Excerpt: The presence of social networks have changed the way marketers and marketing functions happen in the entertainment industry. However, the markers of success remain the same – popularity ( fan base) and sales - and the global presence offered by social media networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter presents a golden opportunity that many writers and musicians have exploited to their best advantage. Unfortunately, international artistes seem to be way ahead of their Caribbean counterparts, this is clear if you pay attention to their activities of both on Twitter and Facebook.
In the business of books Caribbean writers use the Facebook and Twitter sites in an intimate way, with the aim being involving readers in their lives by asking questions, sharing anecdotes, posting pictures of travel or of things of paramount interest to the readers For example Kei Miller, with less than a hundred followers on twitter, is a young Jamaican writer living in England who as of recently has been updating his page with notes on his journey throughout the United states. The more popular Colin Channer, who does not have a twitter account, relives his love for the reggae music industry daily, while keeping his fans abreast of the developments with Caribbean and International writers on Facebook – he has less than 1,000 friends. This niche marketing provides a more focused dialogue that is potentially a powerful tool, except both authors have only a small following. Read More
