Social Media for Writers 101
by Mary Kole | Former literary agent, now a freelance editor, writing teacher, and IP/story developer for major publishers and creators.
As a creative writer, you know how important it is to get your work seen by as many people as possible—and these days, that means employing social media for writers. But any kind of book marketing can be overwhelming, especially when social media for writers demands so much of your time and energy, and can easily become a rabbithole. Where do you start? What platforms should you use? How often should you post? Let’s take a look at the key things to keep in mind when using social media for writers to market yourself as a creative writer.
What Social Media for Writers Platforms Should You Use?
The first question you should ask yourself is which platforms are best for getting your work out there on social media for writers. Twitter/X and Instagram are two of the most popular platforms for writers. Both have large, active communities that engage with each other’s content. There also some great writing-specific hashtags (#amwriting, #writerslife) that can help your work get seen by the right people. Facebook and LinkedIn are also good options for connecting with potential readers, but they tend to be less active than the other two platforms, especially in the fiction writing space. It’s important to remember that different types of writing and target audiences lend themselves better to certain platforms; if you’re writing fiction, for example, Instagram might be more effective than Twitter or LinkedIn.
Creating Quality Content On Your Social Media for Writers
Once you’ve chosen which social media for writers platform you want to use, it’s time to start creating content. Quality is key here—no one wants to read generic posts or relentless ad copy that’s just a book promotion strategy. Take some time to think about what kind of content resonates with your audience and how best to present it on the platform(s) of your choice. It doesn’t have to be complicated—a few well-crafted lines or some cute pictures that bring the vibes of your work to life are all it takes. Videos can help draw attention and add interest to your posts, and then you can also add TikTok and YouTube to your social media for writers channels.
Building an Audience on Social Media for Writers
Once you have quality content, it’s time to build a target audience for it. Start by engaging with other users on the platform(s) of your choice—commenting on their posts, liking their tweets and photos, etc.—to introduce yourself and let them know who you are. Once people start recognizing your name (and hopefully enjoying your content), they will likely start following or subscribing so they never miss one of your updates. But your follower number isn’t the only important metric on social media for writers. Engagement matters more, which means you want people commenting and otherwise reacting to what you post. Don’t forget about hashtags either. Find relevant hashtags for writers in your niche and include them in your posts so more eyes can see them.
Using social media for writers effectively does take some effort—but it’s worth it in the end, because you will be building an audience for your creative writing, and potentially earning some book sales in the process. By choosing the right platform(s), creating quality content, and building an audience over time, you can make sure that more people see (and appreciate!) your work as a creative writer.
Customized Book Marketing Solutions
Marketing services for writers are essential if you’re looking to reach audiences and stand out on shelves. Whether you’re looking to build your platform ahead of publication or already have a book out, we can help with marketing strategy and even do the heavy lifting. Reach more readers, build an audience, and increase your visibility. Good Story Marketing plans and services can help you achieve your goals and tell your story to the world!