Blogger much?

 

 

Seven years ago, when I was 21 and thought I knew everything, I had it all planned out.

 

 

An agent would read my blog, decide I was too brilliant not to be famous and simply print whatever I wrote.  I’d travel around doing book tours, pull in millions and have plenty of time to twirl and eat pie.

 

Well.

 

 

I’m 28.  I still like stuffed animals, still like twirling, and am still hoping for that multi-million book deal.

But the only problem is, I don’t feel I know blogging anymore.

 

 

When I first started blogging, I had a desk job editing a magazine and had plenty of time to comment.  Thanks to SITS,  I quickly made blogging buddies and created the Pond.  But as the economy got worse and my job went from a editor to a reporter in the field, I spent less time at the computer and more time zipping from story to story.  And when I did sit down to write something for myself, I wanted to write a story.  I wasn’t able to visit people as much, and the people I did visit were my Invisible Friends who have stuck with me.

 

But in that time, the blogging world has changed.  People measure their success by followers, rarely comment and reply through e-mail and Facebook more than comments.  Most of the time when I do visit someone new, hoping to make a new buddy, I’m asked to like them and follow them and vote for them and …

 

I’m not good at giveaways and I’m not good at marketing.  I want this blog to serve as my voice in the blog world and showcase my novels, while the Pond stays my heart and soul (not for sale.)  Since I can’t spend hours chained to the computer commenting, Tweeting and updating on Facebook, I’ve got to figure out another way to fall in love with blogging again.  Plus, there’s a little matter of book promotions. 

Image from Google.

So instead of sit around and whine, I’ve got a few ideas.  I’d like your help.

Instead of being another artist/ writer begging for promotion, I’d like ya’ll to spread the word.  I’m going to donate 50 percent of the proceeds I receive from The Butterfly Dress  to GivingGown.org, a non-profit that helps girls who can’t afford it with prom dresses.   My goal is to raise $1000 for them–prom dresses aren’t cheap!

Image from google.

And as I am a creative, not a marketer, I  need your help with ideas.  Should I do a online book tour, guest posts, visit any certain sites?  I have no idea how to promote this on Facebook.  I plan on contacting local high schools but am not sure of any news/ online sites teenagers read.  My goal has always been to use my writing to spread whimsy to the world–and what’s more whimsical than feeling pretty at prom?

 

I’ll even up the ante and wear a prom dress to every event.

 

Any ideas?  Help!