Today is the day and I am uber excited to launch the #Meet50Bloggers tour. This tour has been a long awaited dream of mines; to connect with other creative like-minded individuals such as myself. On this tour you will meet a variety of creative souls who are making their footprint within the world; sharing experiences on marketing your books, starting and maintaining blogs, turning passion into profit and how others juggles with work | work balance.
On the blog today, we are introducing our first guest Mr. Troy Johnson, Founder and CEO of AALBC.com. AALBC.com is one of the most popular sites dedicated to the literary culture about people of color. Troy truly created a one stop shop for authors, readers and writers. AALBC offers great resources and articles for marketing your books for self-publishers and indie authors. Created back in 1997, AALBC.com is a go-to-platform for author profiles, author promotions, book reviews, book recommendations (book lists), interviews, helpful articles, videos, a plethora of literary services and my ultimate favorite event information.
Although Troy runs a digital website you can constantly find him out and about within the crowd. My first encounter with Troy was at one of his literary networking mixers in Harlem and from that day forth, I swear I have seen Troy at 90% of the literary events I have attended. I’m sure you’ve all heard the saying “It not what you know, it is who you know”; well Troy is one of those people to know.
Tell us how did AABLC.com begin and what inspired you to create this…
In the mid 90’s I built my first website to promote a sideline business I ran selling personal computers. Here is an archive of the website from 1996. Very soon after that I decided it would be easier and more fun to build websites for other businesses. In 1997, one of my clients explained that she loved her site, but it was not generating any revenue her business. I decided to build a new site, as an experiment, to learn how to make money with a website, so that I could better advise my clients. That website was AALBC.com
How has things changed for AABLC since the beginning when you started in 1997 and now?
There have been many profound changes that have taken place on the web in the almost 20 years since I launched AALBC.com. When I first launched my website most people did not have personal computers and even fewer had internet access. Today virtually everyone has access to the World Wide Web (WWW).
Perhaps the most significant change however has been the dominance and control exerted by a handful of massive corporations. As a result, everything is driven by revenue, which provides a distorted, and less rich, experience on the web.
How did you determine which books go on your website?
I rely on a wide variety of knowledgeable book professionals, avid readers, book clubs, best sellers, sponsors and of course books I find interesting
How important is being active on social media to your company?
Social media is becoming increasingly less important over time. In the early days of social media, I invested a lot of time and energy in developing a set of followers and fans on various social platforms. I did this as a way to inform that audience about content on AALBC.com and hopefully attract them to visit the site; organically. Over time I noticed, particularly on Facebook, that my ability to reach the audience I built has become increasingly more difficult. Essentially social media has become play to play. Sure periodically something goes viral (here is an analytics of a viral post from earlier in the year), but I’ve determined my time is much better spent focusing on improving my website and creating compelling content rather than engaging on social media.
Today I spend a few minutes a day on social media by posting a link or two back to my website. Today 3% of my website’s visitors come from social media. This has been the case over the last three years. 3% many not sound like a lot, but given the investment of time I’m happy with the trade off. Here is a recent analysis of my website’s overall traffic.
Do you feel there is added competition in the literary world for minorities, specifically people of color?
Sure, there are far more books being published today than ever before and fewer platform to showcase this work.
As a creator of a marketing platform for all genres of authors, what advice do you have for self-published authors who are starting in this new digital age?
This is a big question. However, I guess the most important thing to keep in mind is that technology is a tool. Use it, don’t let it use you. For example, in the case of social media I’m seeing more authors give up on creating their own blog or website and use Facebook as their main web presence. I understand why people do this–it is free and easy, but you can’t control the Facebook environment. Your creativity is limited by Facebook’s rigid structure, your access to your fans is limited, and why exclude potential readers who choose not to engage on Facebook?
The really interesting this about this phenomenon is that creating a website has never been easier or cheaper. Here is an article I wrote this every question: “5 Things Writers Must do to Survive Online”
Top five books to read this summer:
Why limit the list to five? Allow me to direct you to a curated list of some excellent upcoming reads: http://aalbc.com/books/comingsoon.php
Top five events someone should attend as an author and/or avid reader:
Again, why limit it to five? Here is a list of annual events across North America, There is something for everyone: http://aalbc.com/events/list.php
With millions of blogs popping up each year, more people self-publishing and creating their own avenue, what are your plans for keeping AALBC current as the world of social media evolves?
October 2016 will mark 19 years since I started AALBC.com. As mentioned the WWW is dramatically different today than it was when I started. I’m sure the changes over the next 19 years will be even more dramatic. I actually don’t measure AALBC.com’s progress in the context of social media. I appreciate that my perspective may be different than most, but this is because I predate social media. If I want to be around after social media this perspective is required for survival over the long term.
Again, social media is a tool, like many others I use, SEO, newsletters, and link building. In the short term, my plans include continuing my website redesign. I constantly make website improvements, but this is my 3rd and largest major site redesign, and it will take a year to complete site. The website is being migrated to a custom designed content management system I created that is optimized for mobile devices, and fully integrates 20 years of content. This page: http://aalbc.com/aalbcmemorylane.htm shows how the look of AALBC.com homepage has changed over the years, but of course the most significant changes take place in the underlying code.
To determine my long term plans I have to keep my eye larger trends in publishing, reader demographics, and the very nature of the web itself. Changes happen quickly and often unexpectedly. Adapting to and figuring out ways to exploit these changes is my biggest, ongoing challenge.
What is the best social platform for an author to start with?
For authors I have to recommend AALBC.com’s Discussion Forums: http://aalbc.com/tc These discussion forums go back to the early days of the website and all of our conversations are archived going back to 2002.
Is there a day job behind the literary king or is AALBC full-time?
AALBC.com is more than full-time for me, but the adage, “find something you love to do and you’ll never have to work a day in your life,” applies. I’m also an adjunct at Baruch College, New York City, where I teach an undergraduate course in web design.
Congratulations, on your nomination for Literary Activist of the Year by AAMBC Awards. How do you feel about the nomination, was it expected?
It was not expected, and of course it is wonderful to be recognized for your work by your peers. Tamika Newhouse is doing great things and helping to keep book world fun and exciting.
Favorite author…
Why chose one 🙂 I have several favorites. They may be found on this list: http://aalbc.com/authors/authors.php
Dream person to work with…
Of course there are many but I would start with lawyer, author and activist Randall Robinson. Robinson made the “case for reparations” a generation before Ta-Nehisi Coates, and has a keen understanding of our plight in America. More importantly, Robinson understands the need for Black people to reach across national borders to support each other. I think his sensibilities and knowledge would make AALBC.com better able to achieve our mission of celebrating Black culture through books.
What are your plans/projects for the next five years?
As mentioned my main focus right now website redesign. This however will position me for future growth and expansion. Over the next 5 years I plan to continue doing what I’ve always done but on a larger scale thanks in part to the improved platform I’m creating.
I also want to continue to expand my working relationships with other like minded people and businesses. One thing I have learned about the web, in the more than 20 years I’m been creating websites, is that you can survive working alone.
Keeping up with Troy…
On most social media platforms you can find me by simply searching for “aalbc.” But of course the best place to reach me is on http://aalbc.com.
the VIRGO GIRL FIVE THINGS TO ASK:
What would you tell your 21 year-old self?
Read more.
I start my day with…
Coffee
If you could invite any woman to dinner, who would it be?
My maternal grandmother. I never met her.
Best advice you have received?
Read more.
Life motto you live by?
Never say die.
About the Meet Fifty Bloggers Tour
Author and blogger Missy B. Salick is traveling the East Coast this summer to meet with fifty bloggers and writers to experience life away from the computer screen. “As writers it is easy for us to look up and see that days, weeks, months have passed and we’ve missed out on so much. I am using this opportunity to not only connect with my fellow blogger/writer friends, but to enjoy life again.” Salick is cruising from New York as far as Atlanta to meet and mingle with other like-minded creatives.
“Writing, while completely creative and entertaining, can be lonely, and it will be nice to meet up with others, share stories, and be part of the real world,” says Salick.
