Get Ready to Be a Mystery Author: Part 3 Social Media

Reach out to ReadersAs a new author, you can take advantage of social media to get your writing out in the world and find new fans. 

Social media are websites and applications where users create and share content and participate
in social networking. These platforms are a great place for readers to discover you. You can share your author life, your progress on your book, and other “authorly” tidbits about writing and the challenges you face.

You are probably on one or more social networks now as an individual. As an author or soon to be author, your focus is business. Your author shares on social media are about writing and you as an author. Your best strategy is to have separate accounts for your writing life. That way you can continue your personal shares but focus your professional shares on your writing.

​Social Media PlatformsEach social media platform has a unique audience and a different way of sharing. You’ll need to experiment to find which platform gives you the most traction. 

​FacebookAn author page is the place to focus on your works and anything about your genre. This is a Facebook business page and tends to be the choice for most writers. 

Later on, when your book is published, your author page gives you control over marketing and using Facebook to promote your email newsletter list and your book through advertising. 

In addition, your page allows you to create a group for your fans where they can meet and chat with you and other fans.

​TwitterThe twitter feed moves fast. Tweets are short. Use hashtags to target readers interested in your genre. Twitter posts do best with an image, so stock up on your images. 

Twitter is also a great place to meet other authors and editors. 

​[object Object]Instagram is imaged based. And, you can use multiple hashtags to garner new followers. 

If you have a Facebook author page, you can connect your Instagram account and your page. You’ll give both an added boost.

Instagram attracts young people. If your book is targeted
toward younger readers, it’s a great social platform.

Instagram is a mobile app, you’ll be posting and responding on a mobile device like your phone or tablet. 

​YouTubeYes, YouTube is a social platform. If you like making videos or going live to chat with your readers, YouTube is the second largest search engine. You can connect with readers with tags for every video and share information in the video description. 

These four social media platforms are the most productive for authors. Other choices include Goodreads as an author and Pinterest. 

​How to Choose A Social Media PlatformIf you are already on one or more social platforms, you have an idea of how comfortable you are working with posting and responding on those platforms. You also know that social media can be a time suck. You could spend all day on any one social media platform. 

Starting your author social media life can feel overwhelming if you spread yourself over several social media platforms. The best way to begin is to choose one and focus your writer promotion there. Remember that you are promoting your business. Have fun, but keep the focus professional. 

Consider how you are most comfortable. If you like
sharing text Facebook is your best social medium. If you love sharing images, you may want to focus on Instagram or Pinterest. If you love video and connecting with viewers, YouTube or going live on your Facebook page may be your preference. 

As a writer, you want to spend your time writing. Social media takes time. Use discernment and discretion to steward your time. Yes, marketing is part of being an author, but don’t get caught in a social media
time suck.

Photo by Merakist on Unsplash