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Social Media Strategies for Writers and Authors

Facebook Comments as Effectively Engagement Tools

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Facebook Comments as Effectively Engagement Tools

Most Facebook posts have 4 options:  Like, Comment, Share, (Plus 1 surprise)

On January 5th, we looked at the four ways to use a Facebook Like.

Now let’s focus on the Facebook Comment.

We choose to add comments on Facebook posts to:

  • Agree or disagree with the post, the poster, or a commenter
  • Back up or counter the original post with proof (written, media, links)
  • Offer a unique opinion on the post (sometimes having nothing to do with the post)
  • Move the attention on this post to another post or entirely off Facebook (with a link)
  • Start communication on the topic between commenters
  • Simple conversations between Commenter-Poster or Commenter-Commenter having nothing to do with the post

Every single comment is an opportunity to Like or Comment further.

Facebook Likes are usually seen by the human eye as a popularity contest; the more Likes, the better the post.

Little impact is made when a Facebook post is liked without any further consideration.

However, a Facebook comment is where the engagement happens. Comments are the MOST engaging part of Facebook post options and can yield the best results long term.

You have to spend time in the post working on a comment.

You let the poster know your level of interest with comments – good or bad.

If you are looking to engage your followers and fans long term, post content that gets people talking.

Follow up – at least by liking each comment – and further engage by replying to each comment. Keep that conversation going, however small.

Over time, you become more memorable to the people with whom you communicate.

Facebook’s fussy algorithm also pays attention to all the interaction on your post, rewarding you by showing it to more people in the newsfeed, where you gain more exposure.

Are You Making This Twitter Mistake When Addressing Another Twitter User?

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Killing Common Twitter Mistakes: #1 Addressing Another Twitter User

For the next few months, we will identify and KILL common Twitter mistakes or clarify Twitter myths.

One of the biggest mistakes I see new and some long-term Twitter users make is when addressing another Twitter user.

If you simply want to shout out to another Twitter user, begin the tweet with their Twitter handle.

   @HeyColleague How are you? Are you going to that event tonight?

The only people who will see this tweet is:
• You
• Them (@HeyColleague)
• Anyone who follows you both (at that moment)
• Anyone who happens to look at your posted feed (at that moment)
• Anyone who happens to look at your colleague’s mention feed (at that moment)

If you want to promote another Twitter user to your community then begin the Twitter feed with ANYTHING BUT their Twitter handle.

This is wrong!
     @HeyColleague is someone you want to follow. They have great Twitter content. #FF

This is right!
     ‘ @HeyColleague is someone you want to follow. They have great Twitter content. #FF

These are better!
     #FF @HeyColleague is someone you want to follow. They have great Twitter content.
     Great Twitter content by @HeyColleague. This is someone you want to follow. #FF
     Are you following @HeyColleague for great Twitter content? #FF

By not beginning the tweet with their Twitter handle you haven’t limited the number of people seeing your tweet to the list above.

Why Authors – Writers – Everyone Should Use Twitter Lists

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Why Authors - Writers - Everyone Should Use Twitter ListsThe more people you follow, the denser your Twitter home feed becomes. You will lose perspective with a feed flooded with multiple, random posts.

Separate all those voices into logical groups so you can focus on 1 theme at a time. Use the built-in Twitter lists, which you can make public or private. You can create lists then add Twitter accounts to it from both your computer and your mobile.

You may be surprised at how viewing smaller groups at a time will help you gain clarity. Now you’ll form better ideas about how to support different group, join conversations, and post relevant content.

For Example:  If you view a list of only local authors, and many tweet and converse about a writing event in town you’ve never heard of, isn’t that an event you should inquire about?

1) Create Lists

Read through your feed and find those you are most interested in watching. Create lists for your many groups. Here is a suggested author’s starter-list:

  • Family
  • Friends
  • Work/Co-workers
  • [Your city]
  • Local authors
  • [Your genre] authors
  • Top [your genre] authors
  • Author Support
  • Publishers
  • Editors
  • Bloggers
  • Top idea generators
  • Social Media gurus

2) Assign interesting Twitter accounts to each chosen list. The same account can occupy more than 1 list.

3) Every time you meet and follow a new person, immediately add them to a Twitter list. If you don’t, you will lose them to the chaotic, overrun, Twitter home feed.

Bonus: You can subscribe to other twitter public lists. 

Learn to love lists!

Don’t worry; it is unlikely that you’ll run out of making lists. Lists are currently capped at 1000, which may be populated with up to 5000 in each, but don’t do that. Keep your lists small. If you have too many, you then you risk repeating the original problem, too many chaotic voices in 1 place.

I hope this Twitter Tip was useful.
Do you have a favorite list that others should start using?