Posted on April 29, 2019 at 9:00 AM by Guest Author

Authors and social media go together well, allowing writers to connect with readers in a quick, efficient manner. Learn more about why you should be promoting books (and yourself) on social media.

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Why Authors and Social Media Go Together So Well

“Readers are not sheep, and not every pen tempts them.”

— Vladimir Nabokov, Lectures on Literature

To ensure a book’s success, authors have to overcome a number of hurdles. One of the most difficult is putting the title in front of the right audience. 

No matter how much time and effort you’ve poured into your book, the simple fact is that not everyone will find it entertaining, engaging, or enjoyable. 

However, if you’re able to reach out to those your book will appeal to, your chances of increasing book sales will be significantly higher.

And that’s where social media comes into play.

Earlier this year, it was determined that there are more than 3.4 billion active social media users across the globe.

Even if you reduced that number to only those individuals who fit your reader demographics, you would still wind up with hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of people to whom you could sell your book. 

The sales potential is so great that if you’re not using social media in your book marketing efforts, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to connect with readers and put your title in front of them.

That’s why authors and social media go together so well. If you approach your social media activity the right way, you can not only increase sales of a single book but also grow your following so that future titles will receive more attention.      

The Benefits of Promoting Books on Social Media

It’s an affordable way to reach readers.

Paid advertising aside, promoting books on social media is still one of the most affordable ways to reach readers. 

Twitter tweets, Facebook posts, Instagram uploads, and Pinterest pins can all be sent out to the digital world with the click of a button.

Of course, you need to do everything you can to make yourself and your content stand out, but once you have a plan in place, all you’ll have to invest is your time.

You can send out information immediately.

Gone are the days when writers had to rely solely on journals and print magazines to promote their works.

Instead of having to wait on a monthly or quarterly publication to get the word out about your new book, you can use social media to connect with readers now.

Authors and social media go hand in hand because authors are always excited to share news about their work with readers who are likely to enjoy it, and social media allows that communication to happen within seconds.   

Just make sure you’re not so overeager that you make a massive blunder in one of your posts… 

It allows you to grow your following.

It’s important to remember that you’re not just promoting books on social media — you’re promoting yourself as an author.

Being present on various channels and engaging with readers allows you to form a deeper bond with them. And in doing so, you can slowly begin to cultivate a community of fans who want to stay up to date on you and your work. 

When you make every effort to connect with readers and give them a glimpse into your life (because they are interested — trust us), you’ll be able to expand your following with individuals who are more likely to purchase and recommend your work.   

You can use different mediums to speak to your audience.

The great thing about social media is that you’re not limited to a single medium with which to promote yourself and your work. 

You can submit pictures, videos, infographics, letters, links to blog posts, quick shout-outs…

As long as you adhere to each platform’s rules, the possibilities are endless. 

Mixing it up with regard to what you post on social media doesn’t just make the task of remaining active easier on you; it also keeps your followers engaged.

Posting the same type of content day after day can get boring, but if you alternate videos, posts, and pictures, you can make it so your followers look forward to every new update. 

Social Media Tips & Content Ideas for Authors

Unsure about how to begin promoting books on social media, let alone yourself? Here are some best practices for those who want to connect with readers online. 

Talk with your followers, not at them.

Make every effort to get your followers talking. Host Q&A sessions, ask for their opinions, share content you think they’ll enjoy, etc.

People love when they’re able to communicate with the authors they admire.  

Ensure your branding is consistent across all platforms.

Since your readers are likely on multiple platforms, it’s important to make sure the look and feel of your page is consistent.

For example, if the cover of your latest novel is featured on your Twitter page, consider doing the same for your Facebook page and LinkedIn profile.  

Extend your reach by applying relevant hashtags.

Hashtags allow you to extend your reach beyond your current following, which is why it’s worth using them in every post.

However, don’t just add hashtags that are popular — add those that relate to your work

Don’t be afraid to get personal.

Though the ultimate goal of the relationship between authors and social media is to get readers interested in order to increase book sales, it’s also an opportunity to really connect with readers and create a community.

Give your followers an inside look by posting photos of your workspace. Tell them how you get inspiration for your writing. Thank them for contributing to your accomplishments.

Heck, you can even share photos of your “four-legged co-writer.”  

Takeaway

Though authors and social media form a powerful pairing, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed at first.

Don’t assume you have to tackle every platform available just to reach as many people as you can. Instead, take the time to determine your reader demographics and select the platforms your readers are actually using.   

Once you have a solid plan in place for your online activity, you can begin promoting books on social media, growing your following, creating a community, and increasing your book sales. 

>>> Looking for other ways to improve your book’s chances of success?
Download our free 5-Step Guide to Increased Book Sales!<<<

Categories: Behind the scenes

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