Yikes. Not ANOTHER thing to add to my to-do list for 2025! It's already several pages long.
Luckily, for social media and all the interwebs, I have a Linktree, a kind of one-stop shop that updates across media platforms, including Substack https://linktr.ee/robinstevenspayes
Oh, ick, Brooke. Do I hafta? I suppose it's just human nature, and not just the bad habits of a social media-driven life. Sending out Christmas cards as we do each year -- a fun afternoon, the two of us at the dining room table, Christmas music playing -- is a reminder that people, like fault lines, move and change. This year, a return card told us of a family member's death in September. It was quite a shock. Another couple's card came back undeliverable. A little online sleuthing tells me they've divorced, after 35 years of marriage. I think people going through things don't reach out as you hope they will. It was a reminder to me that "christmas card relationships" alone aren't very nurturing. I need to check in more with the people I care about.
Oh my goodness! Although I thought I had done so much on my website already, I see I’m going to have to kick my “webmaster Winston” in the keester and get rolling! Events are still rolling out, including one with you, Brooke, in January. Thanks for the New Year’s update!
You can pay someone to do this kind of work for sure! Virtual assistants/etc. If the changes are minor, though, just tackle one little bit at a time. :) Happy New Year!
Much of my work was published by a newspaper that is no longer, so also the links to my works are dead, recently I learned that the parent company updated the links to be on their main website. This is great for me. I am looking forward to updating those links.
Twenty-five years ago, Simon & Schuster published my first novel. Now, in 2025, SWP is publishing my first memoir. I'm just finishing up crafting a website, thinking about Substack, rolling through marketing and PR and learning how massively the world of books has changed. Thank you, Brooke, for making it clear what an ongoing process this is, ever-changing, and how much we all need to keep current! The number of voices out there, and platforms, has grown exponentially, and is daunting. Focusing on what works best for each one of us is part of the challenge. Thank you for lighting the way, and reminding us that if we think of our voice as a static thing, it will become one...Best to you in the New Year!
My second book came out in October and I’ve yet to do much online. A link to your article came up on my notifications just as I was aiming for some online shopping. It made me feel the Universe is telling me to get it in gear already. Thanks for a great and timely post!
I'll add one other thing to the list. Someone on Substack said that you should periodically export your subscriber email list. This would protect you if anything went wrong on Substack and you had to start over again. I just did it now, and it is so easy. Click Export on the subscriber tab, and you get an Excel spreadsheet of your subscribers that you can save on your computer—just in case.
I might need to update my headshot here on Substack. It's several years old and as you can see, I was clean-shaven. Now I have a gray beard, so I'm unsure what to do!
This is a great reminder. I updated my Linktree and Amazon author page. I discovered that Linktree has a new (to me) feature that allows you to link to content from your tiles on Linktree, much like Linkinbio! The visual aspect is easy and appealing. I linked a few of my tiles and will do more going forward. I'm mildly horrified at my website but I think that's a job for another day as it needs a larger overhaul... Thank you again for the reminder, and Happy New Year!
Yikes. Not ANOTHER thing to add to my to-do list for 2025! It's already several pages long.
Luckily, for social media and all the interwebs, I have a Linktree, a kind of one-stop shop that updates across media platforms, including Substack https://linktr.ee/robinstevenspayes
One less to-do. Recommend!
Oh, ick, Brooke. Do I hafta? I suppose it's just human nature, and not just the bad habits of a social media-driven life. Sending out Christmas cards as we do each year -- a fun afternoon, the two of us at the dining room table, Christmas music playing -- is a reminder that people, like fault lines, move and change. This year, a return card told us of a family member's death in September. It was quite a shock. Another couple's card came back undeliverable. A little online sleuthing tells me they've divorced, after 35 years of marriage. I think people going through things don't reach out as you hope they will. It was a reminder to me that "christmas card relationships" alone aren't very nurturing. I need to check in more with the people I care about.
❤️ I know the feeling!
Some great practical, doable advice -- and the cat is excellent 🐈⬛ All the best for 2025.
Oh my goodness! Although I thought I had done so much on my website already, I see I’m going to have to kick my “webmaster Winston” in the keester and get rolling! Events are still rolling out, including one with you, Brooke, in January. Thanks for the New Year’s update!
Can't wait for our event, Carole!
Yikes! My LinkedIn needs a refresh for sure. This is great advice to share with my authors, too. Thanks Brooke!
Thanks for the reminder and detailed recommendations, Brooke! My website does, indeed, need a tab for my new Substack. Among, um, some other upgrades.
Why does this sound so hard? Can I pay someone to be me and do this?
You can pay someone to do this kind of work for sure! Virtual assistants/etc. If the changes are minor, though, just tackle one little bit at a time. :) Happy New Year!
Much of my work was published by a newspaper that is no longer, so also the links to my works are dead, recently I learned that the parent company updated the links to be on their main website. This is great for me. I am looking forward to updating those links.
Twenty-five years ago, Simon & Schuster published my first novel. Now, in 2025, SWP is publishing my first memoir. I'm just finishing up crafting a website, thinking about Substack, rolling through marketing and PR and learning how massively the world of books has changed. Thank you, Brooke, for making it clear what an ongoing process this is, ever-changing, and how much we all need to keep current! The number of voices out there, and platforms, has grown exponentially, and is daunting. Focusing on what works best for each one of us is part of the challenge. Thank you for lighting the way, and reminding us that if we think of our voice as a static thing, it will become one...Best to you in the New Year!
Thank you, Bonnie! Happy New Year!
This is a great complement to Jeffrey Yamaguchi's End of the Year Author Platform Tune-Up (https://bookpublishing.substack.com/p/end-of-the-year-author-platform-tune-up) I am going to go through your list and his on New Year's Day, seems like a good way to kick off the new year!
Thanks for sharing this!
My second book came out in October and I’ve yet to do much online. A link to your article came up on my notifications just as I was aiming for some online shopping. It made me feel the Universe is telling me to get it in gear already. Thanks for a great and timely post!
AAANND…website is DONE! Thank you!
Congratulations!
I'll add one other thing to the list. Someone on Substack said that you should periodically export your subscriber email list. This would protect you if anything went wrong on Substack and you had to start over again. I just did it now, and it is so easy. Click Export on the subscriber tab, and you get an Excel spreadsheet of your subscribers that you can save on your computer—just in case.
Yes mam.
Thank you, Brooke! found little errors, was definitely time to do some clean-ups.
I might need to update my headshot here on Substack. It's several years old and as you can see, I was clean-shaven. Now I have a gray beard, so I'm unsure what to do!
This is a great reminder. I updated my Linktree and Amazon author page. I discovered that Linktree has a new (to me) feature that allows you to link to content from your tiles on Linktree, much like Linkinbio! The visual aspect is easy and appealing. I linked a few of my tiles and will do more going forward. I'm mildly horrified at my website but I think that's a job for another day as it needs a larger overhaul... Thank you again for the reminder, and Happy New Year!