Monday 27 April 2015

Shouldering Author Morale…

If you look up the word morale in any dictionary chances are it reads: the degree of mental or moral confidence of a person or group. For me, as an author, morale means much more than that. It is that needed punch in the arm authors give each other, that WOO-HOO for a 5 star review, that tweet or share or shout out to help authors with their sales, and that blog post comment to help them get on the cyber map.

So how do you go about bolstering author morale? Follow the Golden rule. Treat other authors precisely as you wish them to treat you. If they don’t respond at once, keep at it, again and again and again. If there’s no response, no Esprit de Corps among them, then it may be time to move on and find another group of authors willing to help build your author platform with you. Then, once you’ve establish an Esprit de Corps, you go the extra mile.

Going the extra mile is the state of mind you must develop in order to build morale and keep the momentum going in ANY endeavor. And going the extra mile makes you indispensable to others. You do for them what no one else does. And if they ask what they can do for you, tell them. So the next time you find yourself perusing your favorite social network — go the extra mile and give an author a boost. Share their wares. Like their post. Comment on their blog. Tweet their stuff. Friend and follow them. Trust me—you’ll get it back in aces.

Thanks a heap for reading my blog. Authors, if you have time, please leave a comment and share what you do to go the extra mile with other authors. If you’re a reader, please share what you do to boost your favorite author’s presence? I’d appreciate your input. Cheers! 

26 comments:

  1. The irony is that it seems so obvious. Beautifully written.

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    1. Thanks so much, Elliot! I'm blushing now! Wink.

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  2. The irony is that it seems so obvious. Beautifully written.

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  3. We should all help each other. A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.

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    1. Carol, I love this about the candle. Thanks for sharing.

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    2. Oh, I love that too, Viki! Cheers for your input, Carol! You've always help other authors shine! Bravo, my friend!

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  4. Perfect. Was talking about this topic this morning in one of my groups.

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  5. Sharon, this is so true. It's amazing how taking that one extra step makes all the difference!

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    1. Agreed, Viki! Even passing a tweet written by another author helps keep that candle going! Cheers for your input and support!

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  6. I do reviews, retweet and visit blogs to help my fellow writers.

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    1. You sure do, Susan! Thank you so much for your support and kindness too! Cheers!

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  7. This is a nice sentiment. And nicer still when done with no expectation of getting back. That doesn't mean being a doormat; it means being motivated by more than the expectation of turn-about.

    Summed up well in the cliché, "Give without remembering, receive without forgetting".

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    1. Wonderful cliche, Helen and Lorri, and so true! Blessed are those who have no expectations for they won't be disappointed. Thank you for your wonderful input, ladies! Salute!

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  8. Hey Sharon, you are the queen of support! I've learned a lot from you. Sharing and tweeting this post!

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    1. Big hugs, Big Sis! We all learn a lot from each other! Cheers!

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  9. Shared Ms Ledwith, PR queen.

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    1. LOL! I'll take that as a compliment, Ms. Vonnie! Hugs and thanks!

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  10. I am not very active on the social networking scene, and because of where I'm located, I do not get to interact with writers. But when I come across a success story, big or small, of a fellow writer, I give it a thumbs up. I do this to boost the writer's morale and to share in the success of the fraternity. Every successful book brings new readers into the fold. Our stories will survive only if book-reading does. .

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    1. I totally understand, Gita. Time zones can put a wrench in any business platform. And yes, just acknowledging a fellow writer by sharing or tweeting or commenting is a BIG DEAL to them. I appreciate your kindness and support. Cheers and keep smiling!

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  11. Well said - by the Tweet Queen herself. It does make me sad how many authors get so caught up in pushing their own message, they forget to help others, but I try to focus on my readers and helping them to discover other stories they might like. It is always nice when the authors reciprocate though.

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  12. Thank you, Kai! And yes, it would be nice if all authors had a 'done onto others' mentality. Cheers and thanks for being an author who rises above!

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  13. Thanks Sharon, tweeted and shared - You are a wonderful ally to have in the promotional scramble :)

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    1. Hugs, Susan! And 'promotional scramble' is a good word for it these days! Thanks for your input, Wench!

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