Getting Personal
Today we’re getting personal.
The author platform task is: Create a short-ish blog or FB post sharing a personal story.
There are tons of experts that say getting personal makes you more likable and draws readers/followers in. (They also caution against sharing too much.) You’ve been spending all this time with your readers and followers, let’s allow them in a little more. Lots of ways to do that without posting your grocery list. Share insight into why you are a writer (is it in your heart?), what makes you want to write (thinking about the reader?), what makes your day as an author (fan mail!), or even what you hate about being an author (“oh you write children’s books, how cute”).
Maybe it’s a mom moment you’d like to share, frustrating or fun, like:
In that one, I had the chance to tack on another tweet and ask moms if they felt my pain, but didn’t think of it at the time. Look for chances to ask followers why they in turn do in that scenario. Ask them to reply. Engage with them (every one of them) when they do.
Use this task as an opp to break out of the mold and do something different today. At a minimum, use the tweet to add additional commentary as you post the link to the blog you just wrote.
It doesn’t have to be book related! Shed some insight into who you are so people feel like they now you (there’s plenty of stuff you can recycle from your bio page, right?). Suggestions:
- A story about your kids or your own childhood
- A funny anecdote (like when I wore my pants and yes shirt inside out)
- A thought-provoking observation (“Have you noticed…”)
- A personal goal you’re working towards
- A challenge that you’re facing
- A milestone reached
- A lesson learned
- A small thing you’re grateful for, like cold pizza for breakfast (maybe that’s just me)
Recap: Share a personal story. End with request to hear followers’ stories. Converse with them (all) when they reply.
[Oh, and before I forget, have you followed 10 new people yet?]