By Char Jones
Recently I was asked
about my explosive growth of Facebook Friends from one — thanks author Louise
Mangos! — to 3000 Friends in the first two weeks. As any writer knows, social
media is king these days. So pulled some thoughts together about the journey to how a red-haired girl whose first-read words were Burger Beer from a
billboard.
BOOKS IN WOMB
Always a reader.
Came out of the womb with a book in both hands. Made a living as a writer for
many years. Spent an equally long time in PR and healthcare marketing.
Reviewing its full-circle coming.
FACEBOOK ALOHA
Rejoined two years
ago to connect with far-flung theater friends across the globe ... in
Australia, Malaysia, Saskatoon, and across the U.S. Wrote short pieces, got
positive feedback from my creative tribe, which meant a great deal, so started
doing more reviews.
THANKS, MAGGIE
HOPE!
One of my favorite
authors Susan Elia MacNeal announced on Facebook that early advance review
copies were available on NetGalley for her fab upcoming THE PRISONER IN THE
CASTLE. So I joined, got approval to review Susan’s book, and then did many
many more. Just completed my 300th book review today!
SHOCKING
Earned NetGalley
Badges for doing 10, then 25, then 50 reviews — all posted on Goodreads — and
when I stumbled on my Goodreads ranking I was shocked — #2 as a reader and #12
as a reviewer globally. Whew!
ROLLIN’, ROLLIN’,
ROLLIN’
Writers and
publishers began to contact me directly, and Friend Requests rolled in. I did
sweat equity too, spending time each day making requests myself.
JOURNEY OF 1000
CLICKS
Began clicking
“People You May Know” button to request friends among my bookish tribe. Soon
found that potential friends already had upwards of 400 mutual contacts. A
critical mass had been reached — Malcolm Gladwell’s “Tipping Point” — and the
more I clicked, the more swiftly the network grew.
WISHING UPON A
STAR
Now, I’ve set more
goals ... for 5000 Friends (max #) on Facebook and on Goodreads. And 500
reviews by summer’s end on NetGalley.
LIES, MORE LIES AND
STATISTICS
Ignore the header.
These current stats are true!
• 3642 Facebook
Friends
• 2078
Goodreads Friends
• 300 NetGalley
Reviews
As I write, the
Beatles’ “Long and Winding Road” plays. It’s been the best kind of trip so far,
one for which I thank my many new friends! Brief update:
reached NetGalley pinnacle over the weekend of 500 reviews. And just yesterday
added new Facebook Friends from Moscow, Paris, Rome, Belgium, Brazil, Germany
and Spain. Plus, this week had review requests or consultations with a London
historical writer, an Israeli author of thrillers, an Egyptian literary short
story author, and an American historical fiction biographer of Hedy Lamarr —
all reflective of the power of social media.
Char Jones writes
book reviews and sundries on her Facebook blog, Literary Soirée. She’s a past
entertainment journalist, medical writer and healthcare marketing executive.
When she dies, Char wants to be buried in red lipstick, distressed jeans, and
ruby cowgirl boots — with a book clutched in each hand! Social Media: Literary Soirée https://www.facebook.com/literary.soiree.5
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