Promote Your Book via Social Media

Here are some tips about book promotion and social media from guest poster, Michelle Rebecca. Take it away, Michelle…

You have to have a guaranteed best seller on your hands, along with a contract with a big publisher, in order to secure a big marketing budget. Unfortunately, this is as plausible as winning the lottery. When choosing self-publishing, not only do you retain a lot of control, it’s a great avenue to make a name for yourself.

But what about the marketing, you may be wondering. Don’t worry: rest assured you don’t need a marketing team behind you to be successful.

Social media is an excellent route for promoting your book. You need to approach this endeavor just like a business. A strong social media campaign is just as important as the right SEO company to boost your book’s web site.

Check out these tips for making social media work for you.

Choosing Your Battles

Consider who your target audience is and where they are. Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest are the top social media sites but might not be right for every author. If you’ve written a craft book, you need to be on Pinterest. If it’s a YA novel, Twitter is paramount. Each of these sites requires dedication and commitment so don’t waste your time on a site that won’t perform.

Your market wants to see high-quality, interesting images, especially on Pinterest. You’re going to need more than your book cover or illustrations. Start to build a personal relationship by posting pictures of your book tour and daily inspirations that you snap, because you’re selling yourself as much as your book.

Reaching Out

Building a successful social media marketing campaign is equal parts content and communication. Set a daily goal of people you friend or follow. One way to get likes on Facebook is to offer a discount or a prize that only your fans have access to. If possible, invest in a tempting gift like a cash prize or related gift card that will get people to like your page.

An autographed copy of your book isn’t going to work. You’re not there yet, so you need to offer a prize that people really want. The goal here is to get into as many people’s news feeds as possible. Of course, you then have to keep them there and that takes daily work. What do your followers want to see?

Think Like Your Readers

Make every post count and aim for one post, Tweet or upload per day. Tie it into your book and get creative. If you wrote a romance novel, strange courting strategies from around the world pique interest. A cookbook author can post mouthwatering images complete with a recipe.

There’s no room for fluff in social media book promotion. You have to build a following and that takes constant engagement. Combine your book tour efforts with your social media. Reach out to local bookstores in your hometown and wherever you travel to offer a free reading (complete with advertising on your social media site, of course).

When you are your own marketing machine, you have to do the legwork. Learn how to promote yourself and remember, be persistent.

About Michelle: Michelle currently works for an SEO company. She has a passion for the Internet, specifically social media and blogging. She loves how social media connects people across the globe, and appreciates that blogging gives her the opportunity to voice her thoughts and share advice with an unlimited audience.