Promote on Social Media Without Being Overwhelmed

Social media can be an author’s best friend–if used wisely. When I first started using it, I was excited to connect with old friends and meet lots of new ones. Then it became overwhelming to try to be in so many places and make updates on all of them.

You can use social media without burning yourself out, wasting time or spamming others. Even if you're not completely comfortable sharing, you get to decide what to share with others. There's no requirement that you must provide a lot of personal details.

In the end, if you're not comfortable, it won't work. Forcing yourself to post will become chore if you really hate it. Pick the platforms you prefer to use.

Twitter – Good for quick interactions. Don’t feel pressured to get personal or comment on every “think piece” thread that goes by. If you prefer to share your book news with a bit of personal mixed in, that's fine. Take advantage of the opportunity to connect with other writers by using the #writingcommunity hashtag. 

Facebook – Most authors probably have at least a fan page here. The downside is that organic reach is pretty much non-existent compared to what it used to be. So, if you don’t want to boost posts, or pay for ads, joining groups and hosting live events are other ways to make connections. 

LinkedIn – Actually a good place for writers since it includes lots of writing and publishing groups. If you have a premium membership, you can take classes through LinkedIn Learning.

Instagram - An ideal place to share images including, book quotes, book covers and short blurbs. You can also share Stories and videos on IGTV.

Spotify – Do your characters have a favorite song? Do you have music that inspires you while you work? Share your playlists with your readers.

Pinterest – If you’re a visual person you’ll easily get lost on this site. So, don’t use it if you can’t keep track of time! Set up boards to post images that describe your characters or settings from your book. Create a board for inspiration or for research. There's really no limit to how you can use this platform to spur your creativity.

Social media can help you to connect with readers around the world. But don’t rely on just one way to reach out to your fans and promote your books. You’ll never know where you’ll find your readers – or where they’ll find you. 

The best thing is, you don't have to be on every platform. And you certainly don't have to post all day long. Pick your favorite platforms and have fun with it.