Instagram is a powerful platform for authors to connect with readers, promote their work, and build a strong online presence. Here are five best practices for authors on Instagram: Consistent Branding Establish a consistent visual identity that reflects your author brand. Use a cohesive color palette, fonts, and imagery to create a recognizable and professional look. Consistency helps you stand out and builds familiarity with your audience. Engaging Content Mix Share a variety of content to keep your audience engaged. Along with updates about your books and writing process, consider posting quotes from your work, behind-the-scenes glimpses, book recommendations, writing tips, and other related content. Mix it up! Experiment with…

Managing a Facebook Author Page can be a valuable tool for authors to engage with readers and promote their work. It is especially helpful to fiction authors. To help you make the most of your Facebook Author Page, here are five best practices: Consistent and Engaging Content Regularly update your page with fresh and relevant content to keep your audience engaged. Share excerpts from your books, behind-the-scenes glimpses of your writing process, updates on upcoming projects, and interesting insights related to your genre or writing style. Encourage conversation by asking questions and responding to comments from your readers. Utilize Multimedia Make your Facebook Author Page visually appealing by incorporating multimedia…

Setting up a Google Alert is a great way for authors to keep track of when they and their work are mentioned online. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide: And that’s it! You’ve successfully set up Google Alerts for your name and book titles. Whenever your specified search terms, such as your name or book titles, are mentioned online, you’ll receive email notifications to help you stay up to date.

Authors have a unique opportunity to connect with their readers and fans through social media. It’s a platform where they can share their thoughts, insights, and engage in meaningful discussions about their work. However, this digital landscape also has its dark side: trolls. Trolls are people who thrive on negativity and live to provoke and agitate. While it might be tempting to respond to them, please don’t. Let me tell you why you should resist the urge and avoid “feeding the trolls” on social media. Preserving Mental Health One of the biggest reasons for authors to refrain from engaging with trolls is just good mental health. Trolls are known for…

How to create a thread on X and why you need to Sometimes we need more than one post to express ourselves.  You’ve seen them – those X posts that are followed by an attached post by the same author. A series of connected posts from one person is a “Thread”. Threads allow us to provide additional context, updates, or an extended point by connecting multiple posts together. How to create a Thread: Once you have posted a thread, you can always add additional posts from the thread detail page. Simply click or tap Add another post. This prompt is only visible to the thread author. How to add to a…

Social media is an indispensable tool for aspiring authors to connect with readers, build their author platform, and promote their work. However, navigating the world of social media can be overwhelming, especially for those new to the game. To help aspiring authors make the most of their social media presence, here are ten essential tips to keep in mind: 1. Define Your Goals Before diving into social media, take some time to define your objectives. Whether it’s building a fanbase, driving book sales, or establishing yourself as an authority in your genre, clarifying your goals will guide your content strategy and help you measure success. 2. Know Your Audience Understanding…

Beyond Shameless Self-Promotion Social media is a great tool for authors to connect with their audience, build their brand, and promote their work. Most of you are doing it wrong. Many authors make the mistake of assuming social media platforms are promotional channels. They bombard followers with relentless self-promotion. Buy my book! Buy my book! Buy my book! While promoting your work is important, you need to strike a balance between promotion and engaging your connections. If you don’t, you risk losing them. Here’s why you should diversify your social media content and how to do it. Why Mix It Up? 1. Audience Engagement Social media is all about building…

That you can start building before you’re published  In today’s rapidly evolving publishing landscape, building an author platform has become essential for writers aiming to establish a presence in the industry and connect with their audience. An author platform encompasses various elements that work together to showcase your work, engage with readers, and attract industry professionals. Here are five key components of a successful author platform: 1. Social Media Presence Social media platforms such as Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn offer invaluable opportunities for authors to connect with readers, fellow writers, and industry professionals. A strong social media presence involves regular posting of engaging content related to your writing, interacting…

LinkedIn, often associated with professional networking and career advancement, presents a goldmine of opportunities for unpublished non-fiction writers to establish their author brand even before seeing their work in print. Leveraging this platform strategically can help writers connect with their target audience, showcase their expertise, and pave the way for future success in the publishing world. Here are five strategies for aspiring non-fiction writers to build their author identity on LinkedIn: 1. Optimize Your Profile Start by optimizing your LinkedIn profile to reflect your identity as a non-fiction writer. Use a professional profile picture and craft a compelling headline that clearly communicates your expertise and writing focus. In the “About”…

Establishing an author brand is essential for unpublished fiction writers looking to make their mark in the literary world. While getting published may seem like the ultimate goal, laying the groundwork for your author brand beforehand can significantly enhance your chances of success. Great branding and networks can make the difference between a traditional publishing deal and self-publishing. With its vast reach and diverse audience, Facebook offers an ideal platform for aspiring writers to connect with readers, showcase their work, and cultivate a loyal following. Here are five effective strategies for unpublished fiction writers to establish their author brand on Facebook: Create an Author Page The first step in building…

In today’s digital age, aspiring authors face a multitude of platforms and avenues to showcase their work and build their brand. From Twitter to Instagram, TikTok to LinkedIn, the options seem endless. However, amidst all these choices, focusing on just one social platform before getting published can be a strategic move. Building an author brand and audience is crucial for success in the literary world. It’s not just about writing a great book; it’s also about connecting with readers and industry professionals, establishing credibility, and generating buzz. Social media provides a powerful tool for achieving these goals, but spreading oneself too thin across multiple platforms can dilute efforts and hamper…

Navigating Education and Support Systems When I began writing, I assumed I’d write the book, get it published and then *voila* thousands would read it. Well, thousands did read my books, but it wasn’t that simple. Becoming a published (and successful) author is an evolution. You’ll need to go through educational avenues, mentors, peers, and professional organizations. Your career must progress one step at a time. Let’s take a look at the education and evolution of an author and the many people who will educate you. Your First Editor “It’s my baby. It’s perfect. You can’t change it!” This is what 95% of writers think (and many say) when they…

In today’s digital age, social media has become a powerful tool for aspiring writers to not only garner attention from publishers but also to build a loyal readership once their work is published. For unpublished writers, strategic use of social media platforms can significantly increase their chances of securing a publishing deal and successfully selling their books. Here are five ways unpublished writers can leverage social media to achieve their goals: 1. Build an Author Platform Establishing a strong presence on at least one social media platform such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn is essential for unpublished writers. Create dedicated author accounts where you can showcase your writing journey,…

When I started my journey as an author, I was a complete newbie to the publishing world. I used to think that all I needed to do was write the book, and the rest would magically fall into place once I signed with a publisher. Oh boy, was I wrong! Thankfully, I had a publisher who took the time to guide me through the ins and outs of being an author – because, believe it or not, it’s not just about writing; it’s a business too. From managing the editing process to building a social media presence from scratch, I found myself wearing many hats. I started with MySpace (remember…