Social media options seem to be in a constant state of flux. Instagram continues to make changes including possibly leaning more on AI than hashtags.
TikTok continues to grow, though not without controversy. It’s been banned in India, may face a ban in the U.S. and by some estimates its growth has slowed. Booktok has been a game-changer to some degree, though the overall benefits for authors in general appear to be limited.
The biggest success story on the app came from The Shadow Work Journal which was sold through the TikTok Shop. Creators promoted the book and earned sales commissions.
Meanwhile, Facebook, Pinterest and LinkedIn are the mainstays (so far) though they may not be a fit for every author. And X formerly known as Twitter is, if I’m being honest, disintegrating due to the lack of moderation and an overabundance of bots. Many authors I used to follow there have moved on to other platforms such as Spoutible, Threads and BlueSky.
If any of these platforms are working for you – great! But if not, here are some other options to consider…
Author Blogs & Newsletters
Several years ago I blogged regularly about topics for my non-fiction book about careers. I didn’t think anyone was reading the posts but surprisingly, they were. And I found that a few sites had added my blog to their list of “must read” blogs.
Back when social media exploded, a lot of people switched over to Facebook pages and other things. Nothing wrong with that, but having your own space on the internet isn’t a bad idea. Especially considering how quickly algorithms change and how a platform can change focus (as Twitter has shown) and disrupt everything you’ve been building. Want to start (or reboot) your blog? Learn more about it here: https://payhip.com/b/qDYH8
Authors have varying opinions about newsletters, depending on if you find them helpful or not. There’s nothing wrong with connecting to your readers on a regular basis, so if you don’t have one it might be something to try. And, in spite of what some might believe, email hasn’t gone away. In fact, it may be the best way to regularly get the attention of your readers.
Classes
If you have experience to share, why not present classes online or in-person? Do you have tips and tricks that other writers are looking for? If so, you can share your expertise while you promote yourself as an author. I’ve presented fiction writing classes for local libraries, writing organizations and author membership communities. Some of my classes are available for individuals to purchase on my site here: https://payhip.com/FictionWritingClasses
As it turned out after giving a class at one of the libraries the participants enjoyed it so much that they ended up forming their own writing group.
Podcasts
They can be a great way to connect with different audiences. An added benefit is you get to talk about your book and discuss other topics you’re passionate about. It’s a quick way to form a lasting connection with listeners who may also become readers for your book. Interested in starting a podcast of your own? Check out my podcast course for authors: https://payhip.com/b/ajG9Y
Create a “one sheet” with your bio and information about your books, then reach out to podcasts. You can do so directly or work with a service that does bookings (or have a PR person do it if you have one). Of course, you can also start your own podcast to talk about your work and interview other authors.
Take advantage of the ways to connect with readers and other authors. It can be easy to do what you’ve always done (which is fine if it works for you). But there are other ways to market, make new connections and sell more books.