Social Media, part 2

I have the bad habit of coming back from an exciting workshop and gushing in my blog but not really sharing that much useful information. Content -- that's the key. Though I am starting to feel as though trapped in a never ending Mobius strip. I am blogging about how to blog, using social media to discuss itself. Is there any sense in attempting such dangerous tricks?

So, here's some USEFUL information for my followers, nuggets of wisdom I learned about social media thus far on my "journey toward publishing a novel."

things to discuss on a blog:

1. funny things that happened at a book signing (author related and entertaining.)
2. give away free books and other things
3. contest that relate to writing
4. interview with authors
5. book reviews
6. conference recaps
7. writing advise
8. funny stories about your cat (only if their funny, not if their sad)

tone of a blog:

1. upbeat
2. funny
3. interesting
4. engaging
5. not too sad
6. not too serious (unless this is your audience)

Some things to keep in mind for children's authors:

1. if you are writing Picture Books or Middle Grade, your audience will not only be kids of the appropriate age, but also adults: librarians, parents, teachers etc. otherwise known as . . . The Gate Keepers.
2. if you are writing for teens, there will be fewer gate keepers and your audience will be teens, who are very hard to reach on social media these days. Apparently, Facebook is dead to teens: NYTimes article: Still on Facebook, but Finding Less to Like But it still can be done. And Twitter is powerful with teens too. Other new social media sites used by teens include: Instagram, Tumblr, Snapchat, and ... let me know of more, please!

Other odds and ends:

1. YouTube is the biggest search engine out there, so posting a video is a great way to reach people. Books trailers let people know about your book and anyone can find it if you post it. Add a song too!
2. Create opportunities through conversations and commenting and interacting.
3. Don't expect a perfect match between followers on a blog, say, and book sales. Sometimes there is and sometimes there isn't.

Ready to get started:
1) Use Blogger or Wordpress. Blogger is super easy -- with ready made templates. Wordpress may be a bit more complicated but offers more options and control.

2) Decide what you purpose will be. Highlight that.

3) Use your name and post your picture, so people get to know your face with your name.

4) And put in lots of links and interesting, useful information.

Hope I have followed all the above suggestions here.
Good luck to me and to you!
Let me know if I have forgotten anything or if there is something you'd like to add. Please! And share this with a friend or two too.