If you are an author writing books in 2022, you are probably well aware of the importance of integrating social media posts into your daily routine. As self-published and traditionally published authors all know, social media for authors is a treasure trove of new readers and fans just waiting to be plumbed.
That’s all well and good, but what exactly are authors supposed to be posting on their feeds? Surely, repeatedly posting photos of your book with a link to the listing will become tiresome to your followers in no time. So, what should authors post instead? Keep reading to learn all about using social media to promote your book, and for a multitude of social media post ideas for authors.
Social Media for Authors: Which Social Media Platforms Should Authors Use?
Not all social media platforms are equal when it comes to authors trying to gain traction with a following. Twitter, for example, isn’t known for being very author-friendly. Twitter is a platform mostly used for political sparring or sharing opinions on various cultural topics. Skip Twitter.
There are plenty of other social media sites for authors, where writers can connect with readers and cultivate a lively online rapport with them. As readers come to feel a kinship with the author and develop a sense of trust, they are more apt to purchase your books, write positive book reviews, and spread the word about your book to friends and family.
Consider the following platforms to be author-friendly, as well as rich sources of potential new readers:
Instagram/”Bookstagram”
Instagram is a perfect social media option for authors, so much so that it has a thriving book-loving community known as “Bookstagram.” There you will find people who live and breathe books, including authors, book reviewers, book bloggers, and good ole bookworms.
Instagram’s visually oriented format is perfect for showcasing colorful announcements and book excerpts, and of course, images of your book. Get creative using the Reels and Live features to show off your personality a little, too.
Facebook is a very useful social media platform for authors. Once you create a Facebook author page, the sky’s the limit. Use your Facebook page to drop a series of teaser excerpts before your next book launch, or announce giveaways and special events such as book signings.
Connect your Facebook posts with your author website to drive traffic to your book via the website, or post blogs from your website onto your Facebook page. Use Facebook ads to add more followers and direct interested people to your website content or book listing. Facebook also features Stories and Live options to help you foster a more personal connection with your fans.
For nonfiction writers, LinkedIn provides an excellent setting for posting relevant articles, recent data, or current events pertaining to your subject matter. This is an especially useful platform if you have a certain level of professional expertise or standing in the industry about which you write. Authors can also join professional groups on LinkedIn to network and chat about their books.
Author Website
An author website can serve several functions, including becoming a hub for your readers to follow your blog, to find links to your podcast interviews, book reviews, and any related products you might sell on your website. Some authors also sell their books through the “shop” feature of their website, providing an additional purchase alternative to online booksellers. Use the website to cross-pollinate with your social media platforms for authors.
Now that you have an idea of what social media platforms to use as an author, let’s move on to the post ideas! What are you supposed to post as an author on social media?
12 Social Media Post Ideas for Authors
As wonderful a resource as social media is for aspiring authors, it doesn’t take long before a writer runs out of ideas about what to post next. Worry not! Here is a bevy of great social media post ideas for authors to keep your social media feeds humming with exciting, engaging content:
1. Q&A Livestreams
For the outgoing author who is comfortable with public speaking and appearing on video, the livestream features on Facebook and Instagram are a fabulous way to connect with your readers.
Just be your own authentic self as you answer questions about your writing process, your upcoming events, and even your pets, travels, or hobbies, and your followers will feel like they have made a new friend in you.
2. Writing Progress Updates
Social media allows you to bring your followers along for the ride as you progress toward the publication of your book. Regular updates on your progress keep followers engaged and cheering you on. They become emotionally invested in your book by following your posts where you share with them the triumphs and challenges experienced along the way toward publication.
3. Cover Reveals
One of the most exciting steps in self-publishing is seeing your book cover design finalized. The cover is the visual representation of your story, and as such, is also an important advertising tool. Followers will be thrilled to get an advance glimpse of your new book cover, and may even be so inspired by the eye-catching design that they hurry to place a pre-order for its upcoming release.
4. Writing Tips
As you gather a following on social media, you can be assured that there will be other writers that follow you. Authors enjoy following fellow authors, so why not engage with them by posting a series of writing tips.
These can be helpful tips about creating a compelling story arc, fleshing out characters, or organizing the body of material. The tips can also touch on the business side of writing, with helpful advice about planning a book signing or a book launch party.
5. Hosting Virtual Events on Facebook
Increasingly, authors are utilizing social media platforms like Facebook to host virtual events. They may plan a virtual event, such as a book launch, contest, seminar, or discussion using Facebook’s Create Event function. Authors can set up a wide variety of events and then use the Events page to relay information and viewing details for invitees.
6. Giveaways of Signed Copies
Everybody loves receiving a free copy, especially when it is signed by the author. Post an announcement about your free giveaway contest on Instagram or Facebook, and follow up with a series of reminders.
Best to direct followers to your author website where they will enter the contest by providing their email. Hosting a free giveaway contest is a great way to gather a healthy email list that you can use for future email promotions. On the day of the drawing, announce the winners on your social media page.
7. Life Updates
Authors are people, too! Followers truly enjoy learning about the person behind the pen, and social media provides a perfect platform to do that. Post photos of your pets, your garden, your bookshelves… anything you are comfortable sharing with your followers. They will love getting to know you.
8. Promote New Formats
Use your social media platforms, along with your author website, to announce new formats of your book. Maybe you have recorded an audiobook version, a foreign language edition, or a limited edition hardcover version with a dust jacket. Use your social media platform to publicize them.
9. Excerpts From Your Book
Facebook posts are an excellent space to pique your followers’ interest with excerpts of the book prior to its release. Use Canva or Adobe to create visually stunning graphics, and then insert a short passage from the book into each graphic. Create a series of intriguing excerpts that you can post every few days during the weeks before your book launch to entice readers to want more.
10. Photos from Book Signings
If you organize an in-person book signing, be sure to have someone present who can take some great photos of the event. Your followers will enjoy seeing pictures of the turnout posted on your social media feeds.
11. Workspace Tour
People are fascinated by writers and their lifestyles. They see the occupation of author as a mysterious yet intriguing line of work. Why not offer them a glimpse of your workspace? Invite them to join you on an Instagram livestream where you can give them a tour of your office, wherever that happens to be since an author’s life is pretty mobile these days.
12. Related News (nonfiction writers)
Nonfiction writers may use their social media platforms to share news items related to the subject matter in their book. They can post news reports about new findings, data, trends, or revelations that dovetail with the topic of their book. This helps create interest in the book, and builds author credibility as a relevant source of information.
How To Engage With Readers on Social Media
Always remember that you are cultivating a relationship with your readers on social media. This means you should be responsive when someone takes the time to message you or comment on your posts, so make an effort to reply within a day or two.
A fun way to get to know more about your followers and their reading habits is to post polls on Instagram. People really enjoy participating in polls, and you can glean some helpful information from the results.
Goodreads is another excellent website where authors can engage with followers who are avid readers. The Goodreads community is always enthusiastic about an upcoming book release, so sign up for the Goodreads Author Program and leverage this energy to help promote your book.
Get Your Books Noticed With Gatekeeper Press
Before you arrive at the point where you actually have a quality book to release, you will need to access some outside guidance and expertise. Partner with Gatekeeper Press for your editing and book cover design needs, as well as to obtain wide distribution of your book once it’s ready to go. Reach out to Gatekeeper Press and schedule a free consultation today!
