How Effective Is Social Media To Promote Your Book

Ahhh, a writer’s life. We’ve all imagined how the greatest writers of our time complete their projects. I envision them escaping to a house on the beach to watch a glorious sunrise as they type away, taking breaks to be inspired as they walk along the sands. 

Even when I first had the desire to write, I could see myself rising in the morning and writing for a few hours, fully inspired by the story I held tight in my chest. After getting a few pages of copy, the day would be my own, and I could have fun doing the things I wanted to do. 


Alas, dreams rarely match reality. And some of the tasks of being an author have actually surprised me. When I saw myself writing books, I imagined finishing a book, giving myself a much needed rest, then diving into writing the next book. I never imagined the process would have me marketing and promoting the book as well. 

But as I learn more about sharing my story with the world, one thing has become a bigger part of my life than I would have ever anticipated —using social . I remember when Facebook and Twitter weren’t even companies. Now they are two of the major tools an author can use to connect with readers and fans. 

While social media offers hundreds of thousands of different channels, the two most effective opportunities for an anthor are Twitter and Facebook. Why? Because that’s where readers hangout. That’s how I find a lot of information in today’s world, and I know that’s how my readers find theirs as well. So why fight the system; why not join it instead?

The key to being successful on social media is to remember it’s all about sharing, not selling. If you’re an author, of course you want people to buy your book. But it goes beyond that. You want people to see who you are, to be able to get into your mind and find out the secrets behind your book, to find out the secrets that allow you to write the way you do. And you can do that in so many ways.

Take, for example, my recent share about my anniversary dinner. I gave my readers a peek into my life, sharing the thrill of being in one of the trendiest restaurants in Atlanta with them. Not only did we have a fabulous time, we even spotted a celebrity as well! You’ll have to read the post to find out who!

That experience is now a part of who I am. Will I use it to sway the way I write when working on one of my next Pinnacle books? Maybe. 

Yet the fun of it comes from being able to share all of those experiences with you—to give you, my readers, a taste of what I use every day to influence my writing. 

Does social media work? Is it an effective way to promote a book? I would argue it’s more effective as a way to promote an author. Because as we build a relationship with the authors we enjoy, we want more. When they release a new book, we want to read it. Because we’ve developed a relationship with that person over time, and we’re ready to continue the relationship, through the stories they share. 

That’s only one way to sell books, still employ other tools. 


Michelle

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