PinIt! Pinterest Marketing for Authors
Pinterest is a marketing marvel that is completely underused by authors is marketing their brand. In my online class PinIt! I’ll be teaching how authors can make the best use of Pinterest.
The Pinterest Experiment #PinIt Series
I’m conducting an experiment! I feel so scientific (which is weird because I did really poorly in science in school). I’m going to be seeing how Pinterest affects the traffic to my blog when I focus on it as my only form of marketing for the next month. I’ll be pinning daily and using screenshots to keep up with my progress. That way I can show you exactly what’s working and what’s not.
Honestly, I’m not expecting miracles. A month is not that long. I’ll be continuing throughout the month of the class as well and see if we can get some momentum but I’m also going to be adding some things for my students that might change the metric. I’m super interested in what might change though so,
Here’s what I plan on doing:
- Posting one chapter of my Friday flash fictions story every week.
- Using Tailwind daily to schedule posts
- Using Tailwind Tribes to find content other than my own to pin
- Manually pinning my own and other peoples content as well.
- Keeping track of my analytics to see if any of it is working
- Reporting here weekly by video vlog so you can see any improvements along with me.
If you’re interested in keeping up go ahead and enter your email address in the box at the bottom and you’ll get updates by email along with a link to my Visual Content Planner for you to use and plan out your Visual Content!
Happy Pinning!
The Magic Of Pinterest Traffic
Here we are at blog post number two in the PinIt series for Authors. I want to talk about why Pinterest is the number two traffic driver behind Google. This is in general and for my website as well. Back when I started writing before I published my first book I blogged twice a week. For nine months before I published Breathe, I wrote blog posts about my journey, about my book, about my life, and about my English Bulldog, Brutus.
I also pinned my blog posts to my Elena Dillon blog board on my Pinterest account. I noticed that not too many other authors did this. I know we all complain about blogging. We complain about having to write something other than our books. We also complain about never knowing what to write about on our blog. It gets tedious. The sentiment is not totally wrong, but the one thing I noticed was the one thing we need. Blogging and pinning created: Traffic.
I got hits to my blog from Pinterest. As a matter of fact, I got a lot of hits from Pinterest. Like all the time. More than Facebook. This surprised me. More than Facebook? Even more than Facebook when I paid to boost those posts on my page. Huh.
And Pinterest, my friends, is free. Okay, that got my attention. I get traffic by pinning my own stuff, and it’s free. That was awesome. I spent some time looking into why Pinterest was working so well. And I told my writer friends about it. Strangely even to this day with as many times I’ve spoken about it, taught it in a class, given a workshop, and told my author friends about it, very few of them have jumped on board.
The problem I think comes from thinking that it’s going to take a lot of work and time they don’t have. There’s a yes and a no to this. The yes part is the steps you have to do to get it set up and going in the right direction:
Make sure your Pinterest account is set up as a business account
Write a good description
Decide what you’re going to pin
Create your boards
Write good descriptions for your boards
Start creating pins from your website
And that’s all you have to do to get set up.
The no part comes in when you get going. It becomes second nature and so easy to create a pin for a post and stick it on a board. Every few days repin it to other boards and guess what? Traffic!
From there you have to have a plan, but that is true for your author business anyway. You should be blogging about your books, your characters, your setting, some of your hobbies, especially as they relate to your writing, etc. And then you create a pin for each post, preferably more than one, and start pinning.
I’m here to tell you the traffic will come. Start pinning stuff about books and reading. Start pinning stuff about writing. Start pinning stuff about the location or genre of your books.
And watch the magic happen.
Let me know what you think in the comments!
Next week? The Pinterest Experiment!
Why Pinterest for Authors?
When I decided to start blogging seriously here on Confused and Terrified Writer I thought about what topic I really wanted to focus on. I’ve been kind of scattered here, really wanting to help my author friends with so many of their problems that came along with being a productive author and business owner but this blog was not coming together in a cohesive way at all. Too many topics and not enough content. And then throw in selling my house and a move across the country and you
A stalled blog!
So, leading into the new year I thought for some time about what this blog should be. What would help my readers the most? And while thinking about what topics I love to talk about with other writers one came to mind right away.
Pinterest.
Wait! Don’t start groaning and thinking I’m leading you down one more path of social media planning and overwhelm. I’m not. I promise. Would I lie to you?
That reaction is the typical one I get from authors who already feel like social media takes way too much time away from their writing. I’m right there with you. Even though I teach people how to use social media, I wish I didn’t have to think about it, feel guilty about not doing it, or overwhelmed with what on earth I’m going to post on it.
But here is the secret…
Ready?
Pinterest isn’t a social media platform.
I’m sorry what did you say, Elena?
You heard me. It’s not social media.
Then what on earth is it?
Shh, I’m going to tell you:
It’s a search engine.
A big, beautiful, VISUAL search engine.
Huh?
Yes and there are some really fantastic reasons why you need to be there.
A lot.
Here they are:
- It’s the number TWO search engine behind Google. That’s huge. More on this later.
- It’s completely underused by author
- It’s free
- It’s where your reader’s are hanging out looking for what they want to do next.
- You don’t have to interact with anyone or be chatty on Pinterest. An introvert’s dream
Now do you see?
The downside, of course, (there is always at least one) is that some of us aren’t exactly gifted in the visual creation department. (Waving madly over here) but there are so many free tools to help us create beautiful pins about our stories that it’s easier than it’s ever been.
Now why am I sharing this with you and not just keeping it to myself and going on my way? One of the things I’ve realized about myself is that I love to help people, I love to teach others stuff that will help them in life and their business, and I really love Pinterest. It’s my absolute favorite platform.
I know I said it’s not social media and it isn’t but it is still a way to put yourself out there so… same, same right? There is still planning involved. However, I would much rather spend my time figuring out the best way to put myself out there on Pinterest than Facebook, Twitter or Instagram than any other. I like all those and they have their place but Pinterest is just plain fun. I’m also going to show you a way to batch your content to make it fast and easy but again, more on that later.
In the next month and a
Full disclosure: at the end of that time I’m going to invite you to take my Pinterest class (starting Feb 11th) through the Orange County Chapter of RWA. It’s super cheap (Like $35? Or something?) and it’s the cheapest it will ever be again. This will be my beta run for the class and after that time it will go live and go up in price. We will have a private Facebook group for the class. In the group, we’ll talk all about Pinterest and help each other plan what to Pin and compare what works and what doesn’t. Trust me, it’s fun.,
That’s it for now. I hope I convinced you to come back and learn more about how to use Pinterest for your author business. This Thursday, January 3rd in my next blog post I’m going to talk about traffic and how Pinterest became my number one traffic driver. Also, how you can do the same for your blog so come back then and check it out!
Until then,
Write On my lovelies, Write On!
Best Gifts For The Writer In Your Life
The word is I’m hard to buy a gift for. And maybe all writers are. I’m told that normal people have no idea what goes on in our heads.
I decided to spend some time thinking about why no one seems to know how to give a writer a gift. What would make buying for us creative types easy?
Of course, research was called for. I checked with my writer friends, my readers and asked in my Facebook groups. This list, while of course, not complete, is a list of things I heard over and over again.
So here you go normal-not-writer-types, this by category is what I came up with for you to get that very special writer in your life…
**Some of the links in the following article are affiliate links for which I’m paid a small commission but costs you nothing additional. For my full disclosure statement click here.**
First up? Software…
So far the most versatile writing software available for writers. This software makes it possible to plot, plan, research and format all in one place. This one piece of, very reasonably priced, software has upped my productivity and made the whole novel writing experience so much easier than using Word or some other word processing software. I love it so much that I’ve created a class for it for my readers.
There is a learning curve to Scrivener so if you are buying this for the writer in your life feel free to send them to my class so they can get started quick and easy with short video lessons, learning only the skills they need at there own pace. Click here for the Holiday discounted price!
If your writer is getting ready to indie publish and owns a Mac, this is a lifesaver. Vellum formats print and ebooks in all the needed formats and makes the entire process so easy. I want to kiss the guys that created Vellum. (I won’t of course, even if I meet them at a conference but I will probably gush like a fangirl) This software is an indie authors dream. It’s a bit more pricey than Scrivener but it is a powerful tool and pays for itself by the time you’ve published a book or two.
Books…
I’m really into productivity and streamlining my writing process so these two books by Chris Fox, in particular, have been extremely helpful.
Lifelong Writing Habit and 5000 Words Per Hour
These books were amazing for my productivity and helped me to develop better writing habits. Chris is the real deal. Look him up here to see the kind of amazingness he’s accomplished and shared with his readers. Your writer will love him!
This was the first book I read about writing that wasn’t assigned for a class in school. The first half is his autobiography where he talks about his childhood, how he became a writer and his harrowing accident that almost killed him. The second half is his advice on writing. When I read this book I felt like I was sitting in a room with Stephen King while he shared with me his story and his writing secrets. I recommend buying this one in print for your writer because if they’re a nerdy learner like me they will want to make notes.
This next book is by a writer who also teaches other writers. She has a fabulous podcast and has published numerous nonfiction books on the craft of writing. This one, in particular, is all about characters
Creating Character Arcs by KM Weiland and (Nerd Alert we authors love these!) the Workbook to go with it! Books on the craft of writing are always welcome. I find most writers to be lifelong learners and we’re always looking for ways to improve so these kinds of gifts are perfect, trust me.
To go along with these I’ve picked out some stuff to go with the books that all writers love:
Generally speaking, all writers love paper, pens, and ways to organize their time. The way to a writers heart is through office supplies and these are easy and good quality.
Conventions and Writing Groups…
These are always welcome to any writer. Writing is a solitary job so we love to get together with other writers and learn more about our craft and the business of writing. Honestly just being with other people who don’t look at you like you’re a nut when you tell them about the voices in your head is a gift in itself.
I always start with my peeps.
Romance Writers of America. Even if your writer doesn’t write romance RWA has an unequaled educational program. Romance writers are some of the hardest working writers out there and they love to share their knowledge with other writers.
They have a huge convention every year that is full of amazing authors and teachers and tons of people in the business. Your writer will come home from the RWA conference with a head full of knowledge and you will be the one that sent them there. That’s got to be good for some ‘you’re the best’ points for you!
List of Chapter Conferences these are smaller and more affordable so if there is one close to you these are really good options for a first conference so as not to be overwhelmed by National, which is huge!
Writer’s Digest also puts on a good conference. I haven’t attended this one but friends have recommended it and it appeals to all genres of writing.
RWA has local chapters and other events for your writer to attend throughout the year and Writer’s Digest has a publication that is available as well.
Writing Classes…
One of the classes I’ve found to be incredibly helpful and fun is MasterClass. They have a selection of video-based writing classes given by famous writers and this year they are offering an All Access Pass to all their classes for a very reasonable price.
I’ve personally taken the Shonda Rhimes Television Writing class and loved it.
Book Marketing Class…
I’m offering 40% off to the readers of this post for my Visual Content Marketing for Authors class. If your writer is struggling with book marketing my class can help with that. Along with a private Facebook group for questions and critique.
I love to help other authors move forward in their career and visual content marketing is a great way to do that.
Here is a quick video
Any of those writing classes will be a hit with your writer. And giving all of them? Big points for you!
One of the biggest topics in writing circles now is mentoring and coaching. Individual and group coaching to bring your writing to the next level.
Is your writer having trouble getting to ‘The End’? Coaching can be really affordable and incredibly helpful to keep your writer on track.
WriteNowWorkshops offers one on one coaching to get that book finished! Your writer will be over the moon.
The last two are gifts that when I posted my question to my writer peeps about what they wanted, popped up the most.
Space…
Dedicated writing space. I understand that everyone has limitations on space in their homes but if as a gift you could give your writer space or better yet a room to write you would be in. If your writer doesn’t have that now I guarantee that is on the top of their gift list!
Here are some ideas from my Writing Space Pinterest Board
And last but not least?
Time…
For the modern writer who most likely has to work a day job and/or is busy raising children, running a household or just having a life, carving time out to write is difficult. If you can think of a time in your writer’s schedule that they could consistently have that time just for their writing, give it to them.
Create a coupon book or a gift certificate that says Writing Time – 4 hours a week on Saturday mornings or whatever works for your family schedule. Encourage them to make time and to keep it. Don’t allow other family members to interrupt unless it’s life-threatening. Make sure they know what’s important to them is important to you. That would be the best gift of all!
Happy Gifting!
Pinterest Is Upping Their Game!
Pinterest has really been upping their game as of late. I really love that Pinterest wants us to succeed with their platform and in our businesses. Cool right? In that vein, they have made some changes over the course of the last few months. If you’re a frequent Pinterest visitor you’ll have noticed the new Follow tab.
The Follow tab is a throwback to the old days of Pinterest where you would only see Pins from the people that you followed and others would only see your Pins if they followed you. Now the cool thing about this is all of your Pinterest followers who are interested in your content (because they followed you!) will see your content first. If your content gets good engagement then it will be carried on to the Smart Feed.
The SmartFeed is filled with content that is like the stuff you’ve been pinning but not necessarily by people you follow. It will be stuff Pinterest thinks you like. So two great ways to get your content out there!
Hashtags. Back at the beginning of Pinterest hashtags worked on the platform. Then all of a sudden they were a big no-no. All the experts said “No hashtags on Pinterest!” So everyone stopped using them. Then all of a sudden toward the end of 2018 the big news was “You can use hashtags on Pinterest again!”.
Now that they are working again you should be using them for your marketing efforts. Use up to twenty quality hashtags that work for your author business in your Pinterest pin descriptions. Done and done. Way to go Pinterest! Another awesome way for people to find our stuff.
I’m really excited about what Pinterest is doing and how well it works for my author business and I hope you are too. If you want to know how you can make your Pinterest account better and improve your marketing efforts I’m offering a discount on Pinterest consulting right now.
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