Tag Archives: social media

Why Is No One Sharing My Content?

In the below post references to sharing do not include copying content (unless, of course you have the content owner’s permission to do so). By sharing I mean utilising options such as Twitter and the WordPress reblogging facility.

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Your blog is full of great content but no one is sharing it. That is wholly inexplicable, right? Well in some cases you may be unlucky and, if you fall into this category I wish you the very best of luck in future for there is nothing more frustrating than one’s content being ignored.
Most blogs and/or sites have buttons allowing content to be easily shared. For example my blog (newauthoronline.com) allows sharing via a number of channels including Twitter, Facebook and, of course reblogging. I have, however come across blogs lacking any facility to share content. In such instances the person wishing to share has no option other than to copy the link into a post on their own site and share in this manner. This can be time consuming and in many instances can lead to a blogger who would otherwise have shared content deciding not to do so.
It is, of course a matter for site owners to determine what sharing buttons (if any) appear on their site. However the absence of easy options to share can (and often does) prevent informative and/or entertaining content from being shared. Shares can equal new readers so by not utilising sharing buttons site owners are limiting the growth of their site’’s readership.

Kevin

My Blog’s Tagline Has Changed

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I have changed my blog’s tagline from “this WordPress.com site is the bees and ees” to “newauthoronline | K Morris, Poet and Author”. The new tagline clarifies that I am both a poet and author, while the previous generic description conveyed little (if anything) about either the blog or myself. The change in tagline in no way impacts on how you access this site, which remains at the same location (newauthoronline.com).
As always, I am keen to know what you (as readers of newauthoronline.com) think. Please feel free to leave a comment below or, if you prefer contact me at (newauthoronline (at) gmail dot com).

Kevin

We Should Stand With Our Fellow Bloggers Who Are Being Threatened With Death

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The Guardian reports that a militant group has published a “hitlist” of activists and bloggers. The extremist organisation has said that the named individuals (some of whom are UK citizens) should be killed due to their criticism of Islam. We should all as bloggers and believers in freedom condemn outright this barbarous threat. A number of individuals have already died simply for daring to express views which these fanatics regard as heretical.

It is easy to believe that such threats have little relevance to us as authors of fiction. However practically everything written can, if read (or mis-read) by a deranged person cause offence and lead the reader to engage in violence against the writer. Unless one confines oneself purely to writing technical manuals there exists a possibility that your words will, sooner or later cause offense. We should all be concerned and stand together with our fellow bloggers who are threatened by those who have a warped conception of Islam. (I say warped as most Muslims have no truck with fanatics).

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/23/militant-group-publishes-hit-list-of-bloggers-activists-and-writers

When Guests Demand

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The below is not aimed at the overwhelming majority of those who request to guest post on Newauthoronline, The vast majority of whom I feel privileged to host. It is aimed at the minority who seek to abuse the opportunities offered by me and my fellow bloggers.

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I have always considered it an honour when blog owners agree to publish a guest post authored by me. I know from running my own blog that site owners are often extremely busy and it can be a time consuming business liaising with potential guest posters.

Most guests are politeness itself and I am privileged to have published a number of great articles by wonderful people. I have, however noticed a worrying trend with people contacting me saying words to the effect of

“I require one back link in return for my article and/or post”.

My Guest Post Submission guidelines (http://newauthoronline.com/guest-post-submissions/) already make it crystal clear that links to a poster’s website and other social media are welcome. Point 4 of the Guidelines reads

“Please do include links to your books, social media etc”.

Anyone taking the trouble to read the above will know that back links are positively encouraged. The fact a minority are not picking up on this indicates they are not taking the trouble to read my (and, I suspect) other site owner’s guest post guidelines. Furthermore it demonstrates a degree of rudeness. Such people are, in effect saying

“You are honoured that I am contacting you and it behoves you, as the blog owner to include whatever I ask you to”.

Sorry, but the person accepting the guest post is the host. One does not go into another’s home and demand such and such, nor should one do this when approaching bloggers.

Unfortunately I suspect I will receive further such rude requests and, from now on I will consign them to my deleted items folder.

Kevin

New Sharing Buttons Added To Newauthoronline

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Thanks to a suggestion from Chris Graham (http://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/), I have now added several buttons to my blog allowing readers to share content more easily. Twitter and Facebook are now joined by Pocket, Reddit, print and email. Thank you Chris for the great suggestion!

For information on how to add sharing buttons to your WordPress site please visit (https://en.support.wordpress.com/sharing/).

Ebooks Are Changing The Way We Read And The Way Novelists Write

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A thought provoking article in today’s guardian (10 August 2015). The author argues that in a world subject to multiple online distractions the way in which we read books is changing. Readers now flick between messages from friends back to their ebook rather than, as in times past devoting their whole attention to a book. In effect our attention span is less than was the case prior to the proliferation of technology, particularly mobile devices. The author also contends that ebooks are changing the way in which authors write. For the article please visit, http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/aug/10/ebooks-are-changing-the-way-we-read-and-the-way-novelists-write?CMP=share_btn_link

The Mystery Of Disappearing WordPress Followers

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Over the past 12 months or so I have noticed something peculiar about WordPress. Today I received a notification that my blog, newauthoronline.com has a new follower. I am, of course always delighted to welcome new readers. However the latest recruit turned out to be someone who has been following this site for some considerable time. I know this as the blogger in question has liked and commented on my posts and I distinctly recollect receiving a previous notification of them following.

Today’s incident is by no means the first time this has happened. I recall one person who regularly liked and commented on my work suddenly disappearing. The person in question was still blogging but was no longer reading my posts. Had I said something with which they so profoundly disagreed they had ceased to follow me? All was explained when I received a communication from the blogger in question saying that I had, for some reason disappeared from their Reader and they had now added me.

Now it is possible for people to accidentally click on the unsubscribe link. However given the number of instances where someone who I know is already a follower suddenly refollows my blog I can only conclude that a WordPress glitch is at the bottom of this mystery. Has anyone else experienced the mystery of the disappearing (only to reappear) follower?

Kevin

No Writing 6-11 July 2015

Is Blogging A Waste Of Time?

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A post in which L. L. Barkat argues that it is time for writers to stop blogging, (http://janefriedman.com/2013/03/15/its-time-for-many-experienced-writers-to-stop-blogging/). As an author with a blog and someone who blogs often, I don’t agree with Barkat’s perspective. Her views do, however deserve a hearing.

Barkat’s main argument is that most blogs receive comparatively few views so writers would be better spending their time (that not reserved for writing books) composing articles for sites with a big audience. Writing articles for big name sites will, in Barkat’s view gain more exposure for the writer than blogging via a personal blog.

I relish the connection my blog, newauthoronline.com provides between mmy followers and I. Such a connection can not exist where one writes exclusively for big name sites where there exists no direct link between the writer and their audience. There is, however no reason why a writer or any other blogger can not utilise their own personal site while also writing for websites with a following running into the hundreds of thousands (assuming one is lucky enough to be afforded the opportunity to contribute to such sites)! Barkat is correct that the writer needs to keep a watchful eye on their blogging to ensure it doesn’t eat up time which could be devoted to writing books.

I have no intention of ceasing my meanderings on this blog so don’t crack open the champagne just yet …!

Driven Potty

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As an author I do understand the need to promote my books. From time to time this site carries posts doing precisely that. In addition I am very happy to help spread the word regarding my fellow authors. To this end I have published a number of guest posts by other writers on a variety of topics mainly, but not limited to their literary work. If you are interested in guest posting please email me at newauthoronline (at) gmail dot com.

All of the above is part of being an author. However what drives me barmy is constant automated requests to promote other writer’s work. Recently I have received automated posts, every few hours from one person who shall remain nameless asking me (together with their other followers/readers) to retweet the fact they have a new book out. This is annoying as it clogs up my inbox which is already groaning under the weight of WordPress notifications. Where I to retweet every time this blogger sent out their automated post asking me to do so my own readers would, quite naturally become irritated with me and I wouldn’t blame them for doing so.

This is the first time I have come across this practice and I sincerely hope it will be the last. The vast majority of bloggers do not engage in this behaviour and demonstrate respect for their followers. I suspect the person who is driving me potty is not aware of the effect of their actions so I have not followed my inclination to unfollow (what an ugly word that is) them. However if they persist I will do just that – unfollow them.

I did think long and hard regarding whether to post this. However, on reflection I think the above points do require to be made.

Kevin

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