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?
(BTW: The text on my cap above reads: Fight Evil, Read Books.)
My Experience
I’ve written guest posts for Joanna Penn and Jane Friedman’s blogs 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.
A New Service
For select clients, I can also use my list of industry experts to secure guest blogging posts and podcast guest opportunities for you. I’ll even suggest topics for your to blog about. And if you need help researching those blog posts, I’ll do that too. I’ll even write blog posts for you.
I’m a solopreneur. You have my assurance that I won’t ever hand off your account to an assistant. I take pride in my work and my 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 (during the pandemic I purchased weights). When the pandemic ends, I’ll return to dancing to the blues during the summer concert season where I live.
I fostered Labrador Retrievers for a regional rescue for about 4-1/2 years. I grew up with a black Lab and have had three in my adult life. Pictured here is Dixie, an English Lab I adopted when she was eight years old. She was a phenomenal treasure and a gift to my life.
When Dixie turned eight, her breeder didn’t want her anymore. So the breeder surrendered Dixie to the rescue I was helping and she quickly became mine. I still think of her every day.
And I like something else: a great glass of red wine (Ramazotti’s sangiovese comes to mind) and tequila, but only if it’s Casamigos Anejo, formerly owned by George Clooney. Recently, my husband and I became wine club members at Ramazotti, a small family winery in Northern California. Doesn’t everyone belong to a wine club? Well, where I live they do.
If you’re on social media, please connect with me. I’m active on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and to a lesser degree Pinterest and LinkedIn.
I’m Here to Help You
But enough about me.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or don’t know how to approach social media or integrate 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. Or, sign up for my free, email-based social media marketing course for authors course. You’ll receive one lesson a week.
In just two weeks, Frances Caballo has turned my social media accounts around! She worked with my branding guidelines for my books to create an innovative editorial plan for true engagement with my followers. Her graphics are beautiful and always further the brand story that I’m trying to tell. She is a true partner and a joy to work with! Best of all, the numbers speak for themselves! ~~ Constance Sayers, author of “A Witch in Time” (Redhook, 2020) and “The Ladies of the Secret Circus” (Redhook, 2021).