Thursday, November 14, 2019

13 Social Media Best Practices For Authors


Image result for social media images

Everyone is busy on social media, pushing their message, marketing a book and growing their brand. But is everyone succeeding?  Are they following best practices?

Here are some do’s and don’ts for your online activity?

·         Diversify your presence.  Don’t just live on Twitter or just Facebook. Be on more than one platform – but don’t spread yourself thin.  I recommend you focus on two or three.  Consider Twitter, Linked In, You Tube, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram.

·         Don’t become a bully, loudmouth, Trump-like figure unless you are prepared to assume that persona with a backlash.

·         Share useful messages and links to content – whether you originated them or not – but avoid just selling something. Vary your content format – text, sound, video. Words count -- let people hear, read, and see them.

·         Be genuine and honest. You can’t fake sincerity for long without people catching on.

·         Don’t mix pleasure with business. Have separate accounts for discussing a professional life from your personal one. But be aware, whatever you post, in whatever forum, can be shared anywhere, any time.

·         Use appropriate language. Check your sense of humor if it can get you in trouble. Don’t post photos that can embarrass you or someone else.

·         Spend at least 10-15 minutes daily with real engagement. Respond to people’s posts. Direct message people. Share links or "like" their posts.

·         Spend 10-15 minutes daily trying to get more followers and connections.

·         Posting frequency should be dictated by that platform’s norms, people’s expectations, your comfort level, and ROI.  Don’t spend too much time sucked into the social media vortex, but do be sure to be relevant. I would suggest you blog at least weekly, post on Facebook 1-2x a day, post on Linked In 1-2 x a day, and Twitter perhaps 4-6x a day.

·         Stay on topic. If your book or area of expertise is on dieting, entrepreneurship, dating or something specific, don’t drive into other lanes. Don’t drift into politics, religion, or sex -- unless that’s your main area of livelihood or relevance.

·         Develop an editorial calendar for your postings and follow-up activities. Store up content to be used. Repurpose everything.

·         Avoid arguments online – unless you believe such a controversy or conflict can yield good attention and positive results.

·         Reread what you plan to post before you press send. Check your tone, facts, spelling, grammar, and working links.

There are many things you should strive to do – and seek to avoid. Some you will have to learn the hard way. Others you’ll need discipline to enact. But stay active online and look to build your brand and book through a greater social media footprint.


PLEASE READ!!
Why & How Authors Must Sell Themselves, Not Their Books

How Should Any Author Define True Success?

Do This & Sell More Books. Guaranteed. Any Questions?

The Road Test To Successful Book Promotions

A Self-help Approach To Marketing Your Book Effectively

Brian Feinblum’s insightful views, provocative opinions, and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are his alone and not that of his employer or anyone else. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels much more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2019. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. Also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America.

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