Tina Haapala, Excuse Editor

Social Networking Tips for Authors Social networking is a powerful way to grow your business, reach, readers, and sales. As an author, you want to become known for your area of expertise and as the go-to person for your topic. The purpose of social networking is not to constantly promote your book, but rather to be seen as someone who interacts and offers value to the community. You want to network with people who are interested in you and your topic as well as with other authors. By networking with other authors you will gain ideas and suggestions for additional ways to promote your book. Networking with people interested in the topic you write about allows you to grow your readership as well as the sales of your books and programs. Engage your readers in conversations that lead to more referrals and sales . By taking the time to set up your profile on several of the key networks, you will benefit in many ways. You will meet and connect with more people and become known as an autho...

Image: Felixco, Inc. / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Many of us spent last Thursday creating a masterpiece. It may have taken hours and hours to prepare and get "just right"-- and when it came down to sharing, it seemed to be gone in a snap! The hope we have for the perfect Thanksgiving feast is the same as writers have for their work: all of the attention, thought and care that went into its creation will be met with enjoyment, satisfied smiles, expressions of praise and maybe even the illusion that its creation was effortless. Create work you are thankful for: Add your Secret Recipe- - Your writing style is your own. There will always be rules and debates over the stuffing/dressing elements of writing, but remember that, after the basics, you will be proud that you made it unique by adding a bit of your own special spices. Blend, Boil, and Beat those words- -You may get burned along the way, but it will be worth it in the end. Some of the best tasting food takes mult...

I spent the last few days drifting in and out of the SPOC (Self Publisher's Online Conference). As with the last conference I attended ( OWFI ) I couldn't help but leave ready to write, succeed, publish--even Start an Empire. (see day 3) And then, this morning, I woke up. I mulled over all I've been learning and relearning. I love it all-- learning about writing, learning about marketing, hearing the different perspectives. But how much is too much? I figure if all of the hours I've spent teaching myself-- by reading books, magazines, blogs and attending workshops--were added up, I'd be pretty close to an MFA or Masters in Marketing by now. Just like getting my real degree (B.S. In Human Communication*/minor in Business**) didn't come with instant success in life, learning all of this writing/marketing information does me no good if I don't act on it. So, that's a plan. Act on it. Except... It can be OVERWHELMING. I'm appreciative that ...