You Asked: What in the Heck are Hashtags?

October 16, 2015November 14, 2015 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 14 Comments

Welcome to the Cow Pasture’s, You Asked, the Experts Answer.

First up, a question from a recent Twitter chat. “What are hashtags and how do I use them? ”

I’m definitely not the expert on Twitter. So, let’s ask the experts.

“The # symbol, called a hashtag, is used to mark keywords or topics in a Tweet. It was created organically by Twitter users as a way to categorize messages.”

How to #Hashtags:

Anyone can use a hashtag.
Place the # before a keyword (without spaces) to help categorize Tweets; examples include (#writingcontest, #flashfiction).
To find trending topics and those talking about it, search by the #keyword.
Can be placed anywhere in a Tweet and as a keyword in a blog post.
Use, clear, memorable, and common hashtags (those universally understood).

Advantages of Using Hashtags:

Lead to connections.
A search by #hashtag will help locate everyone who is talking about the topic.
Link’s you to social networks.
Increases traffic to your social sites and blog.
Can help you develop your own brand (#cowpasturechronicles).
People will notice you or your business.

Best Practices:

Don’t spam.
Don’t overuse hashtags, your message will be lost.
Twitter recommends no more than two hashtags per Tweet.
Make sure the hashtags you’re using are relevant and on topic.

There you have it, the run down on #hashtags. I hope I answered your questions, but if not, shoot me a note. Have another burning question? Submit it below in the comments.

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story. And as always, you can follow me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter@sheilagood, and Contently.

Answers to Your Questions Found in the Cow Pasture

October 15, 2015October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

I’m having a wonderful time participating in, Robert Lee Brewer’s, 2015 October Challenge. The Writer’s Digest has been a favorite resource for me since the day I began writing in earnest. So, when the opportunity came to take part in a challenge focused on building and/or improving my platform, he could count me in.

It’s day 15 and I’m pleasantly surprised to find myself ahead of the game, so to speak. Yesterday, while chatting on Twitter with fellow challengers, several people expressed confusion regarding #hashtags. I’m not the expert when it comes to Twitter, but I did my best to answer their questions. The conversation reminded me of an idea for my blog, I’d been tossing around for a while, and decided now was the time.

Each week I’ll answer questions on writing, blogging, or any related topic, posed by my readers. I understand many of my readers are way ahead of the curve, but we all have questions from time to time, regardless of one’s experience. I don’t profess to know all the answers, but I can share what I‘ve learned and what the experts say.

So, here’s your chance, ask away. I’ll do my best to find the answers. Leave your question(s) in the comment section below and check out the first Q & A in my next post.

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story. And as always, you can follow me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter @cofcmom, and Contently.

The Last of The Erin Solomon Pentalogy – a Review

October 12, 2015October 18, 2015 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

This is the first series, in a long time, I’ve read to the end. I give four stars to the last two books of this five book series.

If you like a long-runningAmazon Reviews mystery filled with childhood secrets, murder and mayhem, tension building romance, and characters that outsmart the devil himself, you’ll enjoy the Erin Solomon Pentalogy, five book series.

Book 4: Before the After (Erin Solomon Pentalogy Book 4) by Jen Blood

In book four, more of Erin’s childhood secrets begin to surface as ghostly visions. Driven to find the truth, Erin pushes forward. With each dangerous leg of the journey, a kibble of truth is dropped in their path and Erin follows them like a dog catching a scent.

As in the first three books, Erin and Diggs barely survive the chaos. Filled with more fast-paced action, book four, it’s secrets still unrevealed, will propel you to pick up the final book in this series and read.

Book 5: The Book of J. (The Erin Solomon Pentalogy) (Volume 5) byJen Blood

If the other four books were fast-paced, book five is in full throttle. Erin Solomon and her long-time lover, Diggs will uncover the truth, or die trying.

Once again, I found myself asking, how can two people survive so many beatings, gunshot wounds, and bombs as these two characters?

I loved the intrigue and romance of this series and with each installment anticipated loose ends to be tied up in a pretty bow of resolution. It didn’t happen; too many characters vied for the spotlight leaving behind unanswered questions.

Although, I enjoyed the writer’s voice and loved the characters in this series, stretching the storyline to five books was a bit tiring. My biggest beef with all five books was the indestructibility of the characters against every type of violence imaginable, but I kept reading. You may have a different view. So, check out The Erin Solomon Pentalogy and let me know what you think.

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story. And as always, you can follow me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter @cofcmom, and Contently.

The Value of Blog Comments

October 4, 2015October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 34 Comments

Written in response to the Writer’s Digest 2015 October Platform Challenge

Blogging is an excellent way to express ourselves, improve skills, impart knowledge and expertise, or share stories. But, what role do comments, both given and received, play? Are they important?

When I began blogging in 2008, I had no aspirations beyond using my blog as a way to express grief after the sudden loss of my best friend. But, then people began to respond. I made connections, my grief lessened, and my writing evolved. Without their encouragement, I’m not sure I would still be writing.

The Value of Blog Comments:

They are the lifeblood of any blog – connecting us to others.
Tell us our words have resonated with someone.
Sometimes, they express gratitude.
Other times, they offer us a different opinion to consider.
An avenue to share resources, give recognition, or validate information.
Provide ideas for future topics.
Creates a network of bloggers, writers, classes, and groups.

Given these benefits, how can we create an atmosphere of interaction?

Ways to Invite Reader Participation:

Lead the way – Comment on your favorite blogs. Make sure what you have to say will add value to the conversation.
Keep it simple – spam is a valid concern. However, CAPTCHA’S can actually discourage readers from leaving comments. Trying to match blurred letters or numbers in little boxes is more annoying than trying to read the fine print on the back of a medicine bottle.
Do away with registrations. Requiring readers to fill out a form before leaving a comment is a sure-fire way not to get one.
Readers respond more often to a call-to-action or questions.
Be an active participant on your own blog – respond and interact with those who have taken the time to read and respond.

Not only is replying to comments, the polite thing to do, but doing so helps create a network of like-minded bloggers and writers, which adds value to all of us.

People blog for different reasons and the topics are as varied as the names. We want to believe our blogs provide valuable information or entertaining stories, but without reader participation, how will we know?

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story. And as always, you can follow me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter @cofcmom, and Contently.