Before Carolyn Howard-Johnson became an acclaimed author, she spent nearly three decades in the retail industry, as founder and manager of her own chain of stores, a retail consultant and a New York publicist. The latest book in her "Survive and Thrive" series is Frugal & Focused Tweeting for Retailers, and it is a great read for not just people in the retail industry, but for those in the publishing industry as well. After all, being a writer is in many ways similar to running your very own small business. Not only must you strive to make your writing the best it can be -- if you want to expand your readership, it is also imperative to learn how to be successful at marketing yourself and your work.
That is where Howard-Johnson comes in. Her goal in this book is to help those with businesses (or books!) use Twitter in ways they never imagined by "doing it right" and integrating their efforts with all the other marketing they do.
Are you clueless at social networking? Frugal & Focused Tweeting for Retailers walks you through the basics of setting up a Twitter account and demystifies the jargon of Twitter lingo.
Do you already have a Twitter account set up but want to gain a bigger audience of followers and learn how to add clout to your online presence? This is a great book for you, too!
Twitter is indeed a frugal way to promote yourself and your books -- it's free to join and use! Howard-Johnson gives advice on ways to build connections with potential customers through Twitter, integrate your advertising, and even give a Twitter party.
I'll end with a quote from the beginning of the book by Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks: "People get information in all kinds of ways now, and companies can no longer talk at the consumer. You have to engage in a discussion and let people create, discover, and share information and not just try to sell them things." Whether you're selling coffee or selling books, I couldn't agree more. In Frugal & Focused Tweeting for Retailers, Howard-Johnson helps show you how to start a discussion with consumers -- or readers!
She also keeps a blog called "Sharing With Writers and Readers."
While you're there, connect with me on Twitter, too! :)
5 comments:
I have both of Carolyn's other Frugal books, and they're excellent. While I'm not a retailer, this is on my 'to get list'; I'm sure it has great tips and advice for anyone trying to promote themselves and their books and/or services.
Great post, Dallas! You're absolutely right in that authors are essentially running a small business. That's particularly true in the current market, with so many of us being indie authors with little or not financial backing from publishers.
Carolyn, this book is going on my to-buy list for August. Another one of your gems to help guide me.
Dallas, Karen and Darcia, I have a new motto. Marketing is Marketing is Marketing--no matter what busines we're in. Though I appreciate books targeted to niches for their ability to give specific, practical resources and ideas, I alos know we can learn much from general books. And, right. Those of us with books out there are just retailers in disguise. (-:
Best,
Carolyn
Blogging at Writer's Digest 101 Best Website picks www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com
Carolyn,
I love the new photo. You're such a pretty lady & smart, too.
Blessings,
J. Aday Kennedy
The Differently-Abled Writer & Speaker
Just checking in again. Thanks J. Aday! (-: Dallas, thank you again. Hope everyone will check out Aggie Villaneuva's online launch services. It's been so much fun. And frugal, too. (-: Just Google Promotion a la Carte.
Best,
Carolyn
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