Well, while “those” people are handing out daisies at the airport, the rest of us are boarding flights with direct (or indirect) routes to a destination. Why? Because we have a reason, a purpose for getting there. That’s where our luggage is going for one thing, but mainly it’s because that’s where s**t happens. We are moving toward a desired goal ’cause it will make our lives better.

When you’re on Twitter, it’s easy to see why people new to the network have no idea what the heck is going on, and feel lost in a clutter of chaos that’s coming at them a mile a minute. It’s a constant barrage of links, tweets, retweets, videos, sales, spam and some actual conversation.

One great way I’ve found to introduce people to twitter, as well as help them make real connections is to show them what I call Destination Tweeting Events. These are the hashtag conversations that happen around specific appointments — days and times — around specific topics. #Blogchat happens on Sunday nights. If you have a blog, you should be there. I learn something every week without fail. #Litchat occurs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 4-5 PM EST. It’s for booklovers to discuss all things books.

As part of my 10-week course for established and aspiring authors looking to embrace and integrate social media into their everyday lives as writers, I incorporate a Twitter chat weekly event so that they learn to use the tool, can talk about issues they are having in building their online platform and using the medium, and don’t feel like newbies when they hit up other chats in their goal to learn, write and sell their books.

I highly encourage you to find destination tweeting events in order to learn more about Twitter and the field you’re in, as well as to build quality relationships that go beyond the event. I’ve found that I talk more — I mean really talk and share more — with those with whom I’ve been involved in chat events. We’ve already come together around a specific interest, and it’s much easier to start and build on those conversations. They help you reach your goal faster — they are the more direct route, if you will.

You can enter a hashtag (the pound sign ‘#’ with a keyword or phrase next to it) into the search bar of Twitter or your preferred Twitter tool, or  Tweetchat.com is a great place to search for chats around a specific topic, as well. Try a word or phrase a couple different ways to see what pops up. If you don’t find anything, you can always start a chat yourself; though it’s easier if you’ve built a following.

What are your favorite Twitter chats? I’m always looking to see what’s out there.

Filed under: Advice, authors, blog, Coaching, goals, marketing, social media, Social Networks, Twitter, writing

Because of that amazing experience, I knew I wanted to interview Jen for this blog. However, I knew you readers wouldn’t be satisfied hearing us pat ourselves on the back at your expense. Instead, I attempted my first split-screen Skype video interview (thus, the big “demo” banner running along the bottom of it) where we dished about how book marketing has changed since her two best sellers hit the shelves, the advantages of having a blog, her top time management tip and the importance of planning along with other goodies.

If you have 16 minutes I hope you’ll let yourself into Jen’s world and enjoy our social marketing convo. Her next Book Proposal in a Week Bootcamp starts April 11th, and I highly recommend it.

(Why do Vimeo and YouTube always grab the frame where you look the goofiest as the lead for the video?)

Filed under: Advice, authors, blog, Coaching, guru, marketing, social media, writing

1. Most people haven’t figured out what it is they could possibly have to share because it’s so second nature to them.

2. They are scared. Perhaps they wouldn’t say scared. Perhaps they “doubt” that others would recognize the value in them and accept them and their service.

You want to know why I know these two things? Because I suffered from the first one for a looooong time. I was a late bloomer. In fact, I’m still blooming. However, I know that if I don’t step into the sun sometime, I’ll wilt because I need that energy to help me grow.

I still struggle with the second reason. I’ve been stepping all over my comfort zone this year, poor thing. If my comfort zone were a cat, there’d be tape all over its paws. Even though I’ve finally figured out my calling and know I’ve got the chops to back it up, I still second guess my value. Growing up, I heard “There’s always going to be someone younger, thinner and prettier than you.” Yep, that’s true. However, what I tuned out was what followed, “…so you better know who you are and bring something of value to the table…” or something like that. Like I said, I tuned it out. It boiled down to confidence and smarts wrapped up in your authentic voice — at least that’s how we tell it today.

I’m a writer. I am. I may switch tenses and points of view in the same sentence, but I’m a writer. Blogging is writing. Poetry is writing. Proposal writing is writing. I’ve been a writer since the day Kathy LaTour, my professor freshman year at SMU told me I was one. It took someone else to show me something that came second nature to me…because I did it all the time.

Here’s the deal. You are good at something. It’s probably something in which you don’t even make a living because you think that’s not possible because work should be work. Whatever it is, figure it out. Then share it. Teach that to others. Pitch in because it’s your duty to do so. I promise you that people are searching for your gifts.

Here’s how I’m doing it: I’m offering free calls every Monday in April (4, 11, 18, 25) for writers looking to bring their career into the 21st century. I’m going to share/teach my expertise in social media marketing with a concentration on how to leverage it specifically for the writer’s life. If you want to join us on the calls, please do. You can find out more about them here.

How are you doing it? Share below. I love to learn new stuff.

Filed under: Advice, authors, Coaching, marketing, social media, writing

1. It’s FREE

and now for the real reason –

2.. The publishing world continues to change, and it isn’t enough anymore to just write the book. You have to be the publicist, the promoter, the marketer and, in some instances, the publisher yourself.

This year’s Podcamp has several sessions worth your time and attention to help you understand the online world of branding yourself AND your book, podcasting, building your online author platform, understanding the legalities of it all, how to network, the growing world of blogging and how it can affect your writing career and a lot more.

My particular session is called A Novel Idea: How Social Media Can Make You A Better Writer. I’m editing my 10-week course into a 35-minute session.

I walk people through what I call the four phases of a book’s life: 1. Concept and Research, 2. Writing 3. Publishing and 4. Promoting (getting people to buy it). I give examples, tools and tips on how certain networks can help you in each of these phases. Before you know it, you understand social media because you’ve integrated it into your lifestyle as a writer…on a daily basis.

I have a goal of my own for this year’s session: I’m hoping that those who attend it will also participate. All of our heads together are better than my talking head alone on the stage. As there are new apps and ways to leverage them coming to light all the time, my hope is that attendees will share their successes along this road.

I wrote a blog post called How to Pack for Podcamp that discusses what you can do to prepare for it, as well as what you can do once there to get the most out of it.

For those readers not attending this weekend’s Podcamp in Nashville, TN, I believe they will be posting the videos from the sessions. If not, I will definitely be bringing the goods to this blog shortly thereafter.

Going to Podcamp and other events like it IS part of your writing job better known as the modern life of a writer. Luckily, this one comes with booze.

Filed under: Advice, authors, Conferences, marketing, Podcamp, social media, Social Networks, writing