Social Media for Authors

Confused about social media for authors?  I’ll share my tips in this post.

In our digital world, it is essential for authors to have a social media presence. However, you do not need to do it all.  It is very easy to get overwhelmed when you think about social media marketing.  Don’t.  I recommend starting with 2-3 social media platforms where your audience hangs out.

Then, spend most of your time on one of the platforms.  Don’t try to spread yourself too thin.  It’s better to have a huge impact on one site than to have a small influence on a bunch of social media sites.  I personally spend most of my time on Facebook.

Create posts appropriate for each social media platform.  Realize each social media site has a different culture.  Just like a parent will treat each child differently in a family as they each have different personalities, we need to treat each of the social media platforms differently in our strategy too.

Follow the 80/20 rule.  80% of your posts should be social and only 20% related to your books, products, and services.  Try to avoid too much “horn-tooting.”

A Few Tips on Social Media for Authors

• Make sure to fill out your bios on all your social media profiles to include information about you and a link to your website, preferably your e-mail list where you offer a free gift when they sign up.
• Think about branding.  For branding purposes, it is best to use the same headshot across all social media platforms.
• Limit your time.  Set a timer.  Seriously, just do it!
• Don’t let it take over your life.  Set boundaries.

Four General Considerations

1. Consistency is key when it comes to social media.
2. Let your personality shine.
3. Engage and interact with your audience.
4. Change your mindset about marketing – instead of seeing it as self-centered and pushy, see it as helping your target audience.

17 Ideas of What to Post on Social Media

1. Ask an engaging question.
2. Get feedback on book covers.
3. Post about a sale, coupon, or a giveaway.
4. Share a snippet from a review (don’t overdo).
5. Share other people’s quality content (i.e. retweet on Twitter, share on Facebook/G+).
6. Share a free excerpt.
7. Share about a significant milestone in your career as an author.
8. Congratulate others on their accomplishments.
9. Share about an informative blog post you have written.
10. Post an announcement.
11. Reveal something personal.  This humanizes you and makes you real.
12. Share a video related to your niche (one you create or one someone else has created)
13. Create a “pick your favorite” post.
14. Share a resource.
15. Share an inspirational quote.
16. “Caption This”
17.   Answer your reader’s questions.  This can be done via text, audio, video, etc.

Success leaves clues.  Watch how other successful authors in your genre interact and engage with their fans.

Download my free social media templates here: http://sevendaysocial.com/free/

Conclusion

What other suggestions do you have regarding social media for authors?

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