Importance of a Social Platform

This time last year I learned about the importance of a social platform from literary agent Sara Megibow of Nelson literary agency. The question was asked if having an online platform influences her to take a client. She said yes. Mostly because authors are firstly writers and then marketers and without an online presence it makes it difficult for first time authors to get good sales.

Most authors have several different types of online social media links including:

1)      Facebook

2)      Twitter

3)      LinkedIn

4)      Blog

5)      Website

I’d say having three of the five is good, four of five is better, and five out of five is great. But, readers like consistency. If you have to set a schedule, say you post online on Monday’s and Wednesday’s on Facebook and twitter (which you can link your twitter to your Facebook account so you really only have to post it once on twitter and it will feed to Facebook) and it doesn’t have to be anything significant and then you blog on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s. That is still four days of contact with your readers. It’s important.

And if you are anything like me and you aren’t computer savvy enough to make your own website, then go online to premade sites that are free. Yes, I said FREE. I have my account setup with Weebly.com which is an online free website and if you wish to purchase the domain name then you can. But, I prefer free therefore my account is http://staceyhaysbooks.Weebly.com .

When you all become professional authors you will thank me.

Just a reminder that I will be neglecting the blog next week, I WILL NOT BE POSTING ON TUESDAY OR THURSDAY, or any other day. I will be out of town on vacation and will not have computer access, unfortunately the beach calls. But, do not forget to follow me on twitter on Monday, July 2^nd at #BIC. Where you can follow my progress of my new criminal mystery novel and the stages of preplanning. If I am not mistaken, Tina will be joining me. Until then, adios amigos.