Gone are the days when most authors wanted to be “anonymous” or preferred to live private lives. These days, more and more authors choose to connect with their fans, promote their works, and become just like everybody else through social media. It is very understandable because using social media has many benefits.

So, how can social media help authors? Here are some of the benefits of social media:

Authors become more “real.” Since they get to post their thoughts online, their fans realize that they are real people, too, and they have lives aside from just writing. People want to feel they can connect to their idols and so, by being on social media, authors can make their fans feel more welcome and can be friendly toward them. By showing your fans a piece of your life, you are able to show them a piece of yourself, too.

Authors can easily hold contests. Who doesn’t want to get their hands on free stuff? Once authors post contests on social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, they are able to get the attention of many potential readers. Once that happens and people get a free book or two, they might become interested in the other works of these authors and so they will check those out too.

Authors get to know what their fans want. In order to sell of course you need to give your fans what they want. While you may have an outline about what to write in mind, you should also try listening to your fans so that you can be sure they will enjoy your works and will continue supporting you.

Authors get to tell people what’s in store. It’s always important to be relevant. As an author, it’s essential that your fans know you are around and that you are brewing something new for them, or that you are continuously writing. And, if you’re taking a break, then at least people will know that you’re going to be around again soon and that you will have something new coming out.

And, of course, authors get to talk to their fans. You have no idea how great fans feel whenever you thank them for reading your works or whenever you reply to them. These things make them love you more.

If you want to connect more with your fans and would like to be more active, go and set up a social media account. It’s a great help to authors worldwide.