Advice for using Facebook to promote your work--Help!

[Groovy]

I could really use some help regarding Facebook and how to promote yourself successfully, or at least reasonably successfully.

First, does anyone know how well Facebook works in getting your books noticed?

I really don't know how to use it, it's so confusing. So, if any authors or readers out there can give me some advice, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks!

[Dwayne]

It's something I've just started exploring, too. I have a Facebook page, but I have not tried promoting anything yet. I will be giving it a shot in March.

[Justin]

It depends on how much time and effort you put into it but it can work quite efficiently. For small time promotion on Facebook it's sometimes good to post a status to your friends telling them about it. Also you should create a FB Fan page for your book or You as an author and build your followers. You can do this by following other pages and there's plenty of threads here on Goodreads where people trade likes. Also if you want to put a little money into gaining followers You can run an ad, I did it once and it worked pretty well but I'd only suggest it unless your sure you want to.

Another thing to do is to join groups. Groups that pertain yo author's, promoting, your genre and books in general. There's plenty to follow but just be sure to read the guidelines of the group before entering. I'm by no means an expert on the matter but these are things that have worked for me and basic ways to get something started on Facebook.

[Groovy]

Wow, that IS a lot of time and effort. Now, I know why I don't like Facebook.

Thanks!

[Terrence]

I have ran successful campaign ads on FB that generated sales and blog followers for both of my books: "A Look in the Mirror" & "The Son of the Streets". I also ran a 30day Google advertising ad that really did well. My blog: http://thesonofthestreets.com took off with a huge following in China and South America. The Google ad was about $500 and I invested about $150 on FB... Both of my books have fan pages if you want to check them out just go to FB and search the names. I am willing to give any advice to anyone. I have lessons on self-publishing on my blog and will reply to all messages and friend requests. It's us against the new market so the more we support and share with eachother the better chances we have to be heard, even if it's only a whisper... Justin is giving very sound advice. Keep up the good work!

Good luck to you all,
Terrence

[Abigail]

Get a Facebook fan page.

Post every day. It doesn't have to be deep and meaningful but it does have to be you. And don't hawk your book in every other post. :)

RESPOND to those who comment.

It takes time and effort, and it might be slow going, but keep at it.

[Virginia]

Abigail wrote: "Get a Facebook fan page.

Post every day. It doesn't have to be deep and meaningful but it does have to be you. And don't hawk your book in every other post. :)

RESPOND to those who comment.
..."

I second what Abigail says. Getting Facebook to work for you takes effort and time, but it can be very beneficial. And it is important not to just be an ad channel for your own books.

[Timothy]

I've run a number of Boosted posts and a couple of Facebook ads, but I can't say I have had a great deal of success.

My boosts get likes, but I see no bump in sales when I do it.

I have a page for my series, but no specific author page or book pages. I've been told I should do both...

https://www.facebook.com/TriadineSaga

[Kathy]

I'm still learning about FB but I think you have to take the long view on it. It isn't going to bring overnight sales but it is a great place to interact with readers and post information, not just about your books - because you don't want to overdo that - but also about author events or anything you find particularly interesting or amusing. I started an author page rather than one for specific books: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kathy-...
I'm not sure I expect it to sell books but it makes you easily accessible if people want to get in touch and since writing is such a solitary activity, that's really precious.

[Leah]

Marketing on facebook is tricky business at the moment. I have heard and noticed that they often don't show posts to one's own followers unless the post is paid advertising. Having an author or book fan page is great and helpful for your fans who use facebook--but for generating new sales, I think they pad their fees and likes, and don't bring much value.

[Jim]

The effectiveness of promotion on any on-line social website is questionable. Literary websites, designed specifically to attract readers and writers of books, would, I believe, provide a better return on an author's investment of time and effort.

Goodreads currently has 30 million members; perhaps 90% are avid readers who choose not to write. I would advise an author to actively participate in discussion groups as often as possible. Limit self-promotion to those threads specifically designated for that purpose. On various other threads, allow the members to get to know you as a person and fellow reader. In time, curiosity may encourage them to access your profile, and maybe become sufficiently interested in your work to purchase a copy.

[Mellie]

I have a FB author page and a profile. The page is great for sharing news, snippets, photos and updates with followers. If I post to my blog I link it to my page. I use the profile to participate in author events and groups, as you can't do that as a page, you have to use a profile. Personally I have found a much better return for my time on FB than Goodreads. Don't forget there are numerous large blogs who have active FB pages and profiles. They are invaluable to network with, share books you all enjoy and make connections. Having your ear to those blogs also gives you a heads up on competitions and other events that attract a large number of reader participation and result in fresh eyes on your book.

A Facebook page works if you have engaged followers. Numerous authors took part in "like" trading and there are a large number of Goodreads threads offering I'll "like" your page if you "like" mine. But here's the thing - trading likes doesn't work. Yes you have a big number up top of your page, but since people aren't interested or following you, you posts won't appear in their newsfeed.

Many people are complaining about their posts only appearing to a small percentage of their likes. I believe this is a result of trading and competitions where you had to like a page to enter. I have a small number of engaged followers and find my posts consistently reach about 40% of my audience.

FB algorithms also punish "spamming" if you post too often and your posts will be suppressed. I believe the ideal is 2-3 times a week. Facebook is a fantastic resource, but like anything you need to figure out how to use it.