How to Add Flair to Your Fall Social Media Posts by DiAnn Mills

DiAnn Mills

It may be nearing 100° where you live, but school is in session for most and the theme is fall for our northern hemisphere. Social media is transitioning from juicy strawberries and plump blueberries to apples and pumpkins. Even if we don’t feel like turning our thoughts toward autumn, the calendar indicates it’s time.

Transition into the season with color. That seems like a no-brainer, but color is emotional, and the warm shades of orange paired with gold, brown, and scarlet coax the reader into a psychological change of season. When the opportunity arises, look at background and font colors.

Switch to fall images for memes. The adage, a picture is worth a thousand words is true for our meme choices. The choice of images point to mood, emotion, and blog theme. When we reflect the season into our posts, the reader can resonate with what we’re saying.

Choose words that symbolize autumn. Think about the words that mean a tangible item but also represents something else. Consider the following words and how they can express deep feelings and expressions to your social media post or blog.

1. Change: as the leaves change colors and days grow shorter, perhaps our views and attitudes about our social media posts need a new perspective.
2. Comfort: we soothe and calm ourselves by adding extra layers of clothes, inviting friends for cozy and intimate fellowship, and the art of coffee, spice teas, cider, and hot chocolate play a role in satisfying our hearts.
3. Harvest: gathering the fields represents a harvest of the mind, a time to renew learning.
4. Maturity: seasons of life show autumn is a time of reflection and wisdom.
5. Preservation: mother nature has been busy getting ready for the months ahead. Look at animals and the busy farmer. We too are reconnecting with ourselves and making plans that differ from summer fun. Our posts are indications of preserving the past, present, and future.

Let’s welcome in the new season with posts that embrace our readers with meaning and inspiration. How do you plan to usher in fall with your social media posts?


Click to Tweet: 3 great tips to add flair to your #socialmedia posts by @diannmills on #SeriouslyWrite. #fall #socialmediatips

About the Author

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall. You can download a list of her published titles by clicking here.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association; International Thriller Writers, and the Faith, Hope, and Love chapter of Romance Writers of America. She is co-director of Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.

BURDEN OF PROOF

Burden of Proof
by DiAnn Mills

Reeling from a negotiation gone wrong, FBI Special Agent April Ramos is caught off guard when a frazzled young woman shoves a crying baby into her arms, then disappears. Worry for the child’s safety quickly turns to fear when a man claiming to be the girl’s father abducts them at gunpoint. April puts her hostage negotiation skills to use to learn more about who she’s dealing with: Jason Snyder, a fugitive accused of murder.

As Jason spins a tall tale about being framed for the killing of his business partner, April must sort through his claims to find the truth. A truth that becomes all the more evident after April overhears a conversation between Jason and the local sheriff and realizes something more sinister may be happening in their small town of Sweet Briar, Texas. But aligning herself with a known fugitive to uncover the burden of proof could cost April her job . . . or worse, her life and the lives of other innocent people.

Burden of Proof is recommended for fans of the following:

Romantic Suspense
Christian Fiction
FBI Crime Solving Novel
Clean Romance

A Writer’s Publishing Team by DiAnn Mills

DiAnn Mills

A writer’s passion for a book project isn’t enough. Success depends on her team’s 100% commitment to the project. Writing and publishing are not single-handed ventures. It takes a community of specialized people to write, edit, design, market, promote, and sell a story that readers will eagerly purchase, read, and recommend.
Take a look at the overall picture of what goes into placing a story in front of a reader’s eyes.

Writer

That’s us, the people who create story. We pen our books with unique and lovable characters who live on long after the last page. The plot can’t be a repeat of last year’s TV series or another writer’s bestseller. Neither can the setting be boring or the dialogue flat. Every technique must be handled according to our voice and the characters struggling to work through a problem. Writers also have a visible social media platform and share information with readers.

Editor

Our first encounter with an editor is the person who acquires our books and shares the same enthusiasm with other colleagues. Several types of editors from overall story to line edits examine plot, character, setting, dialogue, etc., to ensure a credible and unpredictable story. Editors are a writer’s best friend; they take our challenges and weave them into strengths. Our best book becomes our finest writing project.

Design

This is the art team that takes a long look at our stories to develop a book cover that reflects characters and genre. These extremely talented, behind the scene people peer into the psychological workings of our stories to create an exciting cover.

Marketing and Promotion

The marketing and promotion team are strategists. They use imaginative and innovative means to place our books in venues that remind the reader of its fine attributes. Various Individuals focus on our online presence, social media, ads, book tours, contests and the many other means for publishers and authors to feature their books.

Sales staff

These people are a writer’s silent warriors. They use our story blurbs, cover copy, and a bit about us to entice bookstore buyers to carry our stories. Their approach is at the grassroots level, and unfortunately, they are often unappreciated.

Many gifted people are a part of a writer’s publishing team, but these five groups are the top tiers in the process. We writers are not alone. Whether our publishing plan is through a traditional house or we are independently published, a writer’s publishing team is her most valuable asset.

What is the most challenging part of writing and publishing for you?

About the Author

High Treason by DiAnn Mills
Releases February 6, 2018

High Treason
When Saudi Prince Omar bin Talal visits Houston to seek cancer treatment for his mother, an attempt on his life puts all agencies on high alert. FBI Special Agent Kord Davidson is the lead on the prince’s protective detail because of their long-standing friendship, but he’s surprised—and none too happy—when the CIA brings one of their operatives, Monica Alden, in on the task force after the assassination attempt.

Kord and Monica must quickly put aside interagency squabbles, however, when they learn the prince has additional motives for his visit—plans to promote stronger ties with the US and encourage economic growth and westernization in his own country. Plans that could easily incite a number of suspects both in the US and in countries hostile to Saudi Arabia. Worse yet, the would-be assassin always seems to be one step ahead of them, implicating someone close to the prince—or the investigation. But who would be willing to commit high treason, and can Kord and Monica stop them in time?


DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Firewall, the first book in her Houston: FBI series, was listed by Library Journal as one of the best Christian Fiction books of 2014.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Mountainside Marketing Conference with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on Facebook: www.facebook.com/diannmills, Twitter: https://twitter.com/diannmills or any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.

A Surefire Way for Writers to Fail at Social Media by DiAnn Mills

DiAnn Mills

A writer focuses his efforts on every task of this wonderful world of publishing. It’s a mix of the craft, social media, marketing, promotion, and meeting reader needs. For many, Social Media is met with groans, excuses, and do-I-have-to?

This blog post is to help you succeed not fail at social media.

Non-responsive is the biggest culprit that contributes to social media failure. The list below is short and simple. But if you’re guilty of any of the following, now is the time to mend your ways.

Writers who don’t take the time to thank, address, or value those who comment on our blog. These people are the ones who support us. They’ve taken the time to read our blog and type a response.

Writers who don’t respond to e-mails. I’m not talking about junk and spam. But I am referring to readers who contact you with a question. If the message is critical, then form a gracious response. If the sender is requesting for you to perform a service, then respond appropriately.

Writers who ignore comments on Facebook. No matter what is posted on your personal or author page, the sender deserves a “like” at a minimum. Be creative and allow that person to know you appreciate the time spent in composing a message.

Writers who don’t check Goodreads. If your blog is linked to your Goodreads Page, are you responding to those who comment?

Writers who ignore new Twitter followers. When you receive a new follower, do you take time to address them personally and thank them for the follow? Do you search for a post on the follower’s page that you can like or share? Do you read the new follower’s bio and make a comment?

Writers who fail to message and thank new followers on Instagram.

The one way to end your social media success is to do nothing when others are curious and inquisitive. Let’s help each other.

How do you manage your social media comments?

About the Author

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.

Deep Extraction
by DiAnn Mills

Deep Extraction

A SUSPICIOUS DEATH, A SECRET PLOT, A BUDDING ROMANCE. 

A pacemaker should have saved oil and gas magnate Nathan Moore’s life. Instead, it provided his killer with a perfect means of execution. Special Agent Tori Templeton teams up with US Marshall Cole Jeffers to investigate Nathan’s murder and whether it’s connected to a recent bombing at one of Nathan’s oil rigs. The closer they get to finding the killer, and to each other, the more intent someone is in silencing them for good.

Social Media, Marketing & Branding Part 3 The Experts Weigh in on Social Media, Marketing & Branding by Edie Melson and DiAnn Mills

Today ends the three-part marketing series from authors DiAnn Mills and Edie Melson. I know it's been helpful to me and I hope you, too. If you have not read Part 1 and Part 2, please go back and check them out. -- Sandy

This post is from both of us. We decided to take specific questions and concerns and amplify them a little more.

Why bother with social media and marketing when I don’t have a product yet?

DiAnn: Social media begins with a writer who is passionate about sharing her expertise with others. It’s not a buy-me mindset but a how-can-I-help-you attitude. As a Christian, I view social media as a ministry. Begin building your platform now so when you have a product, your audience will be excited. If you don’t have a platform and audience, you don’t have anyone to help or market.

Edie: I agree. Social media is all about bringing value to those you interact with. It’s an extension of who you are in person. You are valuable to those around you now, there’s no reason to think you don’t have interesting things to share on social media.

 

What’s your favorite social media tip for building Twitter?

Edie: I love to mine the followers of those who follow me. I find a similar account to the audience I’m trying to reach – for example DiAnn Mills. Then I visit her profile and click on the list of those who follow her. This gives me a fresh list of people who are active on social media and have interests similar to those I’m sharing.

DiAnn: I use ManageFlitter.com This allows me to manage who I follow according to personal and professional interests. Another advantage is I can unfollow those who are not posting or following me back.

How does branding feed into social media?

DiAnn: Remember the cowboys who branded cattle? This not only allowed the rancher to keep track of his stock, but it also allowed him to develop fine herds of cattle. His brand became his name, and he was known for his excellent stock. The same thing applies to writers. We will be branded by those who read our books and our social media posts. It’s to our advantage to develop our own brand and allow our audience to know we offer quality information.

Edie: Totally agree. However, don’t just think about the narrow topic of one of your books. Think bigger. For example, if you write Biblical fiction, consider sharing info about Biblical archeology or informative reviews about movies that come from a Biblical base.

Do I need a personal profile and a professional/author Facebook Page? Why and/or Why not?

Edie: For a long time I’ve let my professional author page lie dormant because I was unable to get any traction on it. I primarily use my personal profile to interact with my readers and other writers. I have all my posts set to Public, and this allows anyone to see those posts and interact with them. HOWEVER: I am extremely careful about accepting friend requests from people I don’t know. Because my posts are public, I don’t have to grant them Friend status for them to interact. If someone sends me a friend request and I don’t accept it, they automatically become a follower and can see my public posts. They cannot post to my wall, only comment on the public posts that are already there. And although we are only allowed 5000 Friends on a personal profile, we may have an infinite number of Followers.

DiAnn: I have both, and I post on both. Understand some of my followers subscribe to both pages, and that’s fine with me. I never word a post the same on each page, even if the core of my message is the same. Why, you ask? Because I want each friend and professional follower to know I care about them. Cutting and pasting the same message says, “You aren’t important as a unique follower.” No friend or professional follower deserves that treatment.

We’ve enjoyed being with Seriously Write for this series! Be sure to leave any questions you have in the comments section below and we’ll get back with you.

~~~~~

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall. 

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

 DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.

*** 

Find your voice, live your story…is the foundation of Edie Melson’s message, no matter if she’s addressing parents, military families, readers of fiction, or writers. As an author, blogger, and speaker she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her numerous books, including While My Child is Away and While My Soldier Serves, reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them during these difficult times.

In addition, as a respected expert in social media, Edie has the proven expertise to teach others how to plug in and reach their target audience without the restraint of physical boundaries. In her role as social media coach she’s worked with clients that range from authors and speakers to business and ministry leaders. Her bestselling eBook on this subject, has been updated, expanded and re-released as Connections: Social Media & Networking Techniques for Writers. 

As a respected blogger, her personal site, The Write Conversation, reaches thousands each month. She’s also a regular columnist on Guideposts.com, Just 18 Summers.com, and Putting on the New.com. She’s the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, the social media director for Southern Writers Magazine, the Senior Editor at Novel Rocket, and a long-time member of the Advance Speakers and Writers Association. 

Edie and her husband of 35+ years have raised three sons. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina with their dog, Jake and cat, Emily Dickinson. You can connect with Edie through Twitter and Facebook.