About a month ago (July 9th to be exact) I posted my very first blog on 'Magic of the Muses'. I promised brilliance, smiles, warm hearts, and friendship. I'm hoping I've given you at least some of that. My other promise was that the blog would be the story of a writer's obsessive pursuit of her life-long dream of becoming a published novelist. So, how am I doing and where am I at?
The first chapter in that story (underwritten by my able publicist, Cheryl Kaye Tardiff) is about increasing my cyberspace presence. With the creation of 'Magic of the Muses', completion of my fantastic website, and acquisition of numerous Facebook friends, that first step is nearing completion.
Has it helped my career? If measured by publishing contracts or calls from agents, the honest answer would be 'no.' However, it's been my experience that few efforts in life produce immediate rewards. Something worth having, is worth working for.
In the writing and publishing industry, there are opposing views on the usefulness of cyberspace as a marketing tool. It's been said that publishers and editors are not carousing the web looking for talent. That is probably true. It is also true, however, that as in any profession, networking is a prelude to success.
The old adage, 'It's not what you know, but who you know,' still holds true in today's high-tech world. Any kind of networking not only establishes contacts, but is also a rich source of information, opinion, and feedback.
As well, by promoting myself in cyberspace, I'm cultivating a potential readership base to which I can market my books when that time arrives--a fact that will undoubtedly appeal to agents and publishers. I'm advertising, displaying my talent, arousing curiosity, getting my name out there. I am no longer a closet writer with lonely dreams. I am now a personable someone with a smile who has cool stories to tell (and sell)to the world. I'm arousing curiosity, displaying my talent, inviting the world to share my dream.
While a cyberspace presence may never totally replace personal networking, it's a valuable resource for connecting with many more people than even the most seasoned traveller could hope to meet.
I have found my cyberspace friends to be a great source of friendship, information, and inspiration. And, sometimes, they are also very well connected.
Eileen Schuh,
Canadian writer
www.eileenschuh.com
2 comments:
You got it, Eileen!! Seeing the advantages and the potential to marketing online is only the beginning. After a while, your online friends will tell two friends, and they'll each tell two friends, and so on and...yes, just like the old TV commercial.
While you're right that publishers aren't anxiously monitoring the Internet for potential authors to sign, I can tell you that many will check you out online after you've queried them. I know this from personal experience and from having a stat counter on my websites and blogs.
I also noticed someone from the Pentagon and the CIA servers were checking me out. Maybe I should stop saying "I kill people off for a living." I mean it fictiously, of course.
~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
http://www.cherylktardif.com
Just think, I wouldn't have a blog without you. That is sooo sad. Thanks!
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