Life of A Writer

Recently I learned about social media press releases from Todd S. Defren, principal at SHIFT Communications, and I wondered if journalists would really find them more useful and informative than traditional press releases. Since I'm combining my Christian author site and this blog to move them to Wordpress, I'm remodeling the Web pages on my author site. That said, I thought about adding the social media press release format to my press releases page, but before I used Todd's social media press release template, I decided to see what others were saying about this new press release format. From everything I read, many seem to believe the traditional press releases will continue to be better than the social media press releases.

I'm always open to trying new trends, but after what I've read, I'm not sure if it would be worth my time to convert all my past press releases to the social media release format. I would, of course, still leave the traditional press release on my site, but I'd also have links to the social media versions. To help me make my decision, I'd like your opinions on the social media versions. After all, you're also a writer who reads the news in hopes of finding story and article ideas.

Below I've posted links to two of my past press releases (all are in PDF format, so Adobe Reader is needed to view them). One is the social media version and the other is the traditional version of each release. View both versions of both press releases and let me know which version you prefer. Before you begin, I'd like to mention a couple things for you to make a mental note of as you're viewing the press releases listed below:

1. Help From Above was published before I remarried in June 2004 and begin writing under my remarried name (Misti Sandefur); therefore, the press release about Help From Above was sent out when I still wrote under the name of Misti Jackson (my first married name).

2. Based on what I've read about the social media press releases, I decided not to add the social networking links at the end of my social media releases.

Links to My Social Media Press Releases & Traditional Press Releases

Release About CoffeeBreakforWriters.com:
Social Media Version Traditional Version

Release Announcing the Publication of Help From Above:
Social Media Version Traditional Version

Once again, please comment to let me know which version you'd prefer: the social media version, traditional version or both. Your thoughts will help me decide if it's worth the time to place social media versions of press releases on my website.

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I'm starting off 2010 with some changes to Life of a Writer. Don't worry, I'll still be here, and all the changes are good ones. My only prayer is for the biggest change to go smoothly. What's the biggest change? Life of a Writer will be moving to Wordpress. Yep, I've finally decided to make the big move. In fact, I'm combining my official Christian author site and Life of a Writer blog. I figure putting them together as one could benefit me more, and it will allow all my Life of a Writer readers to find out more about my books and other writings... all from one website!

I've been working on everything since a few days before New Year's day, and so far, I'm happy with my new template and anxious to get everything done. I plan to use the Wordpress import feature to move the blog to the root directory of my official Christian author site. I really do pray the transition goes smoothly, because I'm a writer not a website technician.

In addition to moving Life of a Writer to Wordpess, I plan to blog more often about my writing life and share even more writing advice based on my 10+ years writing experience. I still have to keep the clients happy and the paychecks coming in to help care for my household, but I really do want to make more of a commitment to this blog and all of you. I love sharing what I've learned about the writing and publishing industry, and although the mistakes I make can be embarrassing at times, I want to reveal them so that maybe I can keep you from making the same mistakes. I also love tooting my own horn every now and then, because I hope that my accomplishments inspire you to keep going and not give up on your dreams. If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's this: Success comes with determination and time. You must continue to study your craft, because there's always something new. Apply what you've learned and what you will learn. Then have patience, and eventually you'll succeed.

What are your plans for 2010?

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