How Social Media Fits Into Your Author Platform

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In last week’s post on author platform, I broke down the main ‘ingredients’ to your author platform. Today, and in subsequent weeks, I will break each one down into small chunks, starting with social media.

Let’s deconstruct.

What’s great about social media is that we are content curators. What does that mean? It means we share content that we feel resonates in some way with the people who follow us. It’s not the ‘all about me’ channel.

From the article: 

• Social Media: (typically Twitter, a Facebook, Google+ (or G+ page), and one more visual channel (YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram). Many link to each other so it’s easy to say, post on Instagram and share also on Facebook or Twitter. Keep in mind that social media is not free advertising, nor is it the place to spam ‘Buy my book!’ links. It’s about connecting and building relationships.

TWITTER 

Twitter is by far my favorite social platform, because I love the amount of information and learn so much from others. I’m also able to connect with readers, book bloggers, and book reviewers, any author’s main target. Twitter (or any social media network) won’t sell books for you — it’s not free advertising (a mistake too many authors make); it’s a wonderful way to connect with your reader base, share information not related to your books (more below), and allow readers a peek, if you will, into who you are as a person. If you still think Twitter is about what you ate for lunch, you have MUCH to learn.

What I do. Here’s how I use Twitter for my author account:

• I share something about every 2 hours (using Hootsuite primarily to schedule things in) while also live tweeting when my writing is done
• I share quotes by favorite authors — beautiful, lyrical quotes that resonate with me in some way
• I share links to blog posts that I’ve written on Huffington Post, here on BookPromotion.com, on my two blogs (author and business) as well as posts by others.
• I share pictures curated from all over the web (primarily Pinterest and Flickr), anything colorful (flowers) or beautiful (landscapes or cute animals or food) that catches my eye
• I will only very occasionally promote my current release Broken Pieces, and typically only when it’s on promotion, hit #1 on a list, or won an award
• I’ve created some visuals out of my poetry using Pinstamatic (a great free application), which allows me to share short excerpts or lines without being overly ‘salesy.’
• Occasional videos, if they resonate with me.

Branding is important here — you want to be consistent in what you share. So, for example, I share articles on my author account about books and book-related topics, social media, Nutella (what), sexual abuse, women’s issues, indie authors. I have created a dripfeed of relevant articles (I love Pluggio for this reason), which once a day (or more, you can set it to any schedule you want) drips news articles onto my feed. This saves me so much time and I’m still able to share ‘branded’ content that’s not all about me.

Spam. As mentioned above, spamming your links to your own books over and over is about as exciting to readers as watching Curling on the Olympics. Skip it. It’s ineffective, annoying, LOUD, and will not help your sales. Your entire platform — all the various places you share and write — plus advertising and optimization (using keywords/key phrases) will do more for your sales than spamming links on Twitter.

Timing. Though I schedule in and live tweet throughout the day, my feed is busiest in the early morning and early evening. I find that being present at those times is helpful to optimize interactions. It’s different for everyone, though. Check out (free) Tweriod for a personalized report of your optimal engagement times.

FACEBOOK 

While not a huge fan of Facebook, I’m there because my readers are. Most people have a Facebook personal account — even if they rarely use it. As authors, we are required to have a Page (where people ‘like’ it) as opposed to selling a product or service on our personal (friend) wall. Those are Facebook’s official guidelines. Creating a page isn’t difficult or really very time consuming.

I find that I connect with people at a deeper level — meaning real conversations — on my personal account. That carries over to sharing promotional news and updates on my official ‘author’ page or business page (I keep them completely separate, mostly because well, the branding is totally different).

Facebook can be very distracting for me, so I only check in a few times throughout the day. Nighttime is the most active for my friends and followers on this channel, so I spend more time there interacting, sharing, and connecting at night.

GOOGLE+

I find this platform to be helpful in that it’s a Google product, so anything I post there shows up in Google. That’s a win. I’m definitely not as interactive there as I should be, but I check in at least twice daily.

SOMETHING VISUAL 

I avoided Pinterest and Instagram for a long time because well, they seemed confusing. They’re not. I enjoy Pinterest — I find wonderful pictures to share (always giving attribution, of course) as well as utilizing it as a place to share some of my poetry and that of my favorite poets. The only limitation you will find on Pinterest is what to focus on — it’s like going to Original Cheesecake Factory and looking at their book of a menu — how does one choose?

Same branding concepts apply: create boards and pin what interests you.* It’s not difficult, but it can be a time suck. Set a time if you have to.

(*I hear a lot of whining from men that Pinterest is too girly — like any channel, it is what you make it. Yes, there are tons of wedding boards, but I don’t look at those. You can enter just about ANY topic into Search, and someone, somewhere will have pinned it. It’s a great resource and easy to share on other channels.) I also love the ‘group’ boards — a wonderful way to connect with others who have similar interests.

Instagram is easy to use on your smartphone and convenient: snap a pic, share a pic, and it goes to Facebook or Twitter if you choose. Visuals are more memorable and stimulating for us humans — pick one visual format and use it frequently. Not hourly, not even daily, but more than once every few months.

Finally, if video is your thing, YouTube is a must. Create your own videos, share relevant, related content.

TIME 

Nobody has enough time in their day to be everywhere, all the time. What you CAN do, however, is use time-saving applications (all with limited free options) like Hootsuite, Pluggio, and ManageFlitter (that’s my trifecta, right there) to schedule, follow/unfollow, find relevant articles, etc., to curate the content you want to share the most.

What are you thoughts on Twitter, Facebook, and the other channels? Have you found it to help or hurt your writing and sales? Be sure to come back next week, where I will review blogging and website optimization!

A Book Marketing Plan Template

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Marketing a book in today’s competitive publishing landscape requires more than just writing a great story—it demands a strategic (laser focused) approach that connects with readers and builds lasting engagement. Whether you’re a debut author or a seasoned writer, implementing a comprehensive marketing strategy can significantly impact your book’s success.

Also, don’t get upset with me if/ when you see things in this plan that you didn’t know you needed!  That’s what we’re here for, right?  If you didn’t have all of this in place for your first book, so be it!  You didn’t know what you didn’t know. Put it all in place now.

Setting the Foundation: Goals and Audience

Before diving into marketing tactics, authors must establish clear, measurable objectives. Are you aiming to sell a specific number of copies, build a robust email list, or establish yourself as an authority in your genre? These goals will serve as your compass throughout the marketing journey.

This is the “get your head on straight” step in any good checklist.

The Non-Negotiable Author Platform

Before you even think about launching your book, you must have three critical elements in place: a professional website, a compelling reader magnet, and an email list setup. This isn’t optional—it’s absolutely essential for success in today’s publishing landscape. Your website serves as your digital headquarters, where readers can learn about you, your books, and your unique voice. A reader magnet—whether it’s a free novella, short story collection, or exclusive content—is your key to building an email list. This valuable freebie entices readers to subscribe to your newsletter, creating a direct line of communication with your audience. Your email list is arguably your most valuable marketing asset; it’s the only platform you truly own and control. Without these three foundational elements in place, you’re essentially launching your book into a void. Take the time to set up these crucial components properly before your launch—your book’s success depends on it.

In case you don’t have any of these things in place and you’re tempted to just skip this section, go ahead, but soon I will prove to you that you have to gave this in place. 🙂

Building Your Author Brand

Your author brand is more than just a logo or website—it’s the complete package that represents you and your work to the world. A professional website serves as your digital home base, featuring your biography, book information, and contact details. Develop a consistent visual identity, including a distinctive color scheme and tagline that aligns with your genre and writing style. Get a great author photo taken (or take one yourself!) and include it across your entire platform. You want to do this as a job, so get your network looking super professional and together!

Pre-Launch Strategy: Creating Buzz

The groundwork for successful book marketing begins long before your publication date. Start by ensuring your book is market-ready with an eye-catching cover, compelling description, and strategic keyword optimization for platforms like Amazon.

Create excitement through a multi-faceted pre-launch campaign:

• Distribute Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) to influential reviewers and bloggers and to your own ARC team (which you created by segmenting your email list)
• Share strategic social media content, including behind-the-scenes glimpses and countdown teasers
• Create a dedicated landing page for pre-orders and book information, then email your list about that to spark some momentum in the Amazon Sales Ranks. BookFunnel is a good tool to use for this kind of thing.
• If you have absolutely no followers / fans/ people on your email list, I’m sorry, but the only things to do are the “follower funnel method” that no one likes, or the “launch with zero, then pay” method.  Pick one and go with it! Don’t get upset!

SEE!  It literally took two paragraphs before we got to something where you absolutely need an email list. This is exactly why I will never shut up about that reader magnet/ email signup, guys!

Launch Time: Maximizing Impact

Your book’s launch window presents a crucial opportunity for building momentum. Host engaging virtual events like livestream Q&As or book readings to connect directly with readers. Leverage targeted advertising on platforms where your audience spends time, whether that’s Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. Don’t overlook traditional media outreach—a well-crafted press release can open doors to valuable coverage.

Sustaining Success: Post-Launch Strategies

The work doesn’t end once your book hits the shelves. Maintain engagement through:

• Regular reader interactions via book club discussions and virtual meet-ups
• Content marketing initiatives that showcase your expertise and book’s themes
• Active collection and showcase of reader reviews and testimonials
• Strategic promotional campaigns, including limited-time discounts or special bundles

Measuring and Adapting

Success in book marketing requires continuous monitoring and adjustment. Track key metrics including sales figures, website traffic, social media engagement, and advertising performance. Use this data to refine your approach, doubling down on effective strategies while revising or replacing underperforming tactics.

Putting It All Together: A Real-World Example

Consider this scenario: You’re launching a fantasy novel with a goal of selling 1,000 copies in six months. Your research shows your target audience consists of fantasy readers aged 18-34 who are active on Instagram and Goodreads. You develop a dark, mysterious brand aesthetic with the tagline “Unraveling worlds one page at a time.”

Your marketing plan might include:

• A pre-order campaign featuring exclusive bonus content
• Targeted Instagram advertising to reach fantasy enthusiasts
• Strategic ARC distribution to social media influencers, genre bloggers, and your own ARC list
• An interactive virtual launch event
• Regular blog content focused on fantasy world-building

The Path to Success

Book marketing is both an art and a science, requiring creativity, strategic thinking, and consistent effort. By approaching it systematically—from setting clear goals to monitoring results—you create a solid foundation for your book’s success. Remember that marketing is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor; adapt these strategies to align with your unique voice, audience, and objectives.

As you implement your marketing plan, stay flexible and ready to adapt to changing market conditions and reader responses. With dedication and strategic execution, you can create a marketing campaign that not only drives book sales but also builds a lasting connection with your readers.

Which One Social Media Site Is Best For Authors?

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Someone asked me this yesterday: If you have to choose only one social media channel for authors, which would you recommend?

It felt a little like Sophie’s Choice. It’s just not possible to pick one channel because each is designed differently — we are instinctively drawn to the layout of one over another, which makes it impossible for me to say which is best for you. Additionally, you need to go where your readers are.

Let’s review our options:

TWITTER 

I personally started on Facebook first (after avoiding it for years), and didn’t love it. When my mid-20-ish niece suggested Twitter, I balked. Isn’t that for young people who talk about raves and tats? She patiently explained that she used it for getting her blog posts out there and even to job search. This was in 2009.

Once I checked it out, I saw that she was right. Twitter is a great marketing tool if that’s how you use it. And when I say marketing, I don’t mean one-way broadcasting, which is completely different and not at all effective. Twitter is great for relationship-building, as a news source, an information resource, and as part of my marketing research. Sure, I share occasional self-promotional tweets and posts, but no more than one every few days. If you change your paradigm from ‘I have to sell more books!’ to ‘Relationship-building will help create fans for life,’ you’ll tweet much differently.

I encourage any author, no matter your age, to look at Twitter through that lens, and to take the time to read a few articles on how to properly use it (read here, my site BadRedheadMedia.com, Mashable, Media Bistro, and tons of others).

FACEBOOK

There has always been this kind of weird rivalry between people who love Facebook and hate Twitter with people who love Twitter and hate Facebook. Honestly, I look at it from a marketing perspective and find them both indispensable. Sure, you will find yourself more comfortable with one format over the other — typically, Facebook caters to an older demographic and that makes sense: learning new skills is more difficult based on our inherent bias. If something is seemingly hard, we judge it before trying it. We are humans go for whatever is easiest and requires the least amount of time and effort.

(Not always the best choice for your marketing efforts. Kids are more open to trying new things because they don’t have that bias yet. So think like a kid and be open to learning something new, i.e., Facebook, or Twitter.)

Regardless, Facebook is a great way to connect with readers on several levels: via an account (where you ‘friend’), pages (where you get LIKES and sell stuff), and groups (where you connect on a deeper level). According to Facebook guidelines, you need to have a page for any selling efforts. Using your personal account to sell is technically against Facebook guidelines.

I find I’m much more active on Twitter during the day and Facebook in the evening. You’ll find your groove once you’ve been on the different channels for awhile.

GOOGLE+

When Google Plus started out several years ago, people viewed it as the redheaded stepchild of the social media world. Early adapters understood quickly how it worked, but the majority of us didn’t get it: circles, accounts, pages, oh my. Why all the options? It seemed so confusing!

Now, however, Google has done something very smart (some say tricky): they give more credit in their algorithm to members of Google+, which means you will not only rank higher but your posts show up higher in search. Not only that, they have Authorship — something Lori has discussed previously so I won’t go into it here — but let’s just say if you’re an author, you need to sign up for Authorship.

HOOTSUITE (OR TWEETDECK) & OTHER THIRD-PARTY APPS 

Okay, so these are the main three any author must be on. Add in your Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube (smart, also a Google product), LinkedIn, and who has time to write? Right?

Wrong. This is where third-party applications like Hootsuite come in. I prefer the layout of Hootsuite to the others — there’s also Pluggio, Sprout Social, Tweetdeck of  course, and BufferApp to name a few), but this is my main platform. Why? I can add ALL OF MY ACCOUNTS right in one place. I can schedule in some, live interact, etc. It’s not difficult and it’s a great way to save time.

So there you have it. Maybe not  the easy answer you wanted, but a realistic one. Got questions? Ask away!

Are You a Bestseller?

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How do you know if you are a bestseller? Or more properly, whether your book is a bestseller. Well, as with many things in today’s publishing world, the answer is “that depends”. I get asked this quite often, and while this used to be a very cut and dried answer, in today’s world of Top 100 lists on every retailer’s website, that question is a bit more complex. The lists may vary by hardcover, paperback and ebook. They may vary whether they are fiction or non-fiction (it is rumored that the NY Times created the children’s book category when Harry Potter dominated). If your book isn’t in bookstores that use BookScan (run by Nielson, they provide point of sale data for books), well, that may mean you never make some lists no matter how many ebooks you sell on Amazon.

Here is a rundown of some of the most popular bestseller lists.

New York Times – the most traditional, and by far the most coveted by authors. Also, by far the most manipulated, and likely influenced by advertising dollars (says anecdotal evidence). According to official information, the data is based on a proprietary methodology, but is said to be derived from actual consumer sales. Interestingly, they state they do not track certain types of titles including self-published work – however, several self-published titles have appeared on the list, so it seems as though there is some flexibility in this rule.

“Among the categories not actively tracked at this time are: perennial sellers, required classroom reading, textbooks, reference and test preparation guides, journals, workbooks, calorie counters, shopping guides, comics, crossword puzzles and self-published books.”

Scroll to the bottom of the page to see the full description of the methodology.

USA Today – another traditional media source but by all appearances more universal and less arbitrary than the NY Times. They are fairly open about their methods.

From their site: 

Methodology: Each week, USA TODAY collects sales data from booksellers representing a variety of outlets: bookstore chains, independent bookstores, mass merchandisers and online retailers. Using that data, we determine the week’s 150 top-selling titles. The first 50 are published in the print version of USA TODAY each Thursday, and the top 150 are published on the USA TODAY website. Each week’s analysis reflects sales of about 2.5 million books at about 7,000 physical retail outlets in addition to books sold online.

Book formats and rankings: USA TODAY’s Best-Selling Books list ranks titles regardless of format. Each week, for each title, available sales of hardcover, paperback and e-book versions are combined. If, for example, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice sells copies in hardcover, paperback and e-book during a particular week, sales from each format would be reflected in that week’s ranking. The ISBN for the format that sold the most copies is presented with each list entry.

Digital Book World – by far the most clear about their methods (although also up front that they do not tell us everything) and as one would surmise, focused on ebooks:

The basic methodology (according to their site):

1) Best-seller rank observed from five of six top retailers (Kindle, Nook, Google, Kobo, Sony)
2) Lists observed for seven consecutive days (Sun. – Sat.)*
3) Each appearance on a list gets an unweighted score based on the ranking
4) Ranking scores are logarithmically determined (i.e. top scores are much more valuable than lower scores)
5) Each retailer weighted by approximate market share as determined by the editors of Digital Book World and Iobyte Solutions
6) Additional appearance credit is awarded for appearing on multiple lists
7) Combined scores for the week determine final score for each title
8) Titles are ranked by final scores and also grouped into sub-lists by price (four separate price-band lists: $0 – $2.99; $3.00 – $7.99; $8.00 – $9.99; and $10.00 and above)
9) Minimum price that appeared at any point during the week on any retailer is used for determine price band (assumption that low price is an important driver of ranking)

Amazon – gives no information at all about how their lists are determined, aside from being directly tied to the sales rank. They even say as much on their own site. I can tell you from experience that book sales are not the full story. Click throughs, reviews, print vs. ebook purchases, all seem to have weight. And of course, there is a free versus paid rank to consider.

iTunes – a total mystery. They don’t even tell you how many “rankings” you need before they will display them (my own experiments say “5”). One of our authors made it to their “Top Author” list, but we have no idea why, specifically. However, if you do make it to the top somehow, you will sell more books.

Nook – this is one case where sales seem to be almost the entire driver. Sell the most, top the list. (I couldn’t even find anything on their site to link to. , if you do, please tell me in Comments!)

Kobo – simple, they don’t have bestseller lists. They don’t even have reviews.

So, how do you know if you get to call yourself a bestseller? As with many things, this is primarily marketing. For me, I say someone can call themselves a bestseller, once they have made it to #1 in an overall paid listing. In other words, I wouldn’t consider a book that was #1 on the free list on Amazon to be a best seller (nothing was actually sold). I also would not make that claim if something was #1 only in its specific category, unless you make that detailed claim i.e. #1 Bestselling Erotica Title on Amazon.

I guess the real question is, does claiming to be a bestseller improve your sales? Probably not. On the other hand, being on the actual list certainly improves your visibility and that WILL improve your sales. In other words, there are no shortcuts. Do the work, get the sales.

Happy marketing!

Will Twitter Help My Book Sales?

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Many authors start on Twitter and either feel overwhelmed or spam their book links, mostly because they’re not sure what to do. Daily I’m asked questions like:

• Who should I follow?

  

• Will it help my book sales?
• What the heck do I tweet about?

Let’s deconstruct.

WHO SHOULD I FOLLOW?

Like anyone on social media, we look for common bonds, which is why authors typically look for other authors to follow. Like begets like, right? Which is great — many of my closest friends, online and in real life, are authors.

However, typically authors are there for the same reason you are: to connect with readers, to get the word out about their latest book, to build up a following of book buyers. Which is why following only other authors will not help you.

Ask yourself this question: Who is my target audience? Of course we want readers, but how do we find them, and how do they find us?

Finding readers: I recommend using the Search or Advanced Search tools on Twitter. Enter any type of reader-centric term (use with or without a hashtag and see what comes up): #bookclub #bookworm #amreading #bookchat, etc. A more advanced application is Manage Flitter, which allows you to search by account and/or tweets, and follow up to 100 at once.

Readers finding you: There’s no one way for readers to find you, which is why we’re always talking about your ‘author platform,’ a term that encompasses marketing activities like advertising, blogging, having an optimized website, blog tours and book signings, as well as social media.

WILL SOCIAL MEDIA HELP MY BOOK SALES?

It couldn’t hurt. Kidding. Yes! It can absolutely help your book sales, both directly and indirectly.

Directly: Add a link directly to your Amazon (or other retailer) buy page on your bio. Twitter allows room for two URLs now, not just one (add the second to your 160 character bio). As I’ve mentioned before, this is useful so you can track how many clicks you get from Twitter to Amazon. I recommend using bit.ly so you can shorten and customize it. Here’s mine: bitly.com/BROKENPIECES. (A side note: be sure to add your Twitter and other social media buttons to your website and make them easy to find!)

Indirectly: By placing your link on your bio, you connect with readers in a more passive way. Instead of constantly sharing your book buy link, instead say, ‘link on bio.’ In addition, building up your following organically (see above) creates a base of readers, aka, potential buyers. It’s also a wonderful way to share info, find betareaders, garner votes for a contest or award, etc. Interaction goes far in creating good will. ‘Make a friend, make a sale,’ is an old sales adage and it plays well here also.

WHAT DO I TWEET ABOUT?

This is a longer discussion about branding than we have time for here, but I suggest making a list of five to ten keywords or key phrases that represents subjects that interest you, that you write about, that float your boat (for example, mine are authors, self-publishing, social media for my business). Pick what truly interests you — what are you passionate about?

Then set up alerts (i.e., Google Alerts) or use a site like Pluggio to enter news search criteria. There’s a massive amount of information published on the web everyday — share with others what is of interest to you instead of simply sharing constant book links to your own stuff (which is annoying).

Be authentic: if you write about social media but also collect vintage birdcages, share stories about vintage birdcages! Just don’t make it the only thing you take about. None of us is one-note — our social media shouldn’t be either.

This should help focus your efforts and get you started. Got questions? Ask below!

The Myth of Traditional Publishing

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Many aspiring authors dream of landing a traditional publishing deal, believing it’s the golden ticket to success. The assumption is that once you’ve signed on the dotted line, your publisher will handle everything—marketing, promotion, social media, and building your author platform. Unfortunately, this is a myth. In reality, the responsibility for building and maintaining an author platform falls squarely on the author’s shoulders. This is another piece of the “Don’t Shoot the Messenger” series, I suppose. Don’t be upset with me! I am just telling you what agents and publishers are telling me!

I have had this conversation with more authors, agents, and publishers than I can count, and I assure you– everyone says the same thing.  Agents and publishers say “Oh yeah, we won’t even call an author that doesn’t have all of that set up,” and authors say “publishers are going to set all that up for me.”

I’m here to shed some light on the disconnect and snap authors out of that assumption. If you are trying to get traditionally published, do not go querying a bunch of agents until you at least have your platform set up.  I’m SERIOUS!!

What is an Author Platform?

An author platform refers to your ability to reach and engage with your audience. This includes:

• A professional author website.
• Active and engaged social media accounts.
• An email list of subscribers who want to hear from you.
• Connections with your readers and a presence in your niche or genre.

Why Authors Need a Platform Before Signing a Deal

Traditional publishers are businesses. They invest in authors they believe will generate a return on their investment. A strong author platform is often seen as evidence that you can sell books. Here’s why:

1. Proof of Marketability
   • Publishers want to see that you’ve already built an audience that will likely buy your book. If you have a substantial email list or thousands of engaged social media followers, it’s a good sign that your book has a built-in readership.
2. Reduced Risk
   • A strong platform shows publishers that you’re willing and able to market yourself, reducing the burden on their marketing team.
3. Attracting Agents
   • Literary agents also look for authors with established platforms. They’re more likely to represent someone who has taken the initiative to build a presence and connect with potential readers.

What Publishers Don’t Do

While traditional publishers provide some support, there are significant gaps in what they offer:

• Limited Marketing Support: Unless you’re a big-name author, the marketing budget for your book may be minimal.
• No Personalized Social Media Management: Publishers don’t manage your social media accounts. You’re responsible for engaging with your audience.
• No Guarantees of Success: Even with a publisher’s backing, your book’s success largely depends on your efforts.

Building Your Platform: Start Now

If you’re serious about pursuing a traditional publishing deal, start building your platform today. Here’s how:

1. Create a Professional Website
   • Include an author bio, blog, book details, and a way for readers to subscribe to your email list.
2. Grow Your Email List
   • Offer a reader magnet, such as a free short story or exclusive content, to encourage sign-ups.
3. Engage on Social Media
   • Focus on platforms where your target audience spends their time. Post consistently and interact with your followers.
4. Network with Other Authors
   • Collaborate with other writers in your genre to expand your reach.
5. Write Consistently

• Publish blog posts, articles, or short stories on your website or through platforms like Medium to engage readers regularly.
• Share behind-the-scenes updates about your writing process or book progress to keep your audience invested.
• Participate in writing challenges (e.g., NaNoWriMo) and share your experience with your audience.
• Offer free content, like bonus scenes or character backstories, to reward loyal followers and attract new ones..

Again, don’t get mad at me!  You’re a writer! You should be fine writing!  I didn’t make the rules!

• What You Need to Get a Meeting with an Agent (Yes, I Asked a Real Agent About This)

  Before you even get a foot in the door with a literary agent, you’ll need:

  • A polished manuscript or book proposal.
  • A query letter that highlights your platform and marketability.
  • Evidence of your platform’s strength, such as email list numbers, social media followers, and website traffic.

  ---

  Debunking the Myth

  Believing that traditional publishing will handle everything is not only untrue but also a potentially career-damaging misconception. Today’s publishing landscape demands that authors take an active role in their marketing and promotion.

  By building a strong author platform, you’re not just increasing your chances of landing a publishing deal—you’re setting yourself up for long-term success. Remember, the sooner you start building your audience, the more opportunities you’ll create for your writing career.

   

  What You Need to Get a Meeting with an AgentBefore you even get a foot in the door with a literary agent, you’ll need:

  • A polished manuscript or book proposal.
  • A query letter that highlights your platform and marketability.
  • Evidence of your platform’s strength, such as email list numbers, social media followers, and website traffic.

  ---

  Debunking the Myth

  Believing that traditional publishing will handle everything is not only untrue but also a potentially career-damaging misconception. Today’s publishing landscape demands that authors take an active role in their marketing and promotion.

  By building a strong author platform, you’re not just increasing your chances of landing a publishing deal—you’re setting yourself up for long-term success. Remember, the sooner you start building your audience, the more opportunities you’ll create for your writing career.Share blog posts, articles, or updates to keep your audience engaged while you work on your book.

  If you have absolutely nothing, go ahead and set all of this stuff up, write and publish a short novella, and use the follower funnel method to connect with and gain new fans (or pay for Amazon Advertising to get people to join your email list).

  Share blog posts, articles, or updates to keep your audience engaged while you work on your book.

How to Use Pinterest to Sell Books (and Promote Yourself as an Author)

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Pinterest might not be the first platform that comes to mind when you think about book promotion, but it’s actually a hidden gem for authors. With its highly visual and evergreen nature, Pinterest can help you reach readers, build your brand, and even drive traffic to your books and website. Here’s how you can use it to your advantage.

Before diving into Pinterest, make sure your author platform is set up properly. This means having an author website with a professional design, a clear bio, and easy-to-find links to your books. If you have a blog, even better—you can use Pinterest to drive traffic to your posts. Don’t forget to set up an email newsletter so you can capture and connect with readers who find you through Pinterest. Having these foundational pieces in place ensures that the traffic Pinterest generates has somewhere valuable to land.

Pinterest functions more like a visual search engine than a social network. Users come to Pinterest to find inspiration, solutions, and ideas—which means they’re actively looking for content like yours. Unlike posts on Twitter or Instagram that quickly get buried, Pinterest pins can continue to drive traffic and engagement for months or even years after they’re published. Better yet, Pinterest attracts readers, educators, and creatives, making it a great platform to connect with your target audience.

Pinterest is particularly well-suited for certain types of authors and books. Genres like romance, fantasy, self-help, and cookbooks tend to thrive because they align well with Pinterest’s visual and aspirational nature. Nonfiction authors focusing on topics like productivity, home improvement, or wellness also perform strongly, as Pinterest users often search for actionable tips and solutions. The platform’s demographics lean heavily toward women (about 60%), with a significant portion of users aged 25-54. This makes it ideal for reaching female readers, book club enthusiasts, or individuals looking for inspiration and personal growth.

To get started, create a Pinterest business account so you can access analytics and advertising features. Use a professional author photo and write a clear, keyword-rich bio that includes a link to your author website or Amazon author page. Then, set up niche boards that cater to your audience’s interests. For example, if you write romance novels, you might create boards like “Romantic Reads” or “Love Stories to Swoon Over.” For nonfiction authors, try boards like “Productivity Tips” or “Best Self-Help Books.”

One of the most effective ways to promote your books on Pinterest is by designing beautiful, eye-catching pins. Use free tools like Canva to create pins that feature your book cover, a compelling tagline, and a call-to-action like “Buy Now” or “Read More.” Make sure your pins are vertical (2:3 ratio) and high-resolution. Write descriptions for your pins that include relevant keywords, such as your book’s genre or themes, and link each pin to a relevant page, whether that’s your book’s Amazon page, your website, or a blog post.

But don’t make it all about promotion. Share valuable content that complements your brand, like writing tips, inspirational quotes, book club discussion questions, or behind-the-scenes looks at your writing process. Joining group boards in your genre can also help you reach a larger audience. Look for active boards with lots of followers and contribute regularly.

Consistency is key on Pinterest. Pinning regularly—at least a few times a day—keeps your content fresh and helps you stay visible. Use Pinterest analytics to track which pins and boards are driving the most traffic, and focus on what works. You can even experiment with Pinterest ads to amplify your reach by promoting your best-performing pins. Don’t forget to leverage seasonal trends by creating pins around holidays or seasonal themes that tie into your books, like promoting your cozy mystery series in the fall or your romance novel near Valentine’s Day.

Pinterest is more than a place for DIY projects and recipe ideas. For authors, it’s a powerful tool to connect with readers, build your brand, and promote your books in creative ways. With a little effort and consistency, Pinterest can become a valuable part of your marketing strategy. Start pinning and let your books shine!