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. 

Ways Authors Can Use Pinterest for Marketing and Inspiration

You might not want to be on yet another social media platform, but Pinterest is worth checking out (if you're not already there).

Though I've been on the platform for a while, I wasn't doing very much pinning. Finally, I decided to go back and see if I could do more with it.

First, I created boards related to my books. Then I added boards based on popular Pinterest topics, like food, quotes and home décor. After that, I added boards that reflected my interests: science fiction, fantasy, writing and blogging.

Not only are the boards giving prospective readers (and other writers) a snapshot of who I am, but they’ve also helped me to connect with other Pinterest users.

Organic reach isn't what it used to be on most social media platforms. But, since Pinterest is a search engine, links from there will rank pretty high in Google searches.

Marketers say that someone has to have several touch points before they’re ready to buy (or even to click). Some say 7, others say 20 or more. So, that means you have to get your book in front of your prospective reader many times before they might click for more information.

Ideas for book-related boards:

• Create boards based on your genre, your book series or individual books. 
• Pin your book covers (with links back to an online store)
• Start a board with images to use for inspiration (mood boards)
• Pin images that you can use as references (I created a board about mythological gods and goddesses from around the world)
• Collect motivational writing quotes and blog posts 

Because of my pinning, I’ve been asked to join a few group boards for writers and bloggers. Group boards will help your pins to be seen by even more people.

Remember I said Pinterest is a search engine? Well, that means when you search for various items on the platform, pins will show up in the results. Those pins also identify the pinner, so someone can find your pin (and you) when they’re searching for other things.

Pinterest has a lot of advantages for authors who are looking to market and to connect with other writers. Even better, book cover pins look great on the boards. What’s not to like?

Prepare to Promote Before You Finish the Book

Most authors realize very quickly that finishing the book is only the start of the journey. Marketing 

Taking advantage of our Halloween decorations last year for promo.

and promotion are a huge ongoing part of the writing journey that most authors would prefer to avoid.

Because often preparing to promote a new release, while marketing past books, and finding time to write (and having any kind of a life!) can become overwhelming.

I discovered this the hard way with the release of my first book years ago, and have worked since then to streamline the process. Since finding more time in the day seems to be an impossible task, my best bet is to squeeze additional time out of the hours I have by multi-tasking, or ramping up my organizational skills. 

1.     Start with Organization- Make a folder for your book on your computer, even if you don’t have the title yet, to keep all the information in one place. Be sure to label appropriately so you can easily identify the most recent copy. (I’ve learned this the hard way–more than once!)

2.    Tweeting & Pinning– While you’re doing final edits, save those lines that jump out on a separate document to use as promotional tweets, graphics and other media to entice readers. 

       Make Pinterest boards specific to each book and share pictures that inspired the story, links to information relevant to the story (such as if the heroine has a medical ailment, or save pictures from the time period or location of your story).

4.    The Making of the Media Kit– As you surmount each baby step in the birth of your latest book, don’t wait to start your media kit until everything is done. Develop your media kit template and then as each piece is completed begin to add in the cover, the blurb, the tagline, keywords, tweets and links so it’s not so much to undertake when you’re overwhelmed once release time arrives. 

      It will save you time if it’s ready to go once you’re ready to send information out for promotion on blogs and book reviewers.

5.    The Inside Scoop- Don’t know what to share in your newsletter while you’re waiting for your new release? Share the process of your book. Where you were inspired for the story, photos that might be tacked upon your inspiration board, let them have first dibs to the intricate workings of the author mind and let them see things first such as the cover, excerpt and release dates. 

Creepy picture that helped inspire my upcoming release NOT A CHANCE. 

      Everyone wants to be the one with inside information and it allows them to get excited with you as you wait for your new release. 

6.    Recycle- Recycling isn’t just good for the environment. It can save you time if you do it with your marketing material. If you’re participating in Facebook, or other promotional parties    with other authors, develop graphics (I use Canva) related to prior books and your upcoming  release. Recycle these posts ongoing as you schedule tweets, on your blog, Facebook page, or newsletter. 

 

 

Be Marketing All the Time

It’s often difficult for authors to have a marketing mindset, or some tend to market heavily when they have a new release and then you don’t hear a peep from them until the next book. 

One of your older books can still be new to someone. Don’t neglect ongoing marketing even when you don’t have a new release coming out. Being prepared with organized information at your fingertips can make the process easier and less time consuming. 

Share Your Tips for Ongoing Promotion Tips 

Author Bio: Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four

seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. Find Maureen on her website, Facebook& Twitter