writing

4 tips for avoiding #socialmedia overload

We love it. And we hate it. Social media helps us connect with others, grow our platforms, share about our books, and promote our blogs … but it also drains us and can leave us feeling exhausted and discouraged. But what if I told you it doesn’t have to be that way? You can learn to let social media work for you and stop feeling like you work for social media. Here are four simple tips for avoiding that overwhelming dread relating to social media.

Invest in the social media that works best for you. {Don’t try to do it all!}

“The bottom line is, the biggest hurdle for a community manager, social media strategist, or any person who tries to leverage their online presence in any way or for any reason is that there’s too much to keep track of and too little time.” from Priorities: Curing Social Media Overload on The Future Buzz

Identify what type of information you want to share with others.

In 10 types of social media updates Michael Hyatt offers suggested types of updates and examples of each from Twitter stream. Perhaps your stress is caused, in part, from not knowing what to post and wondering if you are doing it right.

Eliminate the “push” notifications or even unplug.

In 13 Tools to Tame Social Media Overload, four of the thirteen suggestions related to these two ideas. This article also includes a few apps you can use to help with working more productively and eliminating the distraction social media can become.

Use lists and groups.

This is the first thing I recommend to any of my social media clients. In Unplugging in 2013? Less Drastic Resolutions and Solutions for Social Media Overloadon Social Media Today, using lists and groups is offered as a valuable tool for diminishing the overload we can feel relating to social media.

We’d love to know your best tip for avoiding social media overload. Share with us in the comments.

3 simple ways to find writing inspiration

writing inspiration - design by insight

January is almost over. I’m not entirely sure how that is possible since it seems like we just finished wrapping all the Christmas presents. But, I look at my calendar and realize one week from tomorrow we’ll be saying hello to February.

Maybe you had big plans for 2013. Perhaps you set a few goals and even determined this is the year you’ll write your book. And now, as January has rushed past you, you are beginning to feel a little discouraged and maybe even uninspired. I admit the grayness of our weather these past few weeks leaves me yawning and wishing for a nap most days.

But here’s the deal: we all feel uninspired sometimes. And it’s not just writers … musicians, painters, home decorators all face the same struggle. Sometimes the creative juices don’t flow.

That’s when discipline kicks in. When we force ourselves to write 200 words today. When we outline a chapter or develop a plot line. We keep working because we realize that’s what creating is: WORK. Rewarding and beautiful, yes. But also just plain hard work sometimes.

Here are three simple ideas for finding inspiration when you’ve stared at the blank screen long enough!

1. Pay attention! This sage counsel from The Write Practice is great. {And by the way, if you are not subscribed to their blog, you should. Their writing exercises are wonderful.}

2. Look up quotes! One of my favorite ways to press forward is to do a quick search on Goodreads for quotes on a specific topic, like writing. Sandra Peoples of Next Step Editing also shares great quotes on her blog, Facebook page, and her writing Pinterest board.

3. More books, fewer blogs! When I’m struggling to write or just feel uninspired in any area, I have learned the best response is to unplug. Copyblogger offers that same counsel as his #1 suggestion in 10 Pathways to Inspired Writing.

How do you overcome writer’s block?

Please share your best writing inspiration tips with us.

Don’t forget to check out our special Writing Buddy Giveaway! Sale prices and giveaway entries end on January 31 … winner announced February 1. Go … now!!