***I have a number of writing
deadlines coming up over the next couple of months so I have decided
instead of stepping away from my blog completely to concentrate solely
on my writing, I will bring back an encore performance of my WRITERLY
WISDOM series from three years ago. WW is 52 glorious posts by authors,
agents, and editors from around the country providing writerly wisdom in
categories from why even become a writer all the way to how to publish
and market your books.
There
will be two posts loaded per week...Mondays & Wednesdays...so be
sure to stop by and check out all the encouraging information given by
my lovely writerly friends! I hope you enjoy the encore presentation of
my WRITERLY WISDOM series and I will return with shiny, new posts in the
fall!***
Social Media -
Made for Illustrators!
By Hazel Mitchell
I often hear
writers say, "Illustrators have it easy on social media". Sorry
writers. I guess it is much easier for us to engage with folks instantly - we
have all these beautiful illo's we can share, to catch the eye of the viewer
and make it easier for us to interact. It IS like the internet was made for us!
Humans love to
look at pictures. This world we live in revolves on visual media. Before we
read the written word, we are more likely to look at pictures and then have an
instant impression of the written content. It's how we learn to communicate
from an early age. To read the signs around us.
That's what we do
when we read a picture book - flick back and forth between the story and the
illustrations. As illustrators we are ALWAYS telling a story.
Luckily the
internet is geared towards posting pictures.
FACEBOOK -
probably the biggest arena for social networking. It's a reality that posting a
picture with a short description will get you more 'shows' on the newsfeed of
your personal/business page. And don't forget the wonderful TIMELINE BANNER. A
great way to showcase your work FREE. Here's the thing ... don't just stick
your book covers on Facebook, with a link to buy. (Only do that OCCASIONALLY!!)
Share interesting stuff that your contacts can connect with. Sketches you did
in your spare time, process, photos, research as well as full blown finished
pieces. Be a REAL person and
people will look forward to your posts. Reply to poeple who are kind enough to
make a comment. It's rude not to.
TWITTER - now
lets you post photos and many more opps to display your art. As with Facebook,
make your posts interesting, not hard sell. I try to reply to tweets ... if
it's too much, slow down on posting.
LINKED IN - you
can now link and post photos here, as well as join groups and share work.
PINTEREST - has
to be one of the most visual spaces on the internet these days and growing.
Share images with friends, keep boards of your work and subjects you are
interested in.
YOUTUBE - Video
is even more interesting - if it moves, we are more likely to spend time
watching. Try your hand at making a video. Even with a webcam or slideshow you
can achieve alot. Could be your process, a look at your studio, a book trailer,
your portfolio! Be creative. Check into Webinair if you want to run interactive
sessions or work shops.
INSTAGRAM - Online
photo sharing/editing with great sharing abilities!
FLICKR - Cool
place to store your images, share with other people and create galleries.
ETSY - sell
prints and signed books here.
MAIL CHIMP (and
other mail services) - keep in touch with a newsletter and illo's.
There are other
places to post your images: Google+, Myspace, Illustration Friday, Illustration
Mundo, Behance, and any number of portfolio sites.
As an illustrator
you will certainly need a website. If you're starting out, this is going to
mainly be a showcase for your illustrations. You'll direct people there from
any promo information (physical and online). If you are published it will begin
to morph into a place where people can see your books, find out about your
visit schedule and news, maybe a place to sell prints.
These days a blog
is sometimes used in place as a website - and is often FREE. A plus for sure!
See Wordpress, Tumbler, Blogspot to name a few.
Blogging is still
a great way to connect with people. If you are posting an image on line you
might want to link back to your blog post and enlarge on the process you use,
or give more detail about the image.
RULE ONE - Make
sure that in some way or other anything you post on line links back to a blog,
a website or information that ensures the viewer can discover more about your
work.
RULE TWO - Make
use of any tags and metatags available to you when posting images.
RULE THREE - Your
job is to make great illustration and story. Social networking is part of your
marketing strategy. That most of it is FREE is a bonus. WORK SMART!
RULE FOUR - If
you don't enjoy it, don't do it. It's not a requirement.
So. How can you
make the most of the opportunities available? And why? If you are a new
illustrator then your reason for posting may be to get your work out there. The
more places people can find you - the more likely you are to be found. What you
are doing here is also playing the search engines. The more times your name
appears online the more pages will fill up when people search for you. Simple,
right? It's about building a presence online. If you're a seasoned
professional, you want to be more visible and bring your books and work to a
larger audience, to let people know about your appearances and visits. Decide
what information you want to put across and who you're targeting. Are you
looking to build connections with the children's book industry or with readers,
or both?
There's a lot you
can do. Maybe you will just choose to do one part of social networking well and
that will be your focus. That's great! With so many ways to connect with the
world, one of them is sure to float your boat.
It's not for
everyone. My own experience is that as well as getting my work into the
professional arena, I have learned so much from fellow illustrators and
writers. I have found opportunities and workshops that would otherwise have
passed me by, and at times talking to likeminded people has proved
indispensible in an otherwise isolated profession. Remember - give something
back.
RULE FIVE -
Embrace the good in social media!
RULE SIX - None
of this is compulsory!
My latest book
'1, 2, 3 by the Sea' by Dianne Moritz, was published by Kane Miller.
Many thanks and
see you online!
Hazel
Hazel Mitchell is
an award-winning children's illustrator. Originally from England, she now lives
in Maine, USA. She still misses
fish and chips and mushy peas, (but is learning to love lobster). She has two
dogs, two horses, a cat and several snow shovels.
If you'd like to
talk to say 'hi' please email me hazel-mitchell@hotmail.com
Publishing
clients include Charlesbridge, Makinac Island Press, ABDO, Kane and Miller,
Freespirit, Beacon Publishing, Reading A-Z and SCBWI.
Thank you for these delightful tips. I mostly tweet now but I'm getting back into Facebook.
ReplyDeleteHi Sheena-kay! I'm sure Hazel is glad you found her article helpful!
DeleteThanks for stopping by and come back any time!