So You’re an Author Without a Social Media Presence: Now What?
When I work with authors who have a book launch coming up, and they’ve so far kept social media out of their life, three questions immediately arise:
Do I have to use social media?
If so, which social media sites should I use?
What should I do on social media?
There’s an unfortunate Catch-22 for every author in this situation: If your only motivation to use social media is that you feel you must to market and promote your book, your efforts are likely to be undercut by your own means-to-an-end approach. Your communication may exhibit less curiosity and interest in others, and be more focused on book sales—not to mention you’ll be entering social environments where you’re a stranger in a strange land, unaware of the local “language”, etiquette or history. For first-time authors especially, the existing social media community is rarely clamoring for you to join them and talk about your book, unless you already have an audience or readership (a developed platform) through some other means.
However, to ignore social media entirely is to ignore where the majority of your intended readership is probably showing up on a daily basis. It’s an opportunity to learn about your readership as well as better establish your platform—but not necessarily an opportunity to hard sell the book you’re about to release (assuming that release is less than six or twelve months away). It takes time to develop relationships and build trust—to belong to a community—through social media. Just as you wouldn’t ask someone for $20 right after meeting them at a party, you wouldn’t ask people on social media to make a purchase right after becoming acquainted.
So where does that leave you?
Take the long view—which is always your best bet with any social media activity. Let’s answer those three questions more directly.
Click for more
#authorpresence #socialmedia #writers #selfpublish #books #ebooks #bookpromotion #authormarketing #marketing