JanFishler

Author ~ Writing Coach

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Social Media Begins with a Blog

By Jan Fishler Leave a Comment

Social Media Begins with a Blog

Occasionally,  even someone like me, who loves to write, gets sidetracked by life and stops—writing, blogging, posting. I kept up with my “Healthy Options” column, published the 1st, 3rd, and 5th, Tuesdays of each month in The Union newspaper, but Entrepreneurial Jan took a break. It wasn’t intentional, but apparently, I needed time to think, and as it turns out, time to synthesize, plan, and create.

During this two month hiatus, I realized that I’d lost my focus. Sure, I kept busy–even did a few workshops and worked on some fiction,  but I wasn’t clear about where I was headed. Something was nagging at me.

That’s when all of the social media marking information I’d been devouring for the past few years, gelled. In a moment of divine clarity, I realized that building a writing platform and  a list weren’t as complicated or time consuming as I’d been led to believe. In fact, what made everything seem so difficult was my resistance to “it.” By “it” I mean everything except blogging. After all, blogging is simply writing, but it’s all the other social media stuff that was dragging me down—until in that flash of insight I realized that once it was set up, everything else could be automated and relegated to a less than 10 minutes per post.

That’s when I really love technology!

With the goals of …
1. Establishing myself as an author (Building a Platform)
2. Promoting my writing and coaching services as well as my books
3. Growing a list for my workshops

Here’s my new, improved and completely do-able social media plan:

Blog (300-500 words) at least once a week (hopefully 2-3 times) and then post links to completed posts on Twitter, my Face Book  business pages, and on LinkedIn.

That’s it. Simple and easy.

Of course, coming up with a minimum of 52 – 156 topics a year is the tricky part, but I’ve done a little online sleuthing and discovered an abundance of sites that help people come up with ideas as well as catchy headings. I’ve even come up with a way to coach others, regardless of their area of expertise, through a brainstorming process that quickly generates hundreds of topics. I know it works because I used it myself.

My goal for the rest of the year is providing information that will actually help members of my target audience—writers in general, people who have a story to tell for posterity, individuals who want to plan their novel to make writing easier and more fun as well as writers who want to learn how to jump-start their writing with prompts and other tools I’ll be sharing.

Stay tuned!

Give my ridiculously simple social media marketing plan a try and let me know how it works for you.

——

Jan Fishler is the producer of the Path to Publication DVD series filmed at the Squaw Valley Community of Writers featuring Amy Tan, Janet Fitch, and other well-know authors, agents, and publishers. She is the  author of Searching for Jane, Finding Myself (An Adoption Memoir) and Flex Your Writing Muscle – 365 Days of Writing Prompts. She writes articles for VietNow National Magazine and she has a bi-monthly column, “Healthy Options” in  The Union newspaper.

Filed Under: Writing Tips Tagged With: blogging, Social Media Plan, writing

New Book to Launch — Tomorrow?

By Janfishler Leave a Comment

Flex_Cover5X8 (1)1Last year I posted a writing prompt for each day. Last month I decided to collect and improve upon the prompts and turn them into a book–Flex Your Writing Muscle. My son, Nick, took the cover photo and my friend Ellen Baxter designed the cover, which I posted on Facebook. Lesley Schneider proofed the interior copy and I should have had her proof the cover, because an old friend–someone I haven’t seen in YEARS– found a typo. So, I’m uploading to Create Space again and I should have a book before the week is out.

Filed Under: Commentary on Writing and Life Tagged With: Flex Your Writing Mscle

Social Media – A 7-Day Plan for Building Your Platform as a Writer

By Janfishler Leave a Comment

I wouldn’t say I embrace social media, but I do understand it to be an integral part of building a writing platform. After all, what’s the point of writing a book and becoming an author if no one knows you exist? I’m afraid that’s what happens to many of us. We spend all of our time writing and very little time marketing. So, in preparation for the launch of a few new titles, I’ve been working on developing a painless strategy for using social media to build my writing platform without becoming overwhelmed.

With so many social media choices, I’ve decided to focus primarily on my blog and use Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to share my links. Of course, I’m also going to make an effort to become acquainted with members of my target audience, and share articles and tips on topics that are of interest to me and others in my “tribe.” As a writer, I not only want to sell my books and online classes (coming soon!), but I also want to connect with others in my field.  Here is my 7-Day bare-bones Social Media Schedule using my blog, FaceBook, LinkedIN, and Twitter. If I can do it, you can too!

Sunday: Share links to good articles on writing, motivation, creativity, hypnosis, altered states, food, and blogs I follow.

Monday: Comment on other blogs, articles, posts, and forums.

Tuesday: Short post (tips).

Wednesday: Shameless self-promotion of my workshops and books.

Thursday: Longer post (commentary).

Friday: Comment on other blogs, articles, posts, and forums — a repeat of Monday.

Saturday: Talk about what I’m learning, classes I’m taking, books I’m reading, helpful webinars I’ve taken–anything that might be useful to others

You know what they say about the “best laid plans of mice and men,” but so far this simple plan is working for me. I’m spending less than an hour each day and I’m having fun doing it. Give my  7-Day bare-bones Social Media Schedule a try. Let me know what you think.

———————————

Do you procrastinate? Do you keep putting that important writing project on the back burner even though it could cost you your job? Would you like to finally eliminate the major obstacle that prevents most writers from getting their thoughts on the page quickly and painlessly? Subscribe to my Newsletter (upper right corner) and the solution will be delivered directly to your inbox. 

Filed Under: Writing Tips Tagged With: Social Media Plan, Social Media Planning, Writers Platform, Writing Platform

All About Reddit

By Janfishler Leave a Comment

“Reddit, stylized as reddit, is an entertainment, social networking service and news website where registered community members can submit content, such as text posts or direct links.”

Reddit is also an interesting publication option. Read this post by James Erwin, Reddit isn’t the future of creativity, but it is a vital part of it. It could happen to you too!

http://boingboing.net/2015/02/13/reddit-isnt-the-future-of-cr.html

Reddit. Do you think it’s worth it?

Do you procrastinate? Do you keep putting that important writing project on the back burner even though it could cost you your job? Would you like to finally eliminate the major obstacle that prevents most writers from getting their thoughts on the page quickly and painlessly? Subscribe to my Newsletter (upper right corner) and the solution will be delivered directly to your inbox. 

Filed Under: Writing Tips Tagged With: James Erwin, Reddit

5 Steps to Overcome Resistance

By Janfishler Leave a Comment

5 Steps to Overcome Resistance

January has come and gone and here it is mid-February and I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the sentence, “Whatever we resist persists,” that I read in The Presence Process, by Michael Brown. It’s such a simple and obvious statement of truth, that it hard seems worthy of mention, let alone a blog post, but the effects of these four words keep coming back to haunt me. Of course, when faced with something harmful or dangerous, resistance can save your life, but what about the things we resist doing that could ultimately be beneficial?

For example, for the last two years I’ve resisted: losing the last five pounds, finishing a novel I’ve been working on for at least the same amount of time, checking in on old friends, getting help with my website, cleaning the garage, and painting the house. Obviously, some of these tasks may be more objectionable than others, but I’m resisting things that could ultimately bring me satisfaction and enjoyment. In other words, my resistance is a form a self-sabotage, and it is preventing me from getting what I really desire.

Let’s start with something easy like losing 5 pounds. If I lose five pounds, my clothes will feel more comfortable, and I’ll feel better about my appearance. With a goal of losing two pounds a week—something that is entirely attainable—I could easily be at my desired weight in a month. But it doesn’t happen.

Another case in point is my unfinished novel. I know that if I were to write for one hour each day, I would have a draft within four months. Finishing my book would be a fantastic accomplishment, yet I can’t seem to make time for it.

When we know the desired outcome is something that will ultimately make life better, why do we persist in not fulfilling our dreams? We resist and the obstacle—the very thing we desire to overcome—persists. I’m not a psychologist, but it’s my belief that we are so entrenched in our patterns of behavior that even the smallest deviation is difficult. We are creatures of habit and our brain doesn’t care whether the habit is one that benefits or sabotages us. The issue then is how to overcome our programming (trick our brain) into accepting new patterns.  Here are five steps I believe will work:

  1. Pick one thing you have been resisting and focus on only that. If you have a list of projects you’ve been resisting, begin with something you can accomplish in a relatively short amount of time. The goal here is to experience success as quickly as possible so that your brain gets with the new program—the one that forges ahead regardless of obstacles and previous experiences. If we try to reach too many goals or make too many changes all at once, we dilute our efforts and accomplish little or nothing.
  2. Set realistic goals. If you need to lose 5 pounds, give yourself three weeks. If you want to read the collected works of Shakespeare, then you might want to break your efforts into smaller steps like reading one play a week. Note to self: If you are completing a novel, make that project a priority for at least 4 months and then adhere to a schedule.
  3. Be clear about the benefits you will receive by making the desired change. If I lose 5 pounds my jeans will feel more comfortable and I’ll look better in them. If I carve out a reasonable amount of time to work on and complete my novel, eventually, I’ll have a first draft, and be on my way to completing something I really want to finish.
  4. Publicly announce the change you intend to make. Weight Watchers, AA, and other support groups are forums designed to hold people accountable. Showing up and being in the presence of others who have similar goals is what creates accountability. Go ahead, state your intention to a few friends or co-workers and elicit the support you need to get what you want.
  5. Reward your efforts. If you have ever trained a dog, you know how effective those treats can be. Our brains are wired the same way. When we did a good job as kids we received “A”s, gold stars, ice cream, or something similar for a job well done. Those rewards worked to keep us motivated. Adults need rewards too. One writer I know uses email as her reward. She doesn’t check it until she’s completed writing her quota for the day. Whether you take yourself out for coffee, go to a movie, or buy a new pair of jeans, be sure to build in rewards for your accomplishments – little rewards for the small achievements and big rewards for landmarks.
    ———————————–

Do you procrastinate? Do you keep putting that important writing project on the back burner even though it could cost you your job? Would you like to finally eliminate the major obstacle that prevents most writers from getting their thoughts on the page quickly and painlessly? Subscribe to my Newsletter (upper right corner) and the solution will be delivered directly to your inbox. 

 

Filed Under: Writing Tips Tagged With: Overcome resistance, Resistance, writing tips

What’s Up for 2015

By Janfishler Leave a Comment

Last year I posted a writing prompt for each day. I hope you enjoyed receiving them and that they helped you write. In fact, if the prompts helped you, please let me know. For many people prompts are a great way to jump-start the brain and get the creative juices flowing.

This year, I have some new things in store and I’m really excited to share them with you. In fact, my goal for 2015 is to help YOU write anything quickly and painlessly or, I can always do it for you.

In January and February I’m teaching a Yes! You Can Write a Screenplay  workshop at NCTV. Learn about format, story, characters, beats, scenes, locations, dialogue and more! The 6-week class is offered every Tuesday evening from 6:00-8:00p.m. beginning Tuesday January 20, ending February 24. I’ll also be teaching a weekend intensive on February 21 and 22. Call NCTV at 272-8862 to reserve your seat.

In March I’ll be teaching a Write Your Story Workshop. Check the home page.

If you’re a writer who is looking for accountability, inspiration, feedback and more, be sure to check out the Just Write It! Meetup. We meet at Summer Thyme’s in Grass Valley from 5:00-6:30 p.m. once a month (We’ve moved to the 3rd Thursday beginning in February, 2015).

I’m also going to have a bi-monthly column in The Union newspaper on alternative health options. The column will be published the first and third Tuesdays of each month on page A3 beginning January 6, 2015.  Be sure to check it out. If you know any good, local alternative practitioners, please send them my way!

Here’s to the best writing year ever!!

Be happy. Be well. And write!

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Do you procrastinate? Do you keep putting that important writing project on the back burner even though it could cost you your job? Would you like to finally eliminate the major obstacle that prevents most writers from getting their thoughts on the page quickly and painlessly? Subscribe to my Newsletter (upper right corner) and the solution will be delivered directly to your inbox. 

 

 

Filed Under: Commentary on Writing and Life Tagged With: Jan Fishler, Meetup, writing, Writing classes, writing workshops

Writing Prompt: Sacred

By Janfishler Leave a Comment

December 31 Writing Prompt: Write about what is sacred.

What do you hold sacred, and why is this so important to you? Was there an incident that caused you feel this way? In what ways is your life blessed?

Filed Under: Writing Prompts Tagged With: writing prompt, writing prompts

Writing Prompt: Sacrifice

By Janfishler Leave a Comment

December 30 Writing Prompt:  Write about sacrifice.

What if anything are you willing to sacrifice to reach your goals this coming year? What have you sacrificed to get where you are today? Was it worth the price?

Filed Under: Writing Prompts Tagged With: writing prompt, writing prompts

Writing Prompt: Happiness

By Janfishler Leave a Comment

December 29 Writing Prompt: Write about happiness.

Do you believe that happiness is our birthright? Who deserves to be happy and at what price? Write about a time you sacrificed your happiness for someone else’s. Was it worth it?

Filed Under: Writing Prompts Tagged With: writing prompt, writing prompts

Writing Prompt: Hindsight

By Janfishler Leave a Comment

December 28 Writing Prompt: Write about hindsight.

Knowing what you know now, what could you have done differently? Write the scene the way it was and the way it “coulda, shoulda, woulda” been.

Filed Under: Writing Prompts Tagged With: writing prompt, writing prompts

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