McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft

Facebook to promote one's work?

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LizW65:
I'm considering social media as a means of advertising my book, and was wondering if anyone here or someone you know has experience of this and whether you would recommend it. Pros and cons? Would it be advisable to create the page "in character" as my protagonist, or as myself? Business or personal? Suggestions, please!

Dresdenus Prime:
I don't know about Facebook, but many self-published authors do it on Twitter. I believe there are even groups on Twitter that you can submit your name and book title to and they will tweet an advertisement for you to their followers as well.

LizW65:
I don't really understand how Twitter works--you have to pay for it through your phone company, right?

Paynesgrey:
No, that's just if your texting on your phone to it.  You  can do it just like you  would with your facebook, and tie it into an email account.

I do suggest this for your facebooking:  Make a designated, specific page for Your Authorness Persona.  Totally unconnected to your other facebook accounts, unless you want your book being linked to embarrassing childhood pictures some relative posts, or some political cartoon an aunt or friend posts.  Same with any twitter account you set up.  And then set up a separate email account to manage those social media issues through. 

Wordmaker:
I use several forms of social media in my own promotion, as advised by my publisher.

In general, you're best advised to avoid cutesy things like a Facebook account for your main character, at least as your primary form of self-promotion. That kind of thing can be fun when you've got a fanbase to offer extra online content to, but for now, when it comes to social media, you have one single-minded goal.

Building a brand.

You are your brand. Not your book, not your characters. You. Readers want to connect with the authors they love, to build a relationship with them. Put yourself out there openly, under your own name (or your pen name if you have one) and start making friends. Don't push your work only. I've seen experts advise a 1:10 post ratio for promotion to other personal interest posts. Show people you're a person and they'll want to know more. Push your book on them, and they'll unfollow you in a heartbeat.

My other bit of advice, and this goes for everything on the internet, but especially social media, is watch what you say. Once you're out there, even if you have separate personal and professional accounts, people will connect the two, easier and more quickly than you think. Never post when you're angry, and don't post critical rants, especially about other authors or an agent, publisher, or a bad review. Nothing will turn off readers and potentially-interested publishers faster than giving the impression you're difficult to work with or can't take criticism. More than one author has shot their career down in flames before it even started by making that mistake.

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