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Ashley Henyan, The Social Media Marketing Expert

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We wanted to get to know Ashley Henyan (NAIWE’s Social Media Marketing Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here are some thoughts she shared with us.

What is the span of a social network?

A social network is not limited to those who follow your channel or like your page. A social network is, for the most part, unlimited — especially considering that it only takes one “like” or “retweet” to exponentially expand your reach.

What is the average number of items in a toolkit to help engage a network of social advocates?

A toolkit is really a fancy way of describing a single-page online guide for your social advocates — the friends, family members, and colleagues who support your work or business and already like your page. In that essence, a toolkit is a single-page, Word document. However, the amount of content you incorporate into that document is completely up to you.

Once I have created my toolkit, is it one and done?

No! As your products expand and your brand evolves, you will want to update your toolkit. You might want to considering doing so quarterly, seasonally, or even in alignment with a new product launch, campaign, or event. Being timely and relevant is essential to stand out in the digital world. Your brand’s toolkit should be timely and relevant too!
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Are you posting and posting and posting on your social media platforms only to find your high school best friend and your mom are the only two followers liking or sharing your content? Then our upcoming webinar is JUST FOR YOU!

Get tips and tricks for engaging your followers and gaining new ones. You will also learn how to create a toolkit to help engage a network of social advocates to work for you, bringing greater visibility to your brand.

You can join in this conversation on December 9, at 2:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on building your social media presence. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

Book Chat: Marcia Rosen

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Today’s podcast episode is a Book Chat episode, where we get to know one of the books that has been published by a fellow NAIWE member.

Our guest today is Marcia Rosen.

Marcia Rosen (aka M. Glenda Rosen) is a marketing and public relations advisor for authors and a senior team member creating out-of-the-box strategies for a marketing/advertising agency and client projects. She was owner and founder of a business/marketing and public relations agency and consulting firm in New York City; The Hamptons; and Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the company served as advisors to a wide range of national, regional, and local clientele. Marcia has presented book marketing and public relations programs at local and national events, including major book conferences, for nearly 20 years. In addition, she has worked with numerous authors developing and implementing plans to create an awareness of them as authors and gain recognition and sales for their books, including book launch campaigns and ongoing actions both through social media and traditional activities. Marcia is the author of ten books. She has published numerous articles and is a member of Sisters In Crime Los Angeles and Albuquerque, Central Coast Writers, Public Safety Writer’s Association, and Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers.

 

Q: How long have you been a writer? And what piqued your interest about this industry?

I’ve been writing books for almost twenty years, first business, then memoir and last eight two mystery series. I wanted to be a writer since I was 14.

 

Q: Is this your primary profession, or do you have other careers?

It is now. Prior to this, I owned a full-service marketing and public relations agency offices in New York, California, and New Mexico.

 

Q: When did you first have the idea for this book? And what inspired you to actually write this book?

The idea of the Senior Sleuths Mystery series was a combination of loving the Thin Man series and wanting to write mysteries and adventures with seniors being active, interesting, exciting, and adventurous with a touch of romance mixed in with murder.

 

Q: What prompted you to publish the book when you did?

Good timing for seniors and me as a senior.

 

Q: What did you learn while working on this book? And what were some challenges you faced during the writing or publication of this book?

I kept at it same as in business. I don’t listen to negative voices, only let people I trust read and edit it.

 

Q: What avenues have you used to market your book? And which ones were the most successful for you?

Lots! Signings at bookstores and conferences, social media actions, networking,  guests on blogs and not going programs on zoom, which are very helpful.

 

Q: Where has this book been mentioned, and has it won any awards?

It has been mentioned on Goodreads, Amazon, social media, mystery blogs, Mystery Scene Magazine, and it placed second with Public Safety Writer’s Association—a great organization. It won first place for writing, “My Memoir Workbook.”

 

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our listeners?

Accept and act on how important it is to stay visible with your book and you as an author.

Marcia Rosen, The Public Relations and Book Marketing Expert

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We wanted to get to know Marcia Rosen (NAIWE’s Public Relations and Book Marketing Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here are some thoughts she shared with us.

What is the typical length of author podcast and Zoom interviews?

The average length is an hour with time included for questions and answers. It is very important in every way to be prepared!

Is it acceptable for authors to exchange guest appearances on each other’s podcasts?

Yes, if they are agreeable to the idea. Everyone is different.

What different approaches should authors use for podcast vs. Zoom?

Confirm who the audience is and let them know why you think their audience will be interested in what you have to say. Pitch an idea, not just promoting your book. I’ve pitched how to write a mystery or memoir, and the host always promotes my books.
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How do you reach your potential market, especially now with limited opportunities for in-person events at bookstores and many writers conferences cancelled? As a marketing/public relations professional and agency founder, Marcia Rosen knows authors are like any business and they should create a presence and consistent message by implementing various marketing strategies.

Two valuable marketing approaches to consider: Author Podcast and Zoom Interviews.

Millions of people are listening to podcasts. Online surveys have revealed over 70 million Americans listen to podcasts each month. Online statistics assert, “beyond any doubt, podcasts are a potential goldmine for promoting your book(s).”

Bookstores, libraries, and writing organizations offer Zoom programs, which include interviewing authors, presenting author talks on genre specific topics, and, of course, book marketing.

During this program Marcia will also discuss booking an appearance as a podcast or Zoom guest, do’s and don’ts of being a successful guest, and using these interviews to promote yourself on other social media platforms and your own website.

You can join in this conversation on November 16, at 7:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on author marketing. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

Marcia Rosen, The Public Relations and Book Marketing Expert

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We wanted to get to know Marcia Rosen (NAIWE’s Public Relations and Book Marketing Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here are some thoughts she shared with us.

What is unique to the pandemic that is beneficial to writers?

Zoom book marketing events and meetings have proven to be valuable for writers during the pandemic. Writing organizations, libraries, and bookstores have all given authors an opportunity to talk about writing and their books. I’ve found this to be very beneficial.

What can writers capitalize on to stay motivated to write?

Staying connected to other writers, attending in-person or Zoom writing events and meetings may be motivating. Being a guest on writing blogs or writing articles to have your voice heard. I also teach writing classes, and responses from others is very motivating for me.

Are there any stats for the success rate of writers?

Measurements of success are having your book listed on a best-seller list or winning a writing award. Also, success can be relative depending on the author and what they are looking for as a writer.
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From staying on track to not giving up or giving in, from not listening to negative voices, including your own, the purpose of this presentation is to encourage you to stay determined, confident, courageous, hopeful, inspired, and motivated with respect to your writing. We’ll talk some of what can inhibit and interfere with writing goals and how to move past them.

There are times it’s possible to be discouraged and unsure and wondering why you’re even bothering. But your soul cannot and does not really want to give up. So, write on, tell the negative voice in your head and from others to go away! Each writer needs the promise of possibility and hopefulness that their dreams and ambitions can be fulfilled.

In this presentation we’ll cover:

  • Having your voice heard during this pandemic!
  • Knowing you have the right to be a writer
  • Perseverance
  • Trusting your own voice
  • Dealing with and ignoring negative voices
  • Planning, preparing, pushing forward
  • Motivation and staying motivated
  • Setting a writing schedule or routine
  • Setting deadlines for yourself
  • Avoiding distractions and distracting people
  • Being comfortable with the plans for your work and your ideas on issues such as dialogue, character development, point of view, tone, and your storyline.

You can join in this conversation on October 19, at 7:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on motivation. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

John McIntyre, The Grammar Expert

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We wanted to get to know John McIntyre (NAIWE’s Grammar Expert) better, so last month we sat down with him. Here are some thoughts he shared with us.

Do grammar rules change based on genre?

Something we all understand intuitively, but which some people find troublesome, is that we have many Englishes, and each one has its own grammar. “Me and Emily are going to the mall” is an error in formal, standard English, but the conjoined subject is immediately understood, widely in use, conformed to a recognized pattern, and, therefore, grammatical in the informal dialect in which it is used. Similarly, double negatives are an error in standard English but a recognized grammatical pattern for emphasis in African American English.

Is there one reliable grammar source?

The thing you half-remember from high school English is probably not. A good bit of the advice you can find online is trash. (See my little book, Bad Advice: The Most Unreliable Counsel Available on Grammar, Usage, and Writing.) If you need to consult an authority on formal English, Garner’s Modern English Usage by Bryan A. Garner furnishes the best-informed prescriptivist advice you can find. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of English Usage provides historical background and leaves choices to you. Dreyer’s English by Benjamin Dreyer is recent, informed, and lively. You would do well to keep all three close at hand for when you have serious concerns about grammar and usage.

What do you find fascinating about grammar?

I spent half of my forty years as an editor learning things and the second half unlearning them. The traditional schoolroom grammar was drummed into me in school in rural Kentucky. In my time as an editor, talking over issues with other editors, and later becoming acquainted with linguists and lexicographers, I arrived at a much broader understanding of English grammar. It’s so much more varied and interesting to explore than the tired, stale, and unhelpful prescriptivist/descriptivist categories, or the erroneous belief that English is in decline, would have you believe. I try to keep in mind something that H.L. Mencken wrote in The American Language: “The error of . . . viewers with alarm is in assuming that there is enough magic in pedagogy to teach ‘correct’ English to the plain people. There is, in fact, too little; even the fearsome abracadabra of Teachers College, Columbia, will never suffice for the purpose. The plain people will always make their own language, and the best that grammarians can do is to follow after it, haltingly, and often without much insight. Their lives would be more comfortable if they ceased to repine over it, and instead gave it some hard study. It is very amusing, and not a little instructive.”
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John, who was a working newspaper editor for 40 years, has watched writers grapple with changing patterns of English usage and wants to help you make reasonable decisions. You can send him questions that concern you, and he will answer them at the webinar. Anticipating your concerns, he is preparing advice on perennial concerns: Should we give up on “whom”? Is singular “they” here to stay and acceptable everywhere? What can we do about “lie” and “lay”? You will get the best advice available.

You can join in this conversation on October 12, at 7:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on your burning grammar questions. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

Greg Smith, The Novel Writing Expert

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We wanted to get to know Greg Smith (NAIWE’s Novel Writing Expert) better, so last month we sat down with him. Here are some thoughts he shared with us.

Is this a guide to follow at will?

The Agile Writer Method is something you can do at your own pace and on your own schedule. However, it is structured for 10 pages per week for 25 weeks. I recommend you find two critique partners and have weekly meetings where you review your weekly 10-page output. This creates a sense of accountability that motivates you to write each week. However, you can follow the program and write your novel at whatever pace works best for you.

Do all the steps need to be in order to write a good novel?

Yes, and no. The big idea behind the Agile Writer Method is successive refinement. You’ll start with a single sentence describing your story. Then write an elevator pitch (one paragraph). Then a synopsis (one page). During the plotting phase, you create an eight-stage Storyboard (or outline) that structures your story. Then you write 10 pages a week for 25 weeks. So, yes, there is a progression that you need to follow. However, many Agile Writers will write their beginning, then their ending, and then fill in the middle! So, it’s a pretty flexible method.

Do you offer a template?

Yes, there are templates for the Hero Abstract, the Story Abstract, and the eight-stage storyboard (or outline). These templates will get you started. Most Agile Writers are pretty creative; they’ve embellished and augmented the templates to suit their needs. As I have said, The Agile Writer Method is very flexible!
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Storytelling is as old as the human race. Over the ages we’ve come to expect a pattern to storytelling. In this webinar, Greg Smith lays out this time-worn pattern. Based on Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, mythology, psychology, and screenwriting techniques, the “The Eight Stages of the Novel” will help you plot your story before you put pen to paper.

You can join in this conversation on September 13, at 8:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on writing your novel. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

MJ Courchesne, The Copyright & Permissions Expert

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We wanted to get to know MJ Courchesne (NAIWE’s Copyright & Permissions Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here are some thoughts she shared with us.

Should a freelancer expect to sign a work-for-hire agreement for each job?

It’s good practice to sign some sort of contract before starting a new job. Whether it’s a work-for-hire or another arrangement is really up to the freelancer. If you’re new to the field, you may wish to sign a work-for-hire to get your name out there and establish your reputation in a certain topic area. If you’re an established writer, you may wish to push for a royalty or another arrangement wherein you maintain your copyright. But either way, a contract between you and your client is good business so that both you and your client understand the full terms of your arrangement from who owns the work to how payments should be made.

Can you use your own contract in lieu of using the other party’s?

It may depend on the client. If it’s a small company, they may be amenable to signing a contract that you prepared. If it’s a well-established corporation, however, they may very well insist you sign their contract.

What language in a contract would cause you not to sign it?

This is tricky because it really depends upon the nature of the job. Obviously, if you are interested in maintaining your copyright, you will want to avoid any transfer of copyright language. Beyond that, it really depends upon your goals and business needs for the job.
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This interactive webinar will feature some sample agreements and sources for templates that the writer might find useful during their writing career. What does a work-for-hire generally look like? What should you expect in a standard trade publishing contract? How common are NDAs in the publishing world and why might you need one? How do you format a simple permission request? Who can you reach out to for help when reviewing a contract? Be ready to take notes and bring your questions for this informative session on contracts and agreements.

You can join in this conversation on August 31, at 7:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on writing agreements. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

Brian Schwartz, The Self-Publishing Expert

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We wanted to get to know Brian Schwartz (NAIWE’s Self-Publishing Expert) better, so last month we sat down with him. Here are some thoughts he shared with us.

What makes a good review?

A good review helps target the book for the right reader while steering the wrong reader away. I often tell authors “The way you get a good review is by putting your book in the hands of the right reader. Bad reviews are the result of putting it into the hands of the wrong reader.” If your reviewer is open to advice, provide them with keywords you know others are likely to use in a search since reviews are also indexed by search engines. An ideal review is 1–2 paragraphs and mentions the main reason why they read the book and what they got out of it. People are skeptical that a review is legit when the review is only 1–2 sentences.

Can a book ever have too many reviews?

Never! Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents has over 31,000 ratings on Amazon with an average of 4.8/5 stars.

Can you sensor or pick and choose reviews?

No, and you should never engage with a reviewer. In one instance, I did reach out to a 1-star reviewer and offered to compensate her for her time because the author was distraught. Some companies who sell products on Amazon may offer a bad reviewer a full refund if they are willing to take down their review. But this is not advisable. I regret doing it myself as it tarnishes the integrity of the entire system and you are setting yourself up for scammers who just want free products. The truth is that the more people you ask, the more likely you will get a bad review. But a few bad reviews can raise the legitimacy of the others and if the bad review steers the wrong reader away from your book, then it’s actually done you (and the reader) a service. I tell authors that for every one bad review, they should try to offset it with two positive ones.
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What’s the one thing you can do each day to grow your sales? Ask for a review. In this webinar, Brian will empower you to build the essential foundation behind any successful book: a strategy to continually ask for reviews. Before you spend a dime on advertising, your book must have reviews. While Amazon reviews get all the attention, there are many other ways you can leverage reviews elsewhere.

Key takeaways you can expect from attending this webinar:
• The indicators that Amazon uses to remove reviews
• The importance of “vanilla urls” when pointing to Amazon
• The 3 key elements of an effective review
• Using Amazon reviews in your marketing materials
• How many reviews you need
• When a bad review can be good
• How to avoid getting banned by Goodreads
• What a successful reviewer outreach, tracking & follow-up system looks like
• How to find over 100 potential reviewers in your own network.

After helping hundreds of authors over the past 10+ years, Brian has seen firsthand what works and what doesn’t. How do you get a good review for your book? You put your book in the hands of the right reader. Amazon.com began with a single line of code. Similarly, the success of any title began with a single review.

You can join in this conversation on July 28, at 6:30 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on book reviews. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

Tamian Wood, The Book Cover Expert

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We wanted to get to know Tamian Wood (NAIWE’s Book Cover Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here is what she shared with us.

 

What is color psychology, and is this just for book covers?

Color psychology is the study of hues and shades as a determinant of human behavior. It is not just for book covers. Color psychology is regularly used in all kinds of marketing applications, such as product packaging, corporate branding, television commercials, automotive design, in the clothing industry, interior design, furniture design, just to name a few.

 

How are cultural responses determined?

Cultural responses are set upon us by our cultural environment. If your parents, siblings, neighbors, friends believe that a certain color is representative of XXX, then you will likely have the same reaction to that color stimulus. For example, a Western cultural response to mourning is to wear black or dark somber colors.

 

How can color affect our brain?

A human’s occipital lobe is mostly associated with color visualization. The colors green and blue, which are the most common colors in nature, can provide healing to a stressed-out mind. Thus the color blue is widely used in mental therapy to reduce stress and reduce the rate of suicide. Japan has gone as far as painting the train station walls with the color blue and found it has helped to reduce suicide in public spaces by 75%.

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Have you ever wondered what makes a person pick one product over another? Many times, it’s the result of good design. In this webinar you’ll learn a bit about the basics of color psychology, including cultural responses and the language of color.

We’ll also explore the transformative magic of typography and how you can use it, in varying ways, to change the message of your words. I’m not talking about reading the words themselves, but rather reading the mood of your font choice. And last, we’ll take a dive into tracking, kerning, and leading. OH MY!

You can join in this conversation on June 21, at 2 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on typography. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

Ruth Thaler-Carter, The Networking Expert

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We wanted to get to know Ruth Thaler-Carter (NAIWE’s Networking Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here is what she shared with us.

 

What do new and existing writing businesses have in common?

New and existing writing businesses probably share a common goal: for the owner’s words, thoughts, and perspectives to find an audience and outlet. Their owners might be at different stages of creativity, visibility, or success, but every writer wants—even needs—to be seen and heard.

 

Please explain why all writing is not business material.

A lot of writing isn’t oriented to business use, starting with poetry, fiction, plays, and memoir, even though a writing business can be about getting non-business material out into the world. Where the concept of a “business” comes into play is in applying business-like principles to getting the work done, finding agents and outlets for the work, responding to editing and proofreading input, getting paid, and related details.

 

Do audiences and readers carry the same weight in writing businesses?

Readers are audiences! Whether someone is writing a novel or a press release, a poem or a white paper, a play or a case study, a how-to book or a personal blog post, we all want what we write to be seen and appreciated. Clients might be more demanding than readers, but every audience or reader matters. We want everyone who sees our writing to understand it, respond to it positively by publishing reviews or acting on it somehow, recommending it to others, and reading or buying the next piece we write.

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Starting a writing business is exciting and challenging. Writing is a creative act. Having a writing business is a practical process. Get some practical, effective tips from a long-time, award-winning freelance writer/editor in this session. Learn about types of writing that can be the basis of a business; getting experience; finding outlets, audiences, readers and clients; avoiding scams; and more. Whether you want to write and publish books or articles, fiction or nonfiction, this session will get your writing business off to a strong start (and enhance an existing one).

You can join in this conversation on May 20, at 7 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on giving your writing business a strong start. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

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