Get ready to promote yourself

First, don't forget that your P3:SA3 Promotion Plan is due before 11:59 pm TONIGHT (4/8)

As well as your TWO advertisements.

Because you may have seen some inconsistencies, let me be clear:

• You need TWO social media accounts which are new and specific for this project.

• You should not print flyers or hang up posters. These are good promotional plans for parties and physical products or offers (Coupons, clubs, sub sandwiches, perfume samples), but not for digitally published narratives.

• You are expected to meet the minimums as listed on the Class Wix P3 page, which are:

Twitter: A minimum of 100 Tweets between 4/9-4/19 Tweets should be interesting and give the reader a reason to continue following your account. This is in addition to your class tweets.

Instagram Account: minimum of 50 photos between 4/9-4/19. This is a visual mode, so each image should be visually stimulating or interesting.

Pinterest account: Minimum of 10 boards with 40 pins per board which are relevant and relate to your campaign.

Snapchat: Because Snapchat stories disappear, you must download these every day in order to show that you promoted there. 10 photos per day between between 4/9-4/19

Facebook: minimum of 50 photos between between 4/9-4/19. Posts should be a mix of visually stimulating and text-based posts. (I'll be honest, no students in the past have reported a good following from Facebook. Not one.)

If you have concerns or questions about your grade, NOW is the time to schedule an appointment with me to discuss it. After grades are posted is NOT the time to contact me or demand that I meet with you regarding your grade. I will not answer questions via email or Twitter about grades. Now is the time to set up an appointment with me to know the status of your grade.

Are you thinking about revising Project #2 for a higher grade? If you are, complete the revision memo before FRIDAY April 12 before 11:59 pm and email it to me.

This week's Twitter Assignment: Select an advertisement and post it to your Twitter feed. Then start a thread analyzing the style and design elements of the image and what makes it appealing.

You have completed your narrative and tomorrow will begin posting regularly trying to get people to look at this work of fiction that you have created.

REMEMBER THAT IF YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT HAS A LOCK ON IT, YOU WON'T GET ANY FOLLOWERS. You have to make your social accounts as accessible as possible, so don't make your potential followers jump through a bunch of hoops in order to reach you. How many times have you tried to send a picture or post to a friend who replies, "I can't see that because I don't follow that person." It is frustrating.

Here are some frequently asked questions about P3:

What am I supposed to post?

Keep in mind that this social media account is not JUST for this narrative. It is your account about you as a writer. Remember that Chrissy Teagan does not just talk about her cookbooks on her Twitter account, but she talks about her life. Let your readers in on your life as a student who wrote a narrative about something that interests them. How do all these things connect to your brand?

Here are some ideas of what you can post:

* Post your advertisements.

* Post photos of the books and movies that inspired your narrative -- like what's on your curation page.

* Write short reviews of what you are reading and enjoying in your subgenre

* Post quotes from your own story

* Post links to the songs you listened to while writing.

* Ask a friend to record a video recommendation of your story. (Great for Instastories or Snapchat)

* Talk about your day as a student - where do you go? What do you do?

* Talk about your process -- what was it like to write a narrative in this subgenre?

* Document something fun that you are doing. (Remember to avoid documenting things which are illegal or something your mom would not approve of. Also, don't do anything which would violate our class civility clause).

Don't do these things:

* Only post retweets or reblogs.

* Don't post crummy graphics or images

* Don't post all on the same day. You have to give your audience a chance to respond to your promotions

* Don't click bait

* Don't pretend you did something you didn't. Don't tell people it is a novel -- it isn't -- or your narrative is a New York Times Bestseller -- it isn't-- or slated to be a major motion picture -- it isn't. You're not allowed to lie.

How do I get followers?

After you have begun posting, and have enough posts where you look like a real account and not a robot, follow everyone in our class, then follow friends and associates, then follow other writers in this subgenre.

Use hashtags, but know how to use hashtags. Twitter, you should only use one or two, but on Instagram you can fill up the comments box with as many hashtags as you can. Search the hashtags for your subgenre or one of the narratives which inspired you and follow those fans.

Avoid following robots and scam artists. Some accounts will follow you so you will be more likely to purchase their services. You are looking for real people. Do not feel obligated to follow anyone who makes you feel vulnerable or uncomfortable. The block feature exists for a reason.

How do I know if my P3 promotions are working?

Success in this project will be determined by followers, retweets, likes and Insights.

On your Wix page for your narrative, on the My account page, you should be able to access your blog, even if you don't have a blog set up on the account. When you click on Blog, you will see a category on the left called Insights.

Through Insights, you can see how many people come to your Wix page on which days and what times of day. This can help you optimize when to promote and post on social media.

If you do not have access to insights, you can add a counter to your page which provided a number for how many times people visit your sight. Look for those in Wix apps for free.

What if no one visits my narrative Wix page, likes any of my tweets or follows me back?

If you have reached your Social Media minimum posts and have consistently promoted, then you should have no problems finding people to read your narratives.

If you post consistently and seek out your niche audience, someone will find your narrative.

Can I post to my friends, "Please read my narrative because I might fail if no one follows me back!"?

No. Don't do that. Don't emotionally manipulate your friends and family members. However, don't be afraid to ask your friends, family and classmates to read your work. Put them on your Street Team, asking them to retweet, repost, and lead people to your narrative website.

Don't Forget:

• Promotional Plans are due TONIGHT before 11:59 pm

• Advertisements are also due TONIGHT before 11:59 pm.

• You should begin promoting your narrative AS SOON AS YOU RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM MY TOMORROW.

#Project3 #PromotionPlan