Aug 17, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Frankly, My Dear . . .: Nippers, Bruno, and Molly Jo Realy
I’m often asked what is the difference between media and marketing?
Now, that’s a pretty loaded question and I can definitely go on, and on, and on . . . but the bottom line answer for me is, media is networking and marketing is sales.
Not everything is marketing, but if you are a creative professional, your quest should be to share what you have to offer in a way that doesn’t scream, “Buy my product! Buy my product! Buy my product!”
“Give them a reason to care about you. Then they’ll care about what you write.” ~ Molly Jo Realy
Are you on Facebook or Twitter? How about Instagram? Did you see that cute post about your friend’s dog? How about that great photo your brother/sister/long-lost cousin put up, showing their morning coffee? [Hey, I am not knocking the coffee photos, okay? Let’s just be clear on that.] That’s media. That’s where you connect.
Now, how many of those posts prompt you to look at a product? Share a link to help you find life’s answers to why my coffee cup doesn’t magically refill? Yes, I’m still on the coffee thing, okay? Hey. You have your quirks. A little coffee in me never hurt anyone. In fact, the less coffee in me, the more likely someone is to get hurt. #needcaffeinenow.
But I digress. Anywhoo. That second part there is the marketing.
When the two come to together, it’s magic.
One of the best ways to know if you’re doing it right is to emulate someone you respect who has forged the path before you. Check out inspiring blogs, Facebook pages, Twitter and Instagram accounts. Look at websites with a critical eye and take note of what you do (and don’t) like. Now, pull the threads you want to use and tie them up in a pretty bow!
Well, I was thinking bow as in ribbon, but a bow can also be, you know, a bow. And I already have a meme for that!
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Be Your Own Hero
What a perfect demonstration. Why, that’s as nifty as a firefly in the tree. They just go together, dontcha think?
So my question to you is, are you a professional media magician or an amateur product pusher? [Check out last week’s post Social Media Saturday: Memes Aren’t Just for Marketing.]
Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have an urge to drink another latte. . .
Frankly, My Dear . . .: We love our lattes!
For more on media and marketing, join me this Saturday in Bakersfield at Writers of Kern monthly meeting.
TWEET THIS: Are you a professional media magician or an amateur product pusher? @RealMojo68 #socialmedia #marketing #coffee
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Aug 3, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Gah! I’m running into the eleventh hour ~ literally ~ and I almost forgot to post. Zoiks!
Well it’s a good thing I was already working on the blog, because now I know what to tell y’all.
Frankly, My Dear . . . Thank you!
First, THANK YOU. Since the new website launch a month ago, y’all have endured a few changes, participated in some fun activities, and overall made me feel like I’m doing a good job here. And, well, Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s everything!
So I thought I’d share a few navigational tips with you today. On the right side of the page, I’m sure you’ve noticed the neat photos, video, and whatnots. Well, they’re not whatnots, they’re widgets. And they’re all there for a purpose. This week, I added a link to my daughter’s Etsy Shop, Hannah’s Lace.
inspire-create-repeat
I also added this neat design which links back to the free PDF downloads. Not sure if y’all remember, but I promised you at least one new download a month. Yes, I know the link is also in the top menu. But this was just fun. Now, Frankly, My Dear . . . is themed toward Faith, Family, Food, and Fun; so who knows what the download will be? I guess you’ll have to push that button to find out.
I wish I could take the credit for the design, but my very creative brother did this as a surprise. He’s pretty nifty, too, yah?
You can check out his website at RealyCreative.com. Tell him I sent you.
Now that we’ve covered the widgets, let’s talk surveys. I hosted and/or moderated two Facebook Events in the last month, and if you were around for either of them, I sure could use your feedback. If y’all wouldn’t mind, click here to complete my Facebook Events Participation Survey. It sure would help me know how to better tailor events in the future. The survey is anonymous, so if you choose to leave comments that require feedback, leave your name also.
Finally, we’ve come to the Like portion of our post.
You like me! You really, really like me!
And I can’t tell you how much your comments, shares, likes, follows and mentions have meant to me.
I know when I very first started this blog it had no direction, and even up until a few years months recently it seemed that way.
I found my voice. A Southern Belle in Southern California, on her way to Oz. But I’m not alone on this journey. You were there. And you. And, yes, you too, Toto.
TWEET THIS: Widgets and Surveys and Likes, Oh My! @RealMojo68 #franklymydear #OnToOz
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
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Jul 29, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Hearts Song
So much about this cover that I love. The authors, the publishers, the endorsements. I love them all. I know them all! How exciting.
Aaron Gansky and Kay Morrison (Cindy Sproles) wrote Heart’s Song several years ago and it found its home at Elk Lake Publishing.
So, this Monday, June 31, is the big release; you know, the it’s-finally-published event. The yeah-they-did-it party.
In case y’all can’t read the back copy, here it is:
Faced with the impending death of his best friend, Geoff Morris wonders if there is life beyond rock and roll. Through the highs and lows of his band, his dead-end job, his frustration with his lack of direction and inspiration, he rediscovers an old friend from college. Emily Amherst is grateful for Geoff s assistance in recovering from a personal disaster, and rewards him by awakening a passion that has lain dormant within him since he moved to LA, away from family and friends, to pursue his career as a rock superstar. But is their budding relationship enough to weather the trials of an internet romance and continual, unceasing personal tragedy?
Sounds compelling, yah? But wait. There’s more!
As we do for such things, we’re having a live Facebook launch event this Monday, and you’re invited! Just log in to your FB account and join here: Book Launch for Heart’s Song.
The fun starts at 5:30 pm PST. There will be lively discussions, revealing facts, polls, great conversation, and a few giveaways. As I do, I’ll be facilitating conversation and allow the authors to share their writing worlds with us.
We’d love it if you could join us, and bring your friends!
TWEET THIS: Facebook Book Launch Party: Heart’s Song @RealMojo68 @adgansky @CindyDevoted #booklaunch #amreading
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
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Jul 22, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Social Media Selections
I’m often asked which media platform I prefer, and why. My answer is simple: “All of the above. Because.”
Choosing one venue is like eating only white rice for the rest of your life. Not a mix. Not sometimes long grain and sometimes wild. Just. white. It’s bland. And sure, you can fix it up with some butter and Southern seasonings, but it’s still always going to be just white rice.
Your audience’s social media appetite is the same. You can’t serve them the same fodder and expect them to appreciate it every single time.
Now, we all know Facebook and Twitter are it. I mean, for realz. That’s where the action is, am I right? But I’m also a huge HUGE HUGE fan of Instagram. Because we are becoming creatures of instant attentions, an INYOURFACE graphic will grab attention before a compelling headline.
Frankly, My Dear. . . FROGINYOURFACE!
Case in point: Did y’all read the sentence above first, or glance at the visual? If you’re like me and many of my partners in crime social media cohorts, colors will get you every time. Even if you don’t like the color. It evokes a visceral response, yah? “That’s such a lovely crocus.” or “Can you believe he wore that tie in public?”
Now, I’m not saying every post should be visual. That’s just a rice salad. Nah. Don’t do that.
Think of your social media like a stir-fry or buffet. A little this, a little that. Some meat and potatoes, a side dish, and of course, dessert. Don’t forget something to wash it all down with.
And who doesn’t love a great community potluck? Now and then, invite your friends and family to participate. Share their posts and links. Go visiting. Bring back something delicious.
Okay, have I overdone it with the foodie references? I know. I’m sorrynotsorry. But there’s something to be said with serving up a variety. Even when using the same platter, make sure what you’re serving isn’t always stale leftovers.
How do you serve your social media followers?
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear. . . : Serving up Social Media @RealMojo68 #socialmedia #franklymydearmojo
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . . : How do you serve your social media followers? @RealMojo68 #socialmedia #franklymydearmojo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
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Jul 1, 2017 |
Remember when this happened, the first time?
Field of Dreams
And how my love for all things baseball and community and movie quotes blended together to restructure FMD some years ago?
Well, folks. That paint is peeling. So guess what.
Are y’all ready for this?
All those old adages keep circling through my mind.
“The more things change, the more they stay the same.”
Hey, guys. Here’s the deal. I’m so stinkin’ excited (and it’s so stinkin’ late) I can’t concentrate.
So here’s another deal. Things are changing. But they’re staying the same.
Pretty soon you’re gonna see a new layout here at FMD. Also over at NIP. Nothing dramatic. Just some cleaning up. Just some updates and maybe a few layout changes. I’m tossing out the old posts. You know, the very first ones. The ones that don’t have much to do with anything except me spilling the milk in public. Yeah. Let’s not do that any more, okay? What remains will be the good posts. The ones where I actually say something. The ones y’all want to read.
Frankly, My Dear and New Inklings Press will still be who they are. Just updated. With a whole new upper management: Me.
MJR- Molly Jo Realy
I liken it to moving an existing business to a newer office. The work is the same. The management is the same. But the ambiance is oh so much better.
The reason? There’s a new site on web, my friends. A new sweet to my tea. A new kid on the block, and I don’t mean Wahlberg.
That’s right. This Girl is now a brand. A name-turned-whatever-it-is. This Girl is now a website.
MJR Website
Check out those colors. You know this already, but that there my friends is some Tiffany Blue, and orange poppy. Like Wizard of Oz type poppies. How smashing is this?
And at 2pm PST today, I’m hosting a website launch party over on Facebook.
Visit my new site at Molly Jo Realy: Here’s where it gets real.
Join the fun. It’s just beginning.
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
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