Are you fearless as a writer?

Published on May 17, 2016May 16, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell1 Comment

Or are you timid, lady-like and reserved?

Wish I could say that I’m fearless especially when it comes to my writing and to submitting to editors.

But, I’m not. Like many women, I struggle against my upbringing.

“Don’t be pushy, don’t be loud, don’t assume, remember your place, wait your turn….”

Well, that doesn’t work if you want to succeed as a writer.

Did you turn around a send off another piece to that editor who rejected your story or did you sit and sulk? After all, they were just being nice with that note saying they liked it but it just didn’t meet their needs at the time. Right?

Wrong!

And, now I’m kicking myself for being such a wimp after reading this article by Kelli Russell Agodon, who worked as a Co-Editor-in-Chief for six years. Apparently, when an editor takes the time to write a note on your rejection letter, they mean it. (Her article link is at the bottom.)

Women writers, unlike men, often wait much longer before sending additional stories to the publication after receiving a rejection. Men write something new and send it off right away.

Geesh, sometimes I’m such a dunce.

What about you?

Have you ever dismissed a note on a rejection letter?

Did you think the editor was just being nice?

Or did you do a quick turn around and send in another piece?

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

Keep reading great links at the bottom of the page!

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Want to know what a real editor has to say? Click and read:

Submit Like A Man: How Women Writers Can Become More Successful

From the Editor’s Desk: Why we’re becoming believers in Facebook Live

Do you know how to use Google forms?

Published on May 10, 2016May 10, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell8 Comments

You might be surprised how handy these forms will come in.

I haven’t built up an email list. I know, I just heard every successful author and blogger out there groan. Like you, I’ve read how important a list can be to stay in touch with readers.

However, I’m not ready to sign up with a service like MailChimp yet. And I’ve got enough on my plate what with the blog and my little sideline called writing.

This is where Google forms come in.

Need to send out a quick request for info, make a form and send it to friends, families, attach it to your blog, Facebook page or Tweet it out.

You can make all types of custom forms to meet whatever info you need.

Like this form, I made, asking for readers to review my little 32-page children’s picture book. She’s making her debut next week.

If you’d be willing to do a quick review for me click on the book cover below.

Want to make your own form? To collect emails, send out announcements or whatever?

Just go to Google Forms and get started! It’s easy.

There are templates for party invites, registrations, sign-up sheets, evaluations and more!

Here is a tutorial to help you get started.

So tell me…

How do you gather information?

Do you use forms or a service like MailChimp?

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

How to Create an Email Signup Form in HTML?

How to sell your book with a target audience

Published on May 4, 2016May 3, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell16 Comments

On this subject, I’m totally clueless.

There I said it. They say the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. Well, I don’t know about you, but this is a problem for me.

I’ve never been good at the sell!

One thing I’ve learned through this process. Targeting an audience begins with the title of your book. This is something I didn’t realize until now.

I’ve now discovered the audience for my upcoming book is preschoolers. That means my target audience is their parents or grandparents. Right? Because preschoolers can’t order books on Amazon at least not without a little help.

So, what’s next? I can’t lurk in the parking lot at Tiny Tot’s Preschool as parents drop off their kids. That might get me a lot of publicity but not exactly the type I need.

Step 1- my target audience:

Moms, Dads, and Grandparents
Little girls with big imaginations
Ages 1-5

Step 2 – where they hang out:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Online publications
Local Libary

Now what?

Y’all have any suggestions?

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

Keep reading great links at the bottom of the page!

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Do You Waste Time Marketing Your Book To The Wrong Readers? by ALEX HEMUS

5 Tips on How to Identify Your Target Audience by Joanna Penn

How To Target an Audience (And Avoid Book Launch Flop) by Kimberley Grabas

Do you know how to Vlog?

Published on April 29, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell21 Comments

Continuing on with the A-Z Challenge:

V=Vlogging

I’ve always prided myself on having an open mind. Always ready to learn something new. But for the love of all that is holy! I just don’t know if my brain can hold much more.

Our family used to have a running joke, don’t ask Mom – she doesn’t remember. To which I would respond, “I remember the important stuff. Unimportant stuff, I delete from my mind to make room for new stuff. A person only has so much gray matter.”

Okay, enough ranting. Deep breath and back to the subject at hand.

Vlogging? What the hell is Vlogging?

I’m still struggling with Instagram and Facebook.

And don’t get me started on learning about formatting a book for IngramSpark and CreateSpace. Geeze, bleed area. Picky, picky. Understanding the terms and applying them are two different things.

Now a writer should know how to produce an infomercial about writing or what people are saying about writing or about books or….

A Vlog is, a short, entertaining commercial, that doesn’t look like a commercial. Click to tweet.

It’s all about subtle product placement.

What do you do on a Vlog for 1 to 3 minutes? Anything you want.

Talk, dance, read, go about your day, or write as if no one was watching. It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you don’t bore people to death.

In this instant, YouTube generation, they will click on to the next video before you can shout, “Wait.”

Yes, this year, I made room in my ever shrinking brain for something new called a Vlog.

Here’s what I learned.

Vlogs are located on Youtube.
Make your Vlog easy to find. Link it to your blog.
A Vlog should last 1 – 3 minutes.
You and your books are the product in a Vlog.
A Vlog, above all else, must be entertaining.
It is another media to introduce you to your readers.
Like a blog, you must update your Vlogs and post consistently.
Make it fun. If you don’t enjoy watching your video, no one else will.
Last but not least, I learned I’m not ready for Vlogging.

Have you jumped onto the Vlogging social media train?

Do you think Vlogging is a good platform for writers?

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.