Before we get to Jane's post, I have one quick in-house announcement and offer to make a few people. Last month, I published my newest mystery/thriller, The Lottery Ticket via Kindle, and so far it has outpaced the first month that The Samson Effect was on Kindle. In order to accelerate the Amazon reviews for my new novel, I am setting aside up to 20 free copies of The Lottery Ticket for anyone who will agree to leave a review on Amazon for it. If you're interested in taking me up on this offer, just fill out the contact form at the bottom of this blog and let me know. I will create a coupon code that you can use on Smashwords to download a free copy of the book in your electronic format of choice. To all who take me up on this offer, I want to sincerely thank you for your help.
Now, on to Jane's post...
3 Ways to Make Your Online Relationships Matter
by Jane Friedman
A key component to any platform is the relationships that you have and grow. (I wrote about this over at Unboxed here.) You can jump into social media, start a blog, and do everything right content-wise, but without a little help from your friends, it can be a tough and lonely road.
If you suspect this is an area where your platform could use some development, here are three goals that anyone can achieve in a short timeframe (repeat as needed).
1. Make a list of who's interacting with you the most
Whether it's Twitter, Facebook, your blog/site, or your favorite community site (e.g., GoodReads), take note of who is reading, commenting on, or sharing your content. These are people who are already paying attention, like what you're doing, and are receptive to further interaction.
If you're ignoring these people, then you're missing an opportunity to not just develop a more valuable relationship (which will likely lead to new ones!), but also reward and empower those you're already engaged with.
What does "rewarding" and "empowering" look like? You might drop a personal note, offer an e-book or product for free, or involve them somehow in your online content. Do what makes sense. (Note: You definitely want to reach out and sincerely thank those who help you that have a bigger platform or influence than you do!)
If you have an e-mail newsletter list (and you should have one), then your most engaged fans should have their own "segment" that gets preferred treatment, e.g., special messages that put them first in line for whatever new thing you have coming out, and other perks.
There are many other ways to employ this principle. Christina Katz, who teaches classes to writers, creates "Dream Teams" of writers who are selected from previous students. It's a great idea that rewards both Christina and the students she coaches.
2. Make a list of your mentors and how you can help them
I hope you have mentors, or a wish list of mentors. If you have no one you admire, you need to find some people! But you probably do; we all have people who are doing something we dream of, or operate a few steps beyond where we're currently at.
Make a list of who these mentors are. If you're not already closely following them on their preferred channels of communication (e.g., blog, Twitter, Facebook, etc), then start. Begin commenting, sharing, and being a visible fan of what they do. Consider other ways you can develop the relationship, e.g., interview them on your blog or review their book.
A few people I have developed wonderful relationships with, and learn from, include Dan Blank, Guy Gonzalez, and Kevin Smokler.
If you engage your mentors in an intelligent way (not obnoxiously or annoyingly—in a "look at me" sort of way), then you may be able to develop a more meaningful relationship if and when they reach out to acknowledge your efforts on their behalf. Remember, if they're online to grow their careers (and they probably are), they're going to be cultivating relationships, too, both up and down the chain-just like you!
This same tactic applies organizations and businesses that you love. If they see you praising their products and services (without them asking for the free publicity), they will often reach out to you in some way.
3. Look for partnerships with peers
Who is attempting to reach the same audience as you? Don't see them as competitors. Instead, align with them to do bigger and better things, or to help one other and reach an extended market.
You can see examples of partnership everywhere, including:
- Writer Unboxed (where I participate)
- Jungle Red Writers
- The Kill Zone blog
We all have different strengths, and banding together can be an excellent way to extend your platform in ways you can't manage on your own. When presented with opportunities to collaborate, try to say "yes" as much as possible, particularly when you'll be exposed to a new audience, form new connections, or learn a new skill set.
The question that often arises at this point is: How do I manage all this in the limited time that I have?
Rather than feel overwhelmed, break down these activities into very small action steps, e.g., a single action you can take each day, or several times a week, that takes just 10-30 minutes of your time. These little pieces add up, over months and years, to more meaningful relationships.
--------
--------
--------
Tony Eldridge is the author of The Samson Effect, an action/adventure novel that Clive Cussler calls a "first rate thriller brimming with intrigue and adventure." He is also the author of the Twitter marketing book, Conducting Effective Twitter Contests. His new novel, The Lottery Ticket, was just recently released on Kindle.
12 comments:
Great advice :) I think you're right, all these tips are great and things I need to work on. I think communicating with the people who support you most can really help.
Sarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)
Helpful advice. I'm in the finding mentors stage. My question is, how to approach them if I don't know them? Commenting on a blog and leaving my own link along with my name?
Great advice, Jane. I find Twitter especially helpful with building relationships up the ladder. Also, will keep the "special" email list in mind, too, for when I get there.
@Hope - It would be tough to get a true mentor by approaching a perfect stranger. My discussion of mentors above is bit different and based on relationships that start online.
But … If you're looking for a mentor who you'll have a hands-on relationship with ("real" conversations from the very beginning) then a blog comment won't be sufficient. I recommend trying to find someone who you might actually have a relationship with in real life (someone who knows you already), but if that's not practical, then start with a personalized but brief e-mail.
I like the collaboration idea. Always strength in numbers!
I am inspired to take more proactive steps in developing relationships with others. Thanks, as always Jane.
Jane - as usual - wonderful down-to-earth advice on how to really create meaningful connections. Thank you!
-Dan
Such wise words here. It's always about the relationships more than the content--and I think that's not bad! One of the best things that has happened to me as a writer was to find Jane Friedman--who manages to keep in touch even from Morocco! Thanks for this advice, Jane.
Great advice. I have always found it difficult to form an online relationship, especially with people I am probably never going to meet.
Excellent, and very helpful! Thanks so much. This is what social networking is all about! -Robert David MacNeil
Thanks for the post. So important to keep up with the social netowrking and online relationships.
Nice post! I've definitely felt overwhelmed by all the Twitter, Facebook, wordpress, webpage, e-mail, Google Friends, Wuph, and Windows Groups portals. I'm not sure 10-30 minutes a day is going to do the trick. Any suggestions?
Loved it! You have expressed it pretty well on the subject you are handling. Great job!
Post a Comment