Where Do You Find Blogging Ideas?

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills 

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You’ve allotted time to write your blog. No one is around to bother you. Your fingers are posed above the keyboard. Seconds tick by to minutes. This must be posted today.
And you have no clue what to write.

This blog is for every writer who ever peered into the idea bucket and found it empty. Not a single drop of creativity. Where do you find that sweet stream of blog topics?

A blog is a reflection of the writer professionally, personally, and psychologically. We share knowledge, reveal our interests, and show our unique and sometimes quirky temperaments.

The more we are transparent and relational, the more readers want to follow us and eagerly await our next post.

The following helps will fill your bucket with ideas now and in the future.

Professional Blogs

We focus on our brand and reflect on our experiences in the publishing world. We teach the craft in snippets of useful information. Social media, marketing, and promotion tips instruct the reader. Every how-to article is an opportunity to help a reader successfully meet a challenge. Post a podcast or a video. Make the blog interesting.

Personal Blogs

Harness your hobbies. Where do you vacation? Special restaurants? What are your quirky traits? Writers have varied interests, and your readers are excited to find out what relaxes and gives you satisfaction. Take photos, lots of them. Videos of you in the midst of a favorite pastime or hobby creates a tone of friendship. If you’re cooking and burn the meal, laugh, snap a few pics, and offer a great takeaway. If you’re attempting a craft with the kids or grandkids, show the reader what’s going on. Do you have a pet? We writers are not mindless robots who spend our entire day in front of a computer screen. We’re real!

Psychological Blogs

These are serious and fun posts. We can share an insight, a lesson learned, or our humorous side. The key is to be uplifting. Walk a narrow path with this one. Not every pitfall of life is to be shared. I take notes in church with the understanding a phrase or a twist of the sermon has the potential to be a powerful blog—not to preach or condemn but to show a different side of me.

Is your bucket dripping with a bazillion ideas? Keep a file of blogging topics for those dry times. And don’t forget to keep adding to it!

How do you find blogging ideas?

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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, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and 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.

8 Social Media Updates You Should NEVER Share!

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Social media is all about connections. It’s a digital community where relationships are built. IN this community, the relationship building takes place in much the same way as in a physical community. The foundational component is sharing—sharing lives, sharing thoughts, sharing hopes and dreams. But with all this sharing, there are still things we don’t need to know about one another.

I hate to say this, but I’ve seen all of these irritating updates show up in one or more of my social media feeds. My reaction on seeing these has ranged from mildly irritated, to what-was-she-thinking shock. I’d love for you to make note of these, and avoid them completely

How Contests can Boost Your Subscribers

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

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I don’t know a single person who doesn’t enjoy entering contests. We love the thought of winning a prize or being selected in a random drawing. Unfortunately, once the contest ends and a winner or winners are announced, the participant is no longer interested in who we are as writers unless we give them a reason to return.

Our objective in offering regular contests has two goals:

• To create enthusiasm for our books and our brand.
• To show participants we care about them.

We want readers to subscribe to our blogs and social media posts, to stay connected with us, and form a loyal relationship because we care about their needs. So how can a contest boost our subscribers?

1.  Develop well-written contest material. Spend time ensuring it’s witty, enticing, exciting, and in a consistent voice as your regular posts.
2. Use images that are relevant and easily understood. Study color and what appeals aesthetically to a participants’ emotions.
3. Strive for simplicity in how the person enters the contest. Random drawings are the easiest. I suggest using an online random generator site to select winners.
4. Include a sign-up box for your blog or click-through icons for your social media platforms.
5. Offer contestants a pdf of something for entering contest/random drawing. This could be used for new subscribers to your blog as well.
6. Each time someone enters the contest, send them a personal thank-you.Quality prizes are essential. Select items that are valued or gift cards.
7. When we cheat our participants, they have no reason to follow us.

The result is simple. When potential followers view how you engage with them, they are eager to make an investment. Don’t disappoint, and your followers will reward you.

How do you boost your social media followers?

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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, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and 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.

10 Myths about Marketing Your Book

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

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What’s stopping you from marketing your book? Is it lack of knowledge?
Indecision about the tools? Fear of failure or success? How to approach social media?

Now is the time to debunk the following 10 myths so you can be a marketing rockstar.

 Myth #1: All I have to do is one thing: write a good book. 

A writer’s number 1 job is to write an excellent book. But without marketing and promotion, how will readers know about your exciting project? 

Myth #2: Marketing takes way too much money. Only big names can afford it.

Every writer has the ability to learn basic marketing, promotion, and the value of social media. No matter the marketing budget, reaching others can be accomplished and is vital to the success of your book.

Myth #3: A traditionally published writer doesn’t need to worry about marketing. The publishing house will spend lots of money launching it.

Publishing houses adjust their budgets for marketing and promotion according to projected sales. A savvy writer teams up with the marketing team to learn how to compliment what’s being done. Personalization allows the writer to make an impact on potential readers.

Myth #4: The only way a writer will succeed in marketing is to hire a book publicist. 

Writers research the needs of their readers to find out how to reach them effectively. A writer has the ability to influence their readers by discovering who they are.

Myth #5: If a writer is going to get involved in social media, then register for every platform. And never follow anyone back.

A writer chooses a social media platform according to her brand, genre, expertise, and audience needs. The goal is to be active, reaching out in a community of followers to fill a need. 

Myth #6: No one can help an author build a platform or develop a brand. It just happens as you publish books.

A wise writer focuses her passion to a specific audience. Her expertise and type of writing builds her platform so she can be branded by who she is and what she writes. 

Myth #7: Marketing through social media means you have to constantly promote yourself so people will remember you.  The goal of social media is to help others; it’s not about us. For every five posts, only one can be about the writer. Develop trust among your followers.

Myth #8: There’s no point in marketing your book until it’s released. After all, people can’t buy it until then. 

Marketing and promotion begins with the writer’s idea for a project. Social media posts, blogs, speaking topics, catch-phrases, Pinterest boards etc. begin at conception of the book premise.

Myth #9: If you receive an advance, plan on spending 10% of it on marketing. If you don’t receive an advance, then marketing isn’t expected of you.

Every writer has a specific amount designated for marketing and promotion. The publisher expects a writer to be involved in the process of letting the world know about the book. The advance doesn’t dictate the writer’s marketing. 

Myth #10: Once a writer creates a marketing plan, the same plan works for every book.

Not every project’s content is the same. The characters, plot, setting, emotion, dialogue, narrative, and symbols vary in each book. Just as the books carry different themes and topics, so are the new and unique ways of marketing.

What marketing myths have you proven wrong? Share your thoughts so we 
can all learn. 

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DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She creates 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.

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

Is Social Media Worth The Effort for Authors

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Social media. Often just the mention of this subject conjures up hours of time. First there’s the time it takes to hang out online, then the time it takes to figure out what to say, who to LIKE and which updates to comment on, share and even retweet.

All for what?

The chance that someone out there in cyberspace might actually—either now or sometime in the future—buy a book.

Or the fact that some editor and/or agent is going to judge the number of friends, followers and likes I have on my social media network.

7 Things Your Target Audience Needs to Hear

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills 
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Meeting reader needs can be a daunting task, which is one of the reasons why The Author Roadmap is dedicated to helping you be a success with social media while creating writing projects.

The following 7 items will help you reach out to your audience and cultivate valuable relationships. Note every item is what you will do for your audience . . . not the other way around.

1. Dear reader, my goal is to build a friendship with you. I care about you, and I’m constantly working to answer your questions, inform, and entertain you.
2. The passion for my stories comes from a deep desire to provide a great book for you. Your encouragement is why I work hard to develop strong characters and an intricate plot.
3. You can trust me to stand firm on my brand. I’m a writer who is true to my promises. My books, blogs, and social media posts reflect my integrity.
4. You are important to me. My multiple-daily posts are about how I can meet your needs. My promise to keep in touch is reliable. Leave comments, and I will respond.
5. Your input helps me be productive. I’m listening to your suggestions, questions, and advice.
6. We’re a team. No writer is ever alone. We need each other to walk this path called life.
7. What stories have influenced you? How can I best continue to serve you?

Your readers are priceless gems. Nurture and take care of them. Once a writer loses an audience, she may never get them back again. 

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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 Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and 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.

Organize Your Social Media with this Step-by-Step Tutorial for Setting Up & Personalizing a Hootsuite Account

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Many of you know that I spent all of last week directing and teaching at The Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. 

DiAnn Mills and I taught a week-long continuing class—The Author Roadmap. We loved interacting with students and helping them get acquainted with the marketing and branding superhighway. But even though we had an entire week of classes, it wasn't enough time to teach everything we wanted. 

So today, I'm sharing a much-requested screencast that take you through a step-by-step tutorial for setting up and personalizing a Hootsuite account. 

Be sure to leave any questions or comments in the section below. I'm happy to clarify any points that weren't clear—or weren't covered—in the video. 

Thanks & Blessings,
Edie

Click to Tweet: Organize #SocialMedia with this Step-by-Step Tutorial for #Hootsuite - @EdieMelson