Facebook Returns, Newsletters & Chasing Anya

Monday, December 16, 2013



I’m not sure how many of you with fan pages on Facebook have noticed that your ‘reach’ has probably seen a slow decline over the past few months. For a while now, I’ve realized that only a few people are being ‘reached’ when I post to my pages. The numbers are dismal. 

If you read this article about the changes to Facebook, then you’ll understand why. I know they have to make money and all, but it rubs me the wrong way when I’m told to pay to ‘boost’ a post to people who I assume would like to hear from me now and then. That’s why they liked my page, right?

Well, the times are a-changing have changed and any pictures I post to Facebook just languish on the page.

What this wake-up call has urged me to do is take a second and third look at my mailing list. I do know that mailing lists are valuable to writers—so much so that I have two of them. The thing is, I haven’t sent out a newsletter. Ever. That’s about to change. Thanks to Facebook and another writer for sharing that article that woke me up.

I’ve added the sign-up links for my newsletter to the J.L. Campbell and Jamaican Kid Lit pages. Those can be accessed via a dropdown menu that makes it possible for persons to sign up for my newsletters via Facebook. I shared that message on both fan pages and noted that the ‘viewership’ for text is much higher. I reached all of 49 people so far out of a total number of 560 persons. I’m not sure how much use Facebook fan pages will be in the short run if people are not willing to pay to ‘boost’ whatever they post.

On a brighter note, the Christmas-themed novella, Anya’s Wish has been released and is seeing some sales. I’m trying some other promotional vehicles and will let you know how those work out.

On January 13, 2014, I’ll be doing a cover reveal for Chasing Anya. Never thought I’d be doing one of those, but anyway, there will be an incentive for putting up a post and tweeting and what not. It’s likely that the book will also be released at that time. Wendy from Fabulosity Reads Book Promotions will be organizing that, along with a book tour for January 27-30, 2014.

We’ll need all the help we can get to spread the word about my feisty heroine, so help a sista out and sign up on the linky list below. 


 Chasing Anya
Been there. Done that.

Feisty and independent, Anya Davies lives by her own rules. The one thing she’s hell-bent on avoiding is a conventional relationship. Nor is she interested in romance, thanks to her abusive ex who refuses to stay in the past. The second complication in her life is a secret that condemns her to constant guilt and a solitary life. A series of near misses and escalating threats are a third and worrying factor. Only a special man would understand or live with Anya’s challenges and demands.

Casual sex...so not having that.

Enter Christophe Mondesir. Two years ago, Anya dumped him without explanation. An accidental meeting shoots Anya back on Christophe’s radar. He refuses to be denied and plans to breach the fortress Anya has built around her heart—if she’ll commit to more than a casual liaison. He’s also determined to find out what she’s hiding. That’s if the stalker who’s after Anya doesn’t end her life first.  

 

Last, but by no means least, please stop in at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group site, where I have a post up on blogging/publishing. While you’re there, make sure to enter the contest, which closes on December 18. Some fabulous prizes are up for grabs!

26 comments:

  1. And people wonder why I'm not on Facebook.
    I have a ton of email addresses, but no newsletter. What would I say?
    Happy to help with cover reveal!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess if all you do is talk to friends, then it's okay to be on Facebook.
      Considering how much you cover in your blog, your newsletter would be full of awesome geekiness. :) Plus, those updates on your book and what not. Thanks for signing up! Much appreciated, as always.

      Delete
  2. I find people don't see what I post on my personal page, let alone my author page.

    When I was actively promoting my series, I had a large mailing list and a newsletter. Haven't sent one out in years though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is so much 'noise' on Facebook, it's easy to miss posts.

      Writing up a newsletter probably feels like another job to do, but you have lots of content.

      Delete
  3. Facebook is conning us! Boo! Glad you're working on promoting yourself .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It does pay to keep our ears close to the ground.

      Delete
  4. Very frustrating! I just sent out my very first newsletter this month. I highly recommend it! I'm going to send on every-other-month and when a new release comes out.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Susan, thanks for signing up. I do plan to send out a newsletter at year end. People will read it or they won't. I'd rather take that chance than risk them seeing nothing at all on Facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've had the same problem on all of my Facebook pages. It sucks :-( I wonder if using my main account to share posts from my Facebook pages will help ...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't get much responses from those either, but it's worth a try.

      Delete
  7. Thanks for all the great info! I'm with Alex, above, because I truly dislike facebook and am thinking about closing my page(s). And I love the idea of having a newsletter! Thank you, thank you!!

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  8. Yeah, FB is making things tough. Video ads are set to start this Thursday. It's going to be SO ANNOYING!!!

    All signed up for your cover reveal!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Glad to be able to share something of use, Becky.

    Thanks so much, Jay. Video ads...something else to distract us from the social media aspect of things.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Signed up for the cover reveal and looking forward to it. Congratulations on Anya's Wish!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Joy. I will help out but it's too hard by phone. Write me down. i've started reading your latest...D

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm on Facebook but I'm not sure why. It has never done me any good and I actually shudder to drop by my own account because it is filled with people marketing themselves and I just get so weary of it all.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks, Julie. Appreciate it.

    Denise, you're a rock. Thanks and enjoy!

    Wendy, it has certainly changed. I stay on there because of the groups I'm in - writers exchanging useful information is priceless.

    ReplyDelete
  14. As you know JL.I've been also looking at otherways of getting traffic and communicating...you have just encouraged me about my newsletter as well. I have ben lamenting for a long while that we polace too much value and invest too much energy on Facebook. They have become very cocky in the process.They need to start losing activity from members to get a wakeup call.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess they are at the point where they can do anything. When you have billions of subscribers, I guess you call the shots.

      Delete
  15. It seems like FB is more of a hazard than anything else... *sighs*
    As it is, I have a personal page and a "writerly" page. I'm considering merging the two, by incorporating the writer-in-transit page into the personal page. I don't know if I should do it the other way around? With regards to FB, I'm more confused than ever...

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hey, Michelle,
    The only challenge I find with both is that I've tried to keep my personal page mostly personal, but there's also the fact that since I have to use a personal profile for most activities, when I'm in contact with other writers, they don't know about my writing persona. :)

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  17. Thanks for the heads-up Joy. I was already focussing my marketing and promotion less on social media and more on growing my subscriber base on my blog. Facebook's move just reinforced that decision.

    ReplyDelete
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