30+ Things Authors can Share on Social Media

30+ Things Authors can Share on Social Media
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Even if you've already figured out which social networks are driving traffic to your book and/or website, like many people, you may have a tough time deciding what exactly to share on social media. Here are 34 fun ideas for you to consider as you begin kicking your social media--and book promotion--into high gear.

  1. Ask Fans for Input - Ask your fans to review your book, or who their favorite characters are - they may even give you an idea for a future book or novella, but more importantly, you'll keep them engaged!
  2. Share Quotes - Use Canva to pull together an easy image, whether using a quote from your book, a quote about your book, or even just fun memes (those funny pictures with text you see people sharing).
  3. Share Books You Love - Not every post has to be self-promotion, and in fact, it shouldn't be. Share a book that you really enjoyed, and what you loved about it. This will give another author a potential boost, but it also sets you up as a valuable resource to help readers find their next great books.
  4. Share Your Love for Writing and Books - Tell your readers why you do what you do; help them get to know you. If they feel like you have connected with them, they're more likely to follow your accomplishments and future books.
  5. Thank People - Each time someone does something great, be sure to thank them. And while personal notes are great, what will really make them stand out is a social media mention. If they offer a great service, tell your fans why you love working with them. This goes back to connecting with people on a personal level and being a great resource.
  6. Share Good News - Have something exciting coming up? Get a major review for your book? Your fans will cheer on your success - so share with them.
  7. What Are You Reading? - Just like #3 above, telling people what you're reading is a great conversation starter and potential boost for another author!
  8. Share Your Library - This could be a picture of the wall-to-wall bookshelves that are overflowing with books, or it could be a snapshot of your to-be-read (TBR) pile.
  9. Contests? - Know of any great giveaways? They could be books, products, whatever! Give a nod to whoever is offering them and then share, share away with your fans!
  10. Fill in the Blanks - Mad libs was a fun game when you were a kid, and now, with social media, it's just as entertaining! See what fun ideas your fans have - and maybe, just maybe, in addition to boosting engagement it'll spark the idea for your bestseller!
  11. Share Song Playlists by Book or Book Character - This is a fun one! What would your characters be listening to? Or, what songs describe their moods or attributes? Help your readers get inside your character's - and your - head!
  12. Answer FAQs - this is fun! What are some of the common questions you get? What do you think people would be most likely to ask you? This can turn into a great blog post or article series... and if you're stumped, think about what you'd like to know from some of your favorite authors.
  13. Promote Things You Love (charities, etc.) - Simple. If you love it, your fans deserve to know, and, especially in the case of charities, the charities deserve any extra love too!
  14. Share Good News (not just yours) - I always say that we should be connectors. Share in your friends' successes, and take delight in what goes well for others.... One day they just might return the favor.
  15. Celebrate Your Character's Birthdays and/or Major Life Events - this will help make your characters real to your readers! Real people have birthdays (or un-birthdays), weddings, anniversaries, etc!
  16. Share Things You're Interested in (so fans can get to know you) - Be a connector! If your fans like your work (and they do!), it stands to reason that they might just love some of the same things you do.
  17. Show off Your Pets - this is my favorite thing to do. Pets are very personal, and everyone who has one loves seeing the exploits of other people's furry, four-legged kids.
  18. Show Off Your Personality - If you have ever looked at someone's public social media and thought "How boring!" then take heed. Is it fun to engage with someone who shares droll business updates only? Or is it fun to chime in with someone who clearly lives life? Let that shine through!
  19. Share Something Personal - This ties in with showing off your personality. Now, only get as personal as you're willing to have the whole world know, but have a fear that you don't mind sharing? Your feelings about something? Things like these help your readers get to know you!
  20. Break Time! Don't forget to let fans know how you let off steam - while this doesn't mean to let everyone know every time you stand up to stretch your legs, but doing something fun? Escaping somehow? Or just having lunch with Jon Hamm, err, while watching an episode of Mad Men? Let your fans into a small portion of your life.
  21. Share Fan Photos - Have your fans sent in photos of them reading your book? Share them! (with your fan's permission of course!)
  22. Be Supportive of Other Authors - This goes back to sharing your favorite books and delighting in others' successes. Have an author acquaintance that could use a boost? Share their book, or their page, or their status update! They'll love it, and possibly reciprocate.
  23. Post Cover Reveals - This can be a really fun way to get people to tune into your page, especially if you've got a great Super Fan base. They'll love to see what you've got for your upcoming cover!
  24. Post Sample Chapters (great for a VIP group) - This is a great way to build your Super Fan base, invite social media followers to your VIP group - whether it's a Facebook group, or an email list, or some other option. Then post your sample chapters, or get their feedback. They'll love the exclusivity!
  25. Show Scenes or Props from Your Book - We've developed a play list, but did you write your book with a special café in mind? Or maybe special furniture? Or even every day items. Snap a photo and share, share away.
  26. Cast Your book! - If your book were to become a movie, who would you cast in each role? Share the cast members' photos with your fans. It's a lot of fun, and can really help them picture the characters.
  27. Share Events - Is something cool coming up that you're interested in? A cooking class, a really amazing talk on your favorite topics, a shopping extravaganza? Share it! Whether virtual or local, if you're interested in it, your readers may be also!
  28. Share Your Upcoming Events - Don't forget to plug your own appearances - podcasts, book signings, places where you're speaking, etc. Let your own excitement for your author promotion events shine and your fans will be cheer you on!
  29. Go Behind-the-Scenes - What is your process really like? How do you research? Give your fans a look at the making of a book - it can be really fun to create posts and articles. And it can be simple.
  30. Offer a Glimpse Into Your Day-to Day - Whether you're sharing your computer background, the view out your window, even bravely showing what you really look like after a long day of writing (think ink smudges, the works), have fun with it!
  31. Keep Fans Apprised of Your Next Book - This is a big one. If they liked one of your books, and have gone to the step of following you on social media, they probably want to know when your next book is coming out. Tell them! Give them those sample chapters, the cover reveals, the quotes... feed your hungry fans details... one at a time!
  32. Show Off Where You Write - Just like sharing your day-to-day, show off your desk, your favorite pen, your writing studio. Your fans will love seeing where you draw your daily inspiration and where the action happens.
  33. Q&A Sessions - This is a great opportunity to do a live event - even if you choose not to use video. Take over your own social media account and do a live Q&A, a live chat, some way for readers to ask their questions and receive live answers. If doing live audio or video, consider having a pre-fab list of questions that readers "sent in advance" just in case it takes a few minutes for questions to start rolling in!
  34. Host a Photo Contest - Remember sharing reader photos? Hold a photo contest that lets your readers show off a scene they've come across that would be perfect for your book, or your characters. This is fun - and you can make a signed copy of your next book a prize... plus, it might inspire a new chapter or even a new book! Other ideas for your photo contests might be a virtual "Flat Stanley" game, or even a "Caption This" where they caption photos you post!

So with all these great ideas, you can start planning your 2017 social media in a big way! And, having some ideas for what you'd like to do will aid in your book promotion efforts. Have more ideas? Please share them in the comments below!

This post originally ran in two parts, here: https://www.amarketingexpert.com/17-things-indie-authors-share-social-media-in-2017/
and here: https://www.amarketingexpert.com/indie-authors-social-media-2017/

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