This week, I’ll post updated suggestions to get your computers and technology ready for the blitz of writing and marketing you’ll swear to accomplish in New Year resolutions. Here’s what you get (links won’t be active until the post goes live):
For regular readers of WordDreams, these are yearly reminders. For new readers, these are like body armor in the tech battle. They allow you to jubilantly overcome rather than dramatically succumb. Your choice.
11 Ways to Update Your Online Presence
For most writers I know, life zooms by, filled with research, writing, editing, critique groups, reading, promotions (of our books), people watching (to build characters), and thinking. There are few breaks to update/fix/maintain the tech tools that allow us to pursue our trade.
That includes your online presence and all those personal profiles. But, that must happen or they no longer accomplish what we need. If they aren’t updated, we are left wondering why our blog isn’t getting visitors, why our social media Tweeple don’t generate activity, and why you aren’t being contacted for networking. Here’s a short list of items that won’t take long to accomplish:
- Update your online profile–this includes your blog profile page, gravatar, FB, Twitter, Instagram, professional groups, PLN. Have you changed your focus? Switched jobs? Added new publications or items efriends would like to know about? Is your contact information current? This, btw, should be done once a quarter, but at least at the new year.
- Clean up your FB stream–delete pictures and comments you no longer find as funny as when you first posted them or make them private. FB has become a common resource for future employers (be they companies considering you for writing gigs or readers interested in everything you’ve written) to use when researching your background. Make sure the YOU that shows up on FB is really YOU.
- Update grammar and spelling in old posts–start with the most-visited articles (under Site Stats) and work your way down (in case you run out of time). You’ll be surprised what you can catch with a fresh eye.
- Check individual post tags and categories–whittle down the options while still authentically grouping your writing. Sometimes, you’ll find a new category that can include many articles written prior to its addition.
- Check the sidebar–for out-of-date and no-longer-relevant widgets and links. Include new pieces that add utility. Move pieces around to give a fresh look. Current thinking is ‘less is more’. Considering putting awards, PLN groups, memberships on separate pages noted in the menu bar.
- Check your list of ‘pages‘–are they still relevant? Could some be nested under other pages to save room and/or make them easier to find? While you’re at it, be sure all of these less-visited pages are up to date.
- Check the appearance of your blog on a smartphone and iPad. Does it display properly? If not, consider switching to a responsive theme that auto-adjusts for a variety of digital devices.
- Make sure everything posted reflects you. Your personal brand may change year-to-year. Review your posts, images, videos, and everything to ensure that they support the profile you are putting out there for readers.
- Make sure all online presence sites are current. Have something that shows it’s recently updated. If it looks like no one updates it, visitors will not return a second time. This means recent blog posts, feed activity, and information on all social media, blogs, and websites.
- Unsubscribe from lists you no longer have an interest in. This is less about updating your online presence and more about freeing up your time!
- Update the stores where you sell your books. This includes your Amazon Author page, Teachers Pay Teachers, BarnesandNoble.com, and any other–prices, descriptions, categories, freebies. I need to do this more often.
Do you have any maintenance issues to suggest for the new year? I’d love to hear them.
Great tips, one that I need to do!!
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I started on them over the holidays but didn’t quite finish. Sigh.
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I feel better now, though my online presence has been gone for a while. Haven’t missed it to be honest.
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Excellent blog. Thank you for sharing with us.
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Thanks, Darrell. I love your avatar. I’m coming over to check out more of your photography.
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Updating everything takes time. I was receiving solicitation for business for my former location via Link-in and, while I had changed my job position, I didn’t notice that I had not changed my location… Good times.
https://fromarockyhillside.com
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And that’s how it goes. I’ve let that slip for years before noticing. Good on you to catch on so fast!
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Excellent tips – if we have time to get to them all 🙂
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Therein lies the rub!
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This is just what I need to do . Thanks for these succinct instructions. Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you
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Nice relaxing activities for the holiday, don’t you think?
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I had to remove the link to your name! It goes to a ‘blue’ site which I’m sure isn’t you. Someone hacked it maybe? Just an FYI. The Gravatar still works.
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Yes I know that . My domain expired hence this problem. I have a new URL https://mumbaionahigh.wordpress.com
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I love the tip regarding reading over old blog posts, starting with the most visited! I’ve known for a while that I needed to go back over the old one, but couldn’t quite bring my self to look at every one- working backwards makes so much sense! Ugh, I do need to look at those categories and tags, too…
Thanks Jacqui! Hoping you and yours are doing well this holiday season!
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It took me a while for all of those but not as long as I thought it would. You kind of get on a roll. Happy holidays, Anne!
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Thank you Jacqui- and all the best to you and yours this season!
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Great reminder, Jacqui! I’ve tried to do some of them but should do it consistently! 🙂
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Actually, I’m completely unreliable with the ‘consistent’ approach. This full frontal assault works better for me!
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Great tips, Jacqui. I’ve been working on some of them this week!
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Good on you! Does it feel good to organize? I haven’t started yet.
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It does feel good, but it also makes me realize how much there is to do! Still, I’m tackling a little bit most days, which helps.
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Ah, yes. Our annual reminders. Thanks, Jacqui! 🙂
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I’ll start mine in a few weeks… maybe…
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Do you need to be… reminded? 😉
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Reblogged this on Nancy Hartney and commented:
Fellow blogger and writing guru offers solid suggestions on techno keeping — also known as housekeeping on your computer. Take a look.
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Thanks for sharing, Nancy!
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Jacqui,
Really helpful for my cluttered brain.
Miss you and hope you and family are all well and safe.
xxx judy
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It’s been too long, Judy! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
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Valuable tips, Jacqui. I will refer to them soon when I have more time!
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They’re on my TODO list–until I too have time!
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Helpful as always and things I wouldn’t have thought of.
Have a great one.
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I’ve been collecting these for a while. I drop some tips off the list each year and add new ones. I think it keeps me organized more than anything else.
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Fantastic list, Jacqui! Everyone should bookmark this page. Updating my profile on all the different pages and networks alone would take a while. I’ll probably skip the step about rereading all my blog posts and checking them for typos. That would take an entire month of ten-hour days. Or longer. 🙂 As for everything else… yeah. I should definitely do that!
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I’m with you on rereading the posts. I do the most popular and the rest get skipped!
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Great ideas. Do you have materials on Teachers Pay Teachers? I always thought of using that resource but never followed through.
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TpT is my best outlet for teaching resources. I sell more there than Amazon or Google. My store is Ask a Tech Teacher if you want to check it out. Let me know if you have any questions.
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Great tips!
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Thanks! Good luck with your new venture.
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Thanks! 🎄 xo
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My apologies in advance, Bette!
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Ho! Ho! Ho! Laughing all the way… Merry Christmas, Jacqui! 🎄🤶🎅 xo
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I think I need to hire a PR person!!
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It’s crazy, innit, how much work SM is!
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And I thought writing the book was the hardest thing… 🙂
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Great tips. I need to update my bio for sure. Right now I’m planning to update all the pages on my blog.
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That’s actually a great goal. It’s amazing how things change over a year.
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I was just thinking about doing some site and social sprucing up. All good suggestions, Jacqui!
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Thanks, Denise. I try to do mine between Christmas and New Year. Doesn’t always work though!
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Great advice, Jacqui. I try to go through updating every now and then, but some things go by the wayside. 🙂
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I used to devote time in the evenings to it but those got confiscated for other things. Now, I’m a bit behind.
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Thanks for the great tips, Jacqui.
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Now i need to follow them myself!
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So many great tips here, Jacqui. I need to follow up on a lot of these. It’s worth taking a whole day during the holiday break to go through the list. I’m going to actually mark a day on the calendar to do just that!.
Thanks!
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It’s fairly cathartic to clean up these public profiles. I’m amazed how much has changed in a year usually.
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I put it on my calendar for Dec. 28th! Lol
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I’ve been reviewing all my profiles and adding “Retired software engineer and now a world famous poet.”
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Both true, depending upon the definition of ‘world’.
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This is a great housekeeping (techkeeping) tool. May I repost on my blog?
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Yes, I’d be honored. Nancy. I tried to get a group together one year to motivate each other. Didn’t work so well!
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Some of that’s very though provoking.
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Well, it does force you to think about yourself in bumper sticker phrases. Don’t want to talk too long on these profiles.
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Jacqui, I’m laughing at your description of these tasks as ‘body armor in the tech battle’! So true and as always you are so thorough whilst making it look easy enough. Your advice and promptings over the years have meant I’m (mostly) on top of things but will go through the list carefully! Many thanks for all your tips!
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If your new blog is evidence of that, absolutely. I love it. And as a tech teacher, kudos for the latest post!
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Thank you, Jacqui! 😀 I did have your words ringing in my ears as I updated my website and particularly to remember the rest of social media. I forgot my gravatar at first, but did remember to update my Twitter and Goodreads!
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Thank you for sharing some good suggestions!.. I usually just let my fingers do the walking (typing/writing) and my heart do the talking and Que Sera Sera.. 🙂
Until we meet again..
May flowers always line your path
and sunshine light your way,
May songbirds serenade your
every step along the way,
May a rainbow run beside you
in a sky that’s always blue,
And may happiness fill your heart
each day your whole life through.
May the sun shine all day long
Everything go right, nothing go wrong
May those you love bring love back to you
And may all the wishes you wish come true
(Irish Saying)
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Not a bad idea at all!
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This post went right into Evernote for action!
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Oooh I love checklists. Excellent.
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🙂 I use Evernote to track my weekly writing goals, submissions, research, etc. Everything writing-related!
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I have an Evernote account but got away from it. Now, I mostly use Google Keep. Not terribly powerful but opens in a snap and syncs across all devices. Good ‘nuf.
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🙂 Makes sense. I do fall victim to making things too complicated for myself.
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Great advice for the new year – I am going to use it as the basis for a to-do list. Just need to find a photo I can stand to put out there 🙂
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I used to use an avatar but for our audiences–writers–the real things is more desirable. Good luck!
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Great advice, Jacqui…but you’re not supposed to give me more work while I’m on a deadline. 🙂 Thanks for the tips!
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Hehee. You are exempted! And not only because I want that next book finished.
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Jacqui you always go straight to the point, good one.
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I am like that which can annoy people!
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Great tips Jacqui. Will share. 😉
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Thanks, Marie! Let me know how you do.
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Great advice, Jacqui. Time to de-clutter and update for the new year!
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I think you’ll be surprised how much has changed. When I do this, I’d swear I had updated something ‘a few months ago’ to find it hopelessly out of date. Sigh.
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I am relieved that I did some of this during a few boring and long on-line meetings this year, Jacqui. It is a constant updating game.
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Good idea, Robbie! I have a Faculty Senate meeting today.
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Zoom meetings are great, aren’t they? [wink]
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Yes, the question being, how can I work on email while appearing to pay attention to whomever is droning on about something that has nothing to do with my department?
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We don’t use camera’s here, Li z. Our internet doesn’t support 2 500 people using cameras all day. That makes it rather easy.
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Well that is convenient!
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Lucky you!
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OK, did you get it all done? Probably.
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Oooh, that’s a great time to do it–boring meetings. I get a lot done in boring webinars (with material I already know as I search for that gold nugget).
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It is, because you don’t have to concentrate to much to update pages and links. I can listen to a meeting and do that sort of thing. I can’t work or read blogs or anything like that.
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Nice one, Jacqui.
A bit of end-of-year cleaning. Quite invigorating I could say. 🙂 although it won’t show much for a day’s work.
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That could be true!
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