The Indie Writer's Presence

By Lisa Norman

Blogging, managing a website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and more! How is a writer supposed to do all of that and still have time to write? This book covers the building blocks of a unique online presence and basic strategies for each platform. You'll learn the demographics of different social media networks and how to choose which ones to invest your time in. Design a strategic marketing plan to grow your fan base while having fun and continuing to write.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Heart Ally Books, LLC
• Release date: Jul 22, 2016
• ISBN: 9781631070136

Lisa Norman

Lisa is the owner of Heart Ally Books, an independent publishing company. Before that, she owned a website design company specializing in creating websites for authors. For over 25 years, she has worked with both indie and traditionally published writers on everything from writing through publication and marketing. She has taught students from 10 to 80, both in person, locally, and online. Her customers range all over the US, Canada, and as far away as Australia. Mostly she coaches people one-on-one, and she loves public speaking. She's most proud of her children, adores her husband, and seems to be constantly surrounded by cats.

Book preview

Publishing Gold Cover

Publishing Gold

Step-by-Step Guides

for Success

In Your Writing Career

The Indie Writer's Presence

Lisa Norman

Heart Ally Books

Camano Island, Washington

heartlogo-small-bw

Publishing Gold: Step-by-Step Guides for Success In Your Writing Career: The Indie Writer's Presence

Copyright © 2016, 2017, 2018 by Lisa Norman of Heart Ally Books

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

This industry changes rapidly. It is probable that data in this guide will be out of date the day it is published. Use this information at your own risk. Author is not liable for any errors contained within or mistakes you make. However, feel free to say Thank you when you strike gold!

Note: The original Gold Rush Tales can be seen in context here:

http://nevada-outback-gems.com/gold_rush_tales/California_gold_rush1.htm I have modernized the language and updated the context for readability. There are many more gems hidden in those pages. The original text is in the public domain.

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords License Statement

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Published by:

Heart Ally Books

26910 92nd Ave NW C5-406, Stanwood, WA 98292

Published on Camano Island, WA, USA

www.heartallybooks.com

ISBN-13: 978-1-63107-013-6 (epub)

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Table of Contents

The Indie Writer's Presence

Introduction

Staking Your Claim

Building Your Sales Force

You Need a Website

Branding Review

Platform Building

Own your name

A Word About Social Media

What a Website Is

Final Words About Websites

Creating a Website on Blogger Worksheet

Functionality

Style

Content

Creating a Website on WordPress.COM Worksheet

Functionality

Style

Content

Signing up for Paid Hosting Worksheet

Setting up WordPress.ORG on Paid Hosting Worksheet

Functionality

Style

Content

Setting up Joomla on Paid Hosting Worksheet

Functionality

Style

A Bit More Setup

Content

Panning

Social Media Demographics

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Pinterest

Goodreads

Medium

Instagram, Google +, and more

Skorr

Canva

Your Newsletter

Create a Marketing Plan

Custom Header Worksheet

Creating a Facebook Fan Page Worksheet

Create a personal page.

Check your privacy settings!

Create a Fan Page

Create a Goodreads Account Worksheet

Create a LinkedIn Account Worksheet

Create a Pinterest Account Worksheet

Create a Twitter Account Worksheet

Rinse and Repeat

Statistics and the Experimental Approach

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1423_louis_wain

There is nothing new under the sun. Technology is changing at an amazing rate, but technology has changed before.

When studying how to function in a suddenly changing environment, I find it helpful to look to historical examples.

In 1849, the California Gold Rush changed the landscape of the Western United States, uprooting families, changing the world as they knew it. Many of those stories can offer valuable insight for the modern indie author. Since the language in the original stories, California Gold Rush: True Tales of the Forty-niners, can be hard to understand, I'm taking the liberty of paraphrasing and modernizing these pieces to make them easier to read. They are based on historical documents that are in the public domain.

You'll find these quotes scattered throughout the book. When you read them, think of these experiences as a metaphor for the modern publishing industry.

My Darling Jane,

I can't wait for you to join me here. Please tell your father not to worry about this move.

I know that everyone says that the gold mines will soon be worked out and that we'll all have to move back East. But our prospects have changed!

We've found old river channels in the hills, and this has changed how we mine. We've found more and more rich sites in the surrounding counties. There's enough gold here to keep me busy for the rest of my life!

We can make a life here, my dear. Already families are moving into the area. Steamers are making regular trips, bringing letters from home twice a month. Other ships are continually arriving, filled with all the necessities of life, and luxuries as well.

Just last week, I saw ladies walking down the street in one of the smaller towns wearing hats and crinoline attachments that are surely similar to what you have in New York. And since we have an abundance of gold here, even common laborers are paid rich wages.

Groceries and whatever you could want are available in the stores at a reasonable price.

This is a good, prosperous land, and it will stay this way for many years.

Your letter mentioned malaria and mosquitoes. They do exist, as do fleas. But these are only in certain areas where the water is stagnant, and they are not everywhere. In fact, they are only in a small area where we need never go.

Here's what has changed our outlook. We can now divert water from streams using a contraption of flumes and ditches. This lets the water do the work of unearthing the gold. Since these arrangements are less portable, there are lovely cabins sprouting up on the hillsides. You could plant a garden, my dear. A few of the local women have begun planting flowers amongst their vegetables, and the hillsides are lovely. I laugh, and know that you would as well, to