Yahoo Image Search Meme
I only know about WordPress, so people from other mediums can share their thoughts in the comments.
This is the heavy hitter of Social Media Marketing because it is your realm. Facebook always has that sense of someone else being in charge. Twitter is limited to 140 characters, which forces some ridiculous shorthand. Tumblr, Pinterest, Linked In, Google +, and all of their ilk are rather limited in getting your word out when they’re compared to blogging. It is here that you speak of your books, dreams, life, thoughts, and whatever you feel like chatting about. When people visit or comment, it is them coming to your little corner of the Internet.
Aside from being in ultimate control of content and delivery here, there are two other big boons. One is that you can connect to other authors an interact through blogging. It’s easier than Twitter and Facebook for some reason. Maybe because Twitter is limited in response length and Facebook has all the comments mashed into one line. If someone comments here then I can respond and hold a lengthy chat instead of other people leaping in. I know I’ve been confused on Facebook when four people respond to a status and I have to try to hold 4 conversations that simply run in a line.
The other big boon is that you can connect your other social media sites to your blog, so your posts appear there. Look at the ‘Publicize’ part of your new post page. I have Facebook, Google +, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tumblr, and something called Path. I’ve also got my blog sending the posts to Goodreads and my Amazon Author page. There might be others, but the point is that you can transform your blog into a central hub. It helps you remain active on these other sites even if you rarely visit or don’t want to figure out how to work them. Again, it’s the exposure that’s important when doing social media marketing.
Yahoo Image Search
Of course there are downsides to blogging too. It can be time-consuming and you might feel like it’s all you do. I got really hooked on it when I started and I still make one post a day. To ease this during project times, I began scheduling my posts well in advance. For example, I’m writing this week’s posts on May 24th. I wrote the 3rd week of June’s posts last weekend. So there are ways to still blog and not be consumed every waking moment, but I will admit that it takes discipline. You’ll get more interactions and visits when you’re constantly posting, commenting, and wandering WordPress. Sadly, you won’t get much work done either and your family might list you as a ‘Missing Person’ even if you’re in the house.
Another downside is that you’ll find all types. This goes for all social media. You have jerks everywhere and Blog Wars happen. I’ve seen a few and got pulled in as well. It’s a hazard of the realm and I’m going to leave it at that.
Blogging Tips:
- Post as often as you feel comfortable.
- Follow and respond to other blogs as you feel comfortable.
- Connect your blog to other social media sites, so your posts get more exposure.
- Join in Blog Tours and Cover Reveals if you find them.
- Make friends.
- Reblog and help other authors spread the word. It’s a nice thing to do and they might do the same for you.
- Write about whatever you want. Poetry, cooking, children, the little man who lives in your hair, etc. Never forget that your blog is your world and it is where people will get a sense of who you are.
Use videos and pictures, but try to give credit or write ‘Yahoo Image Search’ if you can’t find credit.
