I belong to only two Street Teams but do promote others. Sometimes it is because I have already flagged them as an author I love thus buy next thing published. Sometimes it may be an event I have been invited to in one of many book Facebook groups I belong to. Other times, it may be a giveaway and I may win something. Regardless as to the why, it's all in publicizing books and authors I appreciate and promoting the enjoyment of reading. Being a part of a Street Team is unique and works best when you participate in various social media sites.
A Street Team is often part of a self-published authors ability to market new releases. These self-pubs do not have the backing (i.e. financial means) to buy billboards, window signs in Barnes and Noble, or spreads in magazines that traditionally published authors do. If the self-pubs didn't utilize social media, they would be solely dependent upon "Recommended to You." As you know from my previous post, that isn't always the best way to get attention to a book. So, Street Teams are born. Authors, their Personal Assistants, and/or fans may create teaser images. These images are posted to all social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+, on and on. Authors may also elect to do giveaways, read-alongs, author interventions on blogs, etc. to bring attention to a wider audience. Again the Street Team comes into play. We all have different friends. The more the message is reached into cyber space, the more chance the author has at committing their lives to being a full-time author. To summarize this very long spiel, we are author pimps. The Street Teams want our authors to be full time so in turn we get more reading product for our shelves. It's a win-win.
So, why does my posts that show up on your News Feed offend your tender sensibilities? Let's go back to my profile bio.
I LIKE TO READ.
It's my number one favorite pastime. I've been reading since I was 4 years old. In other words, a very long, long time. Would you like to watch a movie? Okay if I read too. Would you like to go to the park? Okay if I read too. Would you like to go to bed? Okay if I read too. I think you get my drift. Since it's too much work to scroll past my posts or turn off notifications for me or heck, unfriend me, I now have to manage you. Awesome, I had nothing else to do in my spare time - oh like work on my blog. Now, I have posting list groupings: Book Promos, Fun Friends, Close Friends, Redding CA Friends, Non Book Friends, yada yada. My new world order when pimping an author is to make sure I post to be visible to the correct grouping. Again exhausting for me but made it easy for you. Now, myownbbokshelves has it's own Facebook page. I post there too. Sometimes different stuff then here. However, it's a public page but still my page. If you like me, you'll just have to put up with my posts. If you haven't found me, click here to give me a like. Or not if this next paragraph offends you.
Do not be offend by anything I post. Trolls are the worst. You know the people out in cyber space who think it's their job to police the rest of us. Because for whatever mindset they have, your post somehow offends this gentle balance - in their mind. (insert eye rolling) Now, I do want to warn you. On Facebook - personal page - I post like I talk. I have several descriptive words I like. One especially starts with F and rhymes with mallard. Do not go there about children or young impressionables being exposed. I raised my child, not wanting to take on another. AND remember how Facebook was founded. It was a social hook up for college age Harvard students. Meaning it was 18+ to start. If you think kids haven't figured out how to bypass the "Enter your Age to continue onto this website", then I will show you how once you buy me the Brooklyn Bridge. After that rant, I want you to know, I DO NOT TOLERATE BULLYING. There is a difference between sarcasm and spiteful hurt. Don't go there.
Now, why talk about this. Part is because I like to share my love of authors, books, read-alongs and such. I really do want to have to worry about who might see it. Don't like, agree or care, use the scroll feature. It's on the right hand side of most webpages. Next, I'm going to break my own rule. (GASP) Yes, I said this is a blog about reading. Not a pimp site, reviews or that stuff. I've got Facebook and Goodreads for that. Well, October is a special month. It's awareness on a very personal topic. For that reason, I am going to break my own rule with my October 5th blog post. See, going to make you come back. All in my big devious plans.
Do you struggle with social media? Do you have to manage your friends? Or do they manage you? Join in the conversation below.
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