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Publisher Simon & Schuster Says Authors Should Blog and Social Network

February 22, 2010 by Joanna Penn 38 Comments

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OLD POST ALERT! This is an older post and although you might find some useful tips, any technical or publishing information is likely to be out of date. Please click on Start Here on the menu bar above to find links to my most useful articles, videos and podcast. Thanks and happy writing! – Joanna Penn

Mega-publisher Simon & Schuster have recently relaunched their website. It has loads of interesting things for authors and readers, but what is particularly of note to me is the Author Resources section.

Under the sub-section of Online Tips and Tools, they promote the use of blogs, social media, book sites and video for authors who want to market themselves and their books. This is essentially the Author 2.0 Model where you have a central hub site with lots of ‘spokes' linking to it and bringing you people, traffic and sales from around the net.

The need for an author platform has been talked about for a few years now, but it seems the mainstream publishers are now actively encouraging it, even for established authors. I don't think the tools S&S list are well researched or easy to use, so here are some other resources you can use to get started.

Blogging

I frequently get questions about how to set up a blog, how I manage this one and what people can do to get more traffic, so here are some links to resources and articles. [Many of the links are affiliate links and I stand behind all of them. I only recommend what I use myself].

  • This blog is written on free WordPress software hosted on my own domain. I bought the domain at GoDaddy.com and I use Siteground (affiliate) to host my sites.
  • I use Genesis Theme Beautiful Pro which is a paid theme and highly customisable. I used to use a free theme but switched after this site review and it has improved my rankings and also my subscribers.
  • I set up the blog myself using the free information at BecomeABlogger.com. I have since used Joel, the BlogTechGuy to help me do techy things I just want to outsource. I do believe in paying for information from experts to improve ranking and performance.
  • Podcast: Joel Williams on Blogging Basics
  • Podcast: Advanced Blogging techniques with The Blogging Teacher, Paul Cunningham PLUS/ a round-up of all we discussed
  • 10 Reasons Authors Need to Have a Blog
  • How to set up your own blog
  • Top 10 tips for effective blogging

Social Networking and Book Sites

  • Writers need social media… and social media needs writers
  • How to feature on the most influential sites in the world
  • Social networking and book sites for authors
  • Twitter overview [I really must update this post but it gives you the basics!]
  • Facebook: How authors can use it for book promotion
  • Podcast: Book Marketing and Promotion … Your Questions Answered

Videos

  • Book trailers: 11 steps to make your own
  • Top viral videos are just like great books
  • Get Your Video Online – free resources and tips for making online videos from Gideon Shalwick [warning: streaming video]
  • I did a whole stack of videos for NaNoWriMo – you can see them here. They certainly helped boost my twitter following and also my blog subscribers.

What else do you want to know in order to build your online platform?

Multimedia short course “Blogging for Authors and Writers” now available. Click here for more information.

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Filed Under: Marketing and Promotion Tagged With: blogging, social networking

Comments

  1. Nithin R S says

    July 25, 2010 at 3:58 am

    Great pieces of information for any budding authors. Thanks.

    Reply
  2. Jodykat says

    November 29, 2010 at 7:35 am

    Thanks again Joanna! Have Retweeted your article just now @jodykat. We’re currently in the ‘build’ stage of the marketing / online presence for our book launching next Spring… and you and your site are proving to be an absolute goldmine of information. I really appreciate your wisdom & generosity – thank you x

    Reply
  3. Augie says

    October 10, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    Thank you Joanna for this post…i will be following Augie

    Reply
  4. Naomi Davis says

    March 6, 2012 at 10:55 pm

    Joanna, I’ve nearly finished a memoir crossover business book and only now realize the importance of a platform. I’m overwhelmed and frankly don’t know where to start. I’m the introverted type and social networking is difficult for me.
    I opened a Facebook page yesterday. Sounds like a little, but it was a hurdle. Now what? Should I acquire a collaborator, give her half the credit and gain a ready made platform?
    Where do I blog and about what? My book is about workplace abuse. I haven’t written a proposal yet. Without a platform, what good would it do?
    Thanks for reading my rant. Naomi

    Reply
    • Joanna Penn says

      March 7, 2012 at 2:12 am

      Hi Naomi,
      It is easy to be overwhelmed – here’s my article on just that 🙂
      http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2009/08/14/3-steps-to-start-author-platform-building/
      The main thing is to decide on your goals and 1 specific action and then start doing that. I started with a blog & then moved into Twitter & Facebook, then podcasting and video. It took about a year before I had anything significant.
      It takes time to do anything quality, so don’t worry, just get started.

      There are posts here on blogging & other platform stuff:
      http://www.thecreativepenn.com/marketing/

      In terms of a proposal, you will need to include marketing ideas, but they can be future ideas. So don’t let it stop you. By the time you get a response from a publisher, you could be well into it anyway!

      On introversion, check out these posts, as many of us are around here 🙂
      http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2011/04/15/book-marketing-for-introverts-with-ruth-ann-nordin/
      http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/07/11/podcast-inspiration-for-authors-clare-edwards/

      I hope that helps, Joanna

      Reply
  5. Linda Gartz says

    April 24, 2012 at 3:07 pm

    Hi Joanna,
    I find your information and blog every so wise and helpful. I’ve been blogging regularly since Nov. 2010. My in-progress memoir focuses on my parents’ relationship and how our sprawling rooming house, my dad’s extensive travel, my mother’s crazy mother, who lived with us, and eventual racial change and riots in our neighborhood undermined their once great love. I started my blog as a family history blog — creating mini stories through the letters and diaries my family saved that span the past hundred years. I will NEVER have thousands of followers on this blog–many love it, but it’s too niche. So the answer to “platform” is more than just “blogging.” Clearly your blog meets a need –you give lots of advice and help writers find their way to publication. So…I’m thinking of creating a Memoir advice blog — people will only follow what they find helpful — or funny. What advice would you give for finding the right KIND of blog. I’ve posted regularly, tweeted, am on Facebook, etc. but my following is limited. I know need to reach out in a more social way that will BENEFIT others. Any thoughts on how to find the right kind of blog to create?

    Reply
    • Joanna Penn says

      April 25, 2012 at 4:44 am

      Hi Linda,
      Blogging is definitely rewarding but it is hard to find your niche. This is my 3rd blog and the first two went by the wayside. It took a while to find my own brand. Writing for memoir writers is a good niche – it’s definitely something that people are interested in.
      Consider your audience but also consider what you want longterm but it all takes a while to grow.
      I have a LOT of information about blogging on the site, but it is all contained here if you want to take it further. Thanks. Joanna
      http://www.thecreativepenn.com/blogging/

      Reply
« Older Comments

Trackbacks

  1. Making Money Overseas as a Writer: Workshop Retreat in Bali | EFAM | Escape From America Magazine says:
    June 23, 2010 at 4:57 pm

    […] 2.0 Model and how to build your platform so book buyers (and even publishers) will come to you. Why Simon & Schuster want you to blog, social network and use video – and how to do it better than most other writers so you stand out. Plus, Author Tech Master Class […]

    Reply
  2. How To Improve Your Blog: Lessons Learned From Problogger Event | The Creative Penn says:
    August 11, 2010 at 12:17 am

    […] Blogging has changed my life both personally and professionally and I consider it an integral part of who I am now. It is also a critical part of an author’s online platform these days, even advocated by huge publishers like Simon & Schuster. […]

    Reply
  3. How To Improve Your Blog: Lessons Learned From The Problogger Event — Authors Marketing Circle says:
    March 24, 2011 at 7:45 am

    […] Blogging has changed my life both personally and professionally and I consider it an integral part of who I am now. It is also a critical part of an author’s online platform these days, even advocated by huge publishers like Simon & Schuster. […]

    Reply
  4. 7 Social Networking Mistakes To Avoid | The Creative Penn says:
    October 16, 2011 at 12:55 am

    […] Publishers, agents, self-publishing marketing people, other authors. It now seems part of the non-negotiable author platform for indie authors and those wanting a traditional deal. […]

    Reply
  5. To Sell Your Book, You Have to Sell Yourself, Build a PlatformChristopher Matthews Publishing says:
    December 10, 2011 at 10:57 pm

    […] Publisher Simon and Schuster Says Authors Should Blog and Social Network and http://www.thecreativepenn.com/blueprint/ by  Joanna Penn […]

    Reply
  6. » TEN REASONS FOR IMPROVING YOUR AUTHOR PLATFORM Michele Cashmore ~ author | playwright | poet says:
    December 19, 2011 at 12:31 am

    […] 3.       Every writer should blog – here’s why […]

    Reply
  7. Blogger/Author 2.0 « says:
    February 25, 2012 at 4:31 pm

    […] social media, book sites and video for authors who want to market themselves and their books” (http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/02/22/publisher-simon-schuster-says-authors-should-blog-and-soci…).  Joanna Penn (author of The Creative Penn) goes on to explain how this notion is consistent with […]

    Reply
  8. TEN REASONS FOR IMPROVING YOUR AUTHOR PLATFORM - Hummingbird Creative Design | Hummingbird Creative Design says:
    December 18, 2012 at 10:10 am

    […] 3.       Every writer should blog – here’s why […]

    Reply

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Most of the information on this site is free for you to read, watch or listen to, but The Creative Penn is also a business and my livelihood. So please expect hyperlinks to be affiliate links in many cases, when I receive a small percentage of sales if you wish to purchase. I only recommend tools, books and services that I either use or people I know personally. Integrity and authenticity continue to be of the highest importance to me. Read the privacy policy here. I hope you find the site useful! Thanks - Joanna

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Thanks for visiting The Creative Penn

Most of the information on this site is free for you to read, watch or listen to, but The Creative Penn is also a business and my livelihood. So please expect hyperlinks to be affiliate links in many cases, when I receive a small percentage of sales if you wish to purchase. I only recommend tools, books and services that I either use or people I know personally. Integrity and authenticity continue to be of the highest importance to me. Read the privacy policy here. Read the Cookie policy here. I hope you find the site useful! Thanks - Joanna

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