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Social media can be mystifying. We’re all budding “authorpreneurs” — we need to build audiences and brand ourselves — but the alphabet soup of online options can be head-spinning. Sorting it all out requires a helping hand, and that’s exactly what Charlene Sterphone, a digital marketing expert, offered at her lively Write Group session, “Author Self-Marketing in the Digital World.” Some takeaways: • An author’s website with a professional focus, industry and event updates, and a call to action can provide a solid foundation for a social media presence. Supplementing it with a targeted blog can enhance its impact. • When exploring the benefits of social media, concentrate on the top-tier tools: 1) Facebook: Global, 1.44 billion active users (66% male, 77% female); an Author Facebook page is a marketing must. 2) Twitter: 313 million active users; ranks as the 2nd largest outlet — attracts a broad audience via short-form content. 3) Instagram: 300 million monthly users; targets younger users via visual content: photos and videos. • Second-tier niche outlets worth investigating: SnapChat, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. • YouTube offers another valuable resource: It’s bigger than any cable network; 1/3 of Internet users at any given time are watching YouTube videos. Priming the pump: As an easy social media start-up project, Charlene advises creating an Author Facebook page: Fill out the basic information, upload one relevant post, invite friends and family to Like the page — and you’ll be up and running! A helpful tip: Google “Setting up an author page on Facebook” for step-by-step instructions. Authorpreneurs, start your engines — and write on! |