January 20th, 2010
Social networks for writers are a great idea – I should know, I run one myself. There are various specialised social networks for writers on Ning.com and they do provide a service the bigger social networks like Facebook can’t. On a specialised network writers can find each other and make contact more easily, and if the network is organised right the good writers do rise to the surface and show so that the publishers who join can find them. I’ve seen two authors picked up by publishers in this way so it can be done.
Authonomy is a little different to many of the specialised social networks for writers because it’s organised by HarperCollins. However, that doesn’t show from the interface as it’s set up in a way that’s just like a standard writers’ network. You can join, create your profile, promote your writing (published or unpublished), join in with discussions on the forum and upload your writing to share and get feedback. Members are also encouraged to recommend their favourite books, and favourite writing by other members, and the books can be from any publisher.
I joined and will be using this site and would recommend it to any writer. I also believe publishers should be looking at these social networks to find the talented authors – they do rise head and shoulders above the rest. A difficulty can arise if these social networks also get so large that they have a similar problem to that created on Facebook: too many writers and pieces of writing being submitted to showcase so they get lost in the crowd.
It will be interesting to see if this site does lead to authors being talent-spotted, and if not it’s still a great way to meet other writers. The social network approach seems almost compulsory nowadays for many types of business, and I think all publishers should be providing this kind of site. The articles with helpful advice for writers are especially useful.
Tags: Authonomy, authors, book reviews, critique, publishers, Publishing, self-publishing, social network, writers
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September 21st, 2009
This is a fun site which lets you use up to seven bullet points to get your thoughts across. The idea is that these days it’s hard to get anybody to concentrate hard enough to read a longer article, so it’s best to concentrate the main points into a piece of Shortology. Odd though it sounds it actually works, and the site makes compulsive reading. It makes you want to add a bit of Shortology of your own, working out which rant or bit of wisdom you want to impart and then deciding how to concentrate it into key points.
Although some of the Shortology is light-hearted, other Shortologists have given their views on weighty topics such as Obama’s healthcare policy, and well considered arguments sit next to rants and heartfelt opinions. The main page shows a selection from all the subjects covered and it’s enjoyable to read the lighter views next to the serious ones on such a selection of topics.
Additional pages divide the Shortology into Fun, Politics, Entertainment, Sport and Technology, with reviews as well as opinions. Concentrating a book review into bullet points isn’t easy but really cuts to the essentials, and the same is true for entertainment and a look into the pros and cons of the latest gadgets, software and websites. This site has the feeling of one of the booths broadcasters put up so passers-by can air their views on television by speaking for one minute. The site looks good and could be addictive, and my only criticism is that it’s let down by the need for some proofreading, including some of the main subtitles.
Tags: comedy, Opinions, reviews, views
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September 20th, 2009
Socialgo claims you can make your own social network in 2 minutes, and as I created my own using the similar ning.com service I know this is simple and possible. On the main Socialgo page the user chooses a name for their social network and a URL, presses the Create My Network button, chooses a design from the templates and it’s done. Time to invite members. Deciding on the best name for the social network and building membership are the only two parts that need time and effort.
These platforms make it incredibly simple to set up a social network quickly by using the design as it is, and it doesn’t take techie skill to customize the appearance and the features needed on each page. The management options look as comprehensive and easy to use as the ones I’m familiar with on ning.com, although I couldn’t test them out without creating a social network.
Creating the social network can be free, and for a more bespoke approach there’s a scale of charges depending on how much the user needs. These charges are made clear on the Socialgo main pages, which is welcome, and also highlights the cost-effectiveness of this type of site. The free service has 1GB storage and 10 GB bandwidth, which is plenty to get started and could be enough for some special interest groups. This can be increased to 5GB storage and 50GB bandwidth for $4.99 per month. The top level service costs $24.99 and allows live video chat, the user’s own URL and advertising and advanced management and developer features along with 5GB storage and 50GB bandwidth. Socialgo also offer a concierge service to manage the social network.
SocialGo and other platforms like ning.com are sure to take off dramatically as people are finding the major social networks aren’t satisfactory for special interest groups. They also make it difficult to find and friend people with shared interests unless you know them already. Unlike the major competitors, platforms like Socialgo offer the ability to meet people easily as there are general chat and discussion pages where all members can get to know each other. Events on the calendar are all related to members’ interests, as are the groups, so it’s an effective way to communicate and promote to the right target membership.
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