Using Social Media for Your Book in 2020

Using social media for your book or business helps you boost website traffic, reach a wider audience, and provides an opportunity for potential readers to learn about you and your book.

Some statistics from Hubspot’s 2020 marketing report.

Facebook: As of Q1 2020, there are 2.6 billion monthly active Facebook users. (Statista, 2020)

LinkedIn: LinkedIn is the second-most popular social media platform used by B2B marketers, ranking only behind Facebook. (Statista, 2019)

Instagram: Instagram is the social channel with the second-highest ROI among marketers. (HubSpot, 2020)

Twitter: The largest U.S. Twitter audience by age group, as of September 2018, is tied between 25-34 and 55-64 year-olds. (Statista, 2019)

Pinterest: During a survey, 25% of responding social media marketers at B2B companies stated they used Pinterest to market their businesses. (Statista, 2019)

Actively using social media helps you build relationships with your readers. So, instead of viewing it primarily as a way to pitch your book, think of it as a way to connect with people. Answer questions, inform your audience with relevant content, engage authentically. You will even start building connections with influencers who may even become your promoters.

Take the time to develop your brand so all your social media platforms have a consistent look and feel. Start with just one platform and focus on developing a strategy for that platform where you not only build a following, you really connect and engage with your followers.

Grow Your Nonfiction Author Business in October

social media iconsWhat will you do this month to grow your author business?

Here’s an idea: Create some tweets and social media posts, including creating some visuals, and schedule them to publish this month.

Not sure what to create for visuals? Have a look at some examples we’ve done for clients.

The Series

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Social Media Paint-by-Numbers: Conclusions

Part of a series

In our review of Hubspot’s report on social media platforms we’ve discussed how each is most effectively used:

  • Twitter: seeking what’s new, connecting with you (warm & fuzzy)
  • Facebook: communicating with those they know, blocking those who annoy (warm & fuzzy)
  • Instagram: bonding, seeking increased intimacy (warm & fuzzy)
  • YouTube: seeking what’s new, taking action (NOT the place for warm & fuzzy)
  • LinkedIn: communication, open discussion (businesslike)

Here’s the shortest social media plan in the world: use Twitter and YouTube to let novelty-seekers get to know you, then Instagram and Facebook to increase the connection, and finally, LinkedIn to forge a business relationship.

That’s what Ausoma helps you do: to be social and get noticed.

If you’ve been struggling with your social media presence, or you’d like confirmation that you’re on the right track, our free 15-minute social media consultation is the place to start.

Paint-by-Numbers: Instagram

Part of a series

Hubspot’s research on social media usage patterns reveals that people generally use Instagram for bonding.

What does that mean in an author’s marketing environment?

Bonding

Instagram users post images and videos that reflect how they see themselves, and who they want to be. It’s emotional content, warm and fuzzy, often humorous, designed to make them closer to their friends, family, and other followers.

They follow others not only to bond but to discover new trends.

What to Do

  • Create visual content that reflects your personality as an author
  • Ensure that your posts are emotion-based
  • Use appropriate humor
  • Respond to your followers’ posts with likes and the occasional comment

What NOT to Do

  • Don’t get deeply informational
  • Don’t be unnecessarily negative; keep it warm and fuzzy
  • Don’t pitch, push, or sell; this is not the place

Social Media Paint-by-Numbers

A recent research article by HubSpot helped me see why I like certain social media platforms and dislike others. It also contains lessons on how to make better use of both those we like and those we don’t.

As we’ve written before, there’s no magic bullet, no perfect time to post or special place to find all your business in one fell swoop. There is, however, meaningful data on how to use each platform to get the most out of it.

In the coming weeks I’ll be writing about how people (mostly unconsciously) perceive the major social media platforms, and what that translates to for your own use (and, of course, how it affects the services we provide for our clientele.)

Watch for it each Wednesday for the rest of the winter.

The Series

Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
LinkedIn
Conclusions