Social Media for Self Publishers

Blogging: A Digital Platform to Establish Your Authorial Voice and Build a Loyal Readership

Blogging is a powerful tool for self-published authors to establish credibility, connect directly with their audience, and create a community around their work. Whether you blog on your own website or take advantage of third-party platforms like Medium, the key lies in consistently offering valuable content. Hosting a blog on your own site provides control over every aspect, from design to content. On the flip side, while you might lose some control on platforms like Medium, the potential for greater reach is undeniable. You can choose one or the other, or both!

Tips for marketing your book through blogging:

• Purchase a simple and memorable domain name or author title for your blog, either through a free platform like WordPress.com or Blogger.com. A personalized domain lends credibility and enhances brand recall for your book marketing.
• Stick to a posting schedule that keeps your audience engaged, aiming for well-researched and thoughtful posts rather than frequent but shallow ones. Consistency and quality together ensure you remain on your readers' radar and don't lose their attention.
• Engage directly with your readers by responding to their comments and questions on your blog posts. Building a sense of community around your blog retains current readers and attracts new ones, providing valuable feedback for future posts.
• Incorporate relevant keywords and phrases in your blog posts to enhance your site's visibility on search engines. This makes it easier for potential readers to find your work and boosts the marketing reach for your self-published book.
• Opt for a blog design emphasizing readability, using templates featuring dark text on a light background. A user-friendly design keeps your audience engaged and makes it more likely that they'll return to your blog.
• Foster connections with other bloggers by linking to their content and leaving insightful comments on their blogs. The sense of community and reciprocity this builds can result in broader exposure for your blog and book.
• Write guest posts for other blogs to leverage their existing audiences. This mutual exchange benefits both parties, as it exposes you to new readers who may be interested in your self-published book.
• Utilize your blog to build and maintain an email list for more direct marketing opportunities. An email list allows you to keep your audience updated about new releases, promotions, and other book-related news.
• Include calls to action (CTAs) in your blog posts directing readers to your book sales page or encouraging them to sign up for your newsletter. These CTAs serve as a direct funnel for your marketing efforts.
• Regularly review metrics such as visitor numbers, engagement rates, and the effectiveness of your CTAs to refine your blogging strategy over time. Tracking these numbers can offer insights into what's working and what needs adjustment.

Goodreads: Connect Directly with Avid Readers and Book Enthusiasts

Goodreads offers a unique platform that puts you directly in touch with your target audience: readers. Particularly for self-published authors, Goodreads is invaluable as it allows you to engage in discussions, host giveaways, and even receive reviews. Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, this platform provides many opportunities to interact with readers specifically interested in your genre.

Tips for Marketing Your Book on Goodreads

• Complete your Goodreads author profile with a professional author photo, bio, and links to your website or blog, ensuring readers who stumble upon your page can easily learn more about you and your work.
• Utilize the "Ask the Author" feature to answer questions from your readers or potential readers, offering a unique way to engage with your audience and provide additional insights into your work or writing process.
• Consider hosting a Goodreads giveaway to generate buzz about an upcoming release or to draw new attention to an existing title, remembering that giveaways often lead to increased reviews and ratings.
• Engage in Goodreads groups that align with your book's genre or subject matter, actively participating in discussions and contributing valuable insights to establish yourself as an expert or a dedicated member of that reading community.
• Keep your book listings up to date, including cover images, synopses, and release dates, and encourage satisfied readers to leave reviews, as these can significantly influence the book choices of the Goodreads community.

While Goodreads is one of the most popular platforms for authors and readers alike, other similar platforms offer various ways to connect with readers, gain reviews, and promote your work. Platforms like Bookly, LibraryThing, and many genre-specific forums and websites also offer valuable opportunities for self-published authors. It's worth exploring these alternatives to diversify your reach and connect with different audiences.

Social Media Book Advertising

We live in an era where almost everyone is engaged on social media in some form or another, with the average person spending close to 2.5 hours on social media a day! Due to this, social media is an indispensable tool for self-published authors to market their books. These platforms offer a plethora of opportunities to reach a broader audience, engage with readers, and even sell directly. Depending on your genre and target audience, some platforms may be more effective than others for social media book advertising. Here, we'll explore how to leverage popular social media platforms for your social media book advertising.

Facebook: Harnessing the Power of Community for Genre-Specific Book Promotion

For self-published authors, particularly those in popular genres like romance, mystery, or fantasy, Facebook provides a rich ecosystem for marketing. With its broad user demographic and the availability of specialized groups, you can easily find your niche and interact with potential readers. Facebook Ads also allow you to target specific audiences for paid promotions.

Tips for Marketing Your Book Publishing on Facebook

• Create a separate Facebook Page solely dedicated to your book publishing and writing career, ensuring a professional space separate from your personal account where readers can follow for updates, book releases, and other author-related news. (It also prevents you from annoying friends and family on your personal feed).
• Establish a dedicated Facebook Group for your fans and readers, giving them an exclusive platform for discussions, feedback, and first-hand news, strengthening your community and fostering long-term loyalty.
• Utilize Facebook Ads to reach a tailored audience, specifically targeting demographics such as age, interests, and behaviors that align with your book's genre or topic.
• Maintain a consistent posting schedule, sharing content like book excerpts, cover reveals, and behind-the-scenes insights to keep your audience captivated and informed about your book's progress and offerings.
• Interact with your fans in real time by leveraging Facebook Live for Q&A sessions, book readings, and interactive discussions, enhancing reader engagement and adding a personalized touch to your online presence.
• Monitor the effectiveness of your posts by using Facebook's analytics tools, allowing you to adjust your marketing strategies based on real-world data like engagement rates and audience demographics.
• Join and actively participate in Facebook Groups that align with your book's subject matter, offering valuable insights and comments that can indirectly promote your book and establish your expertise in the field.

LinkedIn: Navigating Business Networking for Book Publishing Success

LinkedIn is a fantastic platform for self-published authors, especially those focusing on business, non-fiction, and academic genres. It's a hub for professionals, making it an ideal place to connect with potential readers already in a mindset geared towards learning and professional development.

Tips for Marketing Your Book Publishing on LinkedIn

• Craft a detailed and descriptive title for your LinkedIn profile, including your status as an author and the genre or topics you specialize in, to immediately communicate your expertise and offerings when you interact on the platform.
• Maximize your profile's searchability by filling it out comprehensively; include your career history, awards, and especially the 'Publications' section, where you can highlight your books and provide direct links to purchase or learn more.
• Engage in LinkedIn Groups relevant to your book's subject matter, as these are often active and offer a platform to establish yourself as an authority; you can answer questions, share insights, and gradually make people aware of your book.
• Maintain a consistent posting schedule, sharing content like book excerpts, cover reveals, and behind-the-scenes insights to keep your audience captivated and informed about your book's progress and offerings.
• Leverage LinkedIn's advanced search features to identify and connect with key decision-makers or influencers in your genre or industry, increasing the odds of striking beneficial partnerships or gaining meaningful endorsements.
• Regularly share valuable content through LinkedIn’s news feed, including blog posts, articles, or other resources related to your book, keeping you in the minds of your connections.

Instagram: Visual Storytelling for Every Genre

Instagram is a visually-driven platform that offers a unique way to engage readers. Its visual nature makes it ideal for genres that can benefit from striking imagery, such as travel, lifestyle, cooking, and even fantasy. However, even if your book is more text-heavy, you can still leverage Instagram by using compelling visuals that relate to your book's themes, characters, or settings.

Tips for Marketing Your Book Publishing on Instagram

• Optimize your profile by including a captivating bio, a high-quality profile picture, and a direct link to your book or website to create a seamless experience for potential readers.
• Implement a thoughtful hashtag strategy by creating a unique hashtag for your book and incorporating other popular book-related hashtags to enhance the visibility of your posts.
• Strategically plan your visual content by mixing images, short videos, and Instagram Stories to showcase various aspects of your book, such as behind-the-scenes looks, character insights, and promotional snippets.
• Make a conscious effort to interact with your followers by responding to comments, liking and commenting on their posts, and encouraging more interaction via questions or small contests to create a thriving community.
• Regularly monitor key performance indicators through Instagram Insights to gauge the success of your book publishing posts, understand your audience better, and refine your content strategy accordingly.

Twitter and Twitter-Like Platforms: Expanding Your Reach Beyond Mainstream Social Media

Twitter has long been a stalwart in the social media space, often lauded for its real-time updates and global reach. However, it has recently become controversial for various reasons, including privacy concerns and spreading misinformation. Self-published authors who find Twitter's environment less than ideal might want to consider Twitter-like platforms that offer similar functionalities but with nuanced differences. These platforms can be particularly beneficial for genre-specific authors looking to connect with a more targeted audience.

Tips for Marketing Your Book Publishing on Twitter-Like Platforms

• Use relevant hashtags that align with your book, genre, or writing style to tap into existing online communities and trends, thereby increasing the visibility of your work.
• Actively engage in Twitter chats or equivalent discussions on alternative platforms, which are timed, organized conversations that allow you to network with other authors, readers, and experts in your genre.
• Keep an eye on trending topics within your genre or related fields and contribute to the conversation meaningfully, taking the opportunity to subtly promote your book or author brand.
• Utilize social media scheduling tools to post regular updates, but ensure you also engage in real-time interactions to respond to comments, questions, or messages, striking a balance between automation and authentic engagement.

Using Every Avenue to Succeed as a Self-Published Author

Navigating the landscape of book publishing as a self-published author can be challenging, but it's considerably less so when you leverage the power of social media book advertising. The platforms discussed here offer unique and genre-specific ways to engage with your audience, build your brand, and, ultimately, sell more books. The key is not just to be present on these platforms but to use them wisely and consistently. If done well, social media can dramatically affect your success as an author, transforming you from a writer to a thriving entrepreneur in the literary world. Make social media your ally, and watch your book sales and engagement soar.