Platform development

[Lori Lowe]

Hi all! Are any of you working on platform development for current or future books? I'm working on blog writing, Twittering (@lorilowe) and other social networking. Curious about others' successes or lessons learned. I understand Twitter only has about 2-4% rate of linking to web sites. Not sure how effective other social networking is. Let's talk about balancing time between marketing and our actual writing projects, what works, and what doesn't. Cheers!

[Gus Pearcy]

Hi, Lori,

I too am working on Twitter. I find it interesting, but still don't have a handle on the best application. It currently doesn't click with my audience, but I think it could.

I'm trying out other social networks, but personally like Facebook. I think there's still a potential to make it work for marketing in a non-invasive way. I have had some success marketing articles through Twitter, but I haven't produced dime one.

I spend way too much time marketing as opposed to actual work. I'm attempting to remedy that.

I find that To Do lists work for me. I also carry a new Moleskin notebook to capture thoughts when I'm away from my computer.

[Lori Lowe]

Thanks, Gus. Yeah, I think I spend too much time on marketing as well. But then, no one will publish you without a good platform, so guess it's necessary.

[Maurice Broaddus]

i spend a lot of time on facebook and twitter (i have a myspace, but spend almost no time there anymore). my blog has been built into a successful platform, to the point where it leads to freelance work on its own.

basically, i use my blog to do extended commentary on current events, writing life, pop culture, spiritual issues, and (VERY lastly) my writing projects. i let fans know when new stuff is out, but don't make that the main thrust of the blog. if the blog was a running commercial, i would lose followers immediately.

twitter on the other hand, i use to spout the gibberish that goes on in my head. it's built its OWN/separate following. it feeds into my facebook account, so that the two work hand in hand. they let me interact with fans, editors, and colleagues easily. and i post when i have new work available.

i sold a story last week which started as a joke on twitter. i posted "i'm thinking about writing a steampunk story with all black characters and calling it 'pimp my airship'." five editors wrote me to send it to them when i was done. other than that, i'm not sure how much this indirect marketing will translate into sales.