Whether you’re a new author or an experienced one, whether you understand marketing or not, you do need to know about social media marketing.
Wikipedia puts it pretty simply:
“Social media marketing is the process of gaining website traffic or attention through social media sites. Social media marketing programs usually center on efforts to create content that attracts attention and encourages readers to share it with their social networks.”
If you don’t have an author website, at the very least, you should have a couple of social media accounts.
And you should post promotional blurbs about your books to those accounts.
Social media helps broaden your reach and sell books. And as authors, it’s necessary to be involved in it.
While you may not want to get knee-deep in social media marketing, you do need to get your feet wet; that is, if you want to get you and your books visible.
STEPS TO START A SOCIAL MEDIA BOOK MARKETING CAMPAIGN
1. Open two or three social media accounts.
If you don’t already have social media accounts, it’s a good idea to open 2 or 3 now.
Some worthwhile networks are Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Pinterest, and Instagram.
According to Google’s AI, TikTok is “an excellent, high-leverage network for authors to boost visibility, connect with readers, and drive significant sales through the BookTok community.”
I created an account about a year ago, but haven’t followed through with it. I couldn’t get past the nonstop, unrelated, and unwanted videos in my stream. But I will look into it again as it’s supposed to be great at promoting genre fiction through short-form videos.
2. The profile
Each network allows you to create a profile for your account. And these profiles matter.
Your profile gives other users a quick look at who you are and what you're offering. I've gotten a couple of queries based on my profile on Instagram and LinkedIn. Again, they matter.
Think marketing. You want to convey what you're offering.
You only have a little 'content real estate' in the profile description, so make it count.
It’s also essential to include keywords for your niche/industry. This helps other users know what you can do for them.
And in everything you do online, be professional.
To get an idea of profiles, check out other users in your niche or industry.
3. The profile banner area.
Definitely take advantage of the profile banner area. If you don't know how to create your own banner, hire someone on Fiverr to do it for you for around $10. It'll be worth every penny.
As an example, my primary business is children's ghostwriting, rewriting, and coaching. So, with branding in mind, I created a banner in line with my brand:
I have the same banner on all my social networks. You might want to do the same with your brand. I use LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
I focus on LinkedIn, since I've gotten work from the network. I've also gotten work from Instagram, but that may have been a fluke.
TikTok is another possibility. According to Google’s AI, it’s “an excellent, high-leverage network for authors to boost visibility, connect with readers, and drive significant sales through the "BookTok" community.”
I created an account about a year ago but haven’t’ followed through with it. I couldn’t get past the nonstop unrelated and unwanted videos in my stream. But I will look into it again as it’s supposed to be great at promoting genre fiction through short-form videos.
4. Social Media Blurbs, Memes, and Posting
An example of this is my book, How to Write a Children’s Fiction Book. I created blurbs for it that I post on my social networks.
You can create around five or more blurbs to post to your networks.
If you lack the skills, tools, or inclination, you can hire someone to do them for you.
Then, simply post them daily to your networks.
Social media can be powerful. You should take advantage of every free feature the networks offer.
WORD OF ADVICE
While social media marketing is an essential part of book marketing, you don’t want to spend too much time on it.
You should be working on a second, third, or tenth book, or more.
BRANDING
Keeping your branding consistent is important; you will eventually be recognized by your colors and logo.
Note: As an author, you really do need to have an author website.
I’m a working children’s ghostwriter, rewriter, and coach. I can help turn your idea, outline, or manuscript into a book you’ll be proud to be the author of, one that’s publishable and marketable.
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