Today’s guest post is by Matthew Turner (@turndog_million). You may remember him from a previous post, 100 Tips to Alleviate Self-Doubt.
If there’s one word that fits perfectly with an author, it’s FREE. Here are five free services that can help build your author platform.
1. Twitter
Let’s get this one out of the way. It was always going to appear on the list, wasn’t it? I didn’t like Twitter at first. I didn’t think I would sign up, but eventually gave in to the Twitter Angels.
Can a writer live without Twitter? Yes, but you’ll miss out on the impact it can have. It’s a quick and easy way to interact with, find, and get on the radar of existing fans, future readers, and industry influencers.
Here are some articles to help you get started with Twitter:
- Are Your Tweets Crap? (my post)
- The Secret To Twitter That Can’t Be Taught (Jane’s post)
- Writer’s Guide to Twitter by Debbie Ohi
2. Buffer
I have a serious love affair with Buffer. It allows you to automate and schedule your Tweets and Facebook messages. The main benefit of Buffer is how it spreads out your messages.
Now, be warned, automated marketing can be dangerous. However, if you approach it properly—as a way to keep your sanity during busy periods and to better time your messages—it’s a wonderful tool. If you rely on it solely, and never interact, you may start to look and sound like a bot on social media, which your friends/followers will be able to detect from a mile away.
Here are some articles for the Buffer Beginner:
- How a Strategic Marketer Uses Buffer (my post)
- How & Why I Use Buffer (Duct Tape Marketing)
- A Month With Buffer (ProBlogger)
3. Evernote
If my love for Buffer is big, my love for Evernote is unhealthy. Writers need to stay on top of their information and be organized, which is a big part of creating a successful platform.
There are many tools, apps, and virtual notebooks to choose from, but for me it’s Evernote all the way. It allows you to link your laptop, tablet, and phone, and you have access at all times.
It’s free to start (you would have to use it a lot to need the paid version), easy to use, and has a host of accompanying apps. Here are some articles to get you started:
- How I Keep My Author Platform Organised With Evernote (my post)
- 10 Tips For Using Evernote (ReadWriteWeb)
- Evernote For Writers (Christopher Gronlund)
- Capture Your Ideas With Evernote (Jeff Goins)
4. Mailchimp
This is an e-mail newsletter provider that Jane has often recommended, and I recommend it too. You can use MailChimp for free as long as you’re under 2,000 names; then you have to choose a pay plan. Find out more below:
- 7 Reasons Why Mailchimp Is Better (Author Media)
- Getting Started With Mailchimp (MailChimp’s own guide)
- Why We Use Mailchimp (WP Beginner)
5. Hootsuite
Rather than check each social media platform individually, keep Hootsuite open all day and have everything update before your eyes.
It’s not just efficiency, though—it’s the extra features too, such as tweet scheduling, campaign strategy, and analytics showing how effective your posts are. Find out more below.
- How I Use Hootsuite (Marian Schembari)
- How Hootsuite Can Help Busy Writers (Shari Lopatin)
- Hootsuite Quick Start Guide (from HootSuite)
I’d love to learn about free services that you use. Please share in the comments.
Thank you Matthew. You have given me a
terrific amount of ordered, useful information. Free! First item on my action list: get a new phone pkg so I can use twitter on my phone and NOT be clobbered by a jumbo data bill. That has happened, oh yes.
Glad it helps Marilyn 🙂
And yes, a phone is a vital tool these days. I would say around 60% of my social media, emails, etc is done on my phone. Considering I didn’t even have a smartphone two years ago, this is a HUGE leap
Matthew (Turndog Millionaire)
Isn’t it amazing what you can get done in a small amount of time on a little device? I try to make use of lines and I appreciate that I’m forced to be as concise as possible. There’s even a Pages app for the iPhone now (re: Facebook.)
[…] Sigh… he missed out Scoop.It! […]
I haven’t used Buffer in a while. Can you think of any reason to use it over Hootsuite? Hootsuite now has the option to post for you at random intervals. You can use the free plans, but if you need ‘more’ Buffer was $10 a month, Hootsuite is $6. Hootsuite does more I think, like bulk scheduling.
I’ve always used Buffer so only use Hootsuite for particular things. However, you should certainly use what works for you. If you like Hootsuite, stick with it
Buffer is a great tool for me, though. I couldn’t imagine having to live without now (cue dramatic music 🙂
Matthew (Turndog Millionaire)
Thank you for succinctly compiling this information. I’ve
been on Twitter for a while…but still feel like I’m missing something. Can’t wait to comb through these articles. Thanks!
No problem, Dabney.
I hope it helps 🙂
Matthew (Turndog Millionaire)
Great post! The one thing I have never used and would not use is Buffer. I do my tweeting because I can see through those automated messages and don’t like them. I prefer to be there to interact and see what’s going on.
So you can tell that I spent quality time writing up tweets and rather than post them all at the same time, thus, flooding your feed, I have a service post them for me throughout the day? How is this different than having my assistant do the posting throughout the day? I still get notified when someone replies to a tweet and can then go reply to them. What am I missing?
Similar to what Selena said. You can use Buffer in a negative way, but the way I use it (and how most user Buffer from what I gather) is to simply spread their messages out over time.
They are still written by me, but rather than sending 20 tweets in the space of 20 minutes, I can spread them out over 20 hours 🙂
And the great thing about having a smartphone is that I’m kept fully up to date with what comes and goes my way. Isn’t tech great?
Matthew (Turndog Millionaire)
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I, too, was wondering how Buffer differs from (or offers any advantage to) Hootsuite…aside from the pun-y advantage of being able to say “I use ‘Buffer the Social Media vampire slayer’.” *groan*
I’ve hoarded Evernote but haven’t figured out how to use it yet, so will be sure to check out your links about it. Thanks!
I must say, I don’t use Hootsuite for that, so I can’t say how much better or worse it is to Buffer. I found Buffer and it gave me everything I needed, so haven’t looked much further 🙂
The key is to find tools that work for YOU. Whatever makes your life easier, go with it
Matthew (Turndog Millionaire)
It really does take time and patience to get used to Twitter. I didn’t truly get the impact until I started participating in # chats, like #indiechat. Tweetchat.com is a great way to participate in those.
Totally! I’m only now beginning to see some results from Twitter and I’ve been at it for 9 months. And those results aren’t huge by any means
It takes some time and effort, but it can be quite fun, too 🙂
Matthew (Turndog Millionaire)
[…] Sigh… he missed out Scoop.It! […]
Yes social media is a tricky thing to get your head round! We must all start slowly…
[…] Turner (@turndog_million) on Jane Friedman 5 Free Services That Help You Build Author Platform “If there’s one word that fits perfectly with an author, it’s FREE. Here are five free […]
[…] If there’s one word that fits perfectly with an author, it’s FREE. Here are five free services that can help build your author platform. […]
[…] If there’s one word that fits perfectly with an author, it’s FREE. Here are five free services that can help build your author platform. […]
Sounds really cool. I am in the proccess of creating a platform and can not boast with big success yest. Thanx for the post
It takes time, Ani. However, if you look carefully, you’ll begin to see success form.
It might not be huge at first, but it’s certainly there
Best of luck to you
Matthew (Turndog Millionaire)
[…] Turner highlights 5 Free Services That Help You Build Author Platform […]
[…] 5 Free Services That Help You Build Author Platform […]
[…] probably the scariest phrase associated with self-publishing! Jane Friedman recently identified 5 Free Services to Help Build an Author Platform. Definitely worth a read for the newbie and veteran writer […]
When I looked into signing up with Mail Chimp they required an address. I don’t feel comfortable putting my address on all of the emails. What are your thoughts? Is there a way to get around this?
For better or worse, the U.S. spam law requires an address. Any reputable email service provider will ensure you provide one so their company is not in breach of law.
Hi Brenda, it’s to comply with the can-spam laws – see here http://kb.mailchimp.com/article/what-is-required-to-meet-your-terms-of-use-and-the-can-spam-act
I just started using EverNote. So very cool! I was preparing to do a new workshop at a conference and instead of sitting down and working on the material, I used Evernote to jot ideas down quickly, and easily as they came to me. Then when I was ready to put it together, I just sat down in front of Power Point, and did it. Perfect!
I also use it to keep information about upcoming writer contests, freelance deadlines, and conference information, all in one place. I really do love it!
[…] the word out to the world about my inspirational book! The best part is when I imagine building my author platform to such a massive size that I need assistants to help me keep up with fan demand. Fans who are […]
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[…] Turner (@turndog_million) on Jane Friedman 5 Free Services That Help You Build Author Platform “If there’s one word that fits perfectly with an author, it’s FREE. Here are five free […]