Social Media Friends: Invaluable, Important Resources

I adapted my old print (newspaper) skills to the online world on Labor Day weekend 2010. Since that time I've amassed over 4 million hits on my sports, news and interview features for a variety of online outlets. Social media connections (aka friends) have been the main factor driving this ongoing success. 

Exceeding expectations

Approximately four years ago I was hoping to find some way to develop an alternative income by using my current skills. The unexpected growth of where online writing has taken me in my career and my life can't be fully expressed within this digital space. Suffice it to say, I'm always amazed at how many regular readers of my features there are and where these individuals are located around the globe. What I've gained from these connections is immeasurable. 

Applying information to your own life

My advice to anyone who wants to try and actually earn a living by writing online (about any topic) is to first make, maintain and continue creating as many genuine social media connections as you possibly can. Doing so will take a great amount of time and consistent commitment. 

However, just as with real-life connections, these human links will begin to pay off in unanticipated ways. Most importantly, beyond any business pursuits, you will find that genuine friendships will result from social media pursuits. And the many great people who I've gotten to know since 2010 are certainly worth writing about.

Thank you  

Thank you to the thousands (yes, thousands) of people who I've interacted with directly through social media during this decade. Always remember that I will continue helping you, as you have helped me, whenever and however I can.

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My illustrated children's book: Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile officially became a Top 10 Amazon best-seller as of January 29, 2014. The print and ebook editions were initially released in August, 2013.

This amazing real-life story remains within Amazon's Top 100 rankings this month (April, 2014). The book previously appeared within Amazon's Top 50, 40, 30, 20, and 10 illustrated children's books during the past five months. 

I couldn't be more pleased at the worldwide response to this story. Every connection helps to raise awareness about an important children's cause. 

Children's Alopecia Project

50% of all proceeds from the sale of our book (in both print and ebook forms) are being donated to the Children's Alopecia Project (CAP).

What a ride

This incredible and unexpected ride began in the spring of 2011. By August 2013, the book was published by the Children's Alopecia Project in print form. We have been very pleased with sales of that edition. Use, or share, this link --->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to purchase the printed book directly from CAP.

I published a special ebook edition within weeks of the print book release. After starting in the tens of thousands (in terms of Amazon's children's book rankings), Maddie broke into the Top 50 just prior to Christmas. It climbed through the 30s and settled in the upper 20s before breaking into the Top 10.  

Use, or share, this link --->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to see a 'free-view' of the special ebook edition. 

I've included extra bonus features in this version that provide background information, extra photos, and illustrations. Each item helps to tell the complete story of this book's birth. 

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Here's a link to this great (print and online) article that the Reading Eagle recently published about our story Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile: Book chronicles Wyomissing teen's journey since being diagnosed with alopecia

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Thank you to Stacey Stauffer (Fox 29 Philadelphia). She interviewed Madison Woytovich, her parents (Jeff and Betsy Woytovich) and me about the latest chapter in this inspiring story. Here's a video link to Stacey's wonderful feature. 

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Feel free to click on any of my interviews with famous athletes and sports' personalities...

Martin Brodeur: Discusses His Record-Setting Shutout Total and Key Rivalries 
Jaromir Jagr: Current NHL Forward and Future Hall of Famer
Philadelphia Flyers' Bernie Parent: Postgame reflections 
Bobby Clarke: Philadelphia Flyers' Legend Talks Hockey
Ron Hextall Recalls His Greatest Season
Kerry Fraser: NHL Referee is Still Making the Right Calls

Vince Papale: Former Philadelphia Eagle/Subject of the Movie "Invincible"
Kevin Turner: Former Philadelphia Eagle Discusses ALS-Concussion Link

Ron Meyer: Blessed2Play Sports Talk Show Has Global Reach
Allison Baver: US Olympian Facing Every Challenge

It only takes a few minutes to read some of my other stories as well:

Horror Story: It Was Crawling Up My Chest!
Television Haiku Poem
My First Car Was An All-Time Classic
The Best Holiday Memories

When Baseball Cards Were King
Could One Baseball Shatter The Summer?
The Night Lenny Dykstra Was Swinging In The Rain
5 Traits of Hardcore Philadelphia Phillies' Fans

Philadelphia Flyers' Topps Hockey Card Mystery Revealed
5 Lessons Flyers' Fans Have Taught The Hockey World
5 Traits Old School Flyers' Fans Possess

Here's a selection of my interviews with broadcasters, actors, models and more...

Fox Television's Erin Como Reveals Her Timeless Model for Success: Interview

A Model's Life: An Interview with Kourtney Reppert

Ellen Wasser-Hrin: Behind the Scenes of the Modeling World
Model and Actor Rachael Platt-McMullan Proves Why Dreams Are Worth Pursuing 

Samantha Paisley's Great Success Story
Megan Irminger: Model Management Agency Has Another Rising Star

An Actor's Life: An Interview with Mary Frick

An Artist's Life: An Interview with Adrienne Trafford

The Always Fashionable Biana DeMarco

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Amazon.com is the number 1 online publishing platform in the world. That's why I used it to publish my first ebook: 

Fast Fiction and Other Stuff.

This mini-tome is a collection of stories and poems for readers who don't take themselves too seriously. I hope that you enjoy it and am always interested in your feedback. 

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Visit my Examiner Contributor Page, or my Yahoo Contributor Page.

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Let's connect on Twitter @SeanyOB, through Facebook, or on LinkedIn.

Books: Public speaking engagements are valuable

I was happy to address an educators' conference that was recently held at DeSales University. The Diocese of Allentown (Pennsylvania) invited me to speak about my background, professional experiences, and having made a mid-career change to become a teacher within the last decade. I also was asked to share the story of how my illustrated children's book (Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile) was conceived, written, and published. 

Connected to the right people

I was humbled that the Diocesan Office of Education purchased copies of Maddie leading up to the conference as well. This real-life story about how a young girl responded to being diagnosed with alopecia and has taught others to embrace differences is now available in every elementary school in the Diocesan's five-county area. 

I requested the inclusion of Jeff Woytovich as part of my presentation as well. Jeff founded the Children's Alopecia Project (CAP) in 2004 and has addressed many groups in the years since. He's Madison's (Maddie's) father. 50% of all book sales are being donated to CAP.

Generosity and kindness

Every children's book author knows that opportunities to speak publicly are valuable. Bulk book purchases (that are also then made available within a school system for student use) are clearly welcomed as well. 

Thank you to everyone connected to the Diocese for your generosity and kindness. You are helping to raise awareness about a cause that affects many children in our world.

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My illustrated children's book: Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile officially became a Top 10 Amazon best-seller as of January 29, 2014. The print and ebook editions were initially released in August, 2013.

This amazing real-life story remains within Amazon's Top 100 rankings this month (April, 2014). The book previously appeared within Amazon's Top 50, 40, 30, 20, and 10 illustrated children's books during the past five months. 

I couldn't be more pleased at the worldwide response to this story. Every connection helps to raise awareness about an important children's cause. 

Children's Alopecia Project

50% of all proceeds from the sale of our book (in both print and ebook forms) are being donated to the Children's Alopecia Project (CAP).

What a ride

This incredible and unexpected ride began in the spring of 2011. By August 2013, the book was published by the Children's Alopecia Project in print form. We have been very pleased with sales of that edition. Use, or share, this link --->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to purchase the printed book directly from CAP.

I published a special ebook edition within weeks of the print book release. After starting in the tens of thousands (in terms of Amazon's children's book rankings), Maddie broke into the Top 50 just prior to Christmas. It climbed through the 30s and settled in the upper 20s before breaking into the Top 10.  

Use, or share, this link --->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to see a 'free-view' of the special ebook edition. 

I've included extra bonus features in this version that provide background information, extra photos, and illustrations. Each item helps to tell the complete story of this book's birth. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here's a link to this great (print and online) article that the Reading Eagle recently published about our story Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile: Book chronicles Wyomissing teen's journey since being diagnosed with alopecia

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you to Stacey Stauffer (Fox 29 Philadelphia). She interviewed Madison Woytovich, her parents (Jeff and Betsy Woytovich) and me about the latest chapter in this inspiring story. Here's a video link to Stacey's wonderful feature. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amazon.com is the number 1 online publishing platform in the world. That's why I used it to publish my first ebook: 

Fast Fiction and Other Stuff.

This mini-tome is a collection of stories and poems for readers who don't take themselves too seriously. I hope that you enjoy it and am always interested in your feedback. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let's connect on Twitter @SeanyOB, through Facebook, or on LinkedIn.