Social Media strategist – Cynthia Reyes

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!**

A Good Home, Blogging Considerately, Flowers, Tips for Blogging

Great Tips for Bloggers

January 28, 2015January 29, 2015 Cynthia Reyes

Rule #1: Most people like pictures. Hence the “floral arrangements” in this post. (Smile)

My last post was the most retweeted ever! Lots of interest. So today I’m sharing some tips which have worked for me, thanks to Lauren, my social media expert:

Be real. Life isn’t perfect and nor are you. Being real makes your blog interesting. My book is hilarious in parts and I wanted my blog to be similarly uplifting and funny. But my injuries affect every part of my life — including my blogging schedule. I finally revealed a few of those difficulties — and my blog network supported me.
Tell, don’t sell. Many of the bloggers I follow make products for sale – their books or paintings; farm products; furniture or vintage items. Some have a shop built into their site. But they know that blogging isn’t primarily a marketplace: it’s about engaging with others and sharing stories and ideas.
Keep your posts short. Break up a longer post with images — or make it a short series. Most of my posts are only 200- 500 words because I know that many people read a lot of blogs each week.
Set aside time to read other blogs. I set aside time early morning and late evening/night to read and reply. I’m slow, but I do it. That’s why following/having thousands of followers is not my goal. I couldn’t keep up!
Write a few posts now for later. I’m a wreck some days and stuck in bed. So I force myself to laugh by writing funny stories. My failures at baking, cooking, decorating a room or arranging flowers suddenly seem hilarious when described. Then, on my worst days, I post them — and smile at your great reactions.
Blogging is a two-way street. It’s not just a matter of ‘publishing’ your posts. Read other people’s stories, take an interest, respond. They’ll do the same. How true! I sometimes use my blog to highlight fabulous bloggers and other people; in turn, their supporters visit my blog, leaving great comments. Fascinating though I am (ha ha), my blog is not always about me.
Follow up. When I disappear for a while, some bloggers check in. I appreciate this thoughtfulness and now do the same for others.
Get help. I knew how to write, but didn’t understand social media. Among other things, an expert can make sure your blog is attractive, engaging and automatically distributed on many different platforms.

This post is dedicated to all the bloggers in my network.

A Good Home, Books, Lauren Reyes-Grange, Social Media for Authors, Social Media Strategist

How a Social Media Strategist Saved My Book

January 26, 2015January 26, 2015 Cynthia Reyes

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.*