One of the most common questions I receive from writers, especially writers just starting to build a platform, is how to handle social media. I don’t claim that my way is the only way or even the best way for everyone, but here are some of my ideas to get you started:
Blogs
Some writers ask if they should write one blog post a month. The consensus among industry professionals I know is that this once a month isn’t often enough for a blog. Once a month lends itself more to a newsletter. I suggest starting out with a blog post once a week. Then, if you find you really enjoy blogging, you can increase the number of posts. I also suggest writing blog posts in advance to stay ahead of the curve.
Choose a topic and stay close to it. For example, I enjoy following several blogs on minimalism and decluttering. When I see those blogs in my email box, I know I’m getting an article on those topics. I don’t want an article on those bloggers’ ideas on how to get the baby to eat green peas. I want them to stay on topic. While you have some flexibility as an author, I recommend that you don’t wander too far off topic in your blogs.
I suggest posting status updates at least once every business day. I understand this can be challenging.
A frequent complaint is about authors who constantly promote. This is why you want to keep book promotions to a minimum and mix in personal items. What are your hobbies and interests? Perhaps you can post on gardening, cooking, travel, or crafting.
Most authors share personal family pictures and updates, but not all authors feel comfortable doing this. If I am unsure about a status, I’ll ask the family member I’m posting about before mentioning anything on Facebook.
I find that links posted to FB aren’t as popular as status updates with no links. I also find that questions resonate with my friends.
Of course, status updates on Twitter must be brief since 140 characters is their limit. I like using links for Twitter. I follow several interesting blogs so I usually post to Twitter several times each business day. If you’re looking for ideas, you can follow me (@Tamela_Murray) and retweet some of my tweets, and follow other friends and RT them.
As a Christian agent representing primarily Christian authors, I want to be careful about posting anything offensive. I always make it a point to read or at least skim any articles I recommend. Sometimes I’ll read an otherwise good article when the author suddenly drops an “F” bomb or worse. This will keep me from posting a link to the article. However, you can take a shortcut by sticking with posting links to our agency blog posts and the blog posts and articles from other Christian agents and authors. Most of us try not to offend. Follow several agents and authors you especially like and post links to your favorites.
Automatic?
Many people enjoy using tools that will allow you to schedule updates and tweets. For me, social media is fun and interactive, so I don’t schedule tweets or updates. This does mean my activity is less regulated and even, and sometimes I’ll even miss some items, but that’s my preference. Since I don’t use these tools, I can’t endorse any, but here is a link to a good article to get you started with a Twitter scheduler if you wish. In addition this linked article mentions Buffer (for Twitter users), which Steve Laube recommends. He also mentioned a tool called Hootsuite which creates a one stop dashboard for all your social media.
This is a fun platform, particularly to post pictures of your hero and heroine, costumes, locales, and the like. If you enjoy such visuals and they come naturally to your project, this is an excellent addition to your platform that you don’t have to visit every day.
Other?
Yes, there are many other social media platforms available. I chose to address only the most prominent. If you can find your potential audience on other platforms and/or those work for you better, go for it!
Balance
For balance, I don’t participate much — often not at all — on social media during the weekends. I strongly recommend that you decide now how to balance your social media activity with your offline life. Do what works for you so six months from now you won’t have to read the many articles online about social media fatigue and burnout.
Abandonment
Once you do start using a social media platform and set up your web site, be very careful not to abandon it. Why? Because editors and agents giving your work serious consideration will immediately do a Google search on your name and visit you online. A blog with no posts for a month or so won’t be impressive, nor will broken links or an old homemade web site. This is why it’s better not to be too ambitious first along. I’d prefer to see a regular blog once a week than four times a week, but abandoned during the past holiday when you got too busy to post. Most people can handle a blog post a week along with two tweets and one Facebook update every weekday. As you become drawn in to activities, you’re likely to post more, but that’s a start you should be able to maintain.
Fun!
Most of all, have fun! Yes, you are promoting yourself, your business,and your brand. But I think social media should be an enjoyable part of your workday. Now enjoy!
Your turn:
What is your favorite social media? Why?
What author do you think does a fabulous job with social media? How?
What blogs do you follow? Why?
Tools from the Front Lines of Life: Authenticity
Great post for those just wading into the sea of social media. I love HootSuite…when I have time to schedule with it:-)
Great post, Tamela.
Twitter is my favorite. I’ve discovered my tweets related to sports get more retweets than anything else. I like to encourage others with tweets, and I’m always excited to get a retweet.
Your comments on blogging resonated with me. I’ve been trying to narrow the focus of my blog, but now I understand why. Thanks so much. I hope you have a great day!
I concentrate on blogging, because it offers the best ‘sample’ of both my writing and my heart. I don’t enjoy using Facebook, and generally use twitter to develop hashtags in support of the blog and my writing.
Pinterest has some potential, but one thing I HATE is seeing an author’s idea of what characters look like, or which actors should play them. Kills the imagination.
Some thoughts for beginners, especially relating to blogging –
1) Don’t blog for other writers. Find a topic that has wider appeal, and use linkups (like “Wedded Wednesday” at http://www.messymarriage.com to find a wider audience.
2) Keep a regular schedule. Treat it like a job.
3) Find a nice format, and stick with it. Don’t chop and change because you’re bored. Readers will associate you with a certain look; the blog is really THEIRS, not yours.
4) Respond to all comments, as quickly as you reasonably can
5) Promote your book occasionally, but never have two self-promoting posts in a row. You’ll lose readers.
6) Be patient. It takes time to build a following, overnight success is the exception, not the rule.
7) Don’t chase trends when you write; don’t try to force going viral. Forced LOOKS forced, and it’s tiresome.
I’ve found that with my content (Christian marriage), I don’t need to add pictures; some experts say that graphics are vital. personally, I find them distracting, and enjoy the challenge of using the strength of my writing.
Great advice, Andrew. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the post. I’m presently an unpublished author and have some questions.
Does one need to start the publishing process before blogging or social media? And can one promote an unpublished book?
Thanks again.
Thanks for this question, Heather. It duplicates mine. My book is finished, but I’ve not even crafted my proposal yet. Do I start a facebook page for the book now, or wait until I am further down the road in the process. Also, off topic, but how do authors pursue reviews before they have published their book?
Tammy, I recommend starting the Facebook page when the book will soon be released. Maybe a month or two, so your potential readers will stay interested.
As for pursuing reviews, I don’t think reviews are especially useful until a book is available for pre-order on Amazon and other outlets. Then people can get excited about your book based on reviews and take action right away. Otherwise, they have to be reminded about your book again. And maybe even another time. You have to strike a balance so the reader stays excited about your book and wants to buy it.
But do you instead mean, “How do I get reviews to put in my proposal going to editors and agents?”
Some writers do have connections to or are mentored by recognized published authors. Sometimes those authors may write a blurb for a proposal. However, this is NOT required, or even expected. Your agent can guide you on how to approach any praise/reviews/endorsements section of your proposal.
I realize I may have missed your point, so feel free to ask me for clarification if need be.
Tamela, thank you for the information. I appreciate your insight about delaying the Facebook page to keep the reader’s interest piqued. That makes sense.
Regarding my original question, a friend I know just paid Goodreads and another source to write a review to include on the back cover of the book before she self-published. She was self-publishing for a deceased relative, a best-selling author from the 40’s, whose family still retained one last novel. Therefore, the author already had some accolades. I think you answered my original question along with one I didn’t know enough to ask. Thanks. 🙂
Tammy, so glad I could help. I had no idea Goodreads offered that service. I learned something from you. 🙂
Tamela,
After your surprise about Goodreads’ paid review, I thought I better recheck my source. Goodreads does provide the ability to obtain reviews, but it seems to be a free service for members. So my mistake on that information. There are paid reviewers out there such as Kirkus…etc. I always see reviews on the back cover of novels, so I wondered if it was mandatory before publishing. Thanks again for your help. Hope this clears up any false leads I set in motion.
Heather, in my opinion, it doesn’t make sense to promote a book that is not yet published. For one, you don’t have a cover, or at least not the final cover. Also, consider how long the process takes. Your book probably won’t appear on Amazon or anywhere else for at least two years. It’s too difficult to keep people excited and anticipating a book for two years. Better to promote the book itself once it’s available.
That said, I think you can become a presence on social media yourself.
Fiction: You can say you are an aspiring novelist. Get people interested in you, so they will like you and want to read your book.
Nonfiction: Use this time to build your authority on a topic so when your book is released, people will say, “Oh, she’s an authority. I want to see what she has to say.”
Thanks Ms. Tamela – that was very helpful.
I am posting on a fan page on FB created for The Yashmea Series – but should the blog be on a website instead?
Beverly, as long as you are able to reach your audience and draw as many people as possible to the blog, I think go with whatever works! You also have to consider what is convenient for yourself, because the easier it is for you to maintain your blog, the more likely you are to stick with it.
I started blogging twice a week about six years ago and wondered how long I’d be able to keep thinking of topics. Well, my blog is still going strong. Since I blog about words, books, and kids I often review books for children, but there are always other topics to discuss.
Janet Ann, this is a good example of choosing a category that is broad enough, but not too broad. So glad you are enjoying the journey!
I’ve been blogging for almost seven years with a new post every week. (Okay, I’ve missed a few during times of family crises.) My tag line says, “Looking at life and faith and being a mom.” Most of my posts are about marriage and mothering.
I started thinking if one person read any one post and drew closer to Jesus, that would be reason enough to continue.
I don’t know how anyone finds my blog because in the world of bloggers I’m insignificant, I know, and that’s okay. I don’t have specifics on where readers come from, but can tell I get occasional hits from Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Germany. One reader from South Africa, a single mother, wrote she can’t afford a counselor and considers my blog a stand-in. That humbles me more than I can say.
Here’s my question: I get almost no comments, even when I end with a question and ask for them. Any ideas?
Lenore, wow! The testimony from South Africa is enough to keep any writer going. Allow me to congratulate you on a job well done.
I wish I had bulletproof advice to give you on how to garner comments. Some of my blogs I’m sure will see lots of comments might generate a few, whereas others seem to draw readers out, which of course I love! Still others, such as this one, have generated not a record-breaking number of comments, but have generated inquiries asking me to elaborate. I’m so glad I can offer what knowledge I do have to my readers.
However, perhaps these ideas will help:
You mentioned that discoverability is an issue, and I think it is for many blogs. Gaining readership is likely to increase the probability of receiving comments. To that end, I recommend getting the word out about your blog as much as you can and still keep your friends.
Okay everybody, here is Lenore’s blog: http://www.awomansview.typepad.com/ 🙂
I do like your blog and what you have to say. I think your readers are enjoying your blog, and agree with your posts, I also believe this is why the posts aren’t generating comments. For example, as a Christian woman, I would not post a comment to disagree with your excellent assessment of Fifty Shades of Grey, even though the book and movie themselves are controversial. In my busy day, following many blogs I doubt I’d comment, “Yay!” either, because that would waste everyone’s time. I’d just think, “Excellent blog!” and not comment. I did look for the share buttons, which I’m happy to see you have, and I did send a tweet.
Since you obviously don’t want to start being controversial to generate comments, I recommend:
1.) posing one or two questions at the end of every post
2.) writing informational posts inviting readers to ask you to elaborate (as has happened here with me today)
3.) intermingling a few fun posts to draw readers out
Perhaps these ideas will help generate comments. If not, you are still reaching people in a meaningful way, and that is very important.
Thanks, Tamela, for your kind words and for your suggestions. That cost you time, but you made my day!
If you are building an email list of subscribers, and sending your posts via a service like MailChimp, then conversation can happen in the background, via email replies, rather than publicly on the blog itself.
Just a thought!
Thanks, Tamela. Great info, especially in your comments about pre-published author’s FB pages, etc. I’ve recently started pinning images related to my Regency era novel to my Pinterest boards – now that is fun!
What a great idea, Carolyn. I never thought to start pinning articles applicable to my historical fiction. Having these sources already pinned will make blogging or just posting information on my facebook when the time comes so much easier. Thank you for sharing.
Great advice Tamela and Andrew. Sorting it all out. It helped to see the broad but not too broad blog thoughts. I set up a website but it has my art on it so it is not just empty. The blog on that site doesn’t do the comment thing like this one and word press. I would thing I would need to do something like that eventually.
FB drives me crazy but I got back on anyway. I haven’t done twitter yet but I think that may be fun for me. I am always thinking of little quippy things to say. But alas—one more thing to learn. I will read your links and go from there. Thank you!
You mentioned it isn’t good to abandon a blog. I assume that is different from deleting one? I started blogging, but am finding that blogging and writing a novel are VERY different. I also write poetry, and have put some of that on my blog. But, again, writing a novel, at least for me, is a very different forum than writing short posts on a blog. I started the blog so I would have a platform, but I sometimes feel that I’m shooting myself in the foot, as the blog doesn’t really reflect my novel writing. I was considering deleting it, but don’t know if I should since I’m seeking representation. Any advice?
Lisa Marie, I recommend starting the blog back up since you are seeking representation. Visit the blogs of other novelists and see how they approach blogging to get some insight.
I do know many writers of historical fiction write about their time periods. This is a great outlet for research you need to do but can’t use for your novel. If you write contemporary novels, you can always talk about what it’s like to be a modern woman from your unique perspective.
You can intermingle your poetry with regular posts. Maybe one day a week can be “poetry” day.
Have fun!
Thanks for the advice, Tamela. It’s so nice to get real advice from someone in the industry.
Thank you for responding to my questions. I appreciate it and it’s helpful. One other question;
I already have a Facebook account, should I set up a second one as an author?
Heather, currently, industry professionals are split in opinion about the author page. Many authors are abandoning their pages because the Facebook algorithms aren’t allowing them to reach a large portion of their audience. Still, most authors have a Facebook page and post to it most days. I’d say it won’t hurt any author to have an author page. But at this point I’d keep expectations about its reach low.
Thank you for your response. I know an author who stopped using face book for updates and went back to emails. Again, thanks. This has been helpful.
God bless
Tamela, I’m so glad you broached this topic today.
I write historical fiction and have found it hard to land on a consistent blogging topic, until recently.
Since I write historical suspense where the house many times has a personality of its own, I decided to blog on this very theme. The home in history, art, literature, imagination, and memory. I believe my future reader enjoys historic architecture and the nostalgia that accompanies it.
With this in mind I’m curating content that appeals to them. Information about house museums, artists that use the home as inspiration for their work, tours of historic districts. I’m also mulling over some fun ideas for an upcoming quiz tied to children’s literature.
A few weeks ago I hosted a Q&A with a Cornish artist who makes cottages out of driftwood she finds on the beach. She very generously shared the giveaway with her Facebook friends.
I plan to continue to use Pinterest and Twitter to connect with authors and artists I’d like to feature on future posts.
Jenni, thanks for sharing such wonderful ideas!
I answered my facebook question. {:0?
Great read! I like Instragram and Facebook (although there is often too much drama on FB). I like Pinterest for ideas. My daughter lives in a different state and we are planning her September wedding. We have a secret Pinterest board to share ideas. She just helped me set up a twitter account . . . I need to figure out how to “tweet”! I really like jonesdesigncompany on Instagram and I follow her blog. I also follow blogs by Ann Voskamp, Holley Gerth and Andy Lee to name a few. I think I met you at the Florida Christian Writer’s Conference in February.
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