Social Media Marketing, an Interview with Edie Melson

Edie is on a blog tour for her bestselling eBook, Social Media Marketing for Writers, How to Blog, Tweet, and Peep Your Way onto Amazon's Best Seller's List. And today she'll be hanging out here!
You can get her book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble for only 99 cents.
Remember, you don't have to own an eReader to read it. You can download either the Kindle or Nook software free to your computer, tablet or phone. I know it's hard to read fiction on the computer, but it's great to have a short reference book like this at your fingertips!

How long have you been writing/how did you get started?

I actually wrote my first book—long-hand—in 8^th grade. It’s funny, I was looking back  through some of my old year books and several kids commented about me becoming a bestselling writer.

I began my writing career as a technical writer in the 80’s, then had kids and began writing again seriously as they grew up.

How did you get interested in social media?

It was a sink or swim situation. I got a job as managing editor at a Centered Mag, an online Christian Magazine for College age guys. Everyone I worked with was young enough to be my son—and social media is the only way to reach that audience. I had to become an expert or quit my job.

With my success came a huge sense of accomplishment. It’s become one of my passions to show others that social networking is NOTHING to be afraid of. Believe me, if I can do it, ANYONE can!

Why did you write Social Media Marketing for Writers?

This book wasn’t originally my idea. My publisher, Eddie Jones with Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas came up with this idea. They are also publishing my devotional book, Fighting Fear, Winning the War at Home, later this year. Eddie knew I taug

ht Social Media Marketing to writers at conferences all over the country and he asked me to send him my notes so he could evaluate the possibility of doing a book. The rest, as they say, is history.

Why is social networking important for writers?

Writing is all about building relationships—with readers, editors, agents, other writers—and what better vehicle than social media? It’s tailor made for writers. After all, we communicate best through the written word. And it gives us an unprecedented opportunity to connect with our readers.

I know your has lots of tips for writers using social media to build their platform and connect with their audience, but how do we find the time? How do you find the time?

I developed my schedule because I was totally overwhelmed. I felt like I was spending all this time on social media and not getting any writing done—which was the reason for starting the social marketing. I found the minimum I could do and still get results.

I’m very ADD and without a schedule I don’t get anything done!

Here’s an overview of my schedule on days when I’m home:

Most important, I only check email/phone messages 3 times a day. That makes a huge difference in my ability to concentrate.

I’ve found my best creative time, mid-morning, so I reserve that for writing. But here's how my day breaks down:

• First hour of my day is spent on email and social networking.
• Then I write until lunch.
• After lunch, I check email, return calls and do about 20 min of social networking.
• Then I work on editing assignments, rewriting, marketing, whatever is next on my list.
• Then the last 30 minutes of the day is spent on email, phone calls and social networking.

That’s a rough estimation of my days—some work better than others. But this is the schedule that made it possible for me to publish over 700 articles in 2010.

Can you share some of your favorite writing quotes?

"Easy reading is damn hard writing" -Nathaniel Hawthorne

"I write for the same reason I breath - if I didn't I'd die." -Isaac Asimov

And my life verse -

Who knows, perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this. Esther 4:14

For those of you who don't know Edie, be sure to visit her blog. And don't forget to LIKE her book on FaceBook!

Secrets to Help You Connect with Your Readers

Every writer wants to connect with her reader through the words on the paper or screen. And we’ve all felt the thrill that comes from a perfectly crafted sentence. You know the type—it’s made up with something that makes the reader feel something, think about your point and apply what you’ve just said.

When I started writing I referred to those rare instances as magic or inspiration. Now, with some experience behind me, I’m a bit more deliberate in crafting them. I want to share some of the tricks that will help you make your writing shine. These suggestions are specifically for non-fiction freelance writing, articles, devotions, etc. But they also translate well when writing fiction.

First, you want to find a specific point of connection with your reader. As I’ve said before, writing is all about relationships. There are several ways to connect with your reader.

• Tell a story—you can use this to show common ground with the reader.
• Ask a question—this can show that you understand what the reader is concerned about.
• Tap into an emotion—it helps to engage the reader’s heart when you begin.

Second, you need to establish credibility with your reader. What you want to do is invite the reader to walk down this path with you. You may be writing an article about weight loss and want them to consider your method. There are several ways of doing this as well.

• Quote an expert—if you’re not a fitness expert and you’re writing that weight loss article, borrow the expertise of someone who is.
• Use personal experience—maybe you’ve lost weight. This would be relevant to the reader.
• Find an understandable statistic—statistics are good to use IF they are quantifiable. In other words, 3 out of 4 people is easy to visualize, but 15.5 percent of the population under age 30 leaves us clueless.

Word of Warning—don’t lecture, preach or point your finger at anyone. No one appreciates a superior tone.

Now it’s your turn. What tips can you share that help you connect with the reader?

Blessings,

Edie Melson

Photo courtesy of Mary Denman

Edie is a freelance writer and editor with over 16 years experience in the publishing industry. She’s a prolific writer, publishing over 700 articles in 2010. She also has a popular writing blog and is a frequent contributor to many others. As a sought after writing instructor, her heart to help others define and reach their dreams has connected her with writers all over the country. She’s the assistant director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and Southwest Christian Writers Studio, as well as a popular faculty member at numerous others. Edie is also the Assistant Acquisitions Editor for www.ChristianDevotions.us.

In keeping up with the leading edge of all things digital Edie has become known as one of the go-to experts on Twitter, Facebook, and social media for writers wanting to learn how to plug in. Her first eBook, Social Media Marketing for Writers, has just been released. It’s currently available on Nook or Kindle for only 99 cents.