Hot Trends, Hot Markets - Social Networking and How Authors Can Use Them to the Fullest Potential

In July I presented on a panel at the 2008 CanWrite! Conference in Edmonton, Alberta. The topic of my panel was Hot Trends, Hot Markets, and it was the only panel that ran separately as a main feature. As an author, I looked at this topic from the perspective of aspiring and published authors.

As someone who's been nicknamed "Shameless Promoter" because I promote my books with everything I've got, utilizing everything I can think of or learn about, I want to share what I've learned. This information will help writers and authors connect with readers and fans, which can lead to sales once a book has been published.

The question I asked myself was: "Which hot trend or market is really on fire today, one that actually benefits writers and authors?"

The answer I came up with?

SOCIAL NETWORKING!

So here is a 5-part article on how to make the most out of Social Networking. Social networks are prevalent on the Internet, and if you learn how to use them correctly, you will benefit greatly. This is a way to meet thousands of people and an acceptable way to promote yourself.

There are three main categories of social networks:

Book collection or catalog networks - ex. LibraryThing, GoodReads, Shelfari

Book seller networks - ex. AmazonConnect, Chapters Community

True social networks - ex. MySpace, FaceBook, Ning (multiple networks here)
There are many more networks than just the examples shown above, but these are the most important ones, and I highly recommend that every writer and author utilize each of them.

Parts 2-5 will explain more about how to use each type of network to the fullest potential.

For now, I invite you to click on the network links above and join each one. Please note: to set up an Amazon profile/blog on AmazonConnect, you must be a published author with books available on Amazon. The other networks are all open to writers and readers, as well as authors.

Read Parts 2-5 on my site.

Please leave a comment on my site if you find this information useful. :)


~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
author of Whale Song
http://www.cherylktardif.com/