There are many benefits you can enjoy from using social media to market your book. At present, social media networks seem to be the center of most book sales promotion. It is certainly an essential part of a book marketing campaign, because authors and readers can easily access it. In order to stand out in all of your social media networks, you need to focus on what readers can get from your book. The fact that the book exists does not guarantee sales. Your friends might support you by buying your book, but is it enough to generate sales? Keep in mind, your readers want to be entertained, or are looking for solutions and information from which they can learn. The content is the most important factor that will bring readers' attention to your book.
Here are several things that you need to remember when promoting your books using social media.
Do not wait until your book is published before you start building your platform.
Introducing your blog or getting started on Twitter before your book gets published is just like sending out an invitation for a party before the actual day of the party. Connect with readers before you publish your book so that you can establish an audience that already loves your writing.
Don’t focus only on your book.
Social media is not actually selling your book. It is more about connecting with your audience. Use social media to inform them about the way you write, your characters, your hobbies, what you are working on next. Let your audience see you as a person, not a product.
Don’t be a temperamental writer.
You might think that there is no need for you to provide information about your book. The truth is, no one can fall in love with your book if they don’t have any idea of what the book is all about.
Do not let marketing take precedence over the book.
Between Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, your book tour and blog, when is the best time to write? It is a struggle, but you need to find the balance that works for you.
Approach social media as another form of writing.
For those who are not aware, using social media is primarily a writing exercise. Since you are a writer, think of each tweet as a sentence, each blog post as a short story. Use your strengths as a writer and you cannot go wrong.
Think Beyond Facebook and Twitter.
There are several social media platforms out there that you can try. You can also connect with your readers through Goodreads and they encourage book giveaways. You can also write a blog post on Pinterest. Instagram is yet another social media site where you can post images of your books.
There is no magic formula in using social media to promote your books. You need to do your best to work on the platform you are most comfortable with. You can use other ones more sparingly. However, using social media to promote your books can nonetheless be fun, easy and effective.
