tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post8093318502524728424..comments2024-02-21T03:32:15.577-05:00Comments on Jill Kemerer: Building an Author Platform Wore Me OutJill Kemererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-18217465072518814092014-04-03T16:13:30.941-04:002014-04-03T16:13:30.941-04:00Jill, I loved this article. I am just beginning my...Jill, I loved this article. I am just beginning my writing career, it can be overwhelming. Your article was very helpful. Thank you so much.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12986082426446119092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-54283391006325108072014-03-25T15:09:59.907-04:002014-03-25T15:09:59.907-04:00Wouldn't that be wonderful? To just write? Act...Wouldn't that be wonderful? To just write? Actually, I get lonely if I'm offline too much. I appreciate all the friends I've made online--they truly make a difference in my life. :)Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-89149177268481220832014-03-25T15:09:10.912-04:002014-03-25T15:09:10.912-04:00I'm grateful, too, Julie! It's been exciti...I'm grateful, too, Julie! It's been exciting watching you move ahead with your career! Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-48539619951453431162014-03-25T15:08:25.495-04:002014-03-25T15:08:25.495-04:00Thanks, Mary!Thanks, Mary!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-38031310906668113112014-03-24T10:05:18.872-04:002014-03-24T10:05:18.872-04:00This is great! I have also struggled with the plat...This is great! I have also struggled with the platform issue at times. As a writer, I really only want to write, plus I am a private person. Sometimes the being "out there" is hard for those of us who are naturally introverted, but I agree with you that we need to do it and we need to connect with readers before peers. Good post. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-60588943542610348512014-03-23T19:16:39.969-04:002014-03-23T19:16:39.969-04:00What a terrific idea, Heidi! I love the idea of on...What a terrific idea, Heidi! I love the idea of one-on-one. Thanks for sharing!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-52559785663503415702014-03-23T19:16:28.210-04:002014-03-23T19:16:28.210-04:00Jill, what an honest (and great) post. You're ...Jill, what an honest (and great) post. You're right, personal connections are what it's all about. Not sales, or high numbers, or any of that other pushy stuff. I'm thankful for real connections made through social media--like my connection with you!Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-42125985991187242882014-03-23T19:16:10.821-04:002014-03-23T19:16:10.821-04:00A worthy book is always my goal. :)A worthy book is always my goal. :)Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-89571080862024530052014-03-21T21:04:00.177-04:002014-03-21T21:04:00.177-04:00Great post, Jill. In addition to the other great c...Great post, Jill. In addition to the other great comments, I might add that platform building is more enjoyable when I envision my audience as a particular person: maybe that 1 friend who is already excited to read my work or another friend who is quick to offer an encouraging word...putting a face and a name on my audience keeps me motivated. Heidi McCahanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07714701954433669645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-38657701646974366952014-03-21T20:08:33.231-04:002014-03-21T20:08:33.231-04:00The best way to build an audience is to write a wo...The best way to build an audience is to write a worthy book. Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15201530864176833844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-63268313686317262672014-03-21T15:16:59.949-04:002014-03-21T15:16:59.949-04:00What a nice thing to say, Cathy. I really apprecia...What a nice thing to say, Cathy. I really appreciate it! For just starting your platform, I'd say you're doing a great job! Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-42592951636939058682014-03-21T15:14:35.901-04:002014-03-21T15:14:35.901-04:00You're right! Authors can be your biggest chee...You're right! Authors can be your biggest cheerleaders. And, I'm the first one to say, it's really hard to find readers when you're unpublished. Any way we can increase visibility is good!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-24002294157088246872014-03-21T13:40:17.217-04:002014-03-21T13:40:17.217-04:00I'm only now getting started on my platform. I...I'm only now getting started on my platform. I've looked to yours as an example of what to do. When you do sign a contract, you'll have lots of friends who will be eager to help spread the word about your book. Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900383840255608898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-69598008637656255022014-03-21T13:38:46.662-04:002014-03-21T13:38:46.662-04:00Good thoughts, Melissa.
And good post, Jill.
Good thoughts, Melissa.<br />And good post, Jill.<br />Mary Vee Storytellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15235494928887348835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-43643370038039482542014-03-21T12:55:21.321-04:002014-03-21T12:55:21.321-04:00Hello, Jill! I think other writers are great asset...Hello, Jill! I think other writers are great assets, as well. I can't count the times that other writers have read their peer's work and bragged on it! If you are writing kids' books, other writers have kids. If you are writing on marriage, other writers are married. You know! I think it's good. <br /><br />Blessed by you!<br />shelliShelli Littletonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00136640834514348086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-68702342917155998062014-03-21T12:43:27.020-04:002014-03-21T12:43:27.020-04:00From my perspective, less people are reading blogs...From my perspective, less people are reading blogs than they were a year ago, so the share buttons, while good, are less important than they were when blogging was a way of life! I do have FB share button (I had to embed it into my template) and I think it's been used a handful of times. The Twitter share button gets more action, that's for sure. I also have my blog automatically connected to Twitter using Twitterfeed. For SEO, I suggest always typing your author name as a label when you post and to post regularly. Like I said, Google wants Blogger to succeed and your SEO automatically improves just by posting. Are you on G+? Link each post there too. I believe G+ will be a major player in the upcoming years.Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-82239954905308718122014-03-21T12:27:58.251-04:002014-03-21T12:27:58.251-04:00Really, anything to improve SEO. The 'stock...Really, anything to improve SEO. The 'stock' gadgets for FB and Twitter are pretty inconspicuous, and I think those are some of the best ways to spread the word. I've tried to install an aftermarket gadget, but no luck!Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-22076692105331940802014-03-21T12:08:24.899-04:002014-03-21T12:08:24.899-04:00Hold that thought, Andrew. There are a few hidden ...Hold that thought, Andrew. There are a few hidden gems about Blogger many people don't realize. The fact Google runs it is the biggest. My blog qualified for Google Authorship almost as soon as they started it. Every one of my posts helps my SEO w/Google. I can't say the same for WordPress, not that I'm knocking WP. I'm not. Both are good programs. What outreach tools are you looking for? Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-48141934338110571052014-03-21T12:05:41.129-04:002014-03-21T12:05:41.129-04:00I'm concentrating on writing a blog that adds ...I'm concentrating on writing a blog that adds value to people's lives (at least, I hope it does). It maintains the general philosophical framework that underpins what I write, though with a specific focus on marriage and relationships. Sometimes it seems like "how can I think up something new three times a week?" but the subjects always pop up.<br /><br />Readership has been growing, albeit slowly, but I'm exploring ways to increase the traffic.<br />\<br />One thing - I wish I had used Wordpress rather than Blogger. The outreach tools seem to be much more user-friendly. I am thinking of migrating the blog, but don't want to lose the readership I have.<br /><br />http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2014/03/marriage-and-substance-abuse.htmlAndrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-81198149879537619412014-03-21T10:59:45.721-04:002014-03-21T10:59:45.721-04:00Everything you said in here is true. I've gott...Everything you said in here is true. I've gotten better about pacing myself too. I recognize my writer seasons and how they affect my efforts on social media. My passion sizzled the last few years, so I really appreciate the kind words, Edie! Trying to get that oomph back!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-66341542832458999332014-03-21T10:57:14.365-04:002014-03-21T10:57:14.365-04:00Well said, Melissa. I want to reprint this whole c...Well said, Melissa. I want to reprint this whole comment as a post! You got it!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-79039540688220484392014-03-21T10:35:14.140-04:002014-03-21T10:35:14.140-04:00Jill, I've had to learn to pace myself. I'...Jill, I've had to learn to pace myself. I'm more genuine with my online relationships when I take regular time off. And I agree with you (and other commenters) I don't having writers as a part of your tribe is bad. We need that support system. But I also think what draws anyone back to us (blogging, FB, Twitter) is when we share our passions. People enjoy the instant click that comes with a shared love of something. And it's those people who become our cheerleaders - just as we become theirs. I think that's why people gravitate to you - you're real and you're fun! Edie Melsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-14096903888945492972014-03-21T10:22:18.196-04:002014-03-21T10:22:18.196-04:00OOH fun topic. :) So I have to agree with you and ...OOH fun topic. :) So I have to agree with you and say that I think building a tribe at least somewhat made up of other writers isn't necessarily a bad thing. Why? Because they're going to be some of your biggest cheerleaders...and they all have reading friends. So, again, not a bad thing. Plus, let's face it, I don't think readers are stopping by author blogs in droves...they're more likely to read a book, enjoy it, MAYBE post about it online but more often tell their friends in person at work or church or wherever. I read a stat that said that 80% of book sales STILL come from word of mouth. <br /><br />At the end of the day, I think the best platforms are built through genuine relationships. Yeah, it's important to have a plan, but I'm someone who can't get detailed and crazy intense about a plan--like, it just doesn't work for me to say, I need to tweet X times a day and X amount of tweets need to be links, X need to be funny, X need to be...blah blah blah. For me, it needs to stay fluid and fun--otherwise it becomes way too formulaic, people see through it anyway, and I lose any bit of joy I might've found otherwise. (Maybe I just don't like rules!)<br /><br />I heard Chip MacGregor say once, too, that your goal in platform building is simply to find your audience...and then get out there in front of them. So being able to specifically define who we're trying to reach is important too.<br /><br />Okay, done rambling. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17620457068731162013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-2382185070195549062014-03-21T09:36:09.632-04:002014-03-21T09:36:09.632-04:00Yes, I agree, and you need energy to have depth. M...Yes, I agree, and you need energy to have depth. Maybe we need some ice cream to fortify us? Ha! Thanks for coming over--I appreciate you too!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-44842682623377422562014-03-21T09:35:17.502-04:002014-03-21T09:35:17.502-04:00Thanks, Kathy. Ugh, the marketing--it's hard, ...Thanks, Kathy. Ugh, the marketing--it's hard, isn't it?? I'm getting out of my comfort zone too!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.com