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photo credit: Free Digital Photos // Stuart Miles
photo credit: Free Digital Photos // Stuart Miles

You’ve gotten started on social media. Facbook, Twitter, maybe another. Are your profiles working for you?

A profile is more than the image you see at the top of Facebook, Google+, Twitter and any other spot on the web. It’s the about section, the presentation, the images.
If used well, profiles can be a window display for your business. A part of your branding. How people know who you are and why in the world they should follow you.
Here are 6 tips to make your profile work better for you.
  1. Be consistent among all your profiles. You don’t want visitors to your profile to wonder if they have reached the right spot. Use the same author picture (or at least from the same photo session), same colors, same feel.
  2. Use a professional quality author photo. It looks vastly different online from just a snapshot or selfie. If you want to be taken seriously (even if your act is comedy), then present a professional image.
  3. Use quality images for any graphics in your profile header. Make sure you own them or you have the appropriate permission to use them. Sometimes you have to pay and sometimes a simple attribution works. But, DO NOT just grab them from the web. Being on the web does not make them public domain.
  4. Fill out your profile completely. This is often the place where people connect with you. Because your message resonates with them. Because you went to the same school. Because you both love pets. Lots of reasons to connect and this is where you provide those reasons if they don’t already know you from somewhere else.
  5. ALWAYS have links to other places online they can find you. They may stumble across you in one social media, but prefer a different one. Don’t make them work to find you there. Make it so easy they can’t do anything but follow you.
  6. Be active on your profiles. This does not mean you have to tweet 30 times a day or post on FB a zillion times in a week. But when people stop by there should be life. No one wants to hang out where no one else is. How much is the right amount? Whatever you can keep up with. If you can only post once a month or once a day, do it faithfully.
Suggested Resource: Check out Canva to create great headers and covers for your profiles.
Have you found a creative way to use your profile?
May 2008 our oldest daughter called to ask what I wanted for Mother’s Day.

“How about a trip to Oregon.”

free digital Photo
“Mom, be real?”
“Well I need a new computer.”
“Mother, something attainable, please.”
“Honey, I don’t have a want list these days. I don’t really need anything and what I do need or desire are impossible to buy or attain.”
“Mom, that’s really sad. You are the one that taught me to dream big.”
After we discussed my lack of faith, I hung up, opened my Bible and wrote my list.
1.   I’d like to teach a workshop at a writer’s conference.
2.   I’d like a trip to Oregon to see our family

3.   I’d like a new computer.

Marcus, Karen, Me and Kaitlynn
4.   I’d like a tapestry banner with a lion.
(can’t remember #5 but received it)
The next week a virus hit my computer and killed it dead. Deader than dead.
I whined to the Lord, “I didn’t think we’d have to buy one—how will we pay for it?” Husband made sure I bought the best of the best desktop computers. We put it on a payment plan. (Sidenote: can you believe, in only three months an unexpected check arrived—we paid for the computer without interest.)
 

Three weeks after my conversation with my daughter a huge tapestry arrived. 

“Found this in the backroom where I work—it was on sale,” daughter said.
 
Wow. The lion and the lamb are beautifully woven into a huge tapestry. Much larger than I dreamed about.
 
Before long I found an airline ticket at half the usual price. I flew to Oregon and enjoyed family.
 
In the fall a friend I met online sent me an email. “Would you teach a workshop at our first IDAHope writers conference next year.” ‘
 
Can you see me? I jumped, yelled, hollered and called our daughter.
 
“Guess what? I’ve been asked to teach at a writer’s conference.”
 
Feeling blessed beyond belief I sent out emails to everyone I knew. Many friends congratulated me. Then I found out I needed to pay for an airline ticket from Omaha, Nebraska to Boise, Idaho.
 
I backtracked. 
 
Sent out another email saying, “It sounded too good to be true and I guess it is. I’m not going, but I’m thrilled with the invitation.”
 
But God wasn’t done.
 
The next day an email from a friend in Florida arrived.
 
“How much is the ticket? I’m sending the money in today’s mail?”
 
I did go to IDAHope.
 

I met many new authors—some are still in touch with me.

Author Carol Colson
 
I did spend three nights and four days with Carol Colson, a new precious friend whose book will come out soon.
 
I did teach, not one workshop, but two and critiqued twelve manuscripts in all genres’.
 
Now it’s 2015, time to set goals for the new year?
 
How big can I dream?
 
God is the God of the impossible.
 
If I can find it, pay for it, 
plan it in my budget—that isn’t dreaming big. 
I don’t need God if I can do it all myself.
More to come.
Somewhere around early 2008 I desired to teach writers workshops. When a conference leader asked for those interested in teaching to send an application with qualifications, I wrote a short note about my desire to teach and the following:
 Qualifications: Published in twelve anthologies, sixty magazine articles, and wrote for the Plattsmouth Journal for eighteen months. Published Capsules of Hope Survival Guide for Caregivers, and held numerous book signings for A Cup of Comfort. I started a critique group in 2006 and today everyone in the group is a published author.
I thought myself well-qualified, but I didn’t get the job. 
Not even a reply from the Leader. 
Does that mean I did something wrong? 
No, however I did feel disappointed. 
Did I stop sending out requests to teach?
Absolutely not. 
 
And at that time Husband kept saying, “Mook, dream BIG.” 
 
And I did.
More To Come.

 

photo credit: Free Digital Photos //Stuart Miles
photo credit: Free Digital Photos //Stuart Miles
When deciding which social media to use, ask yourself, “Who and where is my audience?”
If your audience is 20 something, don’t hang out at an AARP forum. Determine what kinds of things your audience enjoys and be a part of it.
What is your purpose? Each Social Media platform (Twitter, Facebook, blog, Google+) has its strengths and purposes. Do a bit of research and see which fits with your needs.
Where are you already? Don’t get caught up in doing it all. Not everything will be a fit. Are you already online? Start where you are. Build it up. Keep adding as you discover those places that are a fit for your message and your audience.
What do you enjoy? If you get a profile on Twitter, but hate it, you aren’t as likely to use it. Its better to have no profile there than an unused one. Your fans will want to see you active. Give a new spot a try, but don’t bang your head against the wall if its not working for you.
Remember from last week: your platform must be sustainable. It must work with your life if you’re going to maintain it.
Do you have a platform or marketing question you would like answered?
~ ~ ~
Writing Prompt:
The following paragraph is wordy! And pretty boring (serves the purpose of this exercise). Two challenges:
1) Tighten up the word count. Right now its at 60.
2) Give it some zing. Some interest.
Have fun! Leave a comment and let us know your new word count for challenge #1.
They went down to the store where there was a guy working that had sold them a broken toaster. They needed a toaster so bad because they didn’t have an oven, so they needed to get their money back. Then they would go and get one at a different store where their neighbor told them a sale was going on.
Resource Suggestion: JeffGoines
 “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” ― Toni Morrison

 

www.angeladmeyer.com

Platform/Marketing Tip

Start now to work on your platform. Don’t wait until you “need” it. A platform takes a while to build. Start early so you don’t feel pressured to do it all at once. Find a pace that fits you and your life so you won’t burn out.

Building an author platform must be sustainable 
to avoid burnout. (Click to Tweet)

Writing Prompt

photo credit: Angela D. Meyer
  • Set your timer for 10 minutes.
  • Write as much of a story/scene as you can.
  • Do not edit.
Suggested Resource: Michael Hyatt
Do you have a question you would like answered?

“Nice job,” my husband said when he read one of my articles published in the Sunday School handout called The Standard for the Church of the Nazarene.

 “Yes, I’m glad it’s published. Thrilled to see my name in print. Like the payment, but my goal is to be the feature story.”
“What’s that mean?”
“I want the front cover story.”

A month later I opened a packet with three copies of my latest article, ‘Basket of Goodness’ published in LIVE, a Sunday School Handout for the Assemblies of God church.

Although my hubby watched the Nebraska Husker football, I waved a copy of my story in front of his face.

At first he pushed it away. When I continued to pester him, he grabbed the paper and glanced at it.

“You did it, Babe. You have your feature story.” He grinned.

“I still wish to be published in Chicken Soup.”
“You’ll get there, Babe. You’ll get there.”
And last year I did. What a thrill.

Okay, I’m back to a few who say, “Well where is your book?” They know I published “Capsules of Hope: Survival Guide for Caregivers” five years ago. They also know I have a few hundred other ideas floating in my head for a novel, but for right now—well

I’m thrilled once more to say, “Hey, gang, this year I’m published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Touched by an Angel . What a thrill. Wish my precious hubby were here to celebrate with me.
Several years ago I joined an online writers group where a published author posed the thought for a couple days and others responded.
When we talked about pacing, author Brandilyn Collins said:
I base my opinions on the fact that the actual wording of a sentence creates a rhythm within the reader. We live by rhythm. It’s so common to us we don’t realize it. But as writers we need to understand how to use sentence rhythm to create a desired effect in a scene.
 
When we are scared, our hearts beat faster. We tense. Our eyes move more quickly. Everything about our bodies picks up a heightened rhythm. In creating an aura in a scene, we need to pay attention to the rhythm of our readers.
I pulled a couple books from my shelf to see if I could sense what Ms. Collins calls rhythm.
“Why are you here?” she asked him.
“His Majesty has summoned you to the throne room.” He gestured to the

door and waited for her to lead the way.

Abijah’s heart began to race. Ahaz had never summoned her to the throne room before. “Perhaps…would he like to see his new son?” she asked.
“The king said nothing about his son. He sent for you.” (Austin, Lynn; God’s & Kings page 190.)
We can feel the tension in only those few words. And what about this short scene:
Miles passed by.
“I think I’d like to kiss you good-night sometimes.”
“Okay.”
“I heard that smile.”
“Did you expect me to say no?”
“I’m just thinking about it.”
Bryce glanced over. Her eyes were closed and she was drifting. He smiled, and didn’t break the silence. He was thinking about it too.
Slower paced—awe, but feel the rhythm.  (Henderson, Dee; Unspoken; pg 358)
HACWN friends, editors and publishers 2013

Do you love writers sitting around chatting and learning together? Me, too. I used the photo above to illustrate the family feel. Unfortunatly, all critique groups don’t feel like family.

When I first attended a critique group years ago, a woman I didn’t know well bluntly said, “You write in purple prose.” I didn’t have a clue what she meant.love the color purple, I did write poetry, but I submitted a double-spaced typewritten article in black and white, where did she find purple or even rhyme?
Unsure of myself, I didn’t ask what she meant. (Besides, you weren’t supposed to ask questions, just listen to the critique.) When I arrived home I called a writer friend, she explained the critique to me.
I survived six weeks in the group—seven well-published women and me. They taught me more in that space of time than in any critique group since.
Tough, yes. After each session I drove home in tears. My husband couldn’t understand why I returned, but I developed a tough hide.
 
I knew those women wanted the best for me.
So what is purple prose?
  • The flowery speech of King Jameth,
  • Too many descriptive words to convey a simple thought.
  • Lengthy convoluted sentences.
  • Paragraphs of descriptive dialogue.
Editors and readers like concise sentences made up of active verbs and specific nouns. After you write, edit. Edit again. Cut more. Remember many editors pay by the word. Edit your work as if every word cost you $1. Now practice cutting your word count by 200 or 400 words.
One last thought–our move to another city took me away from the woman with a harsh critique, but not from writing. It pays to take what feels like harsh criticism handed to us for our good.
Sally Jadlow 

How do I justify spending the money to attend another Heart of America Christian Writers Network Conference (HACWN) in November? 

After all, I’m on the Leadership Team for Omaha Wordsowers Christian Writer’s Conference and knee deep into the plans for April 24-25, 2015.

But after praying about it, waffling back and forth, I finally said, “This is something I enjoy. The Littleton’s allow me to teach workshops and I love meeting new authors, editors and publishers. Why not attend?”
After the 2012 HACWN conference I understood why I attend year after year—I saw at least four women latch onto a writing future. One of them, Rachel Skatvold is ready to release her first novella, “Beauty Within” next month.
What are the five reasons I attend HACWN year after year?
  1. Inspiration: I’m totally selfish. My number one reason is to find that extra “Umph” to keep me writing through the next year. When I hear about others accomplishments, I’m excited to arrive home and set goals for the next year.
  2. Encouragement: To cheer on another author is like a gift to me. I’m rejuvenated when I have the opportunity to meet “new to HACWN” attendees, give them a pep talk, pray with them and share what I’ve learned in the last year.
  3. Network with editors and publishers: Put my face before them, yes. But also to dig into their needs, both industry and personal. Ask, “How can I pray for you?”
  4. Learn what’s new in the writing industry: Be aware of the changes, but realize the world still wants to hold a magazine and/or a book. I’m also learning how to publish an E-book. I choose to live in a progressive world full of change.
  5. Support your closest writer’s conference. Because of Mark and Jeanette Littleton and their many volunteer helpers, HACWN is available year after year. By attending each year and paying our dues, we make it possible for new authors to have the same opportunities we’ve had in the past.
My new author friends with Rachel Skatvold on the right
Really there are six reasons. Carol Cumberland and family “house” our Omaha group. We have stayed in her home five times—this November is # sixth time.
I can’t wait until November —who knows what new friends I’ll make.
A tidbit from the Lionhearted Kat:

In a panel discussions the topic of payment for anthology submissions came up. Many writers responded with, “I don’t have time to submit something when I’ll only receive $50.”

By the end of the emails that flew back and forth, I felt like a less-than-good-writer because I submitted to low-paying venues.
Truth is, I like writing for Cup of Comfort, Love is a Verb, Rainy Days, Picket Fences, Angels, Miracles and Heavenly Encounters, and Chicken Soup: Finding My Faith. My work is published in fourteen or is it seventeen anthologies now?No, I don’t earn a living on those stories, but God honors all work.
Last week a District Superintendent qualified the district churches. “We don’t have second-hand churches or less than stellar preachers. We do have many small churches in villages that pay little or nothing. The pastor is bi-vocational—that doesn’t make him or the church less than the mega work in the city.”
The same is true with authors. We may not make big bucks on an anthology, but our words are in print and we will never know what needy soul will read our story—the right story for their need.
You’re beginning to understand how necessary an author platform is, and after last month’s post, you realize it doesn’t have to be overwhelming to build one. But what now?
At this week’s Wordsowers meeting (that’s tomorrow night, September 11), I will present Foundations for a Great Author Platform. We will explore 5 tools you need to get started. In the meantime, here are 7 things to keep in mind as you get to work:
Start. Don’t put it off or you may find yourself in a pinch.
Simple action plan. The more complex it is, the more overwhelming it can be.
Salient message. Don’t muddy your message with a bunch of peripherals.
Stick to it. Keep accounts active. Keep going, don’t lose momentum.
Synergy. Connect and cross-promote with others. 
Savory. Make your message “tasty” and attractive.
Satiate. You cannot give out of an empty cup. Take care of the asset (that’s you).
And if you missed it, here is a short summary from my August post.
          Start early and work slowly to make it happen.
          Learn from the experts, then make your own way.
Formula for Building Your Platform:
Audience (know who they are and where they are) + message(content) + style (voice) + social media platforms (and there are tons!!!) + technique = Platform
 
When things don’t work exactly like we want after following an expert’s book marketing advice, we can easily become discouraged.
Don’t get me wrong, we need to listen to what they say and watch what they do. We need to read and grow and improve our social media skills. If we want to sell our books.
A lot of what they have to say is on target and has broad principles that can easily be applied to multiple brands. However, there are a couple of things I have heard and seen implied by marketing techniques that can lead to quick discouragement.

#1 “If you’re spending more than 30 minutes a day on social media you’re doing something wrong.”

I actually read this one somewhere, but it is not a true statement across the board. It depends on your goals. If you are simply using it as a tool to make announcements or already have a large platform (or an assistant) then, yes.
HOWEVER, if your goal is to build relationships, then I have another version of the story. It takes time. Either a tiny bit at a time over a longer period or more time in a shorter period. It all depends on where you are in your platform building.
This is a good reason to start building your platform early. You CAN spend just a little bit of time each day and make it happen. But if you wait…and need that platform “yesterday”…then I hate to tell you, it will take more time than 30 minutes a day. It does not happen overnight.
Bad news: It takes time to build a platform.
Good news: A little bit every day can work if you have time to spread out your platform building, and start before you need it to be in place.

#2 “It worked for me and if you follow this formula you will have success.”

This one is more implied by all the ads for methods and classes and seminars out there. After a while all the blogs about building a platform start sounding alike. Really. But one size does not fit all. If it did – EVERYONE would have a quickly built, huge online platform. Granted, one size will fit a lot of people, but if you’re the one it doesn’t fit, it can be discouraging!
There is so much more to building a platform than someone else’s technique. Yes, there are principles that work across the board that you should keep in mind, but you have to personalize it. Make it fit your audience, your message and your style.
Here is a formula for you:
Audience (know who they are and where they are) + message(content) +style (voice) + social media platforms (and there are tons!!!) + technique = building a platform
Each element has multiple variables. And there are certainly variables I haven’t mentioned! This creates multiple ways to build your online presence. See how un-one-size-fits-all it is?
Bad news: you have to figure your own way to some degree.
Good news: this means you don’t have to be discouraged when someone else’s way doesn’t work for you.
What does this mean for you and me? It’s kind of like writing. You have to learn how social media works before you can make your own rules. Find your own voice in the world of social media so you aren’t drowned out because you sound like everyone else. I hope that encourages you like it does me.
Have you ever been discouraged be a piece of platform building advice you heard then applied to only find it didn’t work for you?

Have you found a way to truly connect with your readers that gets around the above two myths? I would love to hear from you.