So what should a new author do? BLOG. You create your voice. Quit writing in a cave. Get real live feedback. Communicate with ideas with people Think of this as your focus group or market research. See who connects with you - and if your stuff resonates with a particular group. Get a mentor, a PR coach and go to conferences (like Blogalicious Weekend) to help you with your blog, define your target audience, grasp the big picture and avoid costly mistakes. Way before the book come out!!! At least 3 to 6 months before. Have a marketing plan and get contacts and instructions from your PR coach to execute the plan. A written plan is your road map to success. Have a budget or learn how to create partnerships or joint ventures to leverage your lack of funds. Bartering is good if you have no money. Build a brand – online and offline. Be consistent in all your marketing materials including blog, presskit, postcards, biz cards, etc. Have an email list of folks interested in your subject and understand your brand and you feed them with valuable information BEFORE your book is out. (Your blog will do this for you)

It's funny, I have almost 5,000 "friends" on Facebook and I can say that I probably interact with less than five percent of them. I had to start a new page just so I could add "Fan" pages to my personal profile - because Facebook said I was at my limit. I had to either REMOVE some folks or pages in order to add new pages. (I love "liking" pages - and I didn't have the heart to remove anyone - so I started a 'page 2'). Now here's the deal. I still get tons of requests daily. I am just about "full" on the page - but the only one that really seems to engage is Michele (outside of my BFFs and clients). So why does anyone really want to be my Facebook friend? Oh, so I can "like" and comment on how witty and wonderful they are. OK, I get it. It's not about ME at all - it's about the other person. I see. Hmmm...

The summer is a perfect time to take a break from blogging and technology. Taking the time to enjoy my family, read a few books or just enjoy the warmth of the summer day.