The word Synergy seems sometimes foreign to writers, yet as the Internet goes from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0, writers and authors are realizing Social Networking is what is important to succeed in this world.
So I do get calls, email & text messages like this for example:
“Hey Sylvia, I see you everywhere and I have a new book coming out that I’d love for you to let everyone know about…” They’ll leave they’re book URL where I can buy it and end with. “I hope you support me by purchasing a copy.”
Or another one is:
“Hey Ms Hubbard, I need more people to know about my book and would love if you could share my information with your social network.”
“Ms. Hubbard, I see that you have thousand of people who follow you on Facebook. You don’t know me and I heard about you from a lot of people and I would like you to share about my book on domestic violence with the people who follow you. I know when they see my book, they will want to follow me too. Thank you in advance.”
“Hey Ms. Literary diva, we haven’t spoken since I published my book five years ago in the yahoogroups with you and I heard you know a lot about ebooking. Can you tell me how to do it because I’m confused and two other authors told me to get in contact with you.” (This one wanted step by step process through email FOR FREE).
(these are actual notes from Facebook or twitter)
Yet, and that’s a big YET, they’ve never once supported me by even retweeting one thing I’ve said. I may not know this person from anywhere and they have the nerve… oh no, the audacity to ask me to purchase and share their information as if that would benefit me in some way.
I like sharing things about what’s going on in Michigan. Yet just the fact that you would like me to buy and share your literary project when you haven’t once came out to any of my events, purchased a project of mine, responded to an online discussion, followed me on twitter or even retweeted one thing I’ve said, really doesn’t encourage me to do anything for you.
I want to help everyone. I love sharing my knowledge with others and showing people the right way to social network. Yet, even after I share advice with the thousands of people who contact me annually for advice, I would say I get maybe ten to a hundred people a year who actually take the time to show their appreciation.
I’m not complaining. Anything that I have been given I truly appreciate all and honored by what they have given me.
But the ones that haven’t. The ones that have asked me for valuable advice and never once supported me in anyway, I speak to you. The ones that have sat down with me for an hour and picked my brain personally, why haven’t you at least shared on your social network an event I do; A book I have; a blog post I’ve done or even a quote I’ve posted?
The ones that I have helped set up publishing companies, saved money on printing expenses, gave social media advice that’s worth thousands of dollars, why haven’t you even given a love offering or a donation to my organization or even taken out an ad?
I wonder about this and thought after eleven years of being for the literary community and helping almost a million writers and authors out, I needed to say something personally to them.
Now don’t feel sorry for me. I know I’m an asset to humanity and the blessings I give to others I don’t expect repayment in any way. Really, I don’t, but I do expect for the ones that I do help to pay it forward – which some do and some don’t.
Social networking is more than just opening up an account on facebook or twitter and saying buy my book. If you don’t understand that, you will never understand what it takes to sell books on the World Wide Web.
I’ve probably made some people mad at me – especially the ones I’ve quoted from the hot mess they’ve sent me, but at this point, I’m only here as a person who would love for you to take whatever advice I’ve given you that has helped you out and help me or someone else with it, and give credit where credit is due. (back to me at twitter @sylviahubbard1) LOL.
I just hope this message reached the hearts and minds of the people who really needed to hear it and give the understanding to them .
If you are confused about how to help your favorite author or literary friend out, here’s an article by Lindsay Buroker called:
How to Help Your Favorite Authors