5/28/13 Meeting continued

... around a table and began with short introductions.  We had at least one new member  with us, possibly two.   Our first topic was the Beach Author Network blog.  I stressed the importance of keeping the blog fresh with material and new graphics every few days because readers quickly tire of old stuff.  Other members of the group shared ideas about the inclusion of news items and all agreed the blog could fulfill a two-fold purpose: 1. to keep in touch with each other and learn about our various projects, and 2. to publicize our writing.  This last point led to a discussion of how to increase readership of the blog to maximize publicity.  Emailing the blog web address to everyone we know and tweeting about the blog were the two most heard suggestions.

The reasons for a blog rather than a web site were listed as:

1. Blogs are absolutely free.  Web sites and pages must be hosted for a small fee.  The amount of web space available for photos and graphics is necessarily limited by how much one wants to spend.  On the other hand, artwork on a blog is stored by the blogging service and costs the blogger nothing.
2. Comments are accomplished much easier on a blog and they can be filtered by prior approval.  The ease of commenting can lead to valuable discussions among members that will augment our knowledge and give each of us new opportunities.
3. For the above and other reasons, blogs can foster more timely communications than a web site.

Logo.  We did not spend a lot of time on logos.  We did not have examples to view and it may be premature to choose a logo while we are still defining  ourselves.

Dave Griffin

Future Meetings and Topics Continued

Publishing.  Self publish or find a publisher or agent?  How to self publish using vehicles such as Createspace, Lulu, etc.  What to avoid when publishing.

E-Books.  Nook and Kindle as examples.  How to do the conversion process from typed text to the formats required.

Readings.  We can organize Readings of our work to the public.  Possibly through the library system or other organizations.  We should put together a package of those who are interested in participating.  Each "show" might be five authors, each for ten minutes. 

Promotion Through Bookstores and Other Retail. Store owners have an interest in our success when they can sell our books.  We can organize promo tours of various stores.

Promotion Through Service Clubs.  Especially if the writing of a few of our authors is of interest to the Club or organization.  Example might be military novels and veteran groups.

Author Blogs and Websites.  In addition to our group's blog, the one you're reading, authors want help starting their own blogs and websites.  There is experience in our group and we can help others to get started.

Merchandising Units.  Set up a stand of our books in local hotels, real estate offices.  Good public relations and hopefully a few sales.

Promotion Through Library Systems.  Including the Horry County system. We have members who have contacts in these systems.

How to Use Twitter, Facebook and Youtube for publicity and trailers.

Internet Radio Shows.  We have at least one member who has experience in this area.

Live Radio.  One particular show was discussed.  These shows often are searching for program content and we could be it.

Book Clubs.  There are many in the area and they make multiple purchases.  We might also hold readings for these groups.

Dave