Friday, April 08, 2011

Google Alerts

For the A to Z Challenge, I’m posting promo and other tips for writers. Today it’s Google Alerts.

Are you using Google Alerts?

Google Alerts keep you on top of topics important to you - or about you! Alerts arrive via email with links to sites mentioning the words or phrases you requested.

To set up these Alerts, go to your Google account (or create one) and click on Alerts. Enter your words or phrase and select how often (daily, weekly, etc.) you wish to receive them. Google will search the web for you and deliver all related posts to your inbox.

Suggested:

Your… name, book title(s), company, blog/website
And other items of interest.

Stay on top of the news and trends! And you want to know what people are saying about you…

What’s on your Google Alerts list?

27 comments:

Lou Belcher said...

Yes, I've been using Google Alerts for the titles of my book and for the names of my blogs. I find the tool very helpful in keeping up and also in brainstorming topics.

Lou

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

A very good piece of information, didn't know about that. Thanks.

Yvonne.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I get Google alerts for my name and book!

Jessica Bell said...

Hmm, good idea. No I haven't set myself up for this. Thanks for the advice!

Unknown said...

You're kidding? That's so cool. I'm off to set up some alerts now. Thanks!!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Lou and Alex, good for you!

Jessica and Nicole, it's a great way to keep track of book reviews, too.

The Old Silly said...

Thanks for the reminder - I've been meaning to update my Google alerts, but keep forgetting! LOL, must be the 'Half-Heimers'?

Marvin D Wilson

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Like Marvin, I need to update my alert! Thanks for this reminder. :)

Jules said...

I so need to do this, thanks for the "How-to!" :)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

I use this and it is helpful. Was a little scary when I got my obituary -- perils of a common name. LOL

MaryV

Anonymous said...

I have TREMP and BREAKTHROUGH for my Google alerts. I found out there is a Tremp, Spain this way. I have to visit there sometime.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Mary, that must've been a big surprise to you!

Stephen, that's funny.

TerryLynnJohnson said...

yes, I do get nice surprises using google alerts. I'll probably keep using it until I get a not so nice surprise.

Gregg Metcalf said...

I wasn't aware of this "service." Thanks for highlighting it and I will check it out!


Gregg Metcalf
Colossians 1:28-29

Gospel-driven Disciples

Laura S. said...

I don't use this, and I'm not I'd want to! Too bad you can't customize it to tell Google to send only the positive reviews and mentions, lol.

Shari said...

I don't use it now, but possibly in the future. Thanks for the heads up.

Leovi said...

Interesting facts did not, and is very handy, thank you very much. Greetings.

Angela said...

I've never done Google Alerts, but honestly, I wonder if I'd really want to know if people were saying nasty stuff about me behind my back.

Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

Unknown said...

I have alerts for my name and my blog. Mostly I end up deleting them, but you never know!

Jemi Fraser said...

Great advice Diane - off I go... :)

Monica said...

What a great post, thanks!! Found you from the A-Z Challenge, so far it’s been a lot of fun, with maybe with a little bit of stress thrown in!! I’m now following you on GFC and I hope you have a chance to check out my blog!
Monica
http://oldermommystillyummy.blogspot.com/

Claire Goverts said...

I don't currently use Google alerts, but I think I'll try it out. It might be interesting to see what it comes up with for my name. Nice use of G.

septembermom said...

Thanks for the tip. I'm going to check out google alerts now. Happy to meet you through the challenge.

Brooke from The Bluestocking Guide said...

I used to use it, but I found all the emails annoying.

Unknown said...

I have heard of this before but forgot to try it. Thanks for the reminder :-)

Tony Eldridge said...

This is one tip I've been using for a while. There is always something that I learn from them. It's like having a personal assistant keeping you updated on things you need to be aware of.

Arlee Bird said...

I'm enjoying your A to Z series. So much helpful information that is practical to all writers.

I have 4 different topics registered with Google Alerts and find it very useful. I have found many instances where someone was mentioning me or my blog and it gave me an opportunity to drop in to say hello and thanks. Without the Alerts I might have never known about it, especially since some of the sites were ones that I was not familiar with.

I've made some interesting finds through Google Alerts.


Lee
Tossing It Out
Twitter hashtag: #atozchallenge