As someone who makes online contact with authors on a daily basis, there are a few things that actually IRK me (not a pretty sight), so please excuse me while I arrange this soapbox more comfortably and elaborate further.
These irk-making issues are not unique to me and have been expressed by many people – including many non-irk making authors – so unless you want to LOSE potential readers, fans and friends, you need to STOP doing the following IMMEDIATELY on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, Goodreads, Shefari, Librarything, et al:
Making your first contact with the immortal words:
Get my books at ***************
LIKE my FB Page at ***************
Follow my Website / blog at ***************
And similar well meant (?), but self-centred sayings!!!!!
Think about it for a few moments – WHY did this person start Following / Liking / Send you a Friend / Connection Request?
Is it because they liked the look of your photo / avatar?
Maybe they were bored and sent out lots of random requests?
OR, could it be that they discovered that you write the type of books and stories they like and wanted to get to know you better?
How would they know this?
Because they found you online and already knew what books you’ve written and – shudder, tremble and shake – they’d actually already READ some of them????
Yes – I DO understand that you really, Really, REALLY want people to love your books (and You) – but the above ‘greetings’ are NOT going to successfully promote you or your books.
In fact, they are more likely to repulse people rather than attract them!
If you set up your online profiles properly, you don’t need to use any of the above ‘Greetings’.
For example – my Twitter profile informs everyone as follows:
Very active owner of a new (to me) authors and their books blog set up to promote Indie Authors as widely as possible – see it at: https://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/
So I don’t need to ram it down their online throats any further unless they specifically ask me for more details – however – if they click on the link provided, they’ll get all the information they could possibly need.
Having said that, many of the ‘First Contact’ authors don’t seem to bother themselves with checking out my profile BEFORE sending me their – frankly – ‘OFF PUTTING’ Greetings.
So – how can you promote yourself and your books if you stop using the above ‘ Greetings’?
Carefully word your Profile Information so that it includes the following:
What you do – AUTHOR / WRITER / POET
What your books / poems are about – GENRE
Where else you and your books can be found:
YOUR WEBSITE / BLOG ***OR*** FACEBOOK PAGE
Ensure that your Website / Blog / Facebook Page displays all the links where you and your books can be found (don’t forget to show ALL Amazon country links – ONLINE means GLOBAL)
Also on your Website / Blog, provide a means for people to contact you directly by email, or, (preferably and recommended to avoid or minimise spam engine and people) a Contact Form
Facebook, LinkedIn, Goodreads, etc, all have Message facilities already available.
Will this guarantee you more readers / fans / friends / sales?
NO!
But it WILL guarantee you DON’T LOSE any!
Right – That’s it – I’ve said my piece and stepping down off the soapbox now. I KNOW many of you may feel offended, outraged, go off in a huff / hissy-fit, some of you may even leave me your candid opinions in the Comments Box under this diatribe (article). But it’s been IRKING me for months – and I’M ON YOUR SIDE!
So what’s it been like for those other strangers who just wanted to reach out and touch you?
DON’T FORGET – A Stranger is just a Friend you haven’t met or got to know yet! TWEET and GREET WISELY.
TSRA
Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog 
Too right Chris! I come across a lot of newbie twits who do that.(or is that, twats?… idk) I can’t believe it when I go to their twitter page and bang! right in the face! that’s how it feels to me and from what you’ve said… pretty much the same. After the initial shock, I begin to think about how AMATEURISh (lower case intended) it looks. I don’t think they realise that it turns more people off than they think and is therefore, counterproductive. Great post, Chris.
LikeLike
I’ll be tweeting variations of the post title every so often to get my Twitter Followers to come and read it – if we all tweet it maybe the message will get through Kev 😀
LikeLike
Done! 😀
LikeLike
😀
LikeLike
Reblogged this on chrismcmullen and commented:
Some words of Twitter wisdom from a huge supporter of authors, the Story Reading Ape.
LikeLike
Thanks Chris 😀
LikeLike
The author whose posts I ALWAYS read on Facebook does the following things: She shares and promotes other writers’ books and successes. When she tells stories about herself, they are funny and interesting and not self-indulgent. When she wins an award or has a successful event (and she has lots of both), she comes across NOT as bragging but as truly delighted and grateful to her friends and fans. I’ve never met her, but I feel as if I know her and like her as a human being. I read her books because of HER.
LikeLike
EXACTLY the best way for authors to promote themselves – Thanks Mary 😀
LikeLike
Wise words 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Margaret 😀
LikeLike
Reblogged this on The Crazy Lady Speaks.
LikeLike
😀
LikeLike
Good advice, Chris. Something I started doing a few months ago is quoting a poignant passage from my book, followed by the book’s title and link. I’ve been surprised by the number of re-tweets I’ve received.
LikeLike
Glad it helps Tina 😀
LikeLike
PS. I just say thank you… when I notice – I haven’t mastered automatic replies yet
LikeLike
😀 😀 😀 Thank YOU for commenting MT 😀 😀 😀
LikeLike
Great post. I dislike it when the first thing somebody says to me is buy or review my books. Quite often they do it without saying thank you. I also loathe trutwit. If I get a trutwit validation message I don’t bother going through the million hoop process to prove I’m not a robot – imagine dyslexia with numbers rather than words. Yeh. So the simple step is a complete ball ache for me.
Cheers
MTM
LikeLike
😀
LikeLike
You’re definitely at the top of the list for when the novel’s ready, Chris. In the meantime, check out… oops… Sorry, couldn’t resist that one! :))
LikeLike
LOLOLOL 😀 😀 😀
LikeLike
Guilty…I used to do this in the beginning, when I was brand new to publishing and didn’t know any better…but luckily I was house-broken quickly 😉 It’s such a wake-up call to see other authors do this, get super annoyed, and then realize that’s how some people may have felt about you…
LikeLike
Glad you’re now house trained Beth, that means you are welcome to my Tree house to give me YOUR Guest Author article lol 😀
LikeLike