Tag: Twitter

Do you want to switch or not?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

From or to a self-hosting website.

I’ve toyed with the idea of going the self-hosting route several times. But I always back away. 

Why? Because for me WordPress.com is simpler and easier than learning an entire new system. Plus, I don’t want my writing to suffer nor do I want my website to suffer either. I fear that something would have to give one way or the other should I make a shift at this time.

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For me, my website is a place to practice my storytelling, and to share what I learn, as I learn about writing. Do I want my blog to be successful? Of Course! But not at the expense of becoming a better writer.

The following is a good article about self-hosting. 

18 Important Things You Should Know About Self-Hosting BY JANICE WALD

What about you guys?

Do you enjoy the blogging platform you have now? 

Have you toyed with the idea of switching? If so which way?

I’d love to know your thoughts on this subject. Maybe I should rethink self-hosting.

Look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell and on Facebook at jean.cogdell! And don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

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Is it just me?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell22 Comments

Am I the only person going nuts with all the pop-up boxes on websites and blogs?

Enough already! It’s as bad as dealing with 20 commercials every 10 minutes during a television show!

Come on as frustrating as that is, I’m used to it and avoid the dreaded avalanche by recording and fast forwarding through the commercials.

But I just thought TV commercials were the most frustrating sales pitch. Right up there next to the telemarketing phone calls during dinner.

That is, until someone invented the website pop-up box!

Sign up

This trend needs to fade away and soon.

I hate clicking on a new website, only to have my screen blocked by a huge square wanting me to either, a) buy something or b) subscribe for a newsletter. 

We all want more readers and followers. We all want people to like our blogs, and buy our books. However, I’m not sure startling visitors with a gotcha is the way to do it. 

So what do you guys out in cyberspace think? I’m I off my rocker here? Do you mind the pop-ups?

Let’s talk. Tell me what you think. Convince me I’m wrong. Pull me over to the dark side. LOL

I concede some of my readers might want to add a pop up box and I do aim to please. So I hope the following video helps.

How to add a pop up box to any website.

Look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell and on Facebook at jean.cogdell! And don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

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How important is it to stay connected?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell

I heard a very successful writer and blogger say that he attributed his success to staying connected.

Well, isn’t that a lightning flash revelation? Not. 

Staying connected can be fun, informative, but also a time suck. I often use it as an excuse I can ignore the house, the dog and my characters. After all the Queen isn’t showing up for a white glove inspection this week and my characters haven’t been very cooperative as of late, so I might as well play on the world-wide web. Right?

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I mean laughing at the latest Meme on Facebook, or reading a cool short story post, is a lot more fun than cleaning toilets or arguing with a stubborn protagonist. 

Sigh… Now don’t go sounding like a mom. I know, I know. Company is coming – Santa is near so I and there are presents to buy and packages to wrap, not to mention a character to kill. So little time and so much to do.

What is that old Nike commercial? Something like for the love of God just do it! No that doesn’t sound quite right. 

But you get the idea. Sorry for the gripe post. Sometimes it helps. LOL

Okay, time for me to get busy and find where my characters are hiding. Olie, olie, oxen free…. 

Ever overwhelmed? How do you deal?

Got any tips for me?

Look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell and on Facebook at jean.cogdell! And don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

PS:

I was actually pretty productive this week. This is me patting myself on the back.

 

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Want to give your best pitch?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

Learning to write a good logline is the best way.

Do you write that logline before or after you’ve written that novel? First and you’re ready to go when the time comes to share your novel. But everyone has their own system.

I think it’s important to write it first. And then put it on a post it note where you can see it every day. Sort of like a guiding sign post. 

I use my logline, my elevator pitch if you will and to stay on target. Sometimes I might need to revise, rewrite or tweak it a bit. Like I’m doing today. But as long as I can see it, I can keep writing.

It helps me to get back to the basics. Not to get bogged down in explaining so much too soon. 

Giving that elevator pitch to ourselves every day, reminding us what the end game is, helps keep the story on track and avoids a lot of story derailment. 

If you’re looking for a formula to help read – Writing a Killer Logline.

Also,  JAMES BURBIDGE gives 10 TIPS FOR WRITING LOGLINES

Remember a logline gives the gist of your story in one or two sentences.

Doesn’t give everything away and doesn’t mention names.

How to write a logline.

I’d love to read some of your loglines. Please share with us in the comments section.

Here’s the logline on my post it note.

“In a small nowhere town, a young girl finds a strange book, and soon learns the true meaning of be careful what you wish for.”

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Look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell and on Facebook at jean.cogdell! And don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

 

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