Jul 17, 2017 |
by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
[republished with permission. And be sure to check out my post today on Edie’s blog, The Write Conversation. ~Molly Jo]
Edie Melson: Social Media Lies People Tell Themselves, Part One
I get a lot of emails and phone calls from people who really believe social media doesn’t work for them. They’ve convinced themselves that they are the exception to the rule. And because of that, they’re somehow exempt from having an online presence.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s called an exception because it rarely ever happens. Actually I’ve NEVER seen an instance where it was true. But I’m skeptical about absolutes, so I’ll grant that there might be one single person out there that social media doesn’t work for.
The rest of you need to quit claiming it doesn’t work and get busy working it.
The Four Main Types Who Fail at Social Media
First, there’s the person who has really tried to make it work, but they’ve been trying all the wrong things. Doing it wrong won’t get you much further than not doing it at all.
Second, there’s the person who’s been paralyzed by over-thinking the process. They’ve spent so much time analyzing every possible scenario they’re confused and defeated before they ever start.
Third, there’s the person who starts and stops. They work at it consistently for a week or two then stop. Then start again . . . then stop . . . . I think you get the idea. A big part of social media is building on success. If you keep stopping, there’s nothing to build on.
Fourth, there’s the go-getter that’s spending so much time on social media they no longer have time to write. So they throw up their hands and walk away.
What You Need to Do to Have a Successful Social Media Presence
- Start a blog or become a part of a group blog.
- Have a presence on Facebook.
- Have a presence on Twitter.
- Utilize a scheduling program (like Hootsuite) to help manage your time efficiently.
- Never break Edie’s five-to-one rule. For every five social media updates on a particular platform, you may only post one additional update about yourself or your product (this includes your books, a blog post, or an announcement about a guest blog post you’re doing).
- Quit overthinking the process. Social media isn’t a science. It’s relationships, and relationships are messy. So get busy, take a chance and find what works for you by DOING, not THINKING!
I recommend you start with the following minimum goals and work up from here:
- Blog once a week, if it’s your personal blog. Blog twice a month if it’s a group blog.
- Comment on a minimum of one other blog once a day, four days a week.
- Post on Facebook a minimum of three times a day, four days a week.
- Comment on someone else’s Facebook post a minimum of three times a day, four days a week.
- Tweet a minimum of four to six times a day, four days a week. (This can include retweeting something someone else has tweeted).
But no matter what you do with social media . . .
Don’t spend more than 20-30 minutes per day on social media.
Spend more than 20-30 minutes a day on social media and you’ll run into the law of diminishing returns. You just don’t get as much bang for your buck. Beyond that, you’ll be cutting into valuable writing time.
What things are standing in your way with social media?
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . .: Social Media Lies People Tell Themselves, Part One @RealMojo68 @EdieMelson #socialmedia
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . .: What things are standing in your way with social media? @RealMojo68 @EdieMelson #socialmedia
Blessings,
Edie
Edie Melson
Find your voice, live your story…is the foundation of Edie Melson’s message, no matter if she’s addressing parents, military families or writers. As an author, blogger, and speaker she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Connect with her on her blog and through Twitter and Facebook.You can also connect with Edie through Twitter and Facebook.
Jul 16, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Frankly, On Faith.
Our God promises change. His entire existence is not about keeping things the same, but making things better for His Children. He will do whatever it takes to keep us safe, to bolster us, and to bring us home.
But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.”
~Isaiah 43:1 NLT
Sure, we don’t always see it. Sometimes, this fallen world attacks us left and right. Sometimes a change isn’t material or even tangible. It just is.
But our God promises change. And in the quiet crevasses of thought, in the loud chaos of the day, when we turn from the busyness of all this world calls us to do, and give just a few undiluted moments of attention to Him, we see He is indeed changing things for the better.
He will fulfill His promises and not be slow about it, for His timing is perfect. He will bring His Family together.
And He will change things.
Just you wait and see.
Frankly, On Faith: Isaiah 43
TWEET THIS: Frankly, on Faith: Isaiah 43- Our God promises change. @RealMojo68 #franklyonfaith #faith
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
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Jul 15, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
It’s a little known widely recognized fact that I may or may not be a fan of having all my ducks in a row. Remember the peace I mentioned yesterday with my multitude of Happy Planners? And if y’all follow me on either Facebook or Instagram, you’ll occasionally see what my cousin lovingly refers to as a “perfect” house. Boy, did I laugh when she sent that message!
Well, it’s true I’m not a fan of chaos in any form. I like a clean house, a structured schedule, a dependable paycheck . . . You get the idea.
And so I was just as surprised as you are, when I was cleaning out the game closet and found this gem still around:
Game of Perfection
I was even more surprised when I took to playing it every night for the past week.
Now don’t look at me like that, Mother! Yes, I know it’s a kid’s game. But I also know it’s good for adults.
Don’t believe me? Let’s run down the benefits of game playing:
- eye-hand coordination
- tactile recognition
- memory and cognition
And the most important:
Yes, this is where I admit that I still jump every time the board pops up and the little pieces fly. I’m happy to announce yesterday I beat the clock!
Sure, I like the phone games of Candy Crush, Paradise Bay, and Disney Emoji. But there’s something about playing childhood games that continue to bring me back to a place of happiness.
The laughter of young friends, the taste of Mom’s cookies, the scent of summer.
What games do you still like to play?
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . . The Game of Perfection. @RealMojo68 #game #perfection
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
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Jul 14, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Five Things Friday
Okay. So, I guess we knew this post had to happen sooner or later, right? Y’all know my love for Happy Planning. I mean, from the day I brought my first one home I started telling you about it. Remember 2017 Prep: My Happy Planner? And Hobbes’ Mexican Chicken Meatloaf?
I laughed at the groups on Facebook. I saw ridiculous posts of women with four and five planners and entire shelves devoted to the art of the plan.
“No,” I told myself. “I will not be one of those. I will not be a ‘Planner Babe’ who can’t function without a big book at my side. No.”
And then the Universe laughed.
Because the more I used my first planner, the more I fell in love with it. That’s right. Two key words in that sentence: “first” and “more.” Mm-hmm. You already know where this is going, am I right?
Frankly, My Dear . . . : MoJo’s Happy Planners
I suppose I should explain myself . . .
Frankly, My Dear . . . : MoJo’s First Planner
- This is my first planner. I purchased it to help keep track of all my social media work. Then I bought some expansion packs like the menu planner and home planner sets. Little did I know how it would change my life. Creativity brings peace, so whether I’m planning a meal or working out the budget, using my Planner makes me, well, Happy. I think that’s the whole point.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : MoJo’s Second Planner: Blessings Abound.
2. Realizing what a blessing my Happy Planner is, I picked up a second one. I don’t remember to write every day, but when I do, I’m astounded by the little “pennies” I keep track of. From a friendly client to a free Starbucks to a bill that was paid, all the little “Thank You’s” the Universe blesses me with go into this book. The year’s only half over, and already I’m overwhelmed with seeing how it’s a wonderful life.
Frankly, My Dear . . .: MoJo’s Recipe Planner
3. Of course, after I used a few of the menu pages, I realized I had to get a separate book for all my recipes. I can plan party menus, holiday delights, and keep tracking of my grocery lists all in one great location. It’s complete with great foodie quotes, and kitchen measurements. How sweet is that?!
Frankly, My Dear . . . : MoJo’s Blue Ridge Planner
4. Ah, Blue Ridge. That wonderful writers conference that beckons me each May. Of course this year I put together my own binder. Class list? Check. Appointments list? Check. To Do With Friends list? Check. Plenty of blank paper for note taking and idea making. A calendar I could fill, or not, as I chose. And that ever-inspiring dashboard. [Click here to read about my Blue Ridge Happy Planner.]
Frankly, My Dear . . . : MoJo’s Blogging Planner
5. My Blogging Planner. I just picked this one up this month. With my new website and the forthcoming redesign for Frankly, My Dear . . . and all the blog traffic coming and going, I wanted one special place to note my online presence and to track contributors for Frankly, My Dear. And let’s be real. That awesome Peacock Pen from Paige needed a home.
What’s that? You saw more Planner covers in the top photo? Aww, I can’t get nothin’ by you, can I?
Frankly, My Dear . . .: MoJo’s Extra Planners
Additional Planner covers come in sets of three. So when I created-from-scratch started my Blue Ridge Conference Planner, I had two cover sets left over. The one on the left above is now used as a “memory” planner. As each month passes, I take the pages from my main planner and transfer to this one. It serves as a great record keeper, and I don’t have to search far to find notes. On the right is an as yet unpurposed cover set. I’m thinking I may turn it into my Holiday Planner. I can picture it now: recipes, gift guides, short stories, shopping lists. Yes. Yes, that’s what I’ll do. Thanks for helping me figure that out.
Soon I’ll have Planner Lucky Number 8: I’m going to start a novel bible for CENTRAL. I didn’t do so with NOLA and I wish I had. [Read: #AmWriting: Using a Calendar to Storyboard Your Novel.] As soon as I start CENTRAL, I’ll track character notes, backstory, magazine clippings, thoughts, and of course, the dreaded rough draft.
Yikes. I mean, yea.
Happy Planning with BEE the Zebra
Tell me, how do you stay organized? And, can you overdo it?
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear: Five Things Friday: My Happy Planners @RealMojo68 #happyplanner #franklymydear #FiveThingsFriday
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
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Jul 13, 2017 |
Huzzah! Another first post by another regular contributor! Today, I’m thrilled, and I mean thrilled, to introduce you to my friend, prayer partner, and the woman responsible for making me look good professionally. This is Mary Denman, photographer. She’s going to be sharing “Intro to Photography” tips. Sweet, yes? Yes!
by Mary Denman @MaryDenman
I’m so excited to introduce myself and join you here on Frankly, My Dear . . . ! I’m Mary Denman and I’m a photographer who’s also a writer, with a teaching heart like my mom’s.
A few years ago, Molly Jo and I met at Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. I had the pleasure of taking her headshots since I’m the conference photographer. We became friends, so, when she asked me recently if I would write photography tips for her blog, I said, “Yes!”
Blue Ridge Mountains by Mary Denman
I’m always learning about my craft, and love sharing how to take better photos. I believe everyone can learn to be a better photographer.
Why is photography important to bloggers?
1) Because a lot of text without pictures will not engage your reader. If you’ve been to a blog with a lot of writing and no photos, you know what I’m talking about! Think medical journal. There may be good info in there, but you have to want to read it and concentrate on it. Instead, you would probably prefer to read a site with pictures illustrating the points.
medical text
2) Because good photography can draw readers in! When you have a great photo or meme, you can use them on social media to catch a reader’s eye and draw them to your blog. You’ve probably seen a great meme on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter that made you want to read the article. It works!
3) Because your photos can illustrate your articles or they can inspire what you write about! When I started out, I found that I enjoyed using my own pictures to illustrate what I wrote about. At other times, going through my pictures inspired ideas for articles. The more you practice your photography, the better you’ll get and the larger the resource of pictures you’ll have!
I want to come along side you and help improve your photography. There are some very simple tips that will have a big impact on your photos.
Some of the topics we will cover in the months to come are:
- Cleaning up the clutter in your pictures.
- Making sure you have a defined focal point.
- Learning how to take sunrise/sunset pictures well.
- Understanding composition.
- Understanding the Rule of Thirds.
- Filling your frame.
- Learning how much perspective matters and how to use it.
- Creating a meme.
If there are other things you’d like to learn about, or have a question about, please let me know! You can find me over at my blog, www.marydenman.blogspot.com writing about life and lots more photography tips.
Baden-Baden Sunset
I’m excited to join you here and hope that I can inspire you to pick up your camera more often and learn how to take better photos!
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . . : Mary Denman: Why is #Photography Important to #Bloggers? @RealMojo68 @MaryDenman #amwriting
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Mary Denman, photo by Peter Hurley
Mary Denman is a photographer who also writes and loves to teach. As a freelance writer, Mary has had articles published in various forms ranging from Focus on the Family publications to magazines to devotions to op-ed pieces. She’s a member of several professional writing organizations including ACFW, My Book Therapy, and Word Weavers.
As a professional photographer, Mary has had photos published in both print literature and online. Her shots have been used by businesses and by fellow authors alike.
Her philosophy is to catch a moment that reflects God’s beauty and creativity, whether in nature, in life or in the face of her subjects. Mary blends the mediums of writing and photography on her blog. www.marydenman.blogspot.com.
