Social media and the new year

     One of my faults (among many) is that I am not comfortable with social media.  This is an especially bad fault considering that I am a self-published author.  This social connection is what boosts sales and helps a writer to become successful.  Without strong social ties sales can be flat.
     I know this is something I need to overcome, and I plan to address this.  One of my resolutions for this year is to be more involved in Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter, but I don’t see it as being a smooth process.  I am more at ease talking to people face to face.  Even my phone calls are usually short and to the point.  There is not a lot of small talk.
     My latest book “The old man and the girl” has been more successful offline.  Because this is a Christian book it is a different situation.  Most of my books have been sold in paperback to the church I attend and to another church as well.  Some books were sold directly through Amazon.  Others were sold by me.  I bought 30 copies from CreateSpace (who manufactures the paperback) and sold them directly.  I will probably be getting more copies to sell soon.  It’s good that I can sell the books directly, but it does nothing for my Amazon ranking.  This, in turn stymies my digital sales.  That’s where a good social media person would come in handy.
     I did have a giveaway on Goodreads.  I mailed the books to the winners about two weeks ago.  I’m hoping that when the reviews come in they will be good.  Judging from the responses I’ve gotten so far, I think they will be.  Assuming the reviews are good I will still need to do something to make the book more visible online.
     I hope to contact more churches with my Christian book.  Hopefully I’ll start getting more digital sales as well.  Though I am concerned with getting sales of this book other than from me directly, it is not my biggest concern.  I do not write specifically Christian books.  I will depend more on online sales from my non-Christian books.
     I have a middle grade book out.  It is a science fiction, fantasy book.  I had a couple other books out that I unpublished for editing.  I also have a couple thriller, science books that I’m working on.  I have some ambitious plans for this year, but I think I need to get a lot better on social media to be successful.  Wish me luck!