Indies Unlimited has a large complement of staff writers with a wide array of expertise. We also provide a multitude of features designed to promote indie authors and their books. Don’t forget the tutorials, the like-fests, and the flash fiction contests. There is a lot going on here, all of it aimed at helping you.
The question is: do you really get the most from it? Maybe you subscribe, maybe you comment from time to time. That’s great. Do you also share IU posts you like? If there is an interesting discussion going on here, do you tweet about it? When you are on LinkedIn and a discussion comes up related to something that was addressed here, do you bring it up?
All that is part of building community. Some parts are a little harder to get than others. There are layers and layers of function here. Take the flash fiction competitions for example. People tend to focus on the competition part of it and see participation as a win-lose proposition. It’s a little more elegant than that. See, if you participated every week in the flash fiction challenges, in a year, you’d have fifty-two flash fiction pieces of your very own to publish or do with as you please. (The photographs in the competition are the property of K.S. Brooks and you can contact her through the query form to obtain permission to use those.) Or maybe one of those stories you wrote could be something that ends up getting fleshed out into a longer piece—maybe even a novel. It is the exercise itself that holds the real value. Do you play?
Consider the like-fests. If you come along and participate and like everyone back in the thread, that’s great. Do you also spread the word that the like-fest is going on? If more people know, more people participate and that means more likes for everyone.
Maybe you have contributed a guest post or an interview. It’s great when you come by and respond to comments on your own post, but did you spread the word to all your friends and fans about the piece? Do you encourage other authors to check out Indies Unlimited?
I can’t tell you how many times I have seen a link by an IU staffer posted in a Facebook group on a given topic only to see someone else in the same group post a plea for information on the very same topic.
My friends, THAT is a facepalm moment.
The point is that IU is here to help you. If you help IU in that mission, you are also helping yourselves and all your brothers and sisters in writing.
I tweet out on a regular basis because the information that is shared on this site is, in a word, excellent.
A great complement of authors/writers from various genres and locations. I also enjoy when they share a bit of their writing with us. Really appreciate all of the staff authors and Kat and Laurie!
Oh, and that Stephen fellow? He’s pretty darn clever too!
We see all your tweets, Jo-Anne! They’re MUCH appreciated! 🙂
I tweet, I post, and always tell people IU is the best source of information for authors. I appreciate all of you!
And we appreciate you, Renee! Thanks for spreading the word!
You get the Full Nelson from me guys. Not every post but most.
Oh I know that, Virginia! I see your tweets and posts on Facebook. Thanks so much for that…and HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 😀