Writing for Life | Creating a Story of Your Own

Browsing the Twitter stream I clicked on an article someone was reading about social media charlatans in the online edition of PC World. Let me admit this up front- I have listed myself as a social media coach on my new business card. Despite the title of this post I promise nothing in terms of money, success, media coverage in my coaching. What made me decide to create this as part of my profile? It was relatively easy. My friends kept asking me for advice. I can sit with you, outline your needs and suggest some possible sites for you. My skill is not so much that I am an expert on things, but, I am a decent facilitator of information.

The ability to point people in the right direction is a skill not to be overlooked. I would never suggest anyone could make lots of money online. Because I have not made a lot of money. There are people who seem to do quite well- I would point you towards them. Do your own research.

What I do online is make friends and talk to people. Occassionally I promote things; my show, an affiliate link or two, a product. Sometimes I post my blogs. I like being here.

I have noticed some new things about Twitter-my private messages are full of people telling me how they can help me get a lot of followers on Twitter and increase my income. Really? If you asked me right now I could not tell you have many followers I have. I could not tell you if my all followers have value or not. I automate part of my Twitter stream and then I follow people who I find interesting as I find them.

The experts may tell me I am doing it all wrong. The online and real world is full of people trying to make a living. Some of us have good intentions, others are out to make a quick buck. As always, we may be victims or victors of some one’s advice. We take our chances. I take mine.

If you are trying to figure all this stuff out then I suggest to do it slowly. Pick something to test out. Sign up for Twitter and just observe what people are saying. Jump in to the conversation when it feels right. Read blogs. Follow people if you like what they have to say. This is just common sense advice- you can find it anywhere for free.

I am no expert but I do have some people you should meet.

It is amazing how much there is to write about one expo. I know that I didn’t use BEA to my best advantage. Going in I was not certain how I wanted to represent myself. Did I want to be press, author or publisher? All of these are hats I wear in one way or the other. But press was my easiest access into the Expo and it allowed me freedom in meeting authors and chatting with publishers. I do want my version of a media empire. Given the tools offered now this vision is entirely possible. I consider myself a creative person with multiple interests.

There are many writers I know who don’t have one clue about the publishing world. They fully believe they will be discovered at the counter of a soda fountain, sipping a shake, with their novel in their back pocket. They can’t use the computer, email or up/download anything. They don’t know a blog from a cog in a wheel. Never mind tools like Twitter, Facebook or Linkedin. They will dutifully write and wish for publication and never submit somewhere because the can’t use the Internet.

I understand there are people who operate successfully off the grid. They are happy people and will never read this post. But, if a writer wants publication in the mainstream world now is the time to get a grasp on some basic technology and learn to upload a manuscript and see what the world has to say about your work.

Which brings me back to BEA and meeting one of the guests on my radio show. David Mathison has a wonderful self-published book called, Be The Media: How to Create and Accelerate Your Message…Your Way. It is over 500 pages long and full of information for every kind of artist, musician, writer, filmmaker….

Be the Media is for anyone who wants to harness technology to spread his or her message or products inexpensively, whether to a global or a local audience. David Mathison

There is a lot of information in this book. GET IT NOW. Especially if you want to build your empire strategically and successfully. You want people, like David, on your side. You want to follow and read about people like Gary Vaynerchuk and Chris Brogan who have real value to offer you.

Unless you have a patron, creating is the first step, and then doing the promotional hustle is necessary to succeed. If someone told you creating is easy- they were lying. I don’t know of anyone who finds writing a book, painting a portrait, or any other creative act, a walk in the park. It can be fun, exciting, thrilling, gut-wrenching and damn scary, but it’s work. Creating, in any form, will kick you out of bed in the morning, drive you to drink a little, and make your heart beat a bit faster.

Here is my interview with David: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/SandraLeeSchubert/2009/04/07/Wild-Woman-Network-Radio