Utilizing Facebook
Like Twitter, Facebook (FB) is another social networking site. It was recently reported to have 600 million users worldwide. It is a little more in depth than Twitter in that you can create your own profile which can include DOB, status (married, single, etc), level of education and where you went to college to religious and political views. You also decide who views your wall from FB friends only to all Internet users. Your wall is where you post your comments which can be from what you had for breakfast, to what you are currently reading, to posting a link. Most people seem to go by their real names rather than “handles” like on Twitter (although more and more people are using their real names on Twitter).
You can “friend” people on FB and once they confirm you as a “friend” then you can post messages on their walls as well. You will know everything from what charities they follow to what FB games and applications they are using.
Two years ago I attended my 25th high school reunion (I was 10 when I graduated ;)) and I reconnected with all those girls I went to high school with. We had such a great time that we all now keep in touch via FB.
If you want to keep your personal life separate from your written life, then you can create a “fan page” on FB. Once you have logged into FB simply go to the bottom of the FB page and double click the “create a page” icon. From there you will get step by step instructions of how to set up your own page as a writer. You will see different boxes to click on ranging from cause or community to local business or place to artist, band or public figure. Some of the writers that I follow then upload a photo of their book cover on their page. When FB users “like” your page (and they do this by clicking the “like” button on your page), it will appear on their own wall and that is how the word gets out.
FB like Twitter is a huge social phenomenon. I have to admit that I love both for the simple reason that as I live abroad it helps me keep in touch with my family and friends back home, if even on a peripheral level. It also keeps me in the loop of “what’s going on” culturally. Used wisely, it can be a great way to get your name out there. But it is a double edged sword: it can be the greatest time waster known to man with all the messages, links, games and applications. It is important to manage your time there and make sure you do not get caught up in all the bells and whistles. Approach it with an open mind.
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