Who am I? Frances Caballo (pronounced ka-by-yo), and I’ve taken quite a shine to social media.
Why (or how could I)? Social media is a dynamic field that is constantly evolving, and that’s the type of work I can’t get enough of. Sure, it’s a challenge to keep up with every innovation and tweak that occurs but I love challenges.
How good am I?
Penny Sansevieri of Author Marketing Experts named me as one of the top author marketing gurus to follow on Twitter in 2019.
Three years earlier, Penny named me one of the top 16 people to follow on Twitter and named my website twice to their top 30 list and top 50 list.
I’ve written guest posts for Joanna Penn and Jane Friedman’s blog and several specialty blogs, including Romance University, Bowker’s SPA (Self-Published Author), and Nina Amir’s blog, Write Nonfiction Now. And for numerous years I was a contributing writer to Joel Friedlander’s blog, TheBookDesigner.com and the designated Social Media Expert and blogger for BookWorks. For six years, I was the social media manager for the San Francisco Writers Conference.
I’ve taught social media for authors through Stanford University Extension and UC Berkeley Extension as well as at the San Francisco Writer’s Conference (for six years in a row), Redwood Writers, the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Conference, the Mendocino Coast Writers Conference, and the Bay Area Independent Publisher’s Association. In addition, I provided a summit session for the Canadian Writers Association and Joanna Penn has interviewed me twice for her podcast.
I could go on but you get the idea.
I began as a reporter before jumping into public relations. When social media emerged, it was only natural that I would use this new platform.
As a social media expert, my focus is on helping authors like you build your online platforms to enhance discovery of you and your books.
When you retain me, you instantly have a team member ready to fire up your social media profiles.
I also use my list of industry experts to secure guest blogging posts and podcast guest opportunities for you.
I’m a solopreneur and will never hand off your account to an assistant. I take pride in my work and I want it done correctly and with expertise.
When you hire me, you’ll never have to think about your social media accounts again (unless you want to). I guess you could call me a social media genie. I do it all for you.
What if you only need a session or two of training? I can provide that as well.
Whether you write romance, literary fiction, memoir, YA, or nonfiction, you need to be on social media if you expect to connect with prospective readers.
I am a writer, too, and I also provide content writing and email marketing services.
Client Testimonial
Frances Caballo knows social media in all its forms and provides effective individualized strategies and success-oriented advice to writers with efficiency mixed with creativity, humor, and caring. Her flexibility in a rapidly changing industry adds to the value of specialized work well done with a smile, and always on time. ~~ William H. Coles, Author
Wondering what other people think of my services? You can find more testimonials here.
The Importance of Social Media Marketing for Authors
In today’s world, authors need a social media presence to expand their reach to new readers, sell their books, and even find a publisher if that’s something you’d like to do.
We live in a social world and so it makes sense that social media would become a powerful marketing strategy for Indie authors. The beauty of it is that it levels the playing field between traditionally published authors and indie writers.
In other words, everyone has to be involved in the marketing of their books and that means you need a vibrant online presence. A publisher’s marketing arm has the same resources at hand that you do: social media, an author website, and a blog.
Social media is how you build trust with prospective readers, deepen relationships with the readers you already have, and boost traffic to your website and online venues where readers can purchase your books.
Personal Notes
Some people think I’m on social media 24/7. Absolutely not. Like you, I try to maintain a healthy balance in my life. I hike and work out at home (at home since the pandemic). When the pandemic ends, I’ll return to dancing to the blues during the summer concert season where I live. Until recently, I was a volunteer foster mom with the Golden Gate Labrador Retriever Rescue, based in San Francisco. That’s how Paisley, pictured at right, came to me.
And I like something else: a great glass of red wine (Ramazotti’s sangiovese comes to mind) and tequila. My favorite is the Casamigos Anejo, formerly owned by George Clooney. Recently, my husband and I became wine club members at Calagrossi, a small, local winery in Sonoma County (California) where we live. Doesn’t everyone belong to a wine club? Well, where I live they do.
If you’re on any social media networks, connect with me. I’m active on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and to a lesser degree Pinterest and LinkedIn.
But enough about me.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or don’t know how to approach social media or start integrating social media into your book marketing plan, let’s talk. I’m here to help you.
You can always get started with a social media audit. It’s a great way to begin a conversation with me.
Review/Testimonial Left on Amazon for The Author’s Guide to Goodreads
Frances Caballo is a rock star. When someone is accessible on social media, advocates for authors, and gives away content that has value for authors, you’d better listen to everything she says. And though it’s for your own good, it doesn’t taste like bad medicine! Her articles, course content and e-books are chock full of great advice, written in an engaging manner. Highly recommended. ~ Mike Sahno