Connections

by Edie Melson

"So how much time do I really have to spend on social networking?" It's the question that plagues every armchair marketer. What is Social Media? How much time do I need to spend on Facebook and Twitter? Do I need Pinterest? What about my blog--who is going to follow it? Social Networking can be overwhelming--yet, it is essential for a successful novelist. Thankfully, with the right techniques, it can be streamlined and maximized to produce exactly the results you need to sell your novel. Connections, Social Media and Networking Techniques for writers is the premier source for beginning novelists to learn how to utilize social media tools. Written by My Book Therapy Social Media Coach Edie Melson, author of the writing blog, The Write Conversation, Edie is a prolific writer and freelance editor with years of experience in the publishing industry. The co-director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, she also serves as the social media columnist for Southern Writers Magazine and teaches around the nation on the topic of social media and networking.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

152 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2013

About the author

Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers who has been known to announce that she's creative out of self-defense. With an artist-mother and musician-turned-photographer-father, she'd have been a disgrace if she hadn’t been true to her own brand of creativity. She’s a writer who feels lost without her camera and a reluctant speaker who loves to encourage an audience. And she embraces the ultimate contradiction of being an organized creative. 
 
As an instructor, she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her numerous books, including the award-winning Soul Care series, reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives. She lives in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains where she spends time off hiking with her husband and her camera. Connect with her on www.EdieMelson.com and through social media.

Reviews

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Connections: Social Media and Networking Techniques for Writers is just what it purports to be: an introduction to social media for writers. And it introduces very well. Edie Melson tells the reader lots of what he or she needs to know about social media. What Connections is short on is the how of Social Media. Someone reading this books should be an assumed neophyte. Alas, Edie is less helpful on the nuts and bolts of implementing her excellent advise.

In fact, for the true first timer Connections is liable to be more a discouragement than an encouragement. Sometimes a little knowledge can be more discouraging than blissful ignorance.

That said, it’s a helpful introduction. For more, check our Edie’s blog: http://thewriteconversation.blogspot.com/

A good read.

[Katy Kauffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a good book that gives the nuts and bolts for using social media, this is it. I've taken Edie Melson's class on social media in the past at a writers conference, and although nothing can replace seeing how all this works in person, this book helps you to "see" what's needed as you blog and use Facebook and Twitter to build a platform. The valuable information you need to get started is laid out in well-organized chapters. Her tone is friendly and direct, giving helpful tips and activities to use what you're learning. She briefly covers other social media sites such as Pinterest, Google Plus, and YouTube. Her blog continues the help with multiple posts a week on social media.

[Tessa Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO glad that I read this book! I've been struggling with understanding and maintaining social media for years -- especially in a way that promotes my book and builds a platform. Although there were several books on the topic, Edie Melson explained social media in a way that was easy to understand, yet was still packed full of information. It was a quick-read, which is perfect for the writer who needs to understand social media but doesn't have the time (or patience) to read lengthy chapters about every detail of every social media outlet. This was exactly what I needed. Thanks, Edie!

[Julia Witmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although it's a little out of date (as I was expecting, as it was written in 2013 [I think]), the blogging sections in particular are still really helpful for those trying to start a blog or come up with content for it. Worth a read!

[Josiah DeGraaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decently helpful. I picked up a couple tricks from this book.

Rating: 3.5-4 Stars (Good).

[T Tramel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to social media and networking techniques.