Social Media Campaign for Authors

I got an idea!

My last two posts got such a great response – and enquiries – that I asked Lauren to participate in a small giveaway exclusive to my blog followers. She said: “I’ll give two!”

Hooray!

So — Does any of the following apply to you? Are you:

New to social media or blogging and are looking for some best practices on how to increase engagement and community growth?
Looking to increase your website traffic?
A business owner, author, artist, etc. and want to know how to increase your brand exposure on social media?
Or have you been on social media for a while and want an objective opinion on how to improve your current strategy?

Then you may wish to enter the draw.

Up for grabs:

A one hour phone/Skype/email consultation with my Social Media Strategist (and daughter), Lauren Reyes-Grange for 2 lucky winners!

How to enter:

1) Comment below (or on my Facebook page if you prefer) letting me know you are interested. OR:

2) Send a private email to: cynthia.reyes@rogers.com. I’ll forward directly to Lauren. In it, tell her why you want to win this consultation, and note your social media sites too.

There is no catch to this, and I’m staying out of the selection process. So don’t try sending me virtual sweets or any other wonderfully creative bribes. (ha, ha – I know you won’t.)

Contest closes on February 10, 2014.

Good luck!

**THANK YOU, LAUREN!**

In August, a radio interviewer asked me what I had expected to happen after my book, A Good Home, was published in 2013.

“Seriously?” I asked. “My plan was to go back to bed.”

She laughed.

But that was indeed my plan. I was in bad shape, from head to toe, injuries from a car accident. Completing the book was a huge task. Even speaking was a challenge at the time.

What saved my book?

A skilled and caring social media strategist.

Lauren and Gentle Giant — Lauren and a Gentle Giant

Lauren was the person in charge of social media strategy for one of Canada’s biggest English language magazine publishing companies. She had helped magazines such as Style At Home, TheHockey News and Elle Canada increase their social media traffic by up to 1200% year over year.

In other words, Lauren knows her stuff.

She patiently explained to me what was required.

I think I rolled my eyes at times. What was this thing called a “blog”? And who had time for Facebook, Twitter, Google +, Goodreads, etc. etc.

“Not to worry,” she said. “I’ll set it all up for you.”

It was a necessity: my ‘book tour’ stopped soon after it started.

I was in full-blown relapse and my doctor had firmly stopped all my book-related activities outside the home.

Lauren designed my blog, Facebook and Twitter pages, etc., and taught me how to use them.

“Your blog should be informal and personable,” she said.

But I was too scared at first. So, to show me what was possible, Lauren did my first several posts on WordPress and other platforms.

All the time, Lauren kept teaching me, sending me simple instructions till I took over the work. She even created a marketing calendar that combined social media with other forms of promotion.

Today I have an international following.

My blog alone is approaching 40,000 views in just over a year of serious effort on my part. I have more than a thousand followers on Twitter, and many more through the other platforms I use.

I value this outcome for the many books I’ve sold, yes. Even more valued, though, are the supportive social networks that I’m part of today.

My social media expert saved my book. In the process, she gave me so much more.

Thank you, Lauren. I’d have been lost without you.

*Lauren is also my daughter.*