In this week’s Fab Friday Finds I’m sharing the Twitter accounts of some of the social media and writing/publishing experts I’ve discovered. Enjoy the list!
Content marketing is the best way for writers to grow a following of dedicated readers and colleagues on the social web.
The steps to achieving this goal are:
- Write the best book you can for a defined audience.
- Have your book professionally edited.
- Hire the best cover designer you can afford.
- Develop a WordPress website where you will host your blog and have information about your book and yourself.
- Establish your social media presence so you can reach your target audience.
Then, use your social media accounts as part of your content curation system. This process will be easier if you start creating lists or circles of the experts who post the best content in your field, niche, interests or genre.
I must admit that when I first started using social media, I was overwhelmed by the emails overloading my inbox from LinkedIn groups I’d joined. The notifications from Facebook and Twitter were similarly exasperating.
There were days when I spent too many hours reading and responding to every comment left in a LinkedIn group.
What a waste of time.
Now I’m more targeted. I also adjusted my notifications settings so that I receive fewer emails – the ones that count most.
For example, although I belong to several groups on LinkedIn, the Book Marketing group is where you’ll see me most often.
On Google+ I belong to four Communities, but as of late I mostly dedicate my time to just two of them.
On Twitter, I learned to create lists so I could keep tabs on the users sending the most relevant content. They’re also the people I’m most likely to interact with.
It took time but eventually I discovered the people in the lists below, and I’ve become an ardent follower. Today I’m sharing with you the Twitter profiles of some of my go-to tweeps.
Social Media Influencers to Follow
If you find social media frustrating or too time-consuming, by following the ninjas of the social media world you will deepen your understanding of social media marketing and learn to become more efficient.
Here is a list of some of the top people in social media who will teach you how to improve your social media marketing and blogging efforts.
Jeff Bullas
Jeff Bullas is always on the Forbes list of the top 50 social media power influencers. His blog focuses on social media marketing, search engine optimization, and email marketing.
Ann Handley
Ann Handley is co-author (with C.C. Chapman) of Content Rules: How to Create Killer Blogs, Podcasts, Videos, Ebooks, Webinars and Engage Customers and Ignite Your Business. She’s also the chief content officer of Marketing Profs and a columnist for Entrepreneur Magazine. If you don’t have Content Rules, I highly recommend it. On her blog, she offers tips on how you can improve your content marketing.
Jon Loomer
This guy is a master at Facebook advertising and all things Facebook. He rose to stardom quickly and now he nearly rivals the ever popular Mari Smith.
Viveka von Rosen
If you want to rock LinkedIn, she’s your expert. She trains, speaks, blogs, and tweets interesting and helpful content about LinkedIn. She also hosts an incredibly popular Google+ Community on LinkedIn as well.
Adam Connell
If you are serious about mastering the art of blogging, and using your blog to grow your email list, you’ve got to read Adam Connell’s blog and tweets. His Twitter bio says, “Use my tips to increase your traffic by over 400%.” His tips are awesome.
Buffer
Buffer is a scheduling application for Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Google+ — at least the last time I checked. They built their startup with content marketing when there were only two people running the company (now there are 30). Buffer’s blog has evolved into one of the best social media marketing blogs around. Few blogs and exceed what they do. You’ll learn a lot by following this Twitter account and subscribing to the blog.
Peg Fitzpatrick
She describes herself as a social media architect, idea girl and naturally caffeinated. And she’s always “rockin’ a positive attitude.” Read her blog and you’ll learn a lot about social media and how to use visuals in your marketing. Two of her clients are Guy Kawasaki and Canva; that alone speaks to her success in the field. Recently she co-wrote a social media book with Guy titled The Art of Social Media.
Writing/Publishing Experts to Follow
If you want to keep up on how to price your books and the latest tips in self-publishing, you’ll want to follow these people.
Passive Guy
Passive Guy is David Vandagriff, is a lawyer, a former tech executive, and writer. He compiles a daily newsletter that lists some of the best posts on self-publishing, news about booksellers such as Amazon, the first lines of great novels and articles on self-publishing that are controversial. You can subscribe to his newsletter and follow him on Twitter to keep up with the latest news in publishing.
Jane Friedman
Formerly the publisher at Writers’ Digest, Jane now serves as the web editor of the Virginia Quarterly Review and teaches digital publishing and online writing. Follow her on Twitter to keep abreast of the latest news in self-publishing.
Joanna Penn
Joanna is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She is a prolific writer and is usually voted one of The Guardian UK Top 100 Creative Professionals and voted the top 10 blogs for writers and self-publishers by Writer’s Digest and at least fourteen other publications. She writes fiction and nonfiction and is a wonderful resource for writers.
Jeff Goins
Jeff posts include a mix of writing, social media, and self-publishing tips. He’s been a guest blogger for more than 100 magazines, publications and blogs including, Write to Done, ProBlogger and Copybloger. You’ll learn a lot by following him.
Joel Friedlander’s The Book Designer
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more informative blog for Indie authors. He previously focused on design, but he’s branched out into other topics with his team of guest bloggers (I’m proud to be one of them). Writer’s Digest consistently rates his blog among the top 10 — and he usually occupies the top 5 spot.
Jon Winokur
I adore his tweets. Every few hours, he sends a pithy quote from an author that typically describes the writing process. He usually attaches an image of the writer as well. Follow him for inspiration and to find great content to tweet.
Penny Sansevieri
Penny is the CEO and founder of Author Marketing Experts, Inc., a book marketing enterprise. She’s a phenomenal speaker, understands Amazon like no one else on the planet, and shares great advice on her blog. When Guy Kawasaki looked for a publicist for his book Author Publisher Entrepreneur, guess who he hired? Yep, Penny.
Jordan E. Rosenfeld
Jordan’s philosophy is “Practice. Polish. Persist.” She advises writers to “make your writing life into an ongoing, deep writing practice that can survive the test of time, discouragement, and change.” Her tweets are among the best on Twitter. She doesn’t focus on selling her books; instead she focuses on educating writers. If you want to learn about persistence as a writer, read her tips (or buy her book).
Anne R. Allen
I recently discovered Anne, and I love her blog. I don’t always agree with her, and perhaps that’s why I appreciate her so much. She provides lengthy and informative blog posts on topics relevant to Indie Authors.
Lisa Tener
Lisa is a high-powered nonfiction book writing coach, blogger, speaker, and winner of last year’s Stevie Award. This summer she is hosting a Writing in the Zone program. You’ll find her various programs here. Lisa has launched some writers to amazing success. Even if you don’t write nonfiction, you’ll learn a lot by reading her blog.
Dan Blank
This is what his Twitter bio says about him, “Helping writers and creative professionals share their stories and connect with their audience.” I recently listened to a webinar he hosted with Joanna Penn on book launches. Few people are discussing the kinds of strategies he uses to help authors have successful launches. He’s definitely work following, reading, and listening to.
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About the Author: Frances Caballo is an author and social media strategist and manager for writers. You can receive a free copy of her book Twitter Just for Writers by signing up for her newsletter. Connect with Frances on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Google+. Be sure to check out my Social Media for Authors Podcast.
Practical Tips for Marketing Your Books on the Social Web
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