Saturday Savvy Sensation: Karen Cioffi

This week's Savvy Sensation award goes to published author Karen Cioffi of Karen Cioffi - Writing and Marketing.  As the title says, her blog is a great companion to mine. Please stop by to get some amazing tips from someone who's been there. 

LB: Who are you (what do you write, what are your personal stats)?

Hi, Laura, It’s so wonderful to be interviewed for your site. My name is Karen Cioffi-Ventrice, but for the writing world I go by Karen Cioffi. I’m not sure what you mean by my personal stats, but if you mean personal information, I have two daughters, two very young grandsons, and a husband who puts up with the crazy hours I spend online and writing. I live in NYC and gave up an accounting career due to multiple sclerosis. So, I put down the pencil and took up the pen.

I’m a published author, ghostwriter, and an editor for 4RV Publishing.

I have two children’s books published:

Day’s End Lullaby (a children’s bedtime picture book)

Walking Through Walls (a middle-grade fantasy adventure)

I also have a few nonfiction e-books, including:

How to Write Books for Children: Writing, Publishing, and Marketing Children’s Books

How to Attract Customers With Informational Marketing

How to Create an eBook and What You Can Do With It

Writing, Marketing, and Publishing – You Can Do It!

You can learn more about my books at:

http://www.karencioffiwritingandmarketing.com/p/karens-books.html

LB: That's exactly what I meant by personal stats. Thanks! Where can we find you online (blog, twitter, facebook, etc.)?

My websites and blogs include:

http://karencioffiwritingandmarketing.com

http://karencioffi.com (my central site)

And, you can connect with me at:

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karencioffiventrice

Twitter: http://twitter.com/KarenCV

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karen-Cioffi-Ventrice/157731977630305?sk=wall

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kcioffiventrice

GooglePlus: Karen Cioffi-Ventrice

LB: When did you begin your online platform building?

I began my online platform the end of 2008, after attending my first Muse Online Writers Conference. It was inspiring and one of the workshops in particular motivated me to create Writers on the Move (then called VBT – Writers on the Move, or something like that, I can’t remember the original name).

Around the same time I also became a member of Suzanne Lieurance’s children’s writing group and that also helped me realize the importance of creating and building visibility.

LB: What is your message, if any (is your blog about anything specific, for example)?

My blog is about writing and marketing. It also touches on ghostwriting, freelance writing, and has the occasional book review. I also have a free monthly newsletter, A Writers World, that offers writing and marketing information, along with writing and marketing information, links, and training/workshop opportunities,  publishing and contest opportunities, bragging rites, a feature article, and more.

The goal of my site is to help new writers and those already in the trenches move forward in their writing and marketing endeavors.

LB: How have you built your followers –

What have you done that has been the most successful?

My most successful marketing strategy has been article marketing. Taking advantage of online article directories other article marketing opportunities helps broaden your visibility reach.

LB: What have you done that has failed?

While I wouldn’t exactly say failed, I don’t think my social media strategies are as effective as they might be. But, this in part is because I don’t invest enough time or focused time on using Twitter, Linkedin, and Facebook.

There are just some many things that need to be done as a writer, and so many marketing avenues to take, that we often find ourselves behind the eight-ball, struggling for more time to do what we should.

LB: What else should we know about you?

I’m a professional ghostwriter specializing in business and health related content. I also specialize in children’s books from picture books to middle grade.

LB: Any additional advice for our readers?

Here are a few quotes I think will help writers and marketers, and hopefully your readers:

"If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There's no way around these two things that I'm aware of, no shortcut." ~ Stephen King

"A writer who never gives up is called Published."~ J.A. Konrath

“Don't let your learning lead to knowledge; let your learning lead to action.”~ Jim Rohn

“It’s not what you’ve done that matters - it’s what you haven’t done.”~ Mark Twain

Laura, thank you so much for having me as a guest today. It’s been delightful!

Great to have you, Karen! Beautiful quotes. Thanks so much for stopping by.