We are in an exciting age of publishing where authors can take control of their story and act as the writer, publisher, and even marketer for their book. As a new author, my focus was putting my heart and soul into my writing; however, through my journey of launching my memoir Breaking Vases, I learned that finishing the manuscript is only 50% of the work. The other 50% is promoting the book. When it comes to advertising, social media is one of the most powerful avenues available and provides us meaningful ways to engage with readers and generate anticipation for our work.
Here are seven tips to create buzz for your book through social media:
- Monthly Updates: Share monthly status updates with your followers to make them eager to get their hands on your book. Starting six months prior the launch date, post short videos or written posts sharing your progress and details about why you decided to write your book. Make sure your posts not only convey your hard work, but the meaning, emotions, and value your book offers.
- Engage Your Network: Request input from your followers through interactive questions and polls regarding thing like book titles, design, or any other creative elements along the way. People love to share their opinions, and in return they feel invested in your project.
- Assemble a Launch Team: Reach out to your network to find supporters of your work who would like to be part of your launch team: a group that will read your book prior to launch, provide their input, write reviews, and share your posts on social media to drum up support. In return, think of a special gift for them, such as signed copies of your book or complimentary access to a workshop or program that you offer.
- Start a Countdown: As your launch date approaches, start a countdown to inform your followers and create excitement. Generate buzz the day of the launch by sharing multiple posts and showing selfies of your launch team holding your new book. Maybe even include a live stream to encourage participation from your audience.
- Share Reviews: Share the reviews that you received from your launch team. Select and creatively arrange phrases that align with your book’s message, value, and uniqueness. Additionally, tag the reviewer. Include their pictures next to the quote and make them feel special. Tagging is essential since their network will also be alerted of your post, expanding your reach.
- Provide Excerpts: Read through your manuscript and highlight paragraphs that you believe would catch the readers’ eyes. Post these phrases in a thoughtful design to give your audience a sneak peak of what’s coming. Make these mini releases exciting, as if you are unveiling small secrets of your work with your followers.
- Post pictures, pictures, and more pictures: As you get closer to the launch date, share pictures of you writing, pictures of your family helping, and pictures of your launch team and any other pictures of the behind-the-scene experience. Visuals are key to helping inspire excitement for your book launch.
Two sites that I found helpful for creating professional looking social media images are Canva.com and BookBrush.com. These websites have beautiful templates that you can utilize to create many of the branded posts I described.
Social media is the best tool that we have as authors to promote our books before, during, and even years after the launch date. Use it and have fun with it! Continue to communicate the unique value that your book offers, and encourage your followers to read, review, and recommend your book. Your time spent engaging with your readers online will pay dividends in audience growth, increased sales, and continued buzz.
