If you were an author, what would you do to squeeze every last bit of usefulness from social media websites? There is no formula for making social websites work for you as an author. However, there are some rules that you can follow to put you in the best position you can be. The following is a list of things that can help your social media strategy:

1. Create a website for your book and one for your name as well. This way anybody interested to learn more about the book can simply visit its specific website.

2. Set up a blog for your book and other works and make sure to update the blog with fresh content once in a while. Twice a week would be best to keep readers from departing.

3. In your blogs, make sure that you write all about the interesting aspects of your book. Be careful not to be too promotional with your book. Instead, promote other authors' blogs and books and you will find that they will do the same for you.

4. Start an email newsletter. The email lists you generate will be much more responsive than lists you would get from other sources than your blog.

5. Make at least one blog post that lists every place readers can buy your book. This way, you can focus on other things that will increase your book’s appeal to your readers.

6. You should find a way to track how many people visit your important links. One easy and free way is to use Google Analytics.

7. Think about making a video trailer for your book. Some of the most successful fiction authors make sure that they post kick-ass trailers for their videos on YouTube and other sites.

8. Always track peoples’ comments about your book and make sure that you respond to their comments, whether they are good or bad. Be sure to keep your temper in check.

9. Find other writers from your niche who are likely to write books similar to yours. Cultivate a relationship with them by leaving good comments on their blogs. Avoid mentioning your book and don’t leave blatant links to your book without asking them first.

10. Offer to make posts as a guest in places where your potential buyers might be. Try to make your posts as close as possible to the content of your book. Get to know owners of the blogs and make sure your comments stay positive. Remember not to put links to your book or blog without consent.

11. If you work with a publisher, try to start a blogger outreach project. Have giveaway projects with people that blog about books and other things relating to your niche. This is a great way to get publicity from the people who have the ears of your potential readers.

12. Make up interesting reasons for people to want to make bulk purchases. If, for example, you are to speak at a public event, you could waive your fee if the organizers agree to sell hundreds of books for you.

Always remember that you are not the boss in social media. Your followers should always come first because they outnumber you and you need them to buy your books.