Monday, July 25, 2011

My Thoughts Moved—Why I Now Have a Writer Page on FB




For the longest time I wasn’t sure what I thought about not yet published (as in unpublished novels, not works in general) writers creating fan pages. I battled with it. I “liked” my friends who went out on a limb with it, while scratching my head thinking that would not be me.



Guess what?



I went there. I did that.



I have a Facebook writer page. Oh yeah. Uh-huh. You betcha!



Now here’s what made my thoughts move:



This industry is exploding. Social presence is huge. I’ve kept in close contact with good writer friends who’ve encouraged decisions like this along the way. Kristen Lamb is all over this in her book, We Are Not Alone. Still, I hesitated. I let a litany of excuses flow off my tongue. It didn’t feel right. It didn’t feel comfortable. But that’s it right there, folks. Sometimes we’ll be called to do things that don’t feel comfortable. (Anyone ever been prompted to say sorry after a fight? How “comfortable” did that feel?)



But now that I’ve made the decision and pulled that Facebook writer page trigger, ironically, it’s feeling more right. I finally figured out what my biggest hang up was—the word “fan” page. See, as a writer words are important to me. (I had a similar hang up with the word “friend” when I first joined FB.) But once I adjusted my perception and understood it as creating a writer page, it held so much more appeal.



I want friends and family to know what I’m passionate about. I want them to have easy access to my works and to be in the know about what I pour my energy into.




I also want to connect with fellow writers and interested readers. The Facebook page is a great way to do this. So, sign me up Scottie. (Never mind, Scottie…I’m already signed up.) Besides, I’ve been mysteriously away from Facebook for too long. It’s time to make a comeback.



I dove in. My thoughts moved.



I went on a limb. Now, don’t leave me hanging…



I’d love it if you “like” me!


Here's the link


Why have you, or haven’t you created a Facebook “fan” page?


*if I haven’t followed your page yet, it’s likely your request got thrown into some hidden Facebook tunnel I’ve had trouble opening. Kindly send me a new request, and I’m all over it.
**If you have trouble finding the page (I need 25 “likes” before it becomes an official page) you can look for Writer, Wendy Paine Miller on FB

34 comments:

  1. Good for you! I've thought about it, but been following your former line of thinking. Hmmm, maybe I need to step out there and take the leap...

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  2. Good for you!! (I'm going to search for you and "like" you ) :)Continue to stay motivated!

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  3. Good for you, Wendy. I'm off to "like" your page.
    I have to honestly admit I haven't even thought of doing this. But then I rarely remember to go on Facebook anyway. Thanks for something to think about.

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  4. Woohoo! I'm there! Now once you figure out how to best use your page, would you mind throwing me some tips??

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  5. I am so glad you posted this friend. My publisher just made me put one up and I was very unsure. But I know it is just another place to spread messages not self-promotion. This is why I love community in this. There is support. I will like you friend!

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  6. Hi Wendy -

    Congratulations! I've been debating about this myself.

    My hang-up? I wonder how many people actually go to these pages after they "Like" them. I can't keep up with blogging much less hundreds of writer pages.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  7. Wow, Wendy! Glad you went for it! It's just one more step on this journey we're on.

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  8. I created a writer page, but most folks who follow my blog went ahead and friended me on my personal page. Now I feel like I have split personalities. I'm not sure whether to link my blog to my personal FB page, just my writer page, or both. I guess we're all figuring this out as we go along though, right?

    Off to become a fan!

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  9. I've been having my Moonboat Posts go to my Facebook Page for some time now. Many readers access my blog from there.

    Does a Writer's Page offer special benefits over what I'm doing now? You can find me at "Cassandra Frear."

    Also, How do I follow a FB writer page. I was just at one and couldn't figure it out! (Seriously, can you tell I'm from an older generation?)

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  10. I already twittered you because this computer at work is sloooow!

    I've had the same thoughts. Maybe I ought to do it too!

    BTW..."liked" your page!

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  11. Wendy, kudos on taking this step. I just "liked" your page, but in truth I'm with Katie. I wanted to click a "love" button instead. =)

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  12. I took the same leap, and I'm heading over to *like* you!

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  13. Wendy, I'm in social media boot camp with Kristen Lamb. Her online class is awesome, and illuminating.

    Liking you is a no-brainer:)

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  14. If I knew I had fans, I'd never write again.

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  15. I have one (come see me - there's a place on my blog www.OutnumberedMom.com to click right in), and although it's not huge, I've connected with lots of new moms!

    I don't have a personal page, so there are things I can't do with this one. I'm mulling over the personal page, but one more thing to check? I don't know...!

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  16. You've encouraged me to finally just take the plunge and do it! However, I need a decent picture first....

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  17. I liked you! ANd I do have a FB fanpage and it's been the best way to interact with my readers. It's really a good idea for you to start now.

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  18. So good to be back here, Wendy. I love reading your thoughts, as I often find myself thinking some of same things! I grappled over creating a facebook page for my pen name, but it's nice to have a place to connect with writers and readers.

    I'm going to "like" your page now.

    -Mel

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  19. That's great! I'm going to check it out now!!

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  20. Wendy:
    I have the same 'hang-ups' about a 'fan' page that you had.

    I haven't been able to find your 'fan' page, yet. But I will continue to look for it. I'm in the middle of something, as always.

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  21. I had the same internal battle that you had...but when I moved to WordPress from Blogger and couldn't figure out how to set up ways for people to "follow" my blog as I had before...it just made sense.

    I have "liked" you...and if you get the chance, "like" me back :)

    Hugs to you!
    Bina

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  22. Congratulations, Wendy! Guess I've been right there with you on the 'fan' part. Maybe I'll give it a bit more thought, and who knows, I might even create my own writer's page! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  23. Wendy, I've been there with you. I just finally created a writer's page a few weeks ago while preparing for She Speaks. It still doesn't have many "fans", so I'll probably send you a request as well.

    Thanks for setting this up and sharing with us.

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  24. You know, I didn't pull the trigger on this one until just recently, and now I'm trying to figure out how to transition all the non-family/church friends over to my writer page.

    One of the reasons I didn't want to do the 'fan' page was because of the invite system. "Erica Vetsch Likes Erica Vetsch and thinks you will too."

    Just felt so wrong!

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  25. First, thank you for your overwhelming support on my breakout page! That truly rocked my day in the best of ways.

    Second, several of you alluded to the very reason I struggled for so long. Erica, I cracked up at your comment b/c I was so there. It seemed the antithesis of humility and that made me sick to my stomach. But now that I see it as a means to connect and interact with readers and those immersed in the pub. industry, my eyes have been opened to a fresh understanding of what the page might be like. I'm willing to give it a go.

    And trust me I'll be experimenting with different ways to reach out. I only hope you all will reach out in return as you have today.

    So cool!

    So very cool!

    Thanks again!
    Loving my blog readers!
    ~ Wendy

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  26. Woohoo, Wendy! (Good thing I typed those two words, 'cuz they would be a mouthful to say out loud.) :-)

    Like, love, adore...all of the above.

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  27. Good for you, Wendy. I just "liked" your page!

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  28. Thanks for writing to me on Facebook. Sorry, I wasn't actually "there" when you messaged me. A lot of the time I just leave that page up while I'm up and around doing other things (people probably think I'm a facebook addict ..."She's on there 24/7!" - lol!) I'll send you a message through fb, but I just wanted to confirm that I'm a new fan!

    I hadn't ever thought about doing a fan page, but now that you've done it I might look into it. You'll have to let us know how you like it after you've been doing it awhile.

    Amy

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  29. I've never thought about doing a fan page, probably, because like you, that would mean I have fans, but I can see your point.

    I'll have to look into this.

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  30. After reading this post a quote comes to mind: "Successful people are successful because they don't mind doing the uncomfortable things that no one else will do." Congrats on your new writer's page. I'll have to check it out.

    tiannamae.blogspot.com

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  31. Yes, I've wrestled with this question,too. I've also read KL's book. But I'm wondering about Google+. In six month is everyone going to be saying, head over there? Then what's the point of FB fan page? I don't know, just asking.

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  32. Hi, I invite you to my blog. I'm new blogger and I hope you like my blog.
    To follow me know, ok.

    Take care.

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  33. I have one for my blog, but not for me as a writer. However, your blog goes hand in hand with your presence as a writer. Mine does somewhat, but not like yours. My FB page is titled after my blog's name, Lauren in Waiting. I'm keeping it that way right now because I haven't really established myself as a writer so much as I have a blogger on the internet. Some would argue that those two names go hand in hand, but not always. I'm still working on my FB page's presence, because it's not doing so well. I get a lot more attention on Twitter than anywhere else, which I use as both a personal and blogging presence.

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