How Much Buzz is Too Much Buzz - Five Social Media Platforms to Consider

by Lee Libro

Though this is somewhat of an elementary introduction to the five top social media platforms, even veteran "tweeters", "Friends" and users of social media may find a few new perspectives here.

As mentioned in my post How Much Buzz is Too Much Buzz, there are several ways to help you develop your online promotional efforts as a writer. First among these is developing an author website as mentioned in this previous post. Now let's take a look at socially interactive media.

Some find all the social media platforms a bit dizzying, a never-ending set of circles spinning around when all they want to do is get down to business and do their real work, whether it's writing or selling shampoo to an army of wookies.

Even though many of us may agree with Rushkoff's take on social media, that is, that it reduces experience to immediate gratification and breaks us down into units of demographic marketing data, properly customized social media can be both manageable and provide a experience counter to this view. The key to effectively using social media is to define your time limits. Based on your knowledge of how each platform works, choose the ones that best suit your style of communication. You needn't be on all platforms, but more than one is beneficial because those spinning circles I mentioned, you know the ones that make you dizzy, become energizing gears when harnessed together in your promotional powerhouse.

Following are some points to consider for each of the five top social platforms:

First touted as a fun way to keep in touch with friends and relatives, Facebook has evolved into an an extensive marketing platform for businesses as well.  You set up your Facebook account and then develop an audience, (in business known as your Circle of Influence) by inviting people to accept your invitation to add them as a "Friend". In fact, Friends can be made up actual friends, family, business associates or even strangers if you wish.

Your account, or Facebook profile as it is technically called, is made up of your "wall" where you post a status, that is something you think may be of interest, a photo, a link or anything you want to say. This goes out into the ether and then appears in the "News Feed"of your audience's Facebook accounts. Likewise you can read your friends statuses in your own Newsfeed.  Both NewsFeed and your Wall (or Timeline as it's now called) have changed several times over. With some of these changes, settings for privacy have been recalibrated and so they need to be tweaked from time to time according to your preferences. For example, do you want everyone on your friends list to see every status post? If not, you can categorize your friends and then selectively choose which of the categories of your audience of friends will be privy to a specific status post.

Google+ incorporated this concept from its inception with their use of "Circles" wherein you create sub-circles of influence, sorted by your intended topic of communication.

Often the confusion in Facebook is that there are two utilities one can develop. In addition to your "Profile", you can create a "Page". A Facebook Page is geared more to business. Instead of developing friends through accepted invites, you develop your page by appealing for "Likes" on your page. You also can boost your posts through paid advertising and track the statistics of your visits and likes. A really good article on understanding your Facebook statistics is here.

Twitter is exactly what it sounds like: a social media platform that twitters with all the warbling voices of millions. Do they even hear each other, you ask? Many people don't like twitter, because they find the shortened post format, a maximum of 140 characters per post, or"Tweet," too glib to carry impact. The real power of Twitter is, in fact, in those millions of warbling voices. Dive in, start tweeting, follow others and you'll be followed back. Before you know it you'll get the hang of condensing your thought into a good tweet,( and by the way, making thoughts concise should be your forte if you are a writer.) Your can find a wealth of resources on Twitter once you get the hang of it. Looking for a Literary Agent? Take a look at How Literary Agents Find Talent on Twitter. Want your Tweet to do double duty. Link your tweets so they feed directly to your Facebook account and post there as well. Here are the instructions on how to link your Twitter account to your Facebook account. You can also do vice versa, that is, link your Facebook Page posts to your Twitter account so that they translated automatically into a properly formatted Tweet that will appear in your TweetFeed. Instructions on how to link your Facebook page to Twitter are here. Linking the two accounts will allow you to get double duty out of two platforms with half the work.

Speaking of linking things, one of the most seriously powerful of all the social media platforms is LinkedIn. While Facebook has a casual, more family and friend application, LinkedIn is more business oriented. It's what Facebook Pages is attempting to do, but hasn't quite caught up with the networking mammoth that LinkedIn has become. In fact, LinkedIn is the fastest growing of all the Social Media platforms and has many companies abandoning Facebook for it. LinkedIn has an edge and I believe that it's edge is in the skill sets one can advertise freely to others. Once on LinkedIn, you set up your profile by displaying a list of the skills that you have. Your associates can then boost your claim of these skills with a simple endorsement of that skill or a written recommendation. LinkedIn is like a three-dimensional resume!

Last but not least, is the new kid on the block. Pinterest does what all the others do, but in a fun visual way. A stream of photos plucked from across the web by fellow Pinteresters comprise your newsfeed on Pinterest. This ever-flowing set of photos originate from those who have "pinned" these photos on their "pinboards." Your pinboard is like a virtual bulletin board, where you can categorize your interests, but more usefully, it serves as a log of sites that you can revisit because each photo in the stream carries with it the source link from which it came. One only need click on their picture to revisit the site. Pinteresters use their Pinboards as vision boards, as inspiration for future projects, as collections, but also as ways to promote their own businesses, blogs and what have you in a very engaging and visual way.

No matter what your style, any combination of the above social media platforms can power your self-promotion efforts. While there are other avenues, blogging being one of them, (which will be covered in a future post in my How Much Buzz is Too Much Buzz series of posts), the five above are not meant to be a magic formula for you. Personally I use several, some more sporadically than others. I recommend that you not spread yourself too thin. Find your balance. Look for tools such as HootSuite or TweetDeck that will allow you to write, manage and schedule multiple posts in one sitting.

Want to see me around the web. I'll be sure to return the follows. You can follow me by clicking the links below for these three social media platforms:

Follow me on Twitter @LeeLibro

Follow me on Facebook at  Lee Libro - Author, Artist

Follow me on Pinterest at Lee Libro

Teach Your Children Well with The Yummy Tummy Rainbow Garden ·

Story books for children can both teach and entertain. The Yummy Tummy Rainbow Garden by Karen Leonetti is a colorful book that teaches children the value of eating fresh grown food. The Yummy Tummy Rainbow Garden tells the story of two children who follow a rainbow and find a beautiful garden with a rainbow of colorful tasty foods to eat.

I've been working for the last year on over 35 watercolor illustrations for this book and I'm happy to say that we are about to launch. But we need your help. If for no other reason, please view the Medstartr video and hear about Karen Leonetti's journey to creating this wonderful message intended to help children develop a beautiful understanding of the value of a garden's bounty...the rainbow of foods nature provides to us.

The Yummy Tummy Rainbow Garden · Medstartr

E in E-Book stands for ENERGY!!!!

by Lee Libro

This is an edited repost of an article I wrote back in May of 2011 to reflect the outlook for EBooks today.

At a recent meeting between my local writer's group and the Arts and Books Editor at my local newspaper, I had a chance to investigate book promotion from the viewpoint of local print media.

Once at the forefront of book listing and literary PR, though readership of physical newspapers has diminished, newspapers still serve as a valuable source for learning about the next great summer read. If you're an author, then this means they are a great source for promoting your book.

Though our local newspaper keeps pace with technology with a digital online platform, staying technologically up to date does not flow from the business of their press side to their outlook on the world of book publishing at large. They have chosen not to promote any book that is not handled by a traditional publishing house.

As you might imagine this comes as a disappointment to many who are self-published. I gained an interesting perspective that I thought I'd share and why it leads me to believe that now more than ever, if you have published anything, traditional or self, you need to publish ebooks as well. The meeting very clearly indicated to me the line between the passing of the old and the ushering in of the new.

The Arts Editor of my local paper announced they do not provide coverage for self-published or print-on-demand books. Understand this was cited as a result of a shortage of print space and man hours. However, it goes much deeper. Authors seeking promotional coverage in the newspaper are told, point blank, that if the book is not traditionally published, press releases will not receive any attention, so it would appear that the paper is making a choice and presenting it as a hard and fast rule. When challenged on this at the meeting, they simply stated they were dinosaurs, they knew it, but for now they only have the time, space and energy for traditional books. But here was the most important factor in their reasoning: traditionally published physical books are what their reading audience demands. That is very true here in Sarasota where the demographic includes a majority of those aged 55+.

Add to this the statistic that younger generations of up and coming readers typically gather their information and news on platforms other than the town newspaper, and you are left with a readership that is strictly an older population in any town across the country.

On the one hand there are the traditionally published books supposedly desired exclusively by an older population. Seems like a bad wrap you say. Further, with so much resistance to digital reading amongst the 55+ crowd, why would an author publish their book as an e-book which might never make its way into the hands of that slice of population? Well, take a closer look at what the statistics are telling you.

I'll tell you why. The psychology of the print industry in general is based on a paradigm of supply and demand that is being shifted. The local newspaper, as a subset sitting out on the periphery as a conduit of news ABOUT the book publishing industry, simply hasn't been directly affected...yet. The concept of economies and supply and demand that have forced a newspaper to go digital, (Using the same technology by the way that has likewise allowed authors to go digital) just hasn't made the full leap into the content arena for all newspapers across the country...but eventually, as the older population moves on, it will.

So from this roundabout circuit of thinking I can clearly see that contrary to the usual rules of economics, supply will dictate demand, rather than vice versa! The main thrust of this movement is based on a very concrete fact. Just as the business of newspaper publishing has responded to newspaper readership, so does the costs of book publishing factor into readership. From the standpoint of selling physical books, the sell-through all the way from the publisher having wholesaled the book to the inventory, or carrying cost, at the bookstore to shipping from an online retailer, a physical book simply costs more money to the suppliers. Furthermore, with the high costs of physical book fulfillment, shelf space is at a premium, and so the bookseller leverages this risk by excluding mid list, newly listed or obscure writers.

So what happens to the supply? Regardless of the demand, but also in tandem with the new techno-oriented readers, the supply will shift. Writers more and more will seek the economy and sovereignty that self-publishing affords them and the books with ebook versions will rise on the charts. Booksellers and promotional platforms on all levels, from brick and mortar stores to magazines and papers will shift to accommodate this form of supply. Sounds a little like what's already underway doesn't it? Hmmmm, I would even predict that this is trending back to the main source, the Alpha point of the big bang explosion if you will, and that the major publishing houses themselves are looking at creating or acquiring e-book companies as we speak. (Since the original date of this post May 2011, this has in fact come into fruition)

So if you are a self-published author, don't even think twice about not publishing your book digitally as well as in physical print form. The E- in Ebook might just stand for Energy...the power behind the growing population of readers headed your way.

My Enemy’s Tears by Karen Vorbeck Williams

Title: My Enemy's Tears

Author: Karen Vorbeck Williams

Publisher: Wheatmark

ISBN, Pub. Date: 978-1-60494-628-4

Format: Paperback

No. of pages: 435

When the first settlers came to North America, they came with hope for a better life, freedom and a sense of reinvention. But they also carried with them religious tenets that were to set off many a witch hunt, not just the most well-known as in the Salem Witch trials. Imagine a fiery-spirited girl who is adventurous, open-minded and nature loving, and you have the making of a witch, at least by Puritanical standards. 

Meet Mary Bliss Parsons, a real historical figure from the earliest days of the Hartford/Springfield settlements, and ancestor to the author of My Enemy’s Tears. Karen Vorbeck Williams grew up hearing tales about witches, told by her grandmother, and developed a fascination with her ancestor who was to endure a witchcraft trial seventeen years before the Salem witch trials were to take place.

My Enemy’s Tears is an engrossing reconstruction of Mary Bliss Parson’s life, following her from her first steps in the new world to the results of her trial. What makes the story a great page-turner is the author’s ability to skillfully portray this young woman and her setting in historically accurate language and tone, all the while spinning threads that allow the reader to relate to the main character in modern terms. From Mary’s mentored bond with an older healer and midwife in the story, Goody Crespet, to the jealous actions of her former employer, the once wealthy Sarah Lyman, the reader will find similarities to modern day relationships. 

History can be brought to life by a skilled writer. Karen Vorbeck Williams has done so in her book My Enemy’s Tears by revealing a very human story of early settlement in the Hartford-Springfield areas. Her descriptions are eloquently written, historically accurate and yet not so dry as to read like a lesson book. Each chapter begins with an excerpt from an historical document which serves to anchor the tale. The characters and dialog, keeping in the style of the times and never breaking away from this anchor, nevertheless take on a life of their own in our imagination. We can relate to Mary Bliss Parsons as she grapples with the hardships of early settler life, bucks parental authority as a teen, embraces the humility of becoming a servant girl and later rises to one of the wealthiest citizens of Springfield Mass, and endures becoming the target of another woman’s jealousy.

If you pick up a copy of My Enemy’s Tears, you can be assured a good read. Karen Vorbeck Williams, a former editor and prize-winning photographer, has both a structural and visual mastery of writing. Even if historical fiction is not your favorite genre, you’ll find a riveting story in the form of My Enemy’s Tears. 

You can learn more about Karen Vorbeck Williams and My Enemy’s Tears at www.MyEnemysTears.com.  

I give five out of a possible five Magic Books!

Disclosure of Material Connection: A copy of this novel was provided to me by the publicists at PR BY THE BOOK. No payment of any kind was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher, publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Saturday Evening Post Fiction Contest

Second Annual Search for America’s Next Noted Novelist to Join the Ranks of

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Edgar Allan Poe and Kurt Vonnegut

Indianapolis (April 9, 2013)— F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic, The Great Gatsby, is once again celebrated in movie theaters this summer and as a contributor to The Saturday Evening Post Fitzgerald penned almost 70 short stories which defined an era. 

Now budding fiction writers across the country have the opportunity to contribute to one of the staples of American literature. The Post has announced its “2014 Great American Fiction Contest”. The competition offers aspiring writers the opportunity to have their work appear on the same hallowed pages as famous Post contributors John Steinback, William Faulkner, Agatha Christie, Anne Tyler,Kurt Vonnegut, Ray Bradbury, Louis L’Amour, Sinclair Lewis, Jack London and Edgar Allan Poe.   

“Writing is a passion for many of our readers, and the incentive to be published in The Saturday Evening Post brings out people’s best work. This competition serves as a reminder that in today’s world of rapidly evolving technology, there still is a place in our society for great writing and we are proud to showcase it,” said Editorial Director and Associate Publisher Steven Slon.

Sponsored by the nonprofit the Saturday Evening Post Society, the contest is designed to promote fiction and creative writing, while uncovering some of America’s great unpublished voices.  The winning story will be published in the January/February 2014 issue of The Saturday Evening Post and on the magazine’s website. The winner will also be awarded $500, and five runners-up will receive $100 each and have their stories published online.

Entries must be character- or plot-driven stories in any genre of fiction that falls within the Post’s broad range of interests. Entrants must be previously unpublished authors (excluding personal websites and blogs) and stories must be 1,500-5,000 words in length. All submissions should be made electronically in Microsoft Word format with the author’s name, address, telephone number and email address on the first page. The Saturday Evening Post editorial staff in consultation with the magazine’s fiction advisory board will judge the stories. There is a $10 entry fee and all entries must be postmarked by July 1, 2013.

For more information or to submit a story, please visit saturdayeveningpost.com/fiction-contest.

The Alkano Letters by Kenneth Joel Teicher

As mentioned in my post last week, Books with a Twist on Religion, today I'm introducing to you The Alkano Letters by Kenneth Joel Teicher. Based on the premise that there exist twenty-four letters written from Jesus to his family members, the first of three novels in a series, The Alkano Letters promises to deliver an intriguing story complete with action and suspense. Here is the summary:

 

 

THE ALKANO LETTERS

 

The Alkano Letters is the first in a three book series following the exploits of archaeologist Erin Mathews and retired Major Craig Johnson.

In this story, Erin and her team have discovered twenty-four ancient letters whose content she believes has the potential of undermining the foundation of modern-day Christianity.

Believing the assignment will involve little more than a way to earn some easy money; Craig accepts a position to supervise a contingent of mercenaries charged with protecting Erin and her team on the tiny Greek Island of Alkano. Trouble begins almost immediately. Craig discovers that an ancient religious sect knows the esoteric message hidden in the letters and is sworn to protect it at any cost. At first, the team encounters suspicious mishaps meant to serve as a warning. When the warnings go unheeded, the threats turn deadly.

A journey to Egypt and Israel, where some of the letters were discovered, becomes critical to the analysis of the documents. Craig and Erin soon learn that they have not escaped the dangers posed by their adversaries. A desperate chase through the back streets of Jerusalem leads to Erin's abduction. Craig searches in vain, but only with the aid of a mysterious priest is he able to rescue her.

What begins as a straightforward task has become a complicated mission. The beautiful woman draws Craig into her search for the truth. The only thing that will ensure their safety is solving the two-thousand year old mystery; but time is quickly running out.

This story of intrigue, conspiracy and romance concludes with the astonishing resolution of the mystery of the letters, written between Jesus and members of his family.

You can continue following the exploits Erin and Craig in The Carthage Connection and Carved In Stone, the second and third stories in this series.

 

 

 

Books with a Twist on Religion

Here on Literary Magic, I've reviewed several books with a twist on religion whether they challenged the traditionally accepted views of Christianity's history and philosophy in fiction form, or presented a new interpretation of spirituality in nonfiction form.

For example, The Way a novel by Kristen Wolf portrays Jesus as a woman in disguise, an extremely well-written story published by Random House. Wolf masterfully crafts a story that takes us to many of the landmark events in Jesus' life, but with the added layer of fantasy, i.e. that he was a woman, and not just any woman, but a woman manifesting all the powers of female divinity, the goddess.
    
To those who aren't overly-protective of Christianity, this alternative interpretation of the story of Jesus may shed new light on much of Christian dogma.

On the other hand there are those stories that simply contort Christianity. The Miracle Man, by Maggy Whitehouse is based on the premise that Christ had returned in the form of a contemporary America's Got Talent judge. That was a bit too far-fetched for me, and the story had no redemptive value. I didn't come out of the read with any deeper insight or sense of well-being. As much as fiction has the license to stretch the truth, I feel it is imperative that these types of stories that are seeded in religious history add some heightened value. Contorting fact through fiction here must have an even greater literary outcome than most plots. 

Another memorable review is of one of my favorite non-fiction books, Michael Mirdad's You're Not Crazy, You're Just Waking Up. The book is a practical guide to work through suffering. How is this a twist on religion? The approach is not based in traditional religious routes, but rather a blend of many different religious tenets, perhaps most closely associated to Christianity and Buddhism and often referred to as the Christ Consciousness.


 

An up and coming feature here on Literary Magic will be Kenneth Joel Teicher's, The Alkano Letters, the first of three novels based on the premise that twenty-four ancient letters, discovered by archaeologists are letters written from Jesus to his family members.  Will these letters undermine the foundation of modern-day Christianity? Tune into Literary Magic next week to learn more about the The Alkano Letters.