The Best of #CorgiYA, And The Benefits of Social Media Silliness
Back in August, my wife jokingly suggested that we make a Twitter account for our dog, Augustus. I'd been occasionally tweeting about him being my "assistant" at P.S. Literary, and she thought it might be funny to make a profile of him doing just that.
And now he has over 1,200 Twitter followers. For a corgi tweeting his life goal of being a literary agent. The Internet is a wonderful place.
One of the quirky things I've been doing with Auggie's Twitter account, is Photoshopping corgis into YA books. Poorly for the most part, and sometimes spending WAY more time than I should on others. #CorgiYA was born, and it's a fun way to distract myself.
To celebrate his 1,000 follower landmark, I offered up a query critique contest. The best #CorgiYA would win a query critique from me and Augustus. Mine will be real, Auggie's will be silly. And much to my surprise, a bundle of people jumped in to play along! Authors, editors, agents, publishers... it was a very fun few days on Twitter.
And I can't talk about doing a social media game without pointing at the analytics of the fun.
corgi ya analytics
With over one million impressions and the reach to over 600,000 people, over 250 folks participating in favoriting, retweeting, talking about and creating their own images... a lot of people were engaged in having fun with this thing. It pulled in about 100 new followers for Auggie's account and my own.
Remember, writers in the social media world. It doesn't all have to be "BUY MY BOOK" to get people paying attention to you and sharing your stuff. In fact, it shouldn't be. No one is on social media to be promoted at. They are here to have fun.
Do things like this. Have fun.
I also have to call out Ashley Ruggirello in particular here. She made some of my favorites in this game. I know she does freelance cover designs, and my goodness, her Photoshops during this were gorgeous. If you're looking for a designer, please drop her a line.
As for winners, my three winners were from Lyndsay Ely, Ari Faye, Ashley Ruggirello, and The Book Voyagers. "Eric wait that's four." I know. I may have seen a query from one of these folks and given them notes already. So one is an honorary winner.
Here are the best of the best, starting with my four winners. Enjoy!
treats you give
WINNER: From Ash Ruggirello
CORGKEEPER
WINNER: From Lyndsay Ely
WHEN THE MEAT WAS OURS
WINNER: From The Book Voyagers
wink corgi midnight
WINNER: From Ari Faye
Miss Peregrine Corgi
From @LyndsayEly
THE CORGI WITCH
From The Book Voyagers
CORGI GUIDE TO VICE
From The Book Voyagers
THE YOUNG CORGIS
From Riata Brown
THE SPINDLE CORGI
From Lexa Hillyer
TROUBLE FEATHERS
From The Book Voyagers
an abundance of corgis
From Ernie Chiara
the gilded corgi
From Kelly deVos
frost corgi
From Kelly deVos
tyranny
From Gwen Katz
corgi thousand skies
From Paper Lantern Lit
SIX OF CORGIS
From Ash Ruggirello
forgetting
From L. Ryan Storms
a corgi in time
From Ari Faye
fantastic corgis
From Ash Ruggirello
SIX OF CORGIS 2
From Ari Faye
infinite corgis
From Maria Vicente
this corgi song
From Ari Faye
our bark duet
From Ari Faye
corgi things
From Ash Ruggirello
simon corgi
From Ash Ruggirello
vicious corgi
From Ash Ruggirello
the corgi before
From Ash Ruggirello
sad perfect corgis
From Kelly DeVos
corgis on the edge
From Kelly DeVos
the black witch
From Kelly DeVos
the corgi races
From Lyndsay Ely
if i sit
From Ash Ruggirello
and i corgi
From Ash Ruggirello
against all barking
From Carrie Cuinn
the corgi king
From Ash Ruggirello
RESIST THE CAGES
From Jay Elliot Flynn
lord of the fleas
From Lyndsay Ely
hammers on bone
From 3D Pat
tiny pretty corgis
From The Book Voyagers