Before we begin, we’ve added to the side bar a “free eBook” schedule. Each month we will put which of our books will be free and on what dates with a link to Amazon. Enjoy!
What do you do when you need information quickly? You Google it. What do you do when you want to know the latest gossip about Snookie? You Google it. Need to know a neato fancy word for interloper? Google it. Or maybe ask Siri. Want to read a good book about Area 51? Google it. When I do so, I get a Wikipedia page, Images for Area 51, the website for Secret Headquarters for UFO, a “HowStuffWorks” webpage and then…drum roll please…Area 51/Bob Mayer’s Blog. YES! Then a little farther down, Area 51 eBook (book 1) linked to the Who Dares Wins Publishing website. Exactly what I want to happen. Area 51 and Bob Mayer to come up when you Google Area 51.
Granted, these webpages could have come up on the first page because my web browser is getting smart. Meaning, based on my history, what I “share” on the Internet, etc., Google finds things it thinks I want to know. Well, clear cookies, browsing history, and do it again. Go to a different computer. Open a different browser. Yes. I do all this just so I can see how the Bob Mayer banding techniques are holding up. You see, if you don’t “know” Bob Mayer, then you don’t know to “search” for him. However, there are lots of factual fiction books associated with his name in various genres with various words associated with the name Bob Mayer. These words are used as keywords and tags in posts and other places where they can be linked to Bob Mayer.
Everything you do on the Internet is part of your Internet Presence or Presence Marketing.
This past weekend I gave a workshop to CNYRWA (Central New York Romance Writers) on marketing and the writer. We spent a good portion of our time discussing social media and how to use it effectively. I mentioned during the talk how each day you should put your personal stamp on the Internet 7 unique times. That doesn’t mean 7 tweets on Twitter or 7 Facebook updates. It means 7 meaningful interactions. Yes, it could be a tweet with a link to your blog, or a blog you commented on. Hey, that’s two meaningful interactions. You did something on twitter with a link and you did something on either WordPress or Blogger with either a comment or your own blog post.
Maybe next on your list is uploading a new board filled with new pins on Pinterest. Make those pins part of your branding process, you’ve got another unique, meaningful stamp on the Internet. Participating in a twitter chat using #Hashtags is another meaningful stamp, partly because more than your followers are reading your tweets, but you are putting your image and brand into a conversation.
There are a variety of ways to leave an impression on the Internet. I say do it 7 times because “the experts” say our memory can only handle 7 things at a time. Other “experts” talk about the 7 habits of successful people. Bob talks about the “rule of 7”. 7 is a magical number. I also use the number 7 because you can break that up into time spots and manage your time more effectively. You do one or two meaningful interactions in the morning, a few more at lunch, a few more late afternoon, maybe after dinner and lastly before you go to bed. This number is not set in stone, but used as a guide to help you make sure you are consistent in your efforts.
The real key to all of this is to increase your “discoverability quotient” because if no one can find you, then essentially, you don’t exist. The great thing about digital footprints is that they tend to stick around for a long time. So remember, those 7 digital imprint or personal stamp needs to project your image and brand. First impressions are important and in today’s current marketplace, first impressions often happen on-line.
To increase your chances at discoverability you have to be on the Internet. In order to create discoverability you have to leave your digital footprint in places that will be meaningful and in such a way that is effective in time and money.
What have you done to increase your discoverability today?
Jen – this was one of the most practical pieces of advice about social media that I have read in recent days. 7 meaningful interactions is something ALL of us can do within the day as part of our visibility-building strategy.
Here’s one of mine today…6 more to go.
Well number one? Commenting here. Then my blog. Then I should remember to tweet that I’m doing a giveaway. That’s three right off the bat. I usually comment on at least two of my favorite blogs. So that’s five.
But is it also important to extend myself into areas I haven’t been yet? Should I be searching out new places to comment and make a presence?
Kate–I’m always extending myself and at the same time always re-evaluating what I’m doing and if it “feels” effective because sometimes we can’t measure it. Commenting on other people’s blogs is something out of my comfort zone, so that is something I’m going to try to work on. And it does two things. Puts down my digital imprint, but it also drives traffic back here. I’m doing Pinterest right now. Not much, but trying to see what kind of impact it has on my overall social media goals. One thing I’m really starting to like is LinkedIn. They key is to reach out in the places that are related to your branding/social media goals.
This is such an interesting post. So many writers, and others, that I know have this discussion all the time. Are we really making any impact when we Tweet, Facebook, post on blogs or blog ourselves? Or is it all just wasting time? I find the entire process of building an online brand extremely interesting. Thanks for another great post.
Huh, I’ve never realized it was important to comment on other’s blogs. I just follow the ones I like and because I like the writer behind the url, I comment. This is why I like your blog. I learn so much:-)
Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by all the social media I follow. Your post reminded me why it’s important to stay with it.
Some of us exist only on the Internet. And we seem to have more presence in more people’s minds than real people.
Jen, I’m really surprised by Pinterest. People I wouldn’t have expected are following me. It’s interesting how the visual images connect us in different ways than our words do. I think it has potential.
Fabulous post, Jen. Thanks so much.
These are some great points. I’m just starting out on learning these things, so thanks for the advice. Pinterest is new to me too, so thanks for that tip!
For having zero presence on the web until November 2009, until today when I just received the tracking number from the movie producer on the signed, notarized, complete option/purchase contracts (yes, I took Jen Talty’s and Bob Mayer’s advice and hired an entertainment lawyer, Elaine P. English who reviewed and negotiated on my behalf the last few months) for the first two books in my angel series. I now come up in the millions on most computer search engines and dominate most pages.
Like Jen Talty and Bob Mayer say, linking to everywhere has been a great key to discoverability, which for me led to higher sales, which led to the movie producer finding my books and reading them, which led to the contracts and a deal that is being fast tracked into pre-production.
He’ll being making an announcement soon (I’m too impatient) which should help my discoverability quotient shoot even higher.
Lisa–CONGRATS! That is so totally cool. I’ve heard wonderful things about Elaine English. Keep us posted!
Hi Jen, great post. I’ve been logging out of all Google services, seeing it make a big difference in my search results – better still, try Bing searches too. Google’s “we know what you want” gets in the way of everything, especially if you’ve done a couple weeks of intense research on a topic you don’t care all that much about. I deleted over 100k messages from my Gmail accounts, pow, different search results.
Really helpful information so thank you! I suspected as much and have read this about Google–here and there–but your comment cinched it for me. Again, thanks!
great post Jen. 7 marks a day. i’m close but then I’ve been following you guys for awhile now
It used to be 5–now 7. Makes sense as we all move into a virtual existence.
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Thanks for this post, I found it was more specific on what could be done then other posts on improving your online presence (post more!). One question though, as everyone discovers the need to have at least 7 meaningful interactions online, does that mean we’ll all have to start increasing our meaningful interactions online to compensate for all the other noise out there?
That’s actually a very good question. I’ll talk more about it, but one of the things Bob and I discussed early on with WDWPUB was the key for us would be Niche. Its really about knowing your market or audience. In order to build your presence you have to do it the areas on the internet that make your stamp even more meaningful. To leave a comment on a blog that has nothing to do with who you are, or what you are interested in, probably isn’t very meaningful. Bob once told me that the bigger the Internet becomes, the more narrow we need to focus and he’s right. Focus on your readership. Focus on your goals for your social media interactions.
I was just reading Kristen Lamb’s blog about this (http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/10-ways-to-improve-your-likability-quotient-2/).
Personally, I have never been a big commenter on blogs because it can often feel like your voice is drowned in the hundreds of other comments on a page. Other times, the absolute drivel that fills more comboxes can turn you off to even trying to say something intelligent.
However, if you find the right communities (and usually, writers’ communities are full of eloquent, intelligent individuals), it can be a great way to contribute to a dialogue.
Thanks for reminding us about the importance of participating in the conversation that is the internet, Bob! Here is my number 4 for today!
HI Jen Talty,
Update:
I just received (an hour ago) the signed and notarized contract from Motion Picture Pros Studios for the first two books in my angel series with first right of refusal on the third. You can do this without an agent. I hired an entertainment lawyer for about the same price of a nice professional book cover.
The project is being fast-tracked with pre-production starting immediately.
So yes, post everywhere so readers and movie producers can discover your books.
Thank you for making this idea clear and do-able! 7… I can do that. Woot!!! You don’t know how much I love you right now! …Unless that’s creepy… then I’m just professionally grateful
Your post is so welcome. I can take a deep breath and realize I can’t do it all but if I do a moderate amount effectively, I will build connections that are important. I know a whole group of people this will benefit, time to pass it on. Thanks
Thanks for a great post. Of course, in the existential sense, we DO exist without the internet, but as you say, nobody can find us very easily. However, I think that social networking and internet work alone are not sufficient; if we measure an author’s penetration of potential markets as a whole, traditional marketing, cultural profile over time and other factors also contribute and still have a role to play. You have but to compare the “follower” and “following” figures for “famous rock star of your choice” with those of people who are boot-strapping themselves up via social networking alone. In this sense, the internet is not the sole answer. But it is increasingly a crucial pillar of the whole, Google (like it or not) is first port of call for discovery; and the intriguing thing is the speed with which that has happened – less than a generation. The real question is the extent to which social networking and the internet will continue to re-define discoverability and profile – will it dominate, or will it go the way of so many new trends, plateauing after a while and taking its place alongside everything else? I suspect it’s going to be big, whatever happens.
Matthew Wright
http://mjwrightnz.wordpress.com
http://www.matthewwright.net
I enjoy reading and commenting on other people’s blogs. And it’s nice to hear that those comments help establish a presence too. I agree with D.B. Smyth – seven is very manageable. Approached from that perspective, it doesn’t feel quite as overwhelming. Thanks for the helpful post!
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Great post, as always. A longtime lurker, I am now “coming out,” which does take a while to become comfortable in word and in deed.
Of late, I have learned so much in reading blog comments. Although now it seems such an obvious thing to do, never read just scanned comments. Look forward to future posts on Niche, which makes so much sense in developing an authentic presence. Truly, thank you.
I’m one of those who find it all a bit overwhelming! Since the release of my first novel last March, I’ve been working very hard to learn all the ins and outs of creating an online presence, and it’s not easy! But blogs like this one and books like Kristen Lamb’s are definitely helping! I’ll be back for more great advice. Thank you!
Wow really great post!! I know for me it’s been a balancing act of my daily life (full-time work & family) then committing time to write (which is my dream and what makes me happy). Then comes Social Networking which somehow needs to happen between all of this. For me there’s: Twitter, my WordPress Blog (my main blog), then my Tumblr bolg (which reaches an other type of audience- and displayed/ expressed differently), then commenting on the writer blogs you know and like all while searching other places to be seen and be inspired from….. It’s not easy and I fall short sometimes, but I understand the importance of it. NOW there’s Pinterest?!! Oy Vey….
. Thanks for the great post!
Great post! Social media for me has sort of been like a big ole’ jigsaw puzzle scattered all over . . .then slowly starting to make sense and click with each piece put in place. (One step at a time). Thanks for sharing what you’ve learned and helping the rest of us come on board!
oooh I love the rule of 7. As a current wana112 student going slightly mad, seven is good. Seven is manageable. Seven might actually allow me to get some of my WIP done… Thank you!
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It is nice to know I am ahead of the curve on your “rule of 7″. I have only had my blog for less than a month. I try to make sure I have a pic associated with my article so I can pin it. Once I pin it it automatically posts to my twitter and Facebook. Then I make sure to post on my Facebook associated with my blog.
Thanks for the great advice.
Thanks for the fantastic article. You have offered some great tips and answered some questions I have had!
Thabks for the advice, I really like your blog!
This is really interesting stuff. I love learning about how all of this works and about increasing my brand awareness. I’m sure i’ll be stopping by again.
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