Saturday’s workshop on Blogging & Social Media for Writers went well with only a few Power Point hiccups that can be blamed mostly on user error. Technology keeps us on our toes, doesn’t it? (I’m talking to you, computer gremlins, who took over my slide show and clicked NEXT when I said STAY).
Aaaanyway…. Success of a workshop greatly depends on the audience. The writers who came to the table on Saturday showed up with various levels of experience, asked great questions, and offered excellent discussion. I think everyone left with a strong understanding as to what’s out there and a drive to investigate those options more. Because when I said last week that articles about blogging and social media just keep coming, I wasn’t kidding.
I finally had a chance to read my February issue of Writer’s Digest (I know, I’m so behind…!), and blogging and social media is addressed there as well in Chuck Wendig’s “Best of Both Worlds.”
In his article, Wendig specifically focuses on the prospect of becoming a “hybrid” author, one who pursues both the traditional and self-published routes, but he touches on points we discussed in the workshop on Saturday.
1. Diversity is crucial.
Diversity means survival. That’s true in agriculture. it’s true in our stock portfolios. It’s true on our dinner plates.
And, it’s true in publishing. Survival as a writer means embracing diversity from the beginning. And that means thinking of yourself as a ‘hybrid’ author.
Again, he’s mainly talking about using both traditional and self-publishing to your advantage (and he’s persuasive in his argument as well as helpful, listing pros and cons and offering tips on how to and heeding warnings on what to avoid). But diversity is just as important when considering social media.
This doesn’t mean authors must set up and manage every single profile known in the networking world. But, it benefits an author to consider the options and decide on a select few that might help them grow a wider and more versatile audience–an audience of readers and other writers.
2. Visibility is a priority.
[You must] increase the visibility of your work. This often starts with a strong social media presence–not one devoted to marketing, but one devoted to you being the best version of yourself and engaging authentically with your potential audience.
For hybrid authors, it’s vital that all of your…platform-related efforts lead to a central online space (a professional author website or blog) that showcases your other work.
I can’t emphasize this enough. I call that central space a “home base” or an online P.O. Box per se. People will look for you online with the sole purpose of finding out more about you and your work. Make it easier for them to find you (the author) in one solid place.
This month’s issue of Writer’s Digest is available in print of course, but you can download a digital version easy. Go read “Best of Both Worlds”, and then check out Chuck Wendig’s companion piece, “Case Study: Becoming a Hybrid Author,” at Writer’s Digest online HERE.
There’s so much to learn whether you’re a new or seasoned writer. One of the greatest gifts we have is access to information and community–online and in person.
With that said, and if you’re close to Milwaukee, take a look at the next few workshops on the docket at Red Oak Writing:
- From Blank Page to Written Words. March 22nd, 9:30-noon. Laurel Landis will help you “free your mind and focus quickly” and write, write, write.
- Publishing Your First (or next) Collection. April 26th, 9:30-noon. Learn from Robert Vaughan who will share his experience getting “his first three projects (Microtones, Diptychs + Triptychs, and Addicts & Basements) from his office desk into the hands of publishers who all agreed to bring his work to life.”
- Writing for Radio. May 17th, 9:30-noon. “Most writers are used to writing for the reader. [Mel Misikimen] will teach you the skills you’ll need to hone your piece for the ear….”
How do you diversify online? Better yet, how do you man-handle your Power Point into behaving?
I’m typing this while the sun is shining, but it’s bitter cold. There’s a mountain of laundry yet to be done. The bathroom upstairs needs cleaning. I just finished scrubbing the stove. I have reheated my coffee twice, vacuumed the crooks of the couch. Swept. Swiffered. Punched pillows back into shape.