Monday, April 1, 2013

To Pin or Not to Pin




With all the social media sites out there, how do you decide which ones will be fun and effective, but not take up every waking moment of your life?

1) Recommendations from friends

My friend, Miriam, dragged me onto Facebook. I'm glad I listened to her because I've connected with family and friends. It's a quick way to communicate important news flashes, prayer requests, and share pictures.

While blogging is still my favorite venue, Facebook has added another dimension to the relationships planted there.

2)  What are bloggers saying about the site?

I'd say I first heard of Pinterest about 2 years ago. (Yeah, I'm a little slow jumping onto new trends.) It seemed like everyone was talking about it in the blogosphere.

Another friend, Jean Fischer, is on top of technology and wrote a post about Pinterest. By this time, curiosity was building like steam in a pressure cooker. Oh, did I mention that I met Jean on Facebook?

3)  What kind of social media sites are recommended by publishers?

Helping Hands Press, my publisher, is super big on social media. Pinterest, Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter are on the top of their list. I signed the contract, and added Pinterest and Goodreads to my daily rounds.

I love magazines and have clipped recipes and articles over the years. Pinterest is a virtual bulletin board. I can "pin" items I like on my boards for future reference. Right now, I'm collecting gardening tips. When the weather turns balmy, I'm ready to plant my flowers and veggies.

New connections are being forged with people, who might not venture near my blog or become a Facebook friend. The best part: I'm enjoying the ride.

Writers: How did you select the social media sites you frequent?

Readers: What draws you to Facebook or Pinterest?

The Blog Tour Stops Here TodayDiane Estrella 
                                                           Cecelia Lester

Photo Credit:  OeilDeNuit



10 comments:

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Susan .. I am on FB and Twitter, but don't do them .. perhaps after the A-Z ... the others not at all ..

It seems to be thing to do - and now you've got a book .. I'd select the ones you find easiest ..

Cheers Hilary

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Hilary -

I met a lot of people on Facebook, including Jean. She's become a dear friend. I think you'd find Facebook a great way to connect.

Twitter is easy because of the limitation on comment size.

I'm loving Pinterest and getting accustomed to Goodreads.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Karen Lange said...

Well, you were the one who encouraged me to join Facebook. I was reluctant but quickly saw the value. I joined Pinterest a while back, but didn't do anything with it until recently. Getting the hang of it now. :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Karen -

LOL! I did get you involved with Facebook, didn't I? Next to blogging, Facebook is my favorite Social Media outlet.

Pinterest is great for links to all kinds of stuff, including books and authors. It also saves me from having magazine clippings cluttering up my house.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Nancy said...

I was drawn to Facebook a few years ago when I wanted a place to put my son's wedding pictures for friends and family. Soon after that, I heard of Twitter. I just decided that a blog and Facebook were enough for me. I am intrigued with Pinterest, however.

Rhonda Schrock said...

Hmm. Haven't done Pinterest yet, and I'm inactive on Twitter. I feel overwhelmed into paralysis by the whole thing. Where do you stop and where do you start and when can God just be my manager/agent/publicity expert??

DenaNetherton said...

Hi Susan, I'm a blogger, and I'm on Facebook, Twitter, Google,and Goodreads. (Although, I've barely scratched the surface of the last site.)I'm researching sites that connect with classical musicians since almost all of my novels have at least one character who's a musician or singer.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Nancy - I think you'd really enjoy Pinterest, but fair warning, it's addictive! I try to limit myself to going on there twice a day.

Hi Rhonda - I understand your dilemma. The bottom line is to reach your audience. Name recognition and book title recognition are essential. The Internet is the most effective way to accomplish this.

Hi Dena - While taking advantage of your niche (musicians), don't forget that the general population has worship leaders, singers, and musicians as well. They'd be interested in your novel.

Whenever I see a book that includes a writer, I'm apt to pick it up.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Jessica Nelson said...

No Pinterest for me. I'm not visual and all those pictures are not interesting for me. I love FB though and feel like it is a great conversational way to connect with people.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jess -

If you're not visual, Pinterest will bore you to tears. Facebook is excellent.

Blessings,
Susan :)