How to use this Page

Much of the success of social networking depends on people reading your words and then spreading the word. There are ways to make this easier.

Sharing Made Easy

For example, in the past week I had several people ask about how to add this blog to their feed, so I moved the RSS feed button up higher on the left. (And “hello” to the over 40,000 subscribers who already have done this.)

I also want to take this time to thank all of you who spread this blog on Facebook and Twitter and other social networking sites. I appreciate your support! To make this easier, I also added “sharing” buttons on the left. If you click on the + sign “Share” button, you’ll find nearly 300 places to share the blog. HINT: To share a specific blog post, you have to click on the title of that article first, then click the correct share button.

If you want this code so you can add these social networking buttons to your blog or website, go here for a variety of button choices. It took me less than two minutes to add–very simple.

Start Small

Social networking is here to stay. (See some articles below.) Many of us were skeptical of blogs, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Delicious, Digg, StumbleUpon and more. What I once viewed as a major time waster has morphed into something writers can really use–and use well for free–to promote and sell their writing.

One caution: limit your online marketing time or it will take over your life. Do your writing first, or you’ll find the social networking has displaced your writing time.

Some articles on social networking: 

What Is Social Networking?

6 Things You Should Never Share on Your Social Networking Site

What are the Top 15 Social Networking Sites?

Using Social Networking Sites to Promote Your Blog

Lengthy List of More Social Networking Sites

What about you? Do you use social networking yet? Is it for fun, family connections, to promote your writing–or all of the above? Share your thoughts!

If you read blogs, writing magazines, or publishing industry newsletters, one aspect of publishing in the twenty-first century becomes crystal clear—to be successful today, a writer needs to self-promote. Yikes!

For many of us, that’s a problem: we’re by and large bookish introverts who happily hole up in our offices for hours on end. Bookstore signings? School visits? Conference presentations? When you’re just beginning to publish, your knees probably knock together when you think about stepping in front of an audience to promote your books. If only you had an expert to guide you as you take those first feeble steps out of your writing cubby and into the world!

Now you can. This March, the Highlights Foundation is proud to present Life in the Spotlight: The Path to Successful School and Library Visits, Self-Promotion, and Press Interviews with Peter Jacobi.

Peter is an award-winning journalism professor, a former on-air reporter for radio and television (including ABC and NBC News), a magazine consultant, and a specialist in speech training and media training. Best of all, this acclaimed journalist, writer, and renowned public speaker is willing to hold your hand as you take your first steps toward building your writing career through self-promotion.

As a participant in Life in the Spotlight, you will learn the publicity techniques needed to promote your books, gain practice in public speaking and presentation skills, and participate in a real-life school experience—with an expert to guide you each step of the way.

Here’s what one former workshop attendee has to say about Life in the Spotlight:

“Peter Jacobi’s Life in the Spotlight gave me the jump start I needed to overcome my fear of public speaking and publicity. In a group setting, Peter warmly gave us one-to-one attention to help us build confidence through reading, interviewing, and performing on-site school presentations. The lectern has become a good friend.”

—Lori Ries, author of Aggie and Ben, Three Stories (an Oregon Book Award Finalist); Super Sam; Mrs. Fickle’s Pickles; and Fix It, Sam! Her latest release, Punk Wig, is due out this March. Lori now promotes her work through school visits, author signings, and conferences.

If you’re serious about your writing career and believe in your books, take advantage of the opportunity to learn from Peter Jacobi. Click here for more information.

The Highlights Foundation
814 Court Street
Honesdale, PA 18431
Phone: (570) 253-1192
E-mail: [email protected]