Mistakes are easy to make when it comes to how writers should use social media. Our phones and computers come loaded with access to social media apps. So, many of us jump into social media with family and friends. This way, the lines, and practices become blurred when it’s time to have a professional platform for our careers as writers.
1: Not Starting Until the Last Minute
Many writers think of building their social media platform only when their book is out. They neglect how important it is to engage and grow an audience before they finish their book or during the time when they’re between books.
Unfortunately, lots of writers have the same belief. They don’t put thought into their social media footprint until the last minute. They end up neglecting a potential audience that will grow with them. They get slammed with coming up to speed on social media while promoting a book. All because their strategy was to wait.
You can avoid this.
What you should do, instead, is seeking followers who interact with your content. These are the right followers to have. They will share your content so you can reach a broader audience. In turn, this can help you attract more interest and grow your audience.
If you’re working on your book now, the ideal time to start building up your social platform is, you guessed it, right now. Small steps here add up over time.
This holds true, especially if this is your first book. If you’re between books, this is an excellent move to keep your fans engaged and grow.
2. Avoiding Social Media
The most significant error you can make with social media is not using social media at all. Notice I said using rather than being on social media. There’s a difference.
Using social media means presenting one facet of your professional writer’s personality. Infuse it in all the posts you create and share. Being consistent, defining who you are as a writer helps the right people find you. You use social media with intention.
Someone might be thinking, “You can make contacts in person at networking events, conferences, workshops, and book fairs.” This is part of growing your influence, but, realize this, lots of people are on social media nowadays. Physical appearances are outstripped by the reach of social media. Social media is out there working for you, whether you’re awake or asleep and even on your day off. If you plan to get noticed, have influence, you need to be on social media.
3: Not Realizing That Books Are a Business
Now, more than seven hundred books hit the market daily. That’s only counting the ones with an ISBN number.
In other words, if you’re a writer, you have serious competition. So, treat publishing and promoting your book like a serious business. I’m sure you put effort into your writing. So, you should manage your social media in the same way. That’s a significant way to be noticed and eventually get your book in front of people.
Indeed, many writers make that mistake and don’t take this part of the process seriously. Neglecting social media doesn’t give you the practice of social media skills. In other words, you’ll become more efficient with your time as you begin using these social platforms. Writers who neglect social media don’t have a history with followers of positive interactions.
They don’t invest in a strategy that will grow their platform and gather the right kinds of followers.
Before your book comes out, invest a little time each day. Again, small steps over time will take you a long way.
4: It's Social
Success on social media is about fostering a relationship with your followers.
Too many writers focus instead on speaking at their audience. They focus only on promotion when their book is published. They end up asking everyone to buy their book without a history of positive interactions and sharing content.
The truth, you need to approach social media with a focus on socializing, not selling.
Think of it this way, if someone was to walk up to you and only talk about their book they wanted you to buy, it would be more than awkward.
That’s why it’s vital to help people to get to know you on social media.
Sure, you can promote yourself. Two of every ten posts can be about you. The remaining eight are solely for and about your followers. Develop a connection, a relationship, and people are more willing to hear you out when the time comes.
Your results are a product of you building trust with your audience over time. It’s a powerful tool when it takes hold. Use it that way.
5. No Thought, No Problem?
Our phones and computers come loaded with apps for social media. It’s not unusual for people’s first introduction to social media is with friends and family.
The personality you have with those close to you is different from the focused persona you should develop for your writing career.
Without this focused approach to social media, writers end up spinning their wheels. They chew up time and energy on content that won’t bring their writing persona to the forefront. To use social media and get it working for you, you need a strategy.
Start by asking yourself these questions.
What objectives are you focused on?
What do you want to achieve? Is it to grow a following, or name recognition, maybe both?
What will success look like?
Who is your target audience?
When your audience is online, where do they hang out?
What content should you create or share to reach your target audience?
Which social media platforms should you use?
You should ask yourself these questions before you start building your platform. Also, do this if you’re seriously tuning up your current site to position yourself for success.
6. Hiding on Social Media
Okay, say you’ve done everything right so far. You’re actually using social media. You have a strategy. You’re posting regularly and you’re offering value. If you’re not sharing or commenting on your follower’s posts or not interacting, then it’s time to reconsider. It’s social media for a reason, after all. Don’t hide from your followers.
This is a two-way street if you’re planning to attract the right kind of followers. It not only benefits you but has value to your follower as each of you are exposed to a growing field of people of similar interests. It offers both of you the opportunity to expand your reach and grow your audiences.
7. Where Will I Get the Time
I get it, you feel too busy to spend time on social media. But you can make the time. A little time each day adds up. Focus on one platform. In thirty minutes, you can get a good chunk of sharing a post, commenting, welcoming new followers, and following back. Remember, you’re using social media to grow a following. Define the time you allow yourself. Share, comment, and follow with people that resonate with your values.
This saves time in two ways. Using social media over time makes you more efficient in its processes. Second, setting your time for social media and sticking to it forces you to weed out erroneous content that sucks away your time.
8. A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Yes, you’re a writer, and words are what you work with. On social media posts that use powerful images and videos generate more interest and engagement.
People are visual creatures, after all, and the social media world moves fast. Use well-placed images to your advantage.
So, mix up your post with visuals, comments, shares, and original content.
9. How Being Everywhere is Being Nowhere
You might get tempted to spread yourself across many social media platforms,
Don’t go overboard here. You’ll end up overwhelmed and eat into your time and energy.
It’s better to have a strong, robust presence on one of the social media platforms than to have a lackluster performance on too many of them. Don’t water down your effort and who you are. Pick the one that seems to work well for you.
10. Buying followers
Okay, the dark side of social media. You’ll come across services that, for a price, tell you they can increase your following in a short time.
It’s tempting but don’t do it!
First, they could be bots. Second, the kind of followers they provide will not be the kind that you’re interested in. They are not the right type of followers for you. Third, these people come to your site with no interest in you, the writer, and will not interact with your content. You’ll end up wasting money, time, and effort. The number will get you nothing in return because numbers don’t interact with your post or share your content. When you post, no one will see it.
It’s much better to have a following of shared interest that is interactive. When people share your posts, their followers will see it. Your exposure will grow in time.
Look at it this way. If you could have a million followers, but none of them share your content, no one will see it.
With the right followers, you’ll see your engagement soar. This is a career move on your part.
SUMMARY
If you approach social media only as a means of promotion, you’ll undercut your efforts to build a following of the right people. Potential fans aren’t interested in constant advertising. Instead, they’re attracted to engagement, and in building a trusting relationship. They also desire to expand their own reach. In other words, it’s a two-way street. This way, you help each other grow your prospective reach and influence.
You need to build your social media platform to attract followers. Consider your core values and the image you want to put forward. This will carry over by inviting people with similar interests.
You’re a creative, write in your own voice, so people become accustomed to it. This will become part of your professional image that people can associate with you. You’ll also come across more naturally. That also attracts people.