The Value of Klout on Social Media

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

I’ve recently received a lot of questions about a relatively new Social Media Tool, KLOUT. Today I’d like to give the information you need to decide whether Klout is for you.

First, let me assure you Klout is a legitimate tool, and not spam. Responding to a Klout invitation will not get you hacked. But it's not technically a network, although they seem to be trying to go that direction. 

The value of Klout is the fact that it puts a number to our social media influence. 

This isn't without controversy. But as long as we don't obsess about it, it can be a good thing. 

Why should a Writer be a part of Goodreads?

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
 

Goodreads - a writer's friend

Tweet this: Why should a Writer be a part of Goodreads?

The biggest reason for a writer to jump onboard Goodreads comes from their own words: “It’s the world’s largest site for readers and book recommendations.” I’m convinced this social media platform is essential to a novelist’s recognition by readers and publishers.

This post is the first of three blogs that will show the writer the value of having a Goodreads’ account.

Let’s unpack what that means:

1. If I’m looking for a book to read, I can explore reviews and see what others are reading.
2. I can read books, rate them, write an honest review, and make recommendations to others.
3. If I’m a new writer, I can search my genre and read the recommendations from other readers. I can also learn why some books do well and others don’t.
4. If I’m a seasoned writer, I can read reviews for my books to discover what readers appreciate or discount. Reading other reviews from my genre also helps me address reader needs.
   

Convinced? 
 
This is your invitation: https://www.goodreads.com/

This is your party page: https://www.goodreads.com/about/us

Take a look at the stats on the right hand side in bold font: 40 Million Members, 1.3 Billion Books Added, 47 Million Reviews.  

Now that you have your hat and balloons, I’ll reveal a few more goodies before showing you how to join. On the left side is a menu of all the tabs on the site. Oh, I bet you can spend hours, even days here.

So let’s get you signed up. Navigate back to the home page (www.goodreads.com).

And don’t forget to follow Goodreads on their social media platforms. In my next blog, on Friday, April, 29, we’ll explore what Goodreads means for you as an author.




DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.

Spending the Week Working on The Author Roadmap

This past weekend, DiAnn Mills and I were on faculty for Weekend with the Writers. Since it was held here in Greenville, SC, she and I are spending this week together, finishing up our book, The Author Roadmap.

Tweet This: Working hard on The Author Roadmap to help authors navigate #socialmedia & #marketing

We’re so excited about how it’s shaping up and all the wonderful things we’ll be able to share with you. 

We’ve been mining our own writing journeys, looking for things that would have helped us along the way.

Here are just a few extras you can expect when the book comes out:

• A clear guide to take you one step at a time as you navigate the social media and marketing aspect of being an author.
• Spreadsheets and timelines so you not only know what to do, but when to do it.
• Extra links within the book that lead to videos and screencasts to help everyone actually see what we’re talking about.

We’ve been brainstorming, taking pictures, and burning up our keyboards trying to make this a resource that will help you accomplish your writing dreams.

Edie Melson is the author of numerous books, as well as a freelance writer and editor. Her blog, The Write Conversation, reaches thousands each month. She’s the co-director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and the Social Media Mentor at My Book Therapy. She’s also the Military Family Blogger at Guideposts. Com, Social Media Director for Southern Writers Magazine and the Senior Editor for NovelRocket.com. Connect with her on Twitter and Facebook. Look for her newest book, While My Soldier Serves (Worthy Inspired), available at bookstores and online.