer.
7.Yes, Goodreads sent a request to join to EVERYONE on my contacts list, editors and publisher included. I was mortified and because I’m not sure what I did to cause this and I’m so worried about it happening again I haven’t been back.
8.I know it is important to connect with readers, especially since my books are not in stores, but there are sooo many social networks I don’t know which to choose in relation to my limited amount of time. It can be quite overwhelming at times.
social media
1) writer
2) Facebook, Twitter
3) Just started using these. So far, it’s been great to connect with other writers.
4) see #3
5) Best- good way to follow what other writers are doing. Worst- time constraints.
6) see #5
7) Not yet, although I’m sure I will at some point.
8) Again, I’m new at this. It seems like it will be a great way for self-promotion, as well as for getting general advice/news from other authors.
Survey
1. Other – teacher, book blogger
2. Blogging, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, LibraryThing, MySpace
3. Favorite: Blogging-I blog about everything bookish. Posting book reviews of children’s, YA, and adult books. Also fav: Twitter – love connecting w/other bookish people.
4. Twitter has helped me make connections w/authors and publishers in order to get books to review.
5. Best thing about Twitter – ability to connect to many people; worst thing – having to keep it to 140 characters or less is sometimes hard.
6. Only use Twitter on breaks at work, and then in the evenings at home. Like the @replies section, because then I can see if people have spoken directly to me and respond.
7. Haven’t made a mistake that I can think of.
8. I think it’s important for authors, because it makes them more personable. I love it when an author comments on my blog or talks to me via Twitter. I feel like they are a normal person, just like me.
your POD friend
Hi Susan. I’m on the POD, Jacketflap, Red Room.
I am an author and only spend my nonwriting computer time on the POD and emailing my friends who are authors.
I avoid Facebook, etc.
Linda Trice
http://www.LindaTrice.com
Survey – Social Media
#1 What is your connection to the publishing world?
Author
#2 Which of the following to do you participate in?
None
#3 List your favorites from above and explain why and/or how you use them.
None
#4 Has Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin helped you in any way with your job? Research? Finding a job? Making an important connection? Please give any examples.
No, since I don’t use them.
#5 What is the best and the worst about Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin?
Don’t know.
#6 How to do you manage to participate in social media and still have time to write/edit/do your job?
Writing and the full-time job and personal life fill my day. I *don’t* have time for social media, although I do occasionally read other people’s blogs, when I have a bit of time at lunch.
#7 Have you ever made a mistake in the social media network and wish you could take it back? Can you share?
#8 How important do you think it is for authors to utilize Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin and why?
If you get substantial visibility and increased readership back from your time investment, then it’s worth doing, as long as it doesn’t take away from the writing itself. You can have a successful career without it, though. It’s too easy for the social networking sites to suck up a lot of time.
#1. Assistant Editor and New Media Marketing Manager for Annick Press (http://www.annickpress.com/)
#2. Annick has a blog (http://annickpressblog.blogspot.com/), and accounts on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, JacketFlap, the Indigo Online community, and YouTube (to post author interviews, book trailers, etc).
#3. I like Facebook and Twitter the best so far, but I’m still learning how to use JacketFlap more effectively.
#4. We use these accounts to: promote our books and authors; keep up with what’s going on the world of books; find out what other people think of our books (it’s always great to discover a good book review blog!); and connect with other bookworms, be they readers, writers, publishers, agents, marketers, reviewers, sales reps, booksellers, or a combination of any of those!
#5. Best: lots and lots of people and information to discover. Worst: can be difficult to quickly find the precise info you’re after, since there’s just so much out there!
#6. I set aside specific blocks of time to check Annick’s online accounts, and I have a bookmarks folder called “Daily” for sites I should read, well, daily.
#7. Not yet, but the possibility is always there. I try to be as transparent, honest, and professional as possible.
#8. I think it can benefit authors to be in touch with (and in conversation with!) their audience. We’re just starting to discover the possibilities…
Great survey; I enjoyed reading other responders’ answers. I’ll post a link to this on Twitter.
Sincerely,
Joanna K, Annick Press
survey
1 Author
2-3 twitter
Blogging
Poet Sactuary
All About Poetry
Feedback and critiqes
Build up favorite list for artistic conversations
4. No
5. Teen and preteen dating problems
6. retired but only spend about 1-2 hours per nday on blogs
7. No
8. Hate to hedge but under certain cicumstances (large following and popular genre scial web could be valuable
1) Author & Reader
2) Blogging via livejournal, with secondary online presences at myspace and facebook.
3) I prefer livejournal because it’s easiest to update, and easiest for responding to comments.
4)Facebook is good for contacting old friends.
5) Twitter is a BIG timesuck, and more distracting than anything else! Little updates are okay – but I prefer reading people’s blogs.
6) By limiting my iinteractions to my blog, and primary website. Otherwise, my day would be too fractured.
7)Sometimes I get in the middle of online controversies which I wouldn’t if the discussion were in RL.
8)I think it’s vitally important for authors to have some sort of interactive connectedness. Vitally. Important.
Hello Susan,
Are you still wanting people to answer your questionaire?
-Kelly
I’m always interested in more answers to these questions if you have time.
Okay, here you go. Interesting survey. I hope my answers are helpful.
#1 What is your connection to the publishing world?
Author X
#2 Which of the following to do you participate in?
Facebook
I have considered joining Twitter solely for professional reasons, but have held back. I’m starting to feel we are just being strong armed into being connected CONSTANTLY. There will be no mystery left! How far off are we from Onliners Anonymous? I would consider some sort of blog as part of a website when my work gets published! 😉 Please understand, I think social media is BRILLIANT, so long as it’s used effectively and conscientiously. Used to one’s advantage, not disadvantage. For social reasons, I think it can go too far, for business reasons, I think it’s an exceptionally useful tool.
#3 List your favorites from above and explain why and/or how you use them.
I only use Facebook so that is all I can comment on. I use it for social contacts and also to look up editors/publishers/writers sites. Has been very useful in making valuable contacts in the publishing industry. At times I wonder how anything got accomplished without the internet. Nice when old friends can reunite.
#4 Has Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin helped you in any way with your job? Research? Finding a job? Making an important connection? Please give any examples.
Made important connections with people interested in my work. 🙂
#5 What is the best and the worst about Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin?
Ah ha, and there’s the rub. The best thing is connecting with people one might never be able to reach, the worst thing is time wasting and the disconnection with living human beings. I’m always a little astounded of the people who have 800+ ‘friends’ on their friend lists. I tend to keep my list small and private. Hm, come to think of it, for those not careful about privacy, these things can be a huge problem in that regard. I’ve read on the news of people breaking up their relationships on facebook/online, and just find there are no real rules of engagement so to speak. The latest buzz word: cyber bullying with the kids. Hard to believe.
I have a couple friends who are celebrity obsessed, and actually feel they can become friends online via Twitter/Facebook with these celebs. I find that a little troubling, particularly for adults. We find what we seek out.
#6 How to do you manage to participate in social media and still have time to write/edit/do your job?
When I am in my ‘creative madness’ I call it… I do not desire to partake in social media. Once the creative madness has ended, I’ll check out my facebook. It’s never open when I write on the pc. And, I often write long hand. (imagine THAT!) I’ve never surfed the web or used social media while at work.
#7 Have you ever made a mistake in the social media network and wish you could take it back? Can you share?
No. Thankfully. My friend accidentally emailed an inappropriate joke to his mother in law, twice, though! (good ole’ mass email)
#8 How important do you think it is for authors to utilize Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin and why?
Very. Contacts, communication, publicity, promotion of work, public gratitude.
Essential for success.
Susan, I know this is WAY late, but I just now noticed the subset of this discussion over on LinkedIn (discussion closed) and hopped on over here to offer my 2¢ (which, when adjusted for inflation, is only worth about 0.65¢).
First, let me say that because of the coincidence of two things I’ve read today, I’d highly recommend that you go read Michael Hyatt‘s blog, if you don’t already. His most recent post (at least as I’m writing this comment here) has quite a bit of relevance on the subject. He *is* a published author, and the CEO of Thomas Nelson. I’ve rarely seen someone who is so active in blogging and tweeting and such but still makes sure it is a tool to serve his profession. He is my muse for identifying the strengths and benefits of maintaining a handle on emerging technologies, including social networking.
Now…
I was most recently an Instructional Designer. Technically, you could claim that my work has been published, and is saving lives. But it was all internal to California’s PG&E.
Facebook and LinkedIn, which I used to use for personal/social networking and professional/business networking, respectively, but the lines of demarcation have been pretty much eradicated on my Facebook account recently, forcing me to adopt a slightly more professional attitude there.
Twitter. I just jumped on the public bandwagon last night. I resisted for quite a long time because I saw little if any benefit, but the almost ubiquitous voice of professional trendsetters is that I should be involved in establishing my presence in this new way.
My personal goal for this is that I manage it, not that it manage me.
MySpace. I have an account, but in my opinion, MySpace presents the least optimized, most processor-intensive, gimmicky interface of any of the social networking sites. I despise when I find myself forced to visit there once a month or so to keep tabs on contacts who refuse to use anything *but* MySpace. It makes me want to stick a rusty fork in my eye. Other than that, I love it.
Plaxo. I gave in about a week or two ago on this one. I see no particular benefit to it yet. It seems to be trying to be the professional connection of LinkedIn with an interface that seems more like Facebook. I suspect I will cease using it and it will atrophy.
However, I spend the most time on Facebook and LiveJournal. They can be time-consuming, and represent more of my “free time” activities.
But seriously, I can’t say that I do. I’m TRYING to make LiveJournal more representative of my actual writing style, so that it can rather naturally advertise my abilities to a public audience. So far, it has done little more than make me hope that potential employers don’t find out what a bunch of loose nuts my online collaborators are.
I would rather it be a vehicle towards mutual professional benefit.
I’m still waiting for my free handout.
Hey Jeff, thanks for stopping by. This sort of feedback is useful at every stage of the game.
I think you nailed it right here:
Finally, without meaning to sound like a cynic, the greatest benefit is that the line between advertising and friendship is slightly blurred, such that the support of our excited friends becomes a benefit to name recognition, promotion, marketing, employment, etc.
So, does that mean I’m hired? 😉
This is such a beautiful post, Susan. I’m so glad you have those constant reminders of the ripples your beautiful book continues to make in the great big pond of life.