Get in Shape with TWITTER by Jordan K. Rose

This month I released my first Indie Pubbed book, The Demon Mistress, the first book of The Eva Prim Series. I’m also releasing four short stories to accompany the book, and I have another book, Black Magic Rose releasing in November.

To say I’m out of my gourd (and have been for about 12 weeks) is an understatement. It seems that for every one item crossed off my To-Do List three more are added. It’s mind-boggling.

I planned my release several months in advance. So, instead of launching the book as soon as I had it formatted I tucked it aside and prepared.

I decided what social media sites I’d use and then I worked on getting comfortable and making some nice connections on those sites. By waiting I was able to build a small, but active base of interested readers (proudly I admit these are people not related to me).

Utilizing social media is a requirement for writers who are new in their careers as well as writers who’ve already experienced success. It amazes me to hear writers talk about how they aren’t going to do it because they don’t want to, don’t have time, don’t like it. It does take away from your writing time. It does sidetrack you. It does add some complications to your work.

But it is the way of the world and if you want to be successful, if you want to connect with readers, you need to do it. There is no reason why it can’t be fun, too.

There are many options. Find the ones you like and focus on those. Just pick one or two. 

I’ve been building connections on Twitter and Facebook, using one to drive the other. I also love Pinterest, though I’ve found a need to limit my access because I forget why I’m there and end up goofing off.  

I use Twitter to drive readers to my Facebook group and my newsletter with an automated response to anyone who follows me. I thank them for the follow and invite them into the Snack of the Week Club. This is done using JustUnfollow.

In the group I talk a little bit about Eva and myself, but mainly I try to keep all the discussions focused on life, snacks, reading, movies and anything else. Of course, where appropriate I relate back to Eva.

On Twitter I mention @evaprim in tweets and discuss updates for the series, but mostly I talk about other stuff of interest to me—just like everyone else. I don’t push my books. I hate the hard sale as a consumer and as a businesswoman.

One of the things I’ve noticed about many writers using Twitter (aside from the “Buy my book” tweets) is that all their followers and many of the people they follow are other writers. Unless your goal is only to have connections with other writers this is a problem.

Yes, all writers are readers. But, let’s be honest. We can’t all buy every single book written by every writer we know. We can’t read them all. We can’t afford them all. You need followers who are readers.

It takes a little work, but you don’t need to spend more than 15 minutes a day on twitter. I spend about 20, though some days more because I enjoy it. I look for new followers while I’m on the treadmill. There have even been times when I’ve spent more time on the treadmill than intended because I was so intently tweeting. Twitter makes the treadmill not seem like hell. (It’s a wonderful diversion though don’t forget to keep walking!)

If you’re using Twitter as part of your marketing strategy, your follower list should consist mostly of readers. There are lots of readers on Twitter. Some are quiet, lurkers. Some are very active, just like Facebook users. You need to find them. Connect with them. That’s not very hard to do.

Mine the follow lists of writers in your subgenre. Follow the readers. And when they tweet to you, tweet back. Build those relationships.

Ultimately, no matter what social media you use you should enjoy it. That’s the key to success.

BOOK BLURB

 

What’s a girl to do when she discovers her husband, who happens to be the Master Vampire for the New England Region, has been lying to her for, oh, say a hundred and eighty years?

Well, it all depends. If she’s accidentally released forty demons from some creepy old book, unintentionally announced the existence of vampires on The Internet, kidnapped a werewolf, enraged a lovesick vampire by stealing his approved mate, and attracted the attention of The High Commander for The Vampire Federation, not to mention gotten stoned and mastered the forbidden art of demon calling, she might be willing to call it even.

Or, she might plead her case at an Inquisition and hope like all hell, she isn’t staked before sunrise. Eh, a slightly busier night than usual, but nothing Eva Prim can’t handle.

 

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jordan loves vampires. But if you know anything about Jordan, you already knew that detail. What you didn’t know was it wasn’t long ago that she began writing about them.

A few years back Jordan received a copy of Twilight from her husband as part of her anniversary gift. By the end of that week she’d read the entire series and moved onto Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles. Eight weeks and eighteen vampire books later the idea for her first book, Perpetual Light came to her followed very quickly by Eva Prim.

In October of 2013 The Demon Mistress, the first Eva Prim Novel is available along with four short stories. For continual updates on Eva please join the Snack Of The Week Club at www.evaprim.com.

Coming November 2013 Black Magic Rose, Book One of The Alliance Series. Join Jordan’s newsletter for updates. 

Jordan is a member of the national Romance Writers of America organization and several chapters.

When she’s not writing about one vampire or another Jordan enjoys spending time with her husband, Ken and their lovable Labrador, Dino on the beautiful beaches of New England. 

Find Jordan at:

 

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