30 December 2011

Network Effects: Membership Has Its Privileges

We live at the dawn of the digital age. With a little work, we can have hundreds of “friends” and followers. Nowadays, it doesn’t take a big achievement to have thousands of followers. We take for granted how easy it is to connect and to belong. I can imagine a teen-ager wondering how folks formed new connections and stayed in touch before the age of social media. Actually, sometimes I myself wonder.

Creative Folks Want to Be Noticed
All creative folks like their work to be noticed and appreciated. And if we’re lucky, we enjoy the ultimate experience of getting paid to share our talent. Social-media platforms help us to develop our brand, gain visibility and build an audience. We can choose from a large array of social-media networks to help us get noticed.

Lots of Small Fish Go Unnoticed
While huge networks like Facebook and Twitter have their benefits, each member is only a small fish in an ocean. If you are not well known, your voice and your presence can easily go unnoticed.

You Can Be a Big Fish
Many writers relish the opportunity to write a guest post on someone else’s blog. It gives us the chance to be a big fish for a time, even if it’s in a small pond. The exposure, a mini network effect, is the intangible but valuable benefit. A very effective way to increase your visibility and showcase your talent is to join a small network.

We Extend an Invitation
If you are a blogger, we invite you to investigate what the Life List Club is all about. Our small network will give you the opportunity to be a guest blogger twice a month. Your blog and your writing will be exposed to all our existing readers. You will make new friends. Just like any other network, the more connections it has, the more powerful our LLC network becomes.

How I Benefited
I’ve been a member for a mere three months. In that short time, I’ve made wonderful friendships with talented writers. My blog receives guest posts on a regular basis. Many of my visitors “discovered” my blog because I belong to the LLC. I haven’t asked them yet, but I’m sure some LLC members will want to write a review for me when my novel is completed.

The Life List Club encourages members to set goals that are shared publicly. This exercise provides good grounding for a self-evaluation. I can look back three months ago and see what I’ve accomplished since then.

Have you previously benefited from your membership in a network? Do you belong to a network that helps you to build an audience for your blog?






18 comments:

  1. Membership definitely does have its priveleges, doesn't it! I'm so glad to be on this journey with all of you, looking forward to a great new year, and hoping other writers will join in the fun! Happy New Year, Gary!

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  2. What a fantastic introduction to the Life List Club Gary. I hope others decide to contribute or join and benefit as well. You're always keeping us updated on your novel progress, so here's to a phenomenal writing new year to you!

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  3. I don't wonder how people keep in touch so much as I wonder about HOW MANY people can be reached in such a short time, it's pretty amazing! Great post :)

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  4. I love the way that social media connects us as writers. It's such wonderful opportunity to expand our abilities not to mention bring us our of our typical writer-introvert shells!

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  5. Good post, Gary. I really like the benefits of networking, although I don't think I participate as much as I should. I've had my eye on the Life List Club for awhile.

    BTW, I left an award for you on my blog. Stop by and pick it up (and pass it on.)

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  6. I keep hearing about the Life List Club. Sounds very interesting. How much time does it take up though? I am a new follower :)

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  7. Thanks for visiting and for your interest Claire. The two biggest commitments that LLC members make are to prepare two guest posts per month and to be a host for two guest posts per month. (Every other Friday)

    Please send me a message with your email address to claim your prize and so I can further answer your questions.

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  8. Thanks for visiting Elizabeth. Stop thinking about joining and just do it! I think you would be a great fit for the LLC.

    Send me a message to tell me your choice for the prize.

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  9. @Sonia, It's been a great experience for me to join the community of writers. I'm still a newbie. I wonder in amazement at how everyone wants to spare time to share their experiences and give tips on how to improve and be successful. I am grateful for all the support I receive.


    @Jenny, We are going to miss you Jenny. Best wishes for your new writing gig. And yes, isn't it nice to have 1,000 contacts, most of whom are eager to help?

    @Jess, Thanks for the kind words and I'm with you in hoping that my WIP comes together nicely. Fingers crossed!

    @Pam, I share your sentiments about our Club. Folks don't know what they're missing! Many of them are just shy!


    Happy New Year to all!

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  10. Gary, having you as a part of LLC has been a treat. You're a wonderful writer and a supportive friend. I will volunteer right now to review your novel when finished. I try to be a huge supporters of authors, so you'll be right at the top of my list.
    I do hope Elizabeth and Claire consider joining us! Keep me posted. This club was a dream that has now exceeded my expectations! thanks for your part in it and happy New Year!

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  11. Gary, what a great post! It's completely friendly and insightful (a lot like you, eh??). Happy 2012 to you! I hope all goes swimmingly and the novel is finished soon. :-)

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  12. @Marcia, Thanks, you are a sweetheart! I will keep you posted. Let's see if I can pull off the WIP.

    @Jenny, You guys bring out the best in me. You are a great bunch and make blogging fun.

    To All: Best wishes and continued success for the New Year.

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  13. Gary I'm joining in. Not certain if I need to register somewhere. I am big on planning, executing and making our writing better. I am working towards being great.

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  14. I love to hear the voice of conviction. We'll be in touch Caroline. We have a great group and they will be thrilled to meet you.

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  15. Hi, I am a new follower and it sounds like a fascinating opportunuty, but I am not sure what is required. I wanted to ask how your crime thriller is going? I am doing some last minute revisions to my first novel, a legal thriller, also set in Louisiana. I thought my book was finished, but I have been doing plot consultations with Martha Alderson, author of The Plot Whisperer (awesome writer and coach) and I think my work will benefit from some changes I thought of during our plot sessions.

    Happy New Year and good look on your book. Let me know if you need a beta reader.

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  16. Happy New Year, Melissa. I will definitely take you up on the offer of being a beta reader. I'm also happy to reciprocate. Thanks for your interest in our club. I sent you an email.

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  17. Hi, again, Gary, I downloaded the 50 Love Poems, and later on I would like to review it and also interview you on my blog. Probably in about a month? Right now we are having our kitchen remodeled and I'm working on a list of interviews and reviews while trying to work on my novel rewrite. So -- a month, if you are interested.

    I am probably going to join LLC, but that, too, will be in about a month. January is chaotic. You never know how much time you spend in the kitchen (including writing time), until that gets disrupted. :-)

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  18. Elizabeth, it sounds like we have a lot to talk about. Let's do it! February is a lot closer than you think.

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