Why We Shouldn't Put All Our Eggs in Facebook's Basket

Most people who follow my blog know me as the author of the Kailmeyra Series. But I also work extensively with authors, both traditionally published and indie, on building their brand. 

My mantra these days seems to be "build your platform and readers will come." And the majority of the time the response I get is "Everyone's-already-on-Facebook-why-can't-I-just-make-a-fanpage-and-call-it-a-day?"

That would be a great idea, if Facebook wasn't continually changing their policy. 

Take, for example, Facebook's latest "update." Rafflecopter did a great job explaining it here, but to sum it up, at the beginning of November we will no longer be able to use the "like our page" for promotions and giveaways.

I've said it for a while now that Facebook's continual policy shifts diminish an indie author's ability to use their platform effectively. I've never understood the reasoning behind not allowing everyone that "liked" your page to actually see your posts. And now, it seems, Facebook is at it again by limiting an author's ability to find new followers.

Not to social if you ask me.   

However, we need not fear. There are other platforms that actually do a better job of gaining reader awareness. And so, fellow indies, I have compiled a list of must-haves. Best news is that most of these sites are super easy to maintain.

Instagram:  I cannot stress how completely powerful this social media site is. Remember, Instagram is designed to be used on a smart phone. While you can keep track of what's going on via computer, all the sharing and such goes on through a phone app.

Pinterest: 
Pretty shocking stats show that Pinterest is one of the most influential sites when it comes to sales. Too, this is a great way to show readers your personality. And while setting up boards does take a bit of time, maintaining them is only a few minutes a day.

Twitter: 
One of the big daddies of social media. Twitter is a great way to get the word out to thousands of readers. But remember, social media means being social. Get on Twitter and have conversations, 160 characters at a time. I've met some hella writers on twitter as well as my Literary Manager. :-)

Tumblr: 

If you write anything middle grade or higher, you simply must have a Tumblr.

But wait, you say. I already have a blogger blog ... can't I just count that one? 

Of course, any blog is extremely important. But you must know your audience. And if you write for anyone under the age of 25, those readers love Tumblr. The good news is you can import all your blog posts from Blogger to Tumblr. Check it out here. 


Google+: 
After the great blogger piss off of 2012, when Google decided to do away with their Google Friends Connect program, most readers weren't exactly forming a line to sign up for another Google platform. But hold on for a sec. Google Play is gaining momentum in the publishing industry, authors are now using their "hangout" platform to connect with fans, and there are already 300 million + people on the site. Mark my words, Google aint out of the running yet. Here's some info on finding out more about engaging your audience on Google+. 

Finding places to connect with readers is an ongoing challenge. With Facebook's constant fixation on tethering fanpages so the only avenue administrators have is to "boost a post," author's must look to other sites to increase their reach.

So I say, find new baskets. Share the love. Get off Facebook and see what else is out there. I think you'll find that most of the sites mentioned above are more than happy to welcome you into the fold.

And so I'd like to know. Which social media site do you find to be most valuable for gaining new readers? 

CBS ... Teachers are Professionals, What a Concept!

 Here is a newsclip from the CBS morning news regarding a teacher that made a million dollars on a wonderful site called teacherspayteachers.com.


For those who have never been in a classroom, the state/federal department of education gives each grade level specific concepts to teach, but how the material is delivered is completely up to the district, school, and, ultimately, the teacher.

For years, teachers have been finding ways to teach that speak to their student population. What works in rural Kentucky may not work in inner city Chicago, and so finding a one-size-fits-all activity is flat ridiculous. Teacherspayteachers, as well as Pinterest, is changing the way educators find new ways of presenting concepts to their classrooms. Both are extremely successful because they come from master teachers across the country.

And so, when halfway through this interview, the anchor asks if teachers who purchase units from this site are "being lazy," I about hit the roof.

Really?!
 
I love the fact that teacherspayteachers is bypassing the publishing industry and allowing the teachers to share units that get real results. I've spent way too many years purchasing materials, only to wade through pages and pages of junk hoping to find something relevant to my content. The lesson plans on this site are tried and true, easy to follow, hone in on specific content, and allow teachers the opportunity to branch out. It's a win, win. Teachers help one another, allowing more time for the children. And the children win by having new and innovative ideas created by master teachers across the country.  

As for the anchor's ignorant comment about "being lazy", I'll try to be respectful. We as teachers learned a long time ago that cooperation and collaboration go a lot farther than trying to go it alone. We understand the concept of working as a team to try and find a better way. Now, more than ever, we feel the importance of reaching each child. We've all seen the statistics; this isn't about finding an easy way out. It's about taking the resources we have and doing the best job we can.

I grow weary of the media's need to try and create drama for the sake of ratings. This piece was about a teacher who worked for seventeen years, spent thousands of hours trying and preparing creative ways to help children learn. She should get paid to share her knowledge. She should be able to help other teachers become better at their job. If a doctor spent his entire career developing a better way to do a surgical procedure and then made millions sharing his work online, no one would consider the other doctors benefiting from his expertise as "lazy."

Professionalism. Maybe CBS should try it sometime.

The Great Pinterest Experiment

All righty,

I'll admit it. I've become addicted to Pinterest. I know, I know, it's a time-sucking black hole when you're trying to write, but I just can't help it. And what's worse is it seems I'm following some of the best cooks on the face of the planet. I now have over 107 recipes I'd like to try on one board alone.

And so, adventurous spirit that I am, it's become my personal mission to try at least a few of the recipes that looked enticing.

Wow, was I surprised.

The first one I tried was a recipe that involved only two ingredients. A box of yellow cake mix and a can of pumpkin filling. Best muffins ever, the first comment touted. Wonderful! I love this recipe, said another.

Last week, while I was at the store, I picked up a box and a can with the intent to surprise my children with yummy pumpkin muffins for the morning.

Except the muffins tasted like really dense uncooked cake mix with a hint of pumpkin and metal.  Even the dogs wouldn't eat it.

Hey, I thought, maybe you didn't read it right. I mean, you just scanned the thing. Maybe it has to be these exact brands. Maybe that pudding-in-the-box thing you bought pushed it past the edge of nasty. Maybe there was an unknown egg or, I don't know, dash-of-taste, somewhere in the directions and you just missed it.

Nope.

Let's just say the woman who thought these were the best things ever has obviously never tried my mother's blueberry cream cheese muffins with those crunchy things on top.

Not to be discouraged, tonight I tried another easy recipe. Baked avacados. How hard could that possibly be? 

I cut the avacado just as the direction said. I didn't have one of those fancy racks, so I threw it in a pan. And japaense bread crumbs? Honey, I live in Kentucky.   We are raised making our own.

Fresh-avacdo-dipped-in-homemade-bread-crumbs-and-put-in-a-baking-dish-at-400-degrees-for-twenty-minutes-later, and those little babies were ready to come out of the oven.

All right. I now have a new definition for gross.

The good news is the dogs liked this one. Although I might be sorry for that decision later on tonight.

Now I don't want to seem unfair. Maybe it was the japanese bread crumbs. Maybe they are the bees knees, and I really messed up the recipe because I didn't make a mad dash to the multi-cultural isle at the Walmart. Or maybe I've discovered I really don't like the taste of oven baked hot avacados doused in egg and breadcrumbs.

I'm banking on the latter.

By the way, you should know I started cooking when I was knee-high to a tadpole, and I rarely measure anything. I was raised on a pinch of this and dash of that mentality. The recipes handed down in my family look more like Snape's potion book than Betty Crocker's cookbook, so it is a good possibility that I might have to learn how to follow the directions in order to be successful with trying anything on Pinterest.

Lord, I hope not.

So here's to all my Pinterest buddies. How goes the recipe hunting? Are you finding that some of those scrumptios claims to be not so tasty, or is it just me?