Friday, September 7, 2012

Social Media for Writers: a Talk with Kristin Lamb

One of the benefits of being a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association is that PNWA regularly emails you interviews they've conducted with authors. Below is an interview with Kristin Lamb, who is a social-media-for-writers mavin.

If you have questions or concerns about how to manage your social media presence (or about whether to even have a social media presence) in order to establish a platform, this interview will answer the basics. If you already blog, tweet, FB, etc., you probably aren't wondering about the basics, but you may want to know how to maximize your time and use of social media. Lamb answers those questions, too, some here, some in her book, We Are Not Alone, The Writer's Guide to Social Media. Personally, I think I could learn a few important things from it and am going to buy a copy. 

The interview is about twenty minutes long. If you're interested in the topic, it's well worth a listen. Here are a few of the points Lamb makes. 
  • Blogs are the most powerful social media tool in your arsenal if you are a writer.
  • The biggest part of any writer's platform is good books.
  • Writers don't have to be on social media every hour of the day. Don't overpush it. That can be overkill and ineffective.
  • Be on a couple of platforms (not all of them), and do meaningful activity, not just promote your book.  1/3: information (link to your blog, e.g.); 1/3 reciprocation—re-post for someone else; and 1/3 conversation, including the mundane aspects of everyday life to start a conversation
  • Be kind, be authentic, be genuine, be funny if you can.
  • As a writer, don't blog about writing. (uh, oh, I'm in trouble!)
  • Don't program your tweets. Be there and be real when you use Twitter or people will be turned off.
Go here to listen to the interview.

So, what have you found to be most satisfying and most effective in your use of social media to build a platform as a writer?

10 comments:

  1. I really like Kristin's blog though I don't get there as much as I should. She's got great tips on blogging though I do think it's okay to write about the craft of writing if you're good at it. I enjoy those type of posts (so you're safe). I really like to promote other authors and their books on my blog.

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    1. That's a great idea, to read Kristen's blog regularly, Natalie. I do think promoting other author is a good thing to do, and I suppose she would support that, too, maybe through links on tweets? btw, thanks for the vote of confidence!

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  2. These are great tips!

    I'm confused about the not blogginb about writing as a writer one though. Is it in reference to blogging about your own writing or frustrations/woes???

    :)

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    1. Maybe, Laura, but I have heard this before. I think the idea is that blog readers who want to buy books from you would rather read about other things. don't know that I agree entirely!

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  3. This sounds like an excellent interview. All of these are great points. I disagree about writing on writing though. Like Natalie says, as long as you're good at it then it's okay. Other writers are some of my biggest supporters and I enjoy helping them with my blog, as I know you do too!

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    1. Yes, writers are excellent supporters, I couldn't agree more. And you've proved that with your approach, Heather, Big time!

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  4. Thanks for sharing the great tips. I had to laugh when you said, (uh, oh, I'm in trouble!) Keeping being in trouble. I love your posts.
    I think my favorite tip is the back off a bit.

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    1. Thanks, Karlene, I don't think I have a choice. When I tap into my blog-mind, writing is what happens. I thought that back-off-a-bit tip was good, too. Glad to know someone who pays attention to the big picture sees this the way we do!

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  5. I think everyone has their own way of doing their blog. I do like to incorporate stuff from my life, like my vacations, my kittens (now that I have cats!), wildlife, aside from writing and things about our books. In fact I just posted an interview with a friend of mine who is a storm chaser. You never know who might come to your blog via the lables you use. I think it's also a good idea to not blog every day, or be on the social media too much. That does turn people off. I know it does me!LOL

    Besides, don't we all have some writing to do, anyway?

    Thanks, Linda for this post. Very good, and I'll have to peek in and see Kristin's blog soon.

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    1. Yes, we do, Lorelei! The Muse should not wait while we're busy blogging! Seems like an excellent mix of things on your blog, to me.

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