7 Social Media Secrets to Boost Author Visibility

Whether this is your first book or tenth, using social media is a key element in marketing your work. But where do you start if you don’t have an online presence, or how do you prevent sounding like a door-to-door salesman trying to make that first book sale? Keep reading to unpack the 7 social media secrets that will naturally enhance your author visibility and attract your genuine followers over time.

1. Use the right platform to leverage your influence 

Many authors make the mistake of overwhelming themselves by trying to maintain a presence on many different social media platforms. Without a team of individuals dedicated to consistently creating new and intriguing content, it’s nearly impossible to keep up with more than a few platforms at a time. 

Once you have your goals, research the differences among platforms to determine your best fit. This process may require patience as you familiarize yourself with the dynamic for each platform, understand audience preferences, and ensure alignment with your objectives. Consistency is paramount; strive to maintain relevance and stay updated on your selected platform to effectively engage your audience.

           

2. Get inspired to share your most authentic self

Now that you’ve decided on your platforms, a great next step is to look at what other established pages are doing. Follow various pages, such as businesses similar to yours, competition, personal interests, influencers, etc. Take note of what strategies you see and how you may like to incorporate them into your own social media plan.

Remember that while drawing inspiration from others is valuable, it’s essential to maintain authenticity and consistency in your own social media presence. By doing this, you are organically allowing your audience to get to know you and your authentic voice as an author.  Take your time in this step to experiment with different approaches, track your progress, and refine your strategy based on what resonates most with your audience. 

 

3. Find easy online resources—and put them to good use!

Hoping to utilize video or graphics on your page but feeling less than confident in your technical or creative abilities? There’s no shortage of helpful online programs and resources to help you achieve your social media goals. Canva is an incredible resource for those looking to add to their page’s aesthetic. Struggling to write a captivating caption? Consider utilizing the power of AI platforms like ChatGPT or Gemini (formerly Google Bard). These tools can help spark creativity while brainstorming, providing you with compelling captions for your social media posts. 

 

4. Build a recognizable brand your audience will love

Consistent branding across all your social media platforms is essential for establishing a strong and recognizable identity that resonates with your audience. When your branding elements such as logos, colors, imagery, and messaging remain consistent across platforms, it creates a sense of reliability and trustworthiness among your followers.

For example, brand names like Nike, Starbucks, and Apple prioritize consistent branding across various platforms to reinforce their brand identity. Adopting this consistency will make it easier for your audience to recognize and engage with your content, regardless of the platform they encounter it on. Need some guidance? Explore different strategies to ensure your branding is consistent across your chosen platforms. 

5. Stay interesting, interactive, and generous with your audience

Focus on providing information and engaging with your audience rather than sales. Sales language (e.g., “click here to purchase,” “buy today,” “available now”) is a quick way to make people scroll past your post. 

The key here is to provide insightful information (you are an industry expert!) rather than prompting people to buy your book. When done correctly, engagement marketing tactics on social media can produce much better results than push marketing. 

Think of social media as a place for people to get to know you and your book. This is where you build rapport and trust. People aren’t likely to buy a book simply because you’ve posted a photo of the book cover. They are likely to seek more information on your product if they see something you post that is relevant to their lives. 

Consider sharing a free reproducible, an infographic, or a story illustrating a problem your book aims to solve. It’s also crucial to engage with your audience when they engage with you. Answer questions, respond to messages and comments promptly, and use the reaction button. It’s also wise to branch out beyond your page. React, comment on, and share others’ posts when you can.

 

6. Be true and genuine to yourself and your work

The most important thing to remember is to remain authentic to yourself. Don’t feel pressured to talk or act in a certain way online. Insecurity is very easy to spot online and is a red flag to your audience. 

Moreover, authenticity leads to higher engagement levels, as your genuine approach resonates with your audience on a deeper level, encouraging meaningful interactions and conversations. Authenticity is not just about being true to yourself; it’s also a powerful strategy for building trust, standing out, and creating genuine connections with your audience.

 

7. Plan powerful hashtags for the most impactful posts

Use relevant hashtags to increase the discoverability of your posts. Research popular hashtags in your genre or industry and include them strategically in your content.

Strategic use of hashtags is a powerful tool to enhance the discoverability and reach of your social media posts. By incorporating relevant hashtags into your content, you increase the likelihood of your posts being seen by users who are interested in similar topics or themes. Consider the following steps:

1. Research popular hashtags within your genre or industry. 
2. Look for hashtags that are frequently used by your target audience, as well as those that are trending or have high engagement rates. 
3. Strategically use the hashtags in your posts to maximize visibility and engagement. 

Strategically incorporating hashtags into your social media strategy can amplify the reach of your content and attract new followers and engagement opportunities.

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As an author, stepping into the realm of social media can feel overwhelming initially. It’s a journey of practice and exploration to strike the perfect balance between strategy, creativity, and authenticity. Remember: Visibility takes time! Elevating your presence and expanding your reach takes courage, and these 7 social media secrets are your guide toward reaching the right audience for your books.