I'm a Terrible Social Media Friend

By "social media friend" I mean I'm fairly absent on social media for most of the day in terms of chatting and commenting and posting clever/witty/meaningful posts.

That's not to say I'm completely absent on social media.

Now if you go to my Twitter feeds, you'll see my Herald-News stories at @Denise_Unland61 and BryonySeries-related information at @BryonySeries - although I occasionally mix and match those posts.

On the first feed, I post a Bible verse (to show who I am as a person) and the other I post a picture of coffee on mouspad (to show who I am as a writer)

But these are for people who want to see this information and I take the time every day to ensure it's there. 

That's not you? Keep scrolling.

I'm probably even more absent on Facebook. I keep my BryonySeries page active and post a Bible verse and my blog, share a virtual cup of coffee early in the morning, and send birthday wishes to connections.

Now I do check into social media intermittently during the day. But I'm mostly absent. For these reasons, I'm a terribble social media friend.

So what am I doing instead of hanging out on social media?

Well, I'm writing. And writing takes time. LOTS of time.

I'm also editing, and I'm also trying to improve my craft. That, too, takes time.

I write feature stories to share information and inspiration to the local community. That's my full-time job.

I write fiction to entertain a very different set of readers. That's my weekend project project.

I engage with my family: in person, over the phone, via text, a little over social media.

I engage with friends, co-workers, and the community, mostly over the phone and via text, but (hopefully) more in person after the second COVID-19 shot.

Well, since I'm a writer, should I be supporting local writers?

I try.

I engage a little on Twitter. I co-lead a writer's group with Tom Hernandez and I attend as many Zoom meetings of the 5 a.m.writer's club as I can possible make (since I'm CST and those meetings are at 4 a.m.).

I share interesting/informative industry/craft articles as I encounter them.

But I also read their books, which is a lot different than simply buying their books. Sometimes I review them in a newlsetter I started for The Herald-News a few years ago to help promote other authors. That's my way of giving support.

And a careful reading of a book takes time - as does a review. 

Actually reading what a writer has written and then sharing my thoughts with others takes way more time than a social media post. Both have value, don't get me wrong. 

But I hope, at the end of the day, other writers are happier I read their words than Tweeted them back and forth all day long.

And don't even get me started on Instagram, which has several years of posts from Bertrand the Mouse.

But not lately. Because he's lost.

And until he's found or reincarnated, he really can't post anymore pictures or comment on anyone's feed, can he?

So although I'm a terrible social media friend, I do try to be a good friend. And I really amy trying to improve my social media engagment.

And if I'm slow to responding, please know I always do (unless a post really gets buried), and that I will reply soon.

Pinterest and YouTube

Last week, Rebekah unveiled a BryonySeries Pinterest she had created for the series from scratch - with more than 2100 pins.

Each block represents a book in the series. And then inside each block are sub-blocks with images that represent various elements in that book.

Please take a look at all her hard work: https://www.pinterest.com/bryonyseries/_saved/

Rebekah also worked very hard on the BryonySeries YouTube channel. Although the series has very little original content, I've been posting related content to this blog since I began it nearly eleven years ago (where does the time go???).

So Rebekah pulled the videos from the blog and made playlists on YouTube. The biggest folder, and this is where WriteOn Joliet's intrepid videographer Duanne Walton gets tons of credit, is all the videos of all the writers from WroteOn Joliet reading original stories at our open mic nights.

She's still fiddling with the YouTube channel, renaming playlists and moving things around. But, again, there's lot of content to explore and enjoy.

Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/user/BryonySeries.

"Bryony" 30-Day Countdown Quotes

Before I released my first book back in the dark ages of 2011, my oldest daughter Sarah (created my first website and managed most of my social media), asked me to pull thirty quotes from the book ("Bryony") that she could post each day in the month following publication.

Today, I still post a quote a day from various books on the BryonySeries Facebook page.

For your reading pleasure, and since we are VERY close to finally releasing the audio book version of Bryony, here are the original thirty.

Bryony 30-Day Countdown Quotes:

Prologue: As the fog rolled inland off the lake, the approaching dusk grew uncommonly gloomy.

1)      Brian seemed fine with moving, but, after all, he was only eleven. He'd be okay if a spaceship teleported him to Mars. Chapter 1: Welcome to Munsonville.

2)      Ghost stories are more fascinating than truth, which, sad to say, can be boring." Chapter 2: There's No Such Thing as a Ghost

3)      “Charm! Wait until you see Mr. Walczak. He’s a regular Dr. Moreau.” Chapter 3: The School Report

4)      “I’m going to belt the next old lady that kisses me.” Brian wiped lipstick off his mouth with the back of his hand. “Yuck, yuck, yuck and super yuck.” Chapter 5: Blood Relatives. Brian Marchellis, Melissa Marchellis’ younger brother

5)      When Mr. Masters arrived at the line, “The bride kissed the goblet, the knight took it up,” she scribbled with haste, “He’s our teacher?” Chapter 6: A Job Well Done. 

6)      Melissa couldn’t understand the fierce emotions for a stupid, fishing competition. The fishermen bickered with each other over each fish’s weight and debated the integrity of contest guidelines. Chapter 7: The Centennial. 

7)      The white was so bright in the darkness that Melissa wondered if the figure clutched a piece of the moon. Whatever he held, the being brought to his lips. Chapter 8: The Night is Darkest. 

8)      Dr. Anderson certainly appeared competent, not the country doctor she expected. At any rate, anemia didn’t seem very serious. Chapter 9: The Music Box. 

9)      Never in her life had she continued dreaming after she was alert. However, the other explanation was simply out of the question. Melissa was way past the age for believing in ghosts. Chapter 10: When Good Dreams Go Bad.).

10)  “Oh, it’s just you,” Steve said. He sighed with relief, and added, “I wondered who let the vampire in here.” Chapter 11: Tricks are Treats. 

11)  She hated to go there alone; she knew how much John disliked it when she did, but there didn’t seem to be any choice. She knew she could not stay here. Chapter 12: A Fair Trade. 

12)  She hesitated, then set it for the regular time. If John Simons was real, he didn’t require an alarm clock to prompt him. Chapter 13: Who Needs Church? Melissa Marchellis (as narrator)

13)  Melissa opened her mouth to retort, but Brian had changed completely into a little, pink pig, who sat on his chair wearing a plaid shirt. Chapter 14: Weekend in Detroit. 

14)  “Mr. John” certainly made a lot of Bryony’s decisions, something she was unprepared to hear. Perhaps, it was because Bryony was so young and innocent that she relied on John’s wisdom and experience. Chapter 15: Playing Bryony. 

15)  “Over one thousand different parasites can live in or on the human body,” he added. “Can anyone think of some?” Chapter 16: School Daze. 

16)  John always appeared dignified and formal, but this man behaved as if someone designed the suit with him in mind. Every line of his clothing fit him to perfection. Chapter 17: That Mysterious, Handsome Man. 

17)  “I died once and landed here. What should happen to me a second time, I hardly imagine. Why tempt fate?” Chapter 18: It Couldn’t Be Masters. 

18)   Mr. Masters closed his eyes and his voice boomed with emotion. A hero? She could not reconcile that term with the comical figure at the head of the room. Chapter 19: Daring to Dream. 

19)  “You only have to verbally agree to join my harem. This way, I make wives left and right.” Chapter 20: Confusion in the Closet. Ed

20)  He waited for Melissa’s response, but none arrived, so he leaned forward, smiled at her, and said, “Aren’t you feeling more secure now?” Chapter 21: Fetes and Feasts. 

21)  “Don’t be angry. I meant no harm. I’ve never met another host before. Everyone I always meet is dead.” Chapter 22: Lisa Harding. 

22)  Melissa flashed a bright smile. “I’m thankful for new experiences!” Well, it was true. Chapter 23. What Melissa Learned from Fr. Alexis. 

23)  At the first rrrip, Snowbell abandoned the garland and darted to Brian. Two paws pounced on the box’s edge, then she stretched her crooked neck over the top and peered inside at its contents. Chapter 24: It’s No Use. 

24)  She felt the heavy brocade of the dress before she reopened her eyes, and her hopes soared, until she smelled the conspicuous fragrance of many, lavish bouquets of roses. Chapter 25: A Lesson in Love. 

25)  Alarmed by those words, Melissa scrutinized his appearance. Henry looked pale, even for a vampire. Nevertheless, if something really was wrong with him, Melissa was fairly certain he would not share it with her. Chapter 26: Sick and Tired. 

26)   The man raised his glass for a close view of Melissa. “Good Lord!” he said. “This one is the spitting image of you. A tremendous family you have.” Chapter 27: A Real Date. 

27)  Flinging the covers back, Melissa stood up and walked to the window. She opened the curtains and peered outside, but the night was crystal clear and full of stars. There was not the tiniest wisp of mist anywhere. Chapter 28: Gone. 

28)  “Between our murmurings, my angel asked me, ‘Kellen, how would like to escape death?’ Now that was an intriguing question, considering the moment was impending.” Chapter 29: Up in Smoke. 

29)  Then again, maybe, Darlene was right when, the day they frosted cookies, she said there was more than one way to love somebody. Chapter 30: The Second Time is Harder. 

The Other Social Media

Whether you are a longtime visitor to the BryonySeries blog or have newly discovered my ramblings, thank you for your readership.

Although I do mention the series' other social media sites on Fridays (in case anyone is curious), here's a quick guide to the posts you'll find there.

BryonySeries Twitter: Curated content, all related to the BryonySeries: articles, recipes, stories/poems, products (mostly artisans selling on Etsy). Also updates on books and other BryonySeries products (including how/where to buy), upcoming events, and tips for writers.

BryonySeries Facebook: Curated photos, memes, and articles related to the series, as well as updates on books and other BryonySeries products (including how/where to buy) and upcoming events.

BryonySeries Instagram: All things Bertrand the Mouse

My personal Twitter: Mostly stories and briefs I put together for The Herald-News, with a smattering of BryonySeries information and tips for writers.

WriteOn Joliet Facebook: A group I co-lead, this page has information and support for writers, from me and from other members in the group,

Joliet Connect: A group I administer for The Herald-News, this page is all things Joliet: events, things for sale, conversation, blogs from residents, etc.

BryonySeries YouTube: A bit neglected at the moment, this site has BryonySeries videos (book trailers, music video, interviews) as well as curated videos related to the series.

The BryonySeries website: The main hub and virtual BryonySeries world (and one going through a massive overhaul to make it more interactive), this has pages devoted to the book, history of the series, a virtual tour of the fictional Munsonville, fan art, guest book, videos, pages dedicated to characters, a store, a calendar, and much, much more. One of the most important pages is a site map, which guides the visitor to its many layers.

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

Readers and Writers: Do You Use Goodreads?

My sister, a former bookseller turned librarian introduced me to Goodreads before 2007, I want to say, because I had not started writing Bryony yet.

Although it was my introduction to social media, I wasn't too interested and never explored it too much. I tend to be a solitary reader and writer and couldn't see the point of the site. But as time passes, I'm trying to become more social in my hobbies.

So "learn Goodreads" was part of the revised marketing plan I created a couple years ago, a thorough plan I'm gradually implementing.

Since my goal for 2019 (and I've already started) is to read the books of WriteOn Joliet authors this year, and since Amazon doesn't let me post reviews because I don't spend much money on the site, a fellow author suggested I post them on Goodreads.

Which is what I intend to do.

I used my extra hour on Saturday night to explore the site. Since my favorite genre isn't listed there so for me as an author, I'm already challenged to find readers. As a reader, it will also be challenging finding new reads.

I as surprised to find one of my favorite stories (Henry James' Turn of the Screw) only had a rating of 3.4. But good information for me.

My question to readers and writers: how much do you use the site and do you find it valuable? In what way?

Thank you in advance to anyone who chooses to share. :)

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff

Social Media Break: Three Things I Learned Upon Returning

It's been about two weeks since my last post, having been out of state for eight days and then returning to a working weekend.

This is about the only time each year I break from daily posting. In the past, views understandably decline. This time, they did not (and in some cases increased), leading me to realize three things.

1) I have some loyal readers.

I'm assuming these are people who check to see if I've FINALLY posted and then consoling themselves with old posts.


2) Tagging posts really works.

Because the posts that DID get the most views were really old, say from 2011 to 2013. I'm assuming readers found them through internet searches or the list of tags on the blog's landing page. Which leads me to...


3) The compounding nature of existing Twitter posts.

I use Google shortener and check the number of clicks the day's posts received while scheduling the next round. What I didn't know is that followers still clock on old posts. I scrolled waaaaay back into my list of shortened links and saw how the views had gone up.


The moral of the story?

Social media is not the entire marketing answer and for most of us, it won't build an immediate audience. But slow and steady might not only win the race, it makes for a pleasant journey.

Not a bad reflection for Labor Day. And a nice "welcome home." :)

2017 Marketing Goals: A Little at a Time

Over Thanksgiving weekend, I refined, expanded, and detailed a BryonySeries marketing plan for 2017.

It's so comprehensive that I will never check off each item this year. However, it's a good road map to keep me focused and on track. I peek at it about once a week.

Here are the baby steps I've made so far:

1) Casting a broader, and yet narrower reader net. What does this mean? Fans of vampire stories might potentially like my books. However, fans of twenty-first genre vampire stories might not. Fans of slow-paced literary suspense might.

2) Engaging more via thoughtful commentaries on social media with the intent of being social on like-minded sites. Refraining from haphazard commentaries.

3) Gradually building up the BryonySeries Twitter account. Finding a few friends, liking and retweeting in ways specific to my series and me as a writer.

4) Creating an Instagram account for Bertrand and posting once daily.

5) Asking for reviews, and sending out review copies.

6) Celebrating Ed Calkins Day with a parade. ;)

7) Starting themed lists.

8) Remembering that the goal is not to win popularity contests (Steering away from thinking in terms of "best-selling," "most likes," and other defeatist attitudes, but concentrating on connecting and finding the audience that wants to read what I write).

It doesn't sound like much, does it? But the hard truth, as I'm sure many authors (really, any entrepreneur) realize is that building a brand takes time and requires hard work. And because I'm serious about building it, I'm not taking any marketing step I can't sustain. Thus, I'm taking each step by each step.

Unless of course I'm finding it's a wrong step. In that case, I'll retrace and go another way. In the meantime, I'm viewing marketing as a journey, as slow-paced, but as sure and rich, as my books.

Comments and suggestions welcome. :)

My Approach to Branding, Social Media, and Marketing (Plus One Project)

In a previous post (https://goo.gl/atdRAV ), I shared my my commitment to learning ways to market the BryonySeries and passing along my impressions as I do so.

At this point, I haven't set particular sales goals (which some might feel is foolish); rather, I'm simply making the world aware of the BryonySeries' existence.

One characteristic I often see in social media is duplication; meaning the same posts show up in multiple platforms. I feel this limits the reach, which I want as broad as possible. So each time, before I've committed to a new platform, I plan the best approach, and a plan for scheduling, before I start posting.

Now gaining committed followers is a slow process, but I'm looking at a building a solid foundation of them. And I have found, at the very least, that I'm attracting different followers on each platform, rather than the same ones, so on a tiny scale, I think I'm getting something right.

Here's how I use each platform:

BryonySeries Facebook: Mostly shared images from Facebook that relate to BryonySeries themes and tropes, as well as me as a woman and author. Also my blog. Eight daily posts plus the blog. www.facebook.com/bryonyseries.

Twitter: Links to the Facebook posts, my blog, and five posts of curated content that, again, relate to BryonySeries themes and tropes (products, recipes, articles, short stories, etc.). @BryonySeries

Blog: Varied original content, original and shared videos, that relate to BryonySeries themes and tropes, as well as me as a woman and author. Also a weekly roundup of my published features writing in The Herald-News, where I currently serve as features editor (as well as reporter and assistant). One post daily

Instagram: Original photos of Bertrand the Mouse and his adventures. One post daily. This is a new account, so I'm expecting "likes" to be slow in coming. betrand_bryonyseries.

In addition to these sites, I post on four other sites, which are a combination of personal and work sites.

My personal Facebook page: I keep this one inspirational and fun, focusing more on others and less than me (You won't see selfies and stories by ME!!! unless you click on the blog, which I do post).

My personal Twitter account: Links to my Herald-News stories, as well the calendars and briefs I assemble, and other Herald-News content, if I'm overseeing social media that day. Also my blog. @Denise_Unland61

WriteOn Joliet: The Facebook page for the WriteOn Joliet writer's group. I post one helpful link each day and fun memes, etc. as I find them and the mood strikes. www.facebook.com/groups/writeonminooka

Joliet Connect: The informal Facebook page for The Herald-News. It's overseen by our associate editor and me, and members are encouraged (and they do) to post as well. I post anything fun and informative as it relates to Joliet, at least once a day, although I do keep my eye on the site over the work day and add more if member posting is sparse (rare, but it does happen).

Finally, I do have a LinkedIn account, but I use that more as an online resume of skills and recommendations (over 100 of them). I won't connect with anyone if I have not done business with him, and I must admit, I've been a bit lax on this account in the past couple years.

Readers and followers won't find sales pitches, although I do make information on product available on these sites, along with my website: www.bryonyseries.com. I feel the entire point of social media is to be, well, social, and to connect with others.

Again, I use these platforms to find others that share these interests, people that might want to check out my products because of shared interests. My goal as a writer is to inform and entertain the reader, not to antagonize him.

And the project? I'm planning to begin a monthly newsletter of original content. But this project is still in planning.

Will that sell more books? Heck if I know. But I know one way NOT to sell books: obnoxiously trying to persuade a follower to buy them.

Have a great Monday, vampire fans! :)