Let’s talk about social media. One of the most common challenges that writers have is knowing what stuff to post on social media that readers will love.
As a writer, I can tell you I understand how you feel.
If you’re a writer who wants to connect with readers, then it’s time to learn how to build and manage your social media presence.
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links.
Let’s Deal with the Elephant in the Room
Before we go too far, I think we need to address the elephant in the room. Whether I’m at a conference or in a meeting with other writers, I often hear writers say, “I hate social media.”
If this is you, I think you should take a few minutes to understand why you don’t like using social media. Make a list and be honest with yourself.
If you cannot find any good reason for being on social media or don’t think it will help you build your writer platform, don’t do it. Give yourself permission to stay away from social media. Don’t torture yourself, and don’t let anyone make you feel bad about your decision.
If you decide to move forward, identify what you will and will not do in building your social media presence.
Find at Least One Social Media Platform
One mistake people often make is trying to post content on every social media platform. Please don’t do it. My advice for writing students is to start with one social media channel. Just one. Once you master one, add another site to your plan.
The social media channel you choose should:
- Align with your target audience;
- Fit with your goals and values; and
- Help you deliver content that is relevant to your audience.
Therefore, if you’re wondering which social media site is right for you, here’s a list to consider.
The Facts about Social Media Followers
If you are on social media, you want to have followers. But don’t try to take shortcuts. Avoid those ads promising 5,000 followers for $100. You do not need to buy followers.
But don’t drive yourself crazy by only focusing on how many followers you have or if every follower will buy your books or products.
Whether you have 25 or 250,000 followers, the most important thing to focus on is being informative and helpful to anyone who visits your social media platform.
Focus on connecting people with information that helps them be more informed about your niche, genre, or writing community.
Here are Ten Tips on How Writers can use Social Media
Create a social media schedule
While managing your social media account doesn’t have to take hours, you should schedule a time to distribute content your readers will love. HubSpot offers a social media calendar template for free.
Post consistently
Based on your schedule, post consistently. According to HubSpot, here’s a complete list of the Best Time to Post on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, & Pinterest
Promote other articles/information in your niche/genre
As you come across interesting articles, blog posts, and videos, share this information with your followers. Only post information you think is relevant to your audience.
Follow people
If you are building your brand for your writing business, follow other writers, authors, agents, or publishers. Look for opportunities to connect with some of your followers or collaborate on writing projects.
Use eye-catching photos
Include an image in your posts. The image is what helps people stop scrolling to take a closer look. I like to use vibrant, high-quality, colorful images for my posts. But you should use images that represent your brand.
Captions
When writing captions, you have to strike the right balance between sharing too much information and sharing enough to pique the reader’s interest. Write strong captions that tell stories, ask questions, or offer quotes that draw the reader into your post. Captions should be easy to read and should include white space, which offers a better reading experience.
Hashtags
Hashtags allow social media users to connect to other people commenting on the same topics. For example, a lot of writers use the hashtag #amwriting. If you include #amwriting as part of your post on Twitter, your post will show up in the #amwritingcommunity. Some popular hashtags for writers include: #books #bookstagram #author #booksandcoffee #booksandwine #booksandcats #authorsofinstagram #writersofinstagram #amwriting #amreading #tbr #galleygrab #stacksonstacks #bookhaul #bookclub
Use automated tools
I like to batch my content and schedule my posts at the start of each week. This helps me to avoid posting multiple times per day. To do this, I use tools like CoSchedule, Buffer, and Tailwind. You can include this step as part of your plan.
Dealing with haters
Social media comes with pros and cons. One of the cons is dealing with unpleasant people. If you post something that angers someone, there are a few things you can do.
- Decide whether you should address the comments. Lots of LinkedIn posts are full of people expressing their likes or dislikes on topics related to politics, discrimination, social injustice, and religion. But not every comment deserves a response from you.
- If you decide to respond, offer a positive response using messaging you would like to direct to your target audience.
- Don’t repeat the negative comments.
- Don’t share the attacker’s messages.
- If the attacker has a problem with a purchase they made from your writing business, try to take the discussion offline and deal with the complaint according to your refund policy.
Don’t be afraid to outsource
If you find social media challenging or you need to focus on finishing your next book, you can hire a social media specialist. Check out Fiverr or UpWork for help.
Stuff Authors Can Post on Social Media
So, what kind of stuff can authors post on social media? Here are a few ideas to consider.
- Offer your followers a glimpse of your writing process. Post information on how you brainstorm new ideas for your books or manage your time when writing.
- Run a LIVE Q&A session with fans. Schedule a live session with your followers to answer questions about your latest book or your writing routine.
- Show photos or videos that reveal your personal side. Allow your followers to see photos or videos of you doing things other than writing, like cooking, sightseeing, or playing with your pet.
If you’re looking for additional ideas, download a copy of 30 Content Ideas for Authors here.
In Summary
There are many ways to promote your book and promote yourself as a writer. Social media sites serve as additional channels to help writers and authors connect with readers, the publishing community, and other writers. If you are currently using social media, please share how you connect with your followers in the comments section.
