Check out The POV Lounge Main Website for contests and upcoming events.

http://thepovlounge.webs.com/

Saturday, July 4, 2009

This Month's Event with author Michelle Larks

Happy 4th of July!!! I hope many of you are relaxing with friends and family and enjoying some down time. We are continuing to celebrate our Two Years in Publication all this month and next month.

So far we've discussed The Best Synopsis Winner, Our Favorite Authors and our Featured article of the month. Today I am speaking about our Monthly Event with Author Michelle Larks. Now Michelle is very active in our magazine so when doing the Favorite Authors lists, she was guaranteed a spot. We've done book ads on her. Our book club is currently reading her book "Keeping Misery Company" and she is active in our network.

Our interview and ad on her this month was for her book release party of "Til Debt Do Us Part" Interesting title, I know. She is hosting the event along with her husband and creating a classy atmosphere for those invited. Read the interview here: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/thismonthsevents.htm

The event is scheduled for July 25th, 2009. Her book was released June 30th 2009.

Not all of us have the money or resources to throw a huge party or rent out a big arena to celebrate the release of a book but a small gathering will do. Invite close friends and family yo celebrate the day with you. You can ask friends and family to help with the food and decorating. Be sure to have books available and a table set up for signing. Don't forget your camera. You want the world to see what they missed.

Before we end today's blog....

Reserve your spot today for From A Writers POV to interview you about your upcoming event. http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/authorswritersevents.htm

Signing Off,

Dominique Watson

Friday, July 3, 2009

LaTosha Johnson speaks about her article and about Blogging.

This month we have a new featured article. LaTosha Johnson submitted an article about blogging titled "Why does your company need a blog?" From A Writers POV interviewed her about her blog to get a little more insight on her thoughts about the topic. Read her interview below.

Dominique Watson (DW): Why do you think so many people are not using a blog to enhance their company?

LaTosha Johnson (LJ): I believe a lot of companies do not participate in blogging because it requires a significant time commitment. It takes a lot of energy to produce quality content and many companies have a tendency to be selfish. They want your business, but they don’t want to take the time to get to know you. Blogs require you to be patient because it takes a significant amount of time to build up a following. Many companies throw in the towel because they do not want to “waste” their time. However, those who subscribe to this mentality should reconsider starting a blog because once you start a blog—you have to keep it up. According to the 2008 Technorati survey, 7.4 million out of the 133 million blogs the company tracks had been updated in the past 120 days. If your company finds itself apart of this statistic, it does not leave a positive impression on those who find your blog. According to eMarketer 45% of the US Internet population read blogs and by the year 2013 it is projected to be 58 percent. Many people read blogs to learn more about topics that interest them and to engage in discussions. However, if your last post was three months ago people aren’t going to feel like commenting because they will feel the moment has passed. You ended the discussion before it even got a chance to get started with this person! No one wants to comment on a blog that has not been touched because the chances of you responding are slim to none and no one wants to engage in a one way conversation. Technorati’s survey mentioned that 54% of corporate and professional bloggers feel that they are better known in their industry because of their blog. Companies that are willing to tough it out and consistently post to their blog ( you do not have to post everyday, but let your readers know about how many posts they can expect to receive from you so you do not leave them wondering about your commitment), can also experience this same type of success.

DW: What are other options business owners can use their blog for?

LJ: Blogs are a subtle way for companies to build a relationship with those who are interested in your industry. By writing on various topics that are within your industry you are demonstrating your expertise and people will seek out your services when they are ready. Companies can also use their blogs to communicate services issues to their customers or use it as an opportunity to have a question and answer session about trends occurring within your industry. Companies should not use their blog as another method of promoting their services. If you produce quality content and they like what they are reading, they will remember you and be more receptive to conducting business with you.

DW: What if business owners are not familiar with blogging. Do you think it's ok to use forums instead?

LJ: If business owners are not familiar with blogging they can always hire someone to ghostwrite on their behalf (I know shameless plug!). I am not against forums, because I belong to quite a few of them. However, creating a blog not only helps you create relationships on your own “turf”, but blogs also help you to optimize your website, thus increasing your chances of ranking higher in the search engines.

DW: How long have you been a blogger?

LJ: I have always loved writing, but I have officially been blogging since December 2008.

DW: What is your business and how do you use blogging to enhance your business?

LJ: My company is called TargetStars, Inc. and we provide marketing, market research and virtual assistant services to small companies and solopreneurs. We use blogging as a means to communicate with prospects and customers so they can put a face to a name. Also, we provide ghostwriting and newsletter services (this falls under our virtual assistant services) so our blog allows individuals to see firsthand the quality they can expect to receive should they decide to purchase our services.

DW: What is some extra advice you can give to our readers about blogging?

LJ: Be authentic and be willing to mix it up. Blog about trends occurring within your industry, but do not forget to add your personality.

I think LaTosha made some really good points. I actually just started The POV Lounge and it's a lot of hard work. I like to post daily but sometimes I get busy. I notice a lot of celebrities have blogs or they blog. Others simply call on a personal spokesperson to speak on their behalf but I agree with LaTosha, blogging yourself, for your business, to you customers/fans is much more personal.

The full article can be read and commented on here: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/featuredarticle.htm

Before we end today's blog...

Do you have an article youy would like to submit on the writing/business field? Submit your article today and it could be our featured article in August. http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/guestarticleform.htm

Signing Off,

Dominique Watson

Thursday, July 2, 2009

The Best Synopsis Contest Winner: Justina Wheelock

July and August we are celebrating our Two Year Anniversary. We will be speaking about the different things we have going on around the magazine all of July and August.

Last month, we did a contest. The Best Synopsis Contest. We allowed writers to submit their synopsis for a chance to win a free Borders Gift Card. The winner was Justina Wheelock.

In our previous blogs, I've spoken about how to formulate a good synopsis. I wanted to give just a little more insight on how to get your synopsis noticed and how to draw people to your synopsis.

1. Be brief and to the point. Don't give away too much. Give away enough info that will draw the reader in.

2. Make sure your synopsis is error free. No editor or publisher wants to read errors. It doesn't look good. Simply hit spell-check and make sure your synopsis is error free.

3. Be sure that it includes your name and title of the book

To read Justina's synopsis and read the brief interview we did on her for the winning synopsis, click here: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/contestwinner.htm

Before we end today's blog....

From A Writers POV Network is looking for inspirational writers to submit their inspirational writings or poems. Get more details here: http://fromawriterspov.ning.com/forum/topics/please-inspire-me

Signing Off,

Dominique Watson

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Why we took the time to recognize our Favorite members

So as you know From A Writers POV is celebrating it's Two Year Anniversary. We have a lot going on. Through out July & August you will see me speak about the anniversary and different things we have going on.

One of the events is From A Writers POV Favorite Authors. These are members of our network and magazine. Members that are active in the magazine and/or network. They participate in events, reserve spots for ads and interviews, submit writings etc. We picked about sixteen members to recognize. We displayed a picture of the author, a little info about them, their book and where to purchase the book.

I don't know about any other magazine or writers network but From A Writers POV is built to help the writer, author and business owner in the writing field. I feel like there are so many unseen writers; so many people in this field that do not get recognized mostly because they don't have a lot of money to get them and their book to the next level.

I know when I started out as a writer; published author, I couldn't find that. So many organizations wanted money. Like most people in this economy, I didn't have a lot of money to spend on publishing. I had the love, passion, motivation and drive but those things don't pay money.

In order for From A Writers POV to be able to stand here today at Two Years is because of those that continue to look to us for growth in their writing career. We help writers! It's our motto. So for this event, I wanted to recognize those that keep us rolling and continue to read our articles, post to the magazine, network in our ning network and follow us wherever we go.

Of course in about five to six months we will recognize our favorite writers :)

To see who made the list of From A Writers POV Favorite Authors, click here: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/favoriteauthors.htm

Signing Off,

Dominique Watson

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Two Year Celebration

Today, all of July and August From A Writers POV is celebrating two years in publication. We are recognizing our most active members and we are acknowledging our monthly article writers.

In June we ran a Best Synopsis Contest. The winner has been displayed on our magazine. We also have a few other events going on such as This Month's Event and Featured Article.

From A Writers POV is always looking for writers and looking for ways to help them with their writing career. I hope that you will stop in this month and celebrate with us!

Signing off,

Dominique Watson

Monday, June 29, 2009

This Weeks List of Services!

Are you looking for services? Some of From A Writers POV members have submitted their business info. View this week's list of services!

*Webb on the Webcherriewebb.com/webb
Multimedia Reporter
Freelance, News and Features Writer

*A Productive Pen Writing Serviceshttp://www.contentcreation.wordpress.comFreelance SEO articles, web content, video articles, eBooks, White Papers and more

*Tranquil Moments LLCTranquil Moments LLC is a publishing company. "Let Us Turn Your Story Into a Book."www.nicolebradley.com

*100-Percent Write100percentwrite.ning.com / 100percentwrite.comIntellectual Property Paralegal, Grievance Officer and Writer's Rights Advocate

*Drallid Publishingwww.drallidpublishing.comSelf publishing service provider, editing, web/book cover design

Before I end this blog....

Submit your events for this weekend: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/writersweekendform.htm

Signing Off,
Dominique Watson