I'm Being Interviewed!

Do you want to read about my thoughts on social media and writers? Then head on over to Gennifer Albin's site where I'm being interviewed today.

If you haven't had an opportunity to meet Gen yet, I'm telling you, you'll know her name before the year is out. Her debut novel, Crewel, is the first part in a trilogy that comes out in November of this year.  The book landed her an agent and publishing deal in record time -  like, a month - that's how good it is. Go to her Facebook page to check out her prologue. Makes me super excited for the book, how about you?

Oh, and right now, Gen is running an AWESOME blog contest - one that will get you artistic types excited. So make sure you check it out too.

Blog Critique: Another Author

In this series I give constructive feedback about the look and function of an author blog from a marketing perspective. As always, I rely on help from graphic designers Tom Barnes (my hubby) and Joe LaRue. To review the blog elements we look at or to submit your own blog for critique, go here.

Today's blog critique comes from Abhishek Boinapalli of Another Author. Since I'm in a get-it-done kind of mood, I'm just going to invite you to go take a look now and cut out my usual intro. We'll meet below.

 

Abhishek, you have two specific things that I would like to commend you for right off the bat: you have an invitation for guest posts and you have links to articles you have written. Asking for guest posts is an excellent way to get guests, and guests can be so beneficial. And the articles is a good example of what I always ask for in the way of connecting to your writing. It's a nice portfolio.

There are a number of other things that I would suggest you should rethink:

• Your name is not in your blog title or subtitle. You should have it more prominent.
• Your blog address (becomingprince.blogspot.com) is confusing - do you want to be a prince? Or the artist Prince? This address should be like your title or your name.
• Your profile is buried in your sidebar. Have it higher so we can see who you are.
• The moving widget bar to invite people to Facebook, Dig, etc. is annoying and covers a lot of the blog. I'd lose it.
• You have a big old ad in the prominent position under your navigation and above your blog posts. This leads me to think your ads are more important than your posts. 

This last issue brings me to the real issue with your blog - it is evident that you want your blog to earn money. Now, there is nothing wrong with monetizing your blog, but very few people are interested in visiting a blog that screams, "GIVE ME MONEY". The over abundance of ads, the placement of the ads, and asking for donations clearly says that. To have a blog successfully earn money with ads and donations I recommend three things:

1. Place your ads in subtle, thoughtful locations. 
2. Build a following of people before monetizing.
3. And, most important, create a blog that draws people's interest.

A very successful blog that monetizes is Dooce.com.   Yes, Dooce has ads, and she even has quite a few. But she built her followers before adding advertising and she offered/offers a very specific personality with posts and images that are unique and desired by readers. It is very difficult to reach this level of blogging, but, like anything, if you are sincere about your desire to be a paid blogger, you must work hard to achieve it. I suggest really spending some time trying to decide what your blogging goals are and devise a plan to reach them.

If I am completely missing the message of your blog and if you are more interested in being a writer's blog as your title suggests, then you really need to lose the ads. That message is completely lost in the midst of the ads and money tracker. Focus first on creating a blog for writers with helpful, thoughtful posts. Build your followers. Then you can monetize.

Of course this is only my opinion. Only you know what is best for you and your blog. All bloggers deserve a pat on the back - it's a real commitment - and so I'm giving you one now. Congrats!

How about you, readers? Any thoughts or suggestions for Abhishek? We'd love to hear from more than just me!

Saturday Savvy Sensation: Jessie Harrell

Last night my husband and I put together our new treadmill. It's in our office and we had to move things around so we disconnected all the computer stuff. Then we had a helluva time getting the internet back up! This is why you should schedule your posts in advance... 

Anyway, I'm late with today's interview, but she's worth the wait. Jessie is an appellate attorney and a YA author. Plus she's a wife and mother of two.  Without further ado, here is the fabulous Jessie Harrell of The Daily Harrell.

Thanks for having me on your blog today, Laura! I'm super-excited to make an appearance on your Savvy Sensations feature.

Who are you (what do you write, what are your personal stats)?
I'm Jessie, a mother, wife, attorney and author, who adores all things YA lit. I've just crossed the 900 follower mark on my blog and 1000 follower mark on twitter.

I see you're at 1171 followers as I post this. You are amazing! Where can we find you online (blog, twitter, facebook, etc.)?
I'm just me basically anywhere you go. www.jessieharrell.com http://jessie-harrell.blogspot.com @JessieHarrell JessieHarrell_Author on Facebook. Can you sense a theme???

Themes are an awesome strategy. When did you begin your online platform building?
After attending a winter SCBWI conference several years ago, everyone was saying "you have to get on twitter" and I was like "WTF is twitter?" Since then, I've become a tweeting fool, you can find me blogging on my own blog and with the ladies at Oasis for YA (http://oasisforya.blogspot.com) and I'm on Facebook. Meeting folks in the online community has been a blast. I had no idea that people I've never met in person could be so supportive!

What is your message, if any (is your blog about anything specific, for example)?
My blog revolves around YA lit. I do a feature every Tuesday called Happy Debut YA Book Birthday, where I feature new titles by debut authors. I picked Tuesday since most books release on that day (odd, I know). I also post reviews, YA-related giveaways, and an occasional post about my own debut YA novel, Destined.

How have you built your followers? What have you done that has been the most successful?
Participating in the giveaway blog hops hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer, has been huge for me. You can make the only requirement for entering that someone follow your blog and for a $10 investment (cost to buy a book through the Book Depository), you'll grow your followers by at least 100. Note to authors: I've seen far less astounding success rates if you're only offering to give away your own book.

What have you done that has failed?
Well, on Oasis for YA, I decided we should create a Thankful for Thursday meme. We created a neat little badge and asked folks just to post what they're grateful for that week. A couple people really liked the idea, but for the most part, it flopped. Where's your silver lining, people???

How much time do you spend blogging? Reading blogs? Commenting on blogs?
Not as much as I should... I generally blog Saturday mornings, creating my posts for the week for both the blogs in advance. Tracking down the debut YA novels coming out takes a little time, but I enjoy it. The only downside is how big my TBR pile has gotten! I wish I had more time to go around to others' blogs and comment. Generally, if someone leaves a comment in the blogger nation forum of #yalitchat, I'll swing by. Or if I have some free time at work, I'll scroll through my GFC updates. I have to be honest though: just like I judge a book by its cover, I just a blog by the picture posted. If the picture doesn't interest me, chances are really low that I'll read the post. So that's my best blogging advice -- find really cool pictures to use on your post.

What else should we know about you?
Like most bloggers, I didn't think I had anything new or unique to add to the conversation when I started blogging. So I've tried to use the blog just to show my personality when it comes to YA lit. Anyone who reads my reviews knows I love paranormal romance and romantic contemporaries, but shy away from high fantasy and dystopians. I try to always find the good in a book because I know that everyone's tastes are different. So basically, I think if you like the same types of books that I do you'll enjoy my blog.

Any additional advice for our readers?
Don't broadcast your own message constantly. I had a really hard time reeling myself in when I was launching my book, but people don't want to hear it all the time. They come to read what you have to offer, not to read about your publishing journey bit by painful little bit.

Try to respond when readers leave comments. You should have a give and take on your blog.

What makes you unique?
No one else is going to approach books from my exact perspective. Whatever it is you're blogging about, you have a unique opinion. I stay true to myself and my opinions, while at the same time trying to broadcast the successes of others. I like my blog to be a happy place.

Jessie, thanks so much for stopping by. You are truly savvy with sensational advice. Well done!

Facebook Friday: Just for fun

This picture is going around on Facebook, but I think it's funny and awfully accurate:

And I also have to correct myself:  At one point and time, the little search box at the top of Blogger blogs searched ALL blogger blogs and not just the current blog. Well, guess I haven't attempted to use that search box in awhile because I have no idea when it changed, but apparently it now only searches the blog you are on. So for all of you that I told to get a search box when you already had the one up top - I'M SORRY! I have been set straight now :)

Finally, I have been given two blog awards this week! Stay tuned next week where I will do my part of the blog award requirements, but for now I just wanted to thank Savannah Rose for the Versatile Blogger award and Jamie Ayers  for the Kreativ Blogger award.  Wow! I'm truly honored by the support and kind words. I really appreciate the award!


So now that I've made you laugh, shared my humiliation and thanked two very lovely bloggers, what are you doing with your Friday?  Do you have a Just for Fun to share?

Blog Critique: Writing Unleashed

In this series I give constructive feedback about the look and function of an author blog from a marketing perspective. As always, I rely on help from graphic designers Tom Barnes (my hubby) and Joe LaRue. To review the blog elements we look at or to submit your own blog for critique, go here.

We have a special Wednesday edition blog critique today. Why? Because I said so. How's that for an answer. So go on over to Laura M. Campbell's blog, Writing Unleashed and come back to discuss below.

First of all, Laura, congrats on having such a cool name. And secondly, congrats on becoming a professional writer! WOOT!!

There are some great things going on in your blog: You have your profile at the top of your sidebar, you have ways to subscribe by RSS, and you are getting your name on other people's blogs (great marketing!). But when you have time - I realize you are a busy bee lately - there are a few things I would suggest to move your blog to the next level.

• Name in Title: You're a professional writer! Get your name in the Title or, at the very least, the subtitle. People need to be able to find you.
• Post your contact info: Again, you never know who's looking to reach you through your blog.
• Get a Search box: I love me a search box. It really makes things easier for new readers.
• Have more than one post per page: I've never given this note before, but I find it a little annoying when there is only one post on a page. It does make for easier reading, but one of the things I like about blogs is being able to quickly read through several posts. Having to always hit "Older Posts" is a little time consuming.
• Your font color is sometimes very nearly the same color as your background post. Make sure it's always a light color so we can see it.
• Also, the yellow color that you use for your links is so great. It would be better as your post color. Make your links white instead.
• And speaking of color - we like the brown that you have on the bottom better than the brown that is your post backgrounds. It's a cooler brown and would be a cleaner contrast.
• I've said before and I'm saying again - I like single sidebars. They are cleaner. Just my opinion.
• But if you're going to have two sidebars, really think about what you need there. Your awards are cool, but I'd put them at the bottom or on another page. They tend to look awkward since they are different sizes. Then move your followers up under your profile. Make it easy for people to follow.
• Connect to your writing, girl! Yes, I know, I don't do it yet either because I'm lazy. But you're not lazy. You're a professional writer with a goal of being published this year. Get your writing samples up for those agents to look at. And think they don't look? Well, let me tell you a story: I had an agent ask me just last Friday for my blog address. Man, I really should have had my writing samples up. Learn from my mistakes, Laura. Everyone, learn from my mistakes.

And that is all I have for you, my fellow Laura. Again, congrats. Here's to a great year for you and your writing!

Anyone else have any feedback for Writing Unleashed?