Driving Book Marketing Success: Why it's Important to Show Up on Social Media
You know when you scroll through social media and you see all those perfect posts or the authors that have book series already out? They look perfect, right, like they have it all together? Maybe they do, maybe they don’t, but one thing is for sure - they started somewhere.
When they first started they didn’t have a series of books already written, they were learning and writing just like you are. And while they were learning and writing they were building their community.
Showing up on your platform is not just about when your book is done and ready to be marketed, it is about sharing the writing journey and getting your community interested in your book before it’s even on sale.
You know that question about the chicken and the egg - which showed up first? Marketing your book is a little like that. If you wait until your book is finished and ready to be published you are waiting for the chicken, but the chicken can’t come without the egg so…
In this blog, I’m going to share with you why it’s important to show up online before everything is perfect and finished, and a list of ways that you can start showing up online now.
Why is it important to show up before your book is finished?
The goal on social media is to build a community and get visible so that when your book is ready you will have people who are interested in the book and want to buy it. That takes time and if you wait until you have finished writing your book before you show up online then no one is going to know you’ve been spending your time and energy writing a book.
Book marketing doesn’t start when the book is finished it starts when you are writing, editing and in the process of publishing. I hear it all the time, authors saying - “I’m a writer. I’m not a salesperson or marketer. Can’t someone else promote my book?” I’m here to deliver a bit of hard news. You, as an author, are your best salesperson. You know your book best. And frankly, if you don’t want to talk about or sell your book, who will?
Part of being an author is promoting your book and part of marketing and promotion for your book is being visible and showing up. People need to know who you are, what you are about and what you stand for. That is what is going to get them into your world, following you and buying your book.
I get it, it’s not easy to show up online. When I first started my own business I didn’t want to show up either and had no idea what to post. But the more I did it, the more comfortable I became speaking and recording videos, writing emails and blogs and then the more I showed up the more people listened.
So if you haven’t started yet my advice is to start slow. Start with one picture of yourself or share a snippet from your book. Start with a video of yourself working or editing your book. Just like building any habit, it takes time for your brain and your body to get used to showing up online.
Ideas for showing up online
You’re probably thinking, well that’s all good Stephanie but what do I actually post while I’m still writing?!
Let me share with you some ideas for what you can do to help you get visible now.
Overwhelmed by how to show up online? I’ve created a list of 30 ideas for what type of content to create, how to build relationships online and share the journey of publishing with your community so you don’t have to!
Content Sharing and Promotion:
Share quotes and snippets from your writing so far.
Share the framework for your book and your goals around it.
Share interesting articles that relate to your book's topic.
Share pictures you've taken during the book writing process.
Share milestones and achievements related to your writing journey.
Share book recommendations from other authors in your genre.
Share exclusive sneak peeks or excerpts from your upcoming book.
Share behind-the-scenes videos of your writing process.
Share visual content like book trailers, teasers, or images related to your book.
Engagement and Relationship Building:
Show up to networking events and share what you learned online.
Follow people you meet in real life (IRL) and continue to build the relationship.
Engage with other accounts in your niche, comment on their posts, and join conversations.
Connect with bookstagrammers and collaborate on features, reviews, or giveaways.
Participate in book-related hashtags and challenges on social media.
Collaborate with other authors for guest blog posts or interviews.
Host virtual author events like live readings, Q&A sessions, or book launch parties.
Conduct contests or giveaways on social media.
Personal and Behind-the-Scenes Content:
Share stories about how you became an author and your writing journey.
Provide background information about your book and where the idea came from.
Share insights into your writing process, routines, and favorite spots.
Post pictures of yourself writing in different settings.
Write blog posts or articles on writing-related topics or themes explored in your book.
Attend virtual conferences or webinars related to writing or publishing and share key takeaways.
Offer exclusive content like bonus chapters, character interviews, or deleted scenes.
Write and share about the challenges or inspirations along your writing journey.
For most authors showing up online takes some getting used to, especially when you are first starting, but it is necessary and I promise with time and consistency it will get easier.
Remember that you do not have to be perfect. People do not need to see you with a full face of make-up and your hair professionally styled, they want to see you as you are.
My final note for you today is this - people buy from people. So as you start showing up online and building your platform remember that by being who you are you will attract the people who are interested in what you have to say and who will hopefully buy from you.
Need some support or a cheerleader in your online journey? That’s what I’m here for! Follow me on Instagram where you can see my own journey with showing up @stephmoonco