Social Media Marketing Series: Social Listening

Featured

Welcome back to the Social Media Marketing series. Today we’re going to discover Social Listening Marketing on social media as it correlates to books and authors.

Social listening is a form of social media marketing that involves monitoring and analyzing conversations and mentions of a brand, product, or author on social media platforms. For authors, social listening can be an effective way to engage with readers, build a following, and promote their books.

The first step in social listening for authors is to set up alerts for mentions of their name, book titles, and relevant keywords. This can be done using social media management tools such as Hootsuite, Sprout Social, or Brand24. These tools allow authors to track mentions of their name, book titles, and keywords across multiple social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Once authors have set up alerts, they can start monitoring and analyzing conversations and mentions. This includes looking at the sentiment of the conversation (positive, negative, neutral), the reach and influence of the posts, and the demographics of the audience. By understanding what people are saying about them and their books, authors can gain valuable insights into how their books are being received by readers.

One of the key benefits of social listening for authors is the ability to engage with readers in real-time. When authors see that someone has mentioned their book or their name, they can respond with a thank you message, or even a personalized message. This can help build a relationship with readers and encourage them to continue reading and promoting the author’s books.

Social listening can also be used to identify potential book reviewers, book bloggers, and influencers. By monitoring conversations, authors can identify people who are talking about their books, and reach out to them to see if they would be interested in reviewing or promoting their books.

Another way social listening can be beneficial for authors is by understanding the conversation around their book’s genre or topic. By monitoring conversations, authors can understand what books or authors are trending in their genre and what readers are looking for. This can help authors to fine-tune their marketing strategy and target the right audience.

In conclusion, social listening is a powerful tool for authors looking to promote their books and engage with readers on social media. By monitoring and analyzing conversations and mentions of their name and book titles, authors can gain valuable insights into how their books are being received, engage with readers in real-time, identify potential reviewers and influencers, and understand the conversation around their book’s genre or topic.

Stay tuned for future articles, and schedule (links added after each article is posted) below:

Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/facebook-application-icon-147413/

Advertisement

Interview with Elizabeth Delisi, Author of Lady of the Two Lands!

Featured

ABOUT ELIZABETH

Elizabeth Delisi received her B.A. in Creative Writing from St. Leo University. She’s been married to her high school sweetheart for over 40 years, and has 3 children and 3 grandchildren. She wrote her first story when she was 6 years old, and now she writes romance, paranormal and mystery novels. She enjoys reading, knitting, playing piano and watching old movies. Find out more about Liz here:

INTERVIEW WITH ELIZABETH

Can you tell us a little about your background?

I’m married with three kids, three grandkids, and a dog. That gives me more than enough material to write with…but I actually wanted to be a writer as far back as when I was five years old. It just took me some time to get there!

Can you talk about your latest book and the inspiration behind it?

My most recent novel is a time-travel romance set in ancient Egypt, LADY OF THE TWO LANDS. I have been fascinated by Egypt since I was in sixth grade, especially Hatshepsut, the first female Pharaoh, so I decided to give it a try. It took a huge amount of research, but I’m pleased with the final result.

How do you approach the writing process? Do you have a specific routine or method?

Some people are “pantsers“ i.e., they write by the seat of their pants. But I’m an outliner, meaning I write an outline first, about ten to twenty pages. I also add anything that comes to my head such as a line of dialogue, a description of the setting, etc.  That way I know I won’t lose track of things that pop into my head.

Can you discuss your research process for your latest book?

LADY OF THE TWO LANDS took a huge amount of research, much more than on any of my other books. I wanted to be able to not only describe how a character looks, but also what clothing she wears, what she eats, and even what the bathroom facilities were like.

Can you share any upcoming projects or books you are working on?

I’m currently writing a paranormal romance, where the heroine is a witch who does her best to be a white witch, who helps others as much as she can, but she was cursed before she was born so that any man who falls in love with her will die. So, although she has a good life, she is lonely.

Can you talk about your experience working with a publisher or literary agent?

My current publisher is Tirgearr Publishing, and they are wonderful to work with. Questions are answered rapidly, thoughtful suggestions are given, royalties are paid on time.

How do you stay motivated and disciplined while writing?

It’s funny, but if I am actually writing, motivation isn’t an issue. However, when I’m NOT writing, it can be difficult to get going again. Sometimes just reading through the most recent chapter I’ve written can get me going again. Or, having a critique partner read it and make suggestions.

How do you market your book and connect with readers?

I used to do a lot of talks and book-signing events, but now my efforts are mostly online, since that’s the way most readers are going. So, I have a website, a Facebook page, info on Amazon, and I have as many social media opportunities as I can find.

Can you share any advice for aspiring authors on how to get published?

No matter how much advice I could give, it all boils down to, sit at your desk and write. Don’t give up. Write, write, write!

Can you discuss any other genres you have written in and if you have plans to write in other genres in the future?

I have written in paranormal romance, time-travel romance, cozy mysteries, and I have also had three stories published in various Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies. I write in whatever genre interests me at the time.

Can you discuss any literary influences or inspirations that have shaped your writing?

Two of my favorite authors inspire me to write my best, and then some. Harlan Ellison has a vivid imagination and all his stories are surprisingly delightful to read. Eloise Jarvis McGraw wrote one of my favorite books, “MARA, DAUGHTER OF THE NILE, which is a YA book but it encourages me to write a bit above the YA level as kids don’t like to be written down to. I re-read that book at least once a year.

ABOUT “LADY OF THE TWO LANDS”

One minute, Hattie Williams is in a museum, sketching a gold necklace that belonged to Hatshepsut, first female Pharaoh of Egypt; and the next, she’s lying in a room too archaic to be the museum, with a breathtakingly handsome, half-naked man named Senemut bending over her.

Hattie soon discovers she’s been thrust into the body and life of Hatshepsut, with no way back to her own time. Tuthmosis, the heir to the throne, hates her; the High

Priest of Amun and the commander of the army want to kill her and Tuthmosis; and the best bathroom facilities in the country are the equivalent of a cat-box.

To make matters more difficult, she’s falling helplessly in love with Senemut, and soon, she’s not sure she even wants to return home. To protect Tuthmosis from

assassination, the lovers arrange to put Hattie on the throne. But, what should she do when she suddenly finds herself, an obscure artist from Chicago, crowned ruler of all Egypt?

BUY “LADY OF THE TWO LANDS” NOW!

The Importance of Research in Writing Realistic and Authentic Paranormal Elements

Featured

Research is an essential part of writing in any genre, but it is particularly important when incorporating paranormal elements into a story. The reason for this is that, while paranormal elements are often fantastical in nature, they need to be rooted in some form of reality to be believable and authentic. Therefore, research is necessary to ensure that the paranormal elements are based on actual legends, myths, and beliefs that exist in the real world.

There are several benefits to conducting research when writing paranormal elements in a story. First and foremost, research can provide inspiration for unique and interesting paranormal concepts that may not have been explored before. For example, researching lesser-known paranormal entities or creatures can provide writers with new and fascinating material to work with.

Additionally, research can help writers create a more authentic and immersive world for their readers. By drawing from real-life paranormal experiences and legends, writers can create a sense of realism that makes the story more believable and engaging. This is particularly important in the paranormal genre, where the suspension of disbelief is essential for readers to fully enjoy the story.

Another benefit of research is that it can help writers avoid common pitfalls and clichés that are often associated with the paranormal genre. By understanding the history and mythology behind certain paranormal entities, writers can avoid relying on overused tropes and instead create more original and compelling stories.

Moreover, research can also help writers add depth and complexity to their paranormal elements. By exploring the cultural, historical, and spiritual contexts behind paranormal beliefs and legends, writers can create more nuanced and multi-dimensional paranormal entities that feel more authentic and grounded in reality.

In conclusion, research is an integral part of writing realistic and authentic paranormal elements in a story. By drawing on real-life paranormal experiences, legends, and beliefs, writers can create a more immersive and engaging world for readers. Additionally, research can help writers avoid common pitfalls and clichés while also providing inspiration for unique and original concepts.

I’m one of the authors included in the Wandering Spirits series with multiple authors. It includes short stories in the genres of paranormal mystery and paranormal romance.

Wandering Spirits I

Wandering Spirits II

Social Media Marketing Series: Employee Advocacy

Featured

Welcome back to the Social Media Marketing series. Today we’re going to explore Employee Advocacy Marketing on social media as it relates to books and authors.

This one may not be for all authors as we don’t all have employees who work for us, but we do hire people for their services. We can utilize those hires such as: critique groups or partners, web designers, book cover designers, hired editors, content managers, etc. to help you spread the word.

I know, it’s not ideal and not an idea I’d entertain myself but it’s good to know about this strategy. If you’re personally close to those hires, it may be possible, but I wouldn’t hire a virtual stranger and then take advantage of a work relationship in this way.

If you’re in a position to have employees for your author business, this is how it would work.

Employee advocacy is a marketing strategy that involves empowering and encouraging employees to share company-approved content on their personal social media accounts. In the context of book marketing, employee advocacy can be an effective way for authors to reach a larger audience and increase the visibility for their books.

An author can utilize employee advocacy as a marketing tool for their book by following these steps:

  1. Identify the target audience: Determine the demographics and interests of the people you want to reach, in this case, readers of the book genre.
  2. Create a content calendar: Develop a content calendar that includes a mix of company-approved content and personal content that aligns with the target audience’s interests.
  3. Encourage employee participation: Encourage employees to share the content on their personal social media accounts and provide them with guidelines and best practices for sharing the content.
  4. Provide employees with resources: Provide employees with resources such as images, videos, and pre-written posts to make it easy for them to share the content.
  5. Measure and analyze: Use analytics tools to track the performance of the employee advocacy and make improvements as needed. Identify key metrics such as engagement rate, reach, and conversion rate.

Stay tuned for future articles, and schedule (links added after each article is posted) below:

Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/facebook-application-icon-147413/

Character Arcs: Making a Long Story Short – by Jami Gold…

Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

on Writers Helping Writers:

A well-structured story uses events (also called story beats) to move the narrative forward — with compelling issues, rising stakes, and an organic sense of cause and effect — toward a surprising-yet-inevitable resolution. At the same time, our story’s plot events force our characters to react, adapt, make choices, and decide on priorities, often resulting in new goals and revealing a character’s values and beliefs. The biggest events are “turning points,” which send the story in new directions and create the sense of change for a story’s arc.

In other words, story structure affects both plot and character (internal/emotional) arcs. So just as we must adjust the plot aspects of story structure when writing a shorter story, we also need to consider the character arc aspects of story structure with shorter stories. Let’s dig into the ways we might tweak story structure for shorter stories…

View original post 10 more words

Writing through the chaos #amwriting

Life in the Realm of Fantasy

I have to say, it’s been a bit chaotic here at Casa del Jasperson. Writing goes on amidst the boxes and procrastination. We’re sorting things into “keep” and “toss” piles, and the toss piles are far bigger than the keepers. At some point, we will be done with the big dig, and whether we move or stay put, we’ll be better off for having done it.

MyWritingLife2021Who needs a box of corkscrews? Apparently, we do as they go along with our three boxes of wine glasses. Greg’s medication precludes alcohol consumption, and I am a teetotaler. But we proudly serve Washington wines – Wikipedia. Party on!

Twenty coffee cups from friends, seven travel mugs from organizations we volunteer with, two boxes of home canning supplies, nine flower vases, six forms for making heart-shaped fried eggs (unused for twelve years since I became vegan), and two large muffin tins ….

View original post 427 more words

Things to Consider When Writing a Second Chance Romance #amwriting #MondayBlogs

Lucy Mitchell Author Blog

Second chance romance is one of my favourite romance tropes to read. It’s also the trope I once thought would be relatively easy to write. *Sigh* I was delusional when I first started writing.

A good second chance romance relies on character growth and that’s something which needs to be mastered. You also have to create a tangled past relationship which ended and you have to not only untangle it over the course of the book but you also have to show what’s changed since then.

Here’s a list of the things I always consider when writing a second chance romance novel:

How did they initially connect? Were they childhood sweethearts? Maybe they met at work? The secret here is readers need to see and feel how good that connection was between these two beautiful characters.

This breathtaking romance has to be unforgettable for both readers and the characters.

Why…

View original post 268 more words

A Glimpse at Dual Timeline Novels

Story Empire

Hi, SEers! Happy first day of Spring! You’re with Mae today.

For my next few posts, I’d like to talk about dual timeline novels. I’m sure most of you are familiar with them. Some of you, have likely even written a dual timeline book. Story Empire’s own Joan Hall wrote a post about using timelines, which you can find HERE.

When I look back to my earliest published works, most drew on history. One used the American Civil War, another maritime superstitions and history. I suppose it was only natural I would advance from touching on history to doing in-depth research for a series that relied heavily on historical fact and folklore. I quickly became hooked and started each book of my Point Pleasant series by writing a chapter set entirely in the past—something I had never done before. 

concept of time: Victorian woman holding parasol, beside old fashioned clock face, sepia tone background
All images courtesy of Pixabay

History always intrigued me but…

View original post 345 more words

Stop People Copying Your Writing – It’s Impossible – by Derek Haines…

Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

on Just Publishing Advice:

The idea of people copying your writing without your approval is annoying for any writer.

But the reality of online publishing makes it almost impossible to prevent copying of your articles, blog posts, or even ebooks.

Once you publish any form of digital content, it’s easy for anyone to copy and share it.

So much so that Google claims about 60% of the Internet is duplicate content.

In This Article

What can you do about people copying your writing?

Tools to prevent copying
Looking at the positive side
Set your own rules
Conclusion

Continue reading HERE

View original post

‘Do I Need to Use a Dragon?’ Cover Reveal and Blurb Test

Legends of Windemere

Cover by Alison Hunt

There’s the cover for Do I Need to Use a Dragon? (Fantasy Writing Tips) and the blurb is below.  I had trouble with this because the book itself has a casual, humorous tone to it.  If I made a serious blurb then it felt like a lie and didn’t match what I was going for on the inside.  So, I threw caution to the wind and went wild.  Figured I might get a few readers by being blunt and myself instead of trying to come off like a stuffy, pompous professional.

*****

Have you ever wanted to write a fantasy story?  Not sure about the rules? Well, look no further!

Hidden within these pages are opinions and observations that MIGHT help you with your literary adventure.  Boiling fantasy and writing in general to their most basic principles, I have devised a litany of short essays …

View original post 285 more words

Genre Tips: How to Write Horror – by Oliver Fox…

Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

on Helping Writers become Authors:

Note From KMW: I’ve been delighted to hear that so many of you have enjoyed the “Genre Tips” we’ve been exploring these past five weeks.

Today, I’m happy to share a surprise post to finish off the series! Welcome to “How to Write Horror.”

As you may remember, I crafted the series around the five major genres to which I felt I could bring value (those being FantasyRomanceHistoricalMystery, and Literary). One major genre I did not feel qualified to write about, simply because I don’t read or watch much of it, is Horror. In response to my mentioning this in the series’ opening post, Horror aficionado Oliver Fox stepped up to go deep in a guest post on this popular genre.

Today, I’m happy to share with you a thought-provoking and thorough examination of this archetypal genre. 

View original post 40 more words

How Bad Publishers Hurt Authors – by Gemma Whelan…

Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

on Jane Friedman site:

It began with that heart-fluttering feeling of acceptance after so many rejections. My second novel was going to be published!

It was the end of August 2020. The world as we knew it had been upended. We were getting deeper into the pandemic, with fear, illness, death, and uncertainty ravaging the world. When New York City–based Adelaide Books offered me a contract to publish Painting Through the Dark, it set my heart racing in a good way. It was a promise.

The contract looked good: 20% royalties, paperback and ebook, quarterly reports, approval over the design and cover art. The marketing plan also sounded excellent: pre-publishing editorial review, all pre- and post-print marketing tools and services, design and maintenance of author’s website, magazine promotion and interview with author, social and blog posts, book video trailer, book giveaways to bloggers, and consideration for various literary competitions…

View original post 65 more words

What is “Bad Writing?” (And How Can We Avoid It?) – By Janice Hardy…

Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

on Fiction University:

“Bad writing” means different things to different readers.

We writers notice bad writing far more easily than readers, because we know the rules. For us, the writing is critical, but for a reader, it’s more about the story.
.
Readers don’t care how the sausage is made as long as it tastes good. And “good” is very subjective.
.
No matter what genre you write, I bet you can name a few huge, mega-bestsellers you feel are badly written. Every genre has them. And they drive us crazy as writers because “writers must write well” is drilled into our heads by everyone in the writing and publishing industry.
In one way it’s true—we should strive to write well to be successful.
.
In another way it’s not—a fantastic story that resonates with readers will trump “good writing” every time.
.
And this is when the serious…

View original post 37 more words