In this day and age, if you want to promote something, it is imperative that you are on social media. Between laptops, tablets and smart phones, social media is easily accessible, even on the go. Different social media sites allow you to find and interact with people who have similar interests as you, helping you hone in on where on social media you should be promoting your book.
As a single mom who works, I have relied heavily on social media to promote my book; it is my lifeline! Taking advantage of all the social media platforms is totally free, and it’s something that anyone can do if they have determination and apply themselves. Social media is available 24/7 and you can use it according to your schedule; it even allows you to schedule your posts in advance. You didn’t write your book for nothing, you want people to read it! But, they’re not going to read your book if you don’t get out there, in front of as many eyes as you can, and promote your book.
One social media platform that has helped me build the buzz around my book is blogging. If you’re thinking of starting a blog, try to think of something that you’re good at that would also interest the public. Before I even had a publisher for Soul Deceiver, the first book in my trilogy, I sat down and created a WordPress blog. I had no idea what I was doing, and it was not exactly user friendly, but I figured it out and eventually I was getting thousands of hits. The first month I only had 19 views, and only a little over 200 the second month, but by the end of the year, I was getting 20,000 views a month, and now, I can get up to 36,000 views on a good day!
A good way to bring views to your blog is by putting it out through your different social media platforms. I used WordPress for my blog, which has a sharing function that makes it easy for you to post your blog on all of your social media platforms, such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. If you keep multiple blogs, you can bring more hits to your posts by re-blogging articles from one blog on the other.
Another way to bring attention to your blog and other social media platforms is to take the time and like and follow other people’s blogs and pages that are relevant to your book and its genre. When you follow someone’s blog or page, oftentimes they will check out your blog or page, and maybe even follow them in return. Be sure to interact with those who comment on your pages, as well as commenting on the pages of those you follow. To keep people coming to your pages, you’ll want to post relevant content regularly.
Getting your social media platform started can be discouraging if it does not take off right away, but you must persevere.
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” – Galations 6:9 NKJV
Even though social media was not around when the Bible was written, it still applies when telling you not to give up. You poured your heart and soul into your message, turning it into a self-published book, you can’t give up and must push forward in your social media efforts. Without God’s help in my endeavors, I would not succeed. With His help and direction, I am pressing forward in getting my message to the public through my book. If God gave you a message, He wants your message heard, and if you want your message heard you need to utilize social media.
You will never believe the difference promoting your book on social media can make until you do. Social media enables you to promote your book to hundreds of people who are interested in what your book has to say. The internet is a great way to reach people, and it is a vital tool for promoting your self-published book. Between Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, WordPress, and all of the other social media platforms, you are bound to find a social media platform that works best for your book.
When it comes to using social media marketing, it is important to remember that it doesn’t matter how many sites you are using to promote your book, but how many sites you are using well to promote your book. If you only feel comfortable using one or two sites in the beginning, that is fine. Promoting your book through social media is a on-going learning process, and if you do things right, have faith in God and don’t give up, you can and will succeed. Your book’s success depends on you and how much time you want to invest. The sky is the limit!
Lyn Leahz is a Christian author using her gift of writing to glorify Jesus. She published Soul Deceiver, the first book in her Eternal Soul Series, with WestBow Press, a division of Thomas Nelson. Her hope is to bring people to repentance through her writing, and to bring those who do not know Him as Lord of their lives to the cross of Jesus Christ.
Connect with Lyn Leahz on the internet:
http://LynLeahz.com
http://VineOfLifeNews.com
http://PromiseBook.net
Lyn-
How refreshing to read your article and meet a sister in Christ who also has a real desire and burden to reach many souls for Him. God bless you! Several years ago, I self-published my first book, Leading People to Christ. I have a burden to “…equip the saints for the work of the ministry” by conducting personal evangelism workshops in churches, Christian schools and orphanages. I live in California, but have been in Lima, Peru the past six months doing ministry. I recently married a Peruvian woman and hope to head to the U.S. soon once her visa is approved.
I know very little about social networking, but thanks to your article, I am motivated to do it! Thanks for the information and encouraging words! God bless you!!
Serving Christ,
Ray R. Morawski
Proverbs 11:30 / John 15:16
Well thank you so much, Ray! God bless you! I am honored by your kind, encouraging words. Keep in touch and please let me know how it goes. Also, and I mean this, feel free to contact me if you have questions or need help. I am pretty internet savvy (with web design, too, and so forth), and always happy to help. Lyn.Leahz@outlook.com I’ll add you, by the way, to my prayer list..you and your wife, and that God will open doors for the two of you to get over to the USA soon.
I agree 100%!! Social media is a huge aid in promoting books!! Great thoughts Lyn!
Thanks, Elissa. I appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts. God bless you, sister 🙂 ♥
Well written Lyn, I’m sure this will be a great help to many who are not sure how to go about harnessing the power of social media. Using the power of social media well is crucial to the success of a book, or a blog today.
I would add to this great info; for those that have a blog be sure to add relevant links to other articles at the end of each article. If you are using WordPress.com, this is very easy using Zemanta. Be sure to set up sharing as well, this way your posts will be automatically sent to Twitter, Facebook, (if you have a page) and LinkedIn saving a lot of time.
Consider using a social media management tool as well (I am not an agent for, nor am I an affiliate for any social media company) such as Hootsuite. This saves a lot of time, there are others out there as well, this one works well for me. I can post things from Hootsuite and have them go to my Facebook pages, LinkedIn, and Twitter all from one easy to use place and it’s free for a basic account.
Great article Lyn, thanks for sharing.
God bless
Greg
Hi Greg! Great advice. Yes, I have found that using the suggested links, tags, and so forth have been a huge help. If it’s on wordpress, people receive a notification that you have mentioned their blog in your post. Naturally, they come to check you out. They are usually quite honored that you placed their link in your article, and, if they like your blog too, they’ll follow you.
Thank you so much for taking the time to offer your expertise on the issue. I appreciate it, and I’m positive everyone who reads your comment will also find your advice helpful.
We do not have a website just yet and could use the help on how to set one up. My book will be coming out in September/October. It is a biography of my wife’s life. The name of my book is: Dreams Die Hard, Truth Sets Free with a subtitle: A Triumph Of The Human Spirit by Dave Stone.
I am so very excited about this avenue that GOD has me traveling! We look forward to book tours and signings.
Dave Stone
Hi J! Congratulations! The anticipation of having a book published is an awesome thing. My advice is to set yourself up on a WordPress blog. The set up is a step-by-step process. I did not go through their tutorial because I was already html/web proficient; however, had I done so, it would have been much easier. Once you set one up, be sure and spend time every day going to similar blogs and liking people’s articles. Hint: if you subscribe, they usually subscribe back. Before long, you’ll have a large list of followers! God bless you!
You’ve made your point exactly, Lyn. It doesn’t matter how many social sites you use to promote your book but rather how many sites you use well. I applaud your efforts to use your talents very well and it is obvious that you adhere to the truth of God’s word. It is for that reason he is blessing your work and I believe he will continue to do so.
Stay committed, Lyn, for you are making a difference!
Amen, Marianne. God is the one true ‘author’ and finisher of everything. Without Him, there is nothing. Thanks so much for your uplifting words!
Many thanks for this advice
You’re welcome, Faye. God bless you.
My first book will be coming out next month or in October. Does anyone have any good pointers on how I should promote my book. Will the publishing company help me promote it?
Hi Therese. You can promote your book in many ways… as I have stated here in this article, using social media, speaking with your local media, speaking at places about the subject matter of your book, book signings, radio shows, etc. As far as the publishing company promoting your book, it depends on what publishing company you are with. If you are with Westbow Press, you would need to contact someone in the marketing department and find out what packages they offer. Thanks, and God bless you!
Great suggestions, Lyn!!
A little over a year ago, I did not know what a blog was and now I have two of my own! I also work as a contributing writer on four other blogs. It has been a great way to connect with other Christians, writers, graphic artists, while ministering to others in need.
I found I could increase my number of readers by going to other blogs and commenting on their articles. As my first book, Facing Trials: Thoughts for Meditation, comes out in September (West Bow Publishers) I will use my blogs to promote it. I have a My Book tab that will be used for this purpose.
Another useful tool on blogs are podcasts and videos. This is my next step. I have more to learn on the subject but plan to tackle it in the next month or two.
I also agree that writing back to your readers is important. They appreciate the time you put into responding to their comments and you get to know them on a more intimate level. All in all, blogs are very useful and rewarding.
Thanks, Cheryl. Very good points! Thank you for sharing those with me, and everyone who might read this post and the comments. God bless you, and the success of your works!
Great points Lyn, thanks for sharing, I’m not very tech saavy and every bit of information helps. It’s so nice to see someone following their calling. Nice to see someone who isn’t afraid to stand out in the crowd. Your book will be a big hit! Thanks for taking time to help & encourage others. God bless, and keep you.
Thank you, CJ. God bless you, and thank you very much for your uplifting and encouraging words. They are appreciated.:-)
Brothers and sisters,
Thank you for your willingness to share your knowledge on this social media stuff. It is driving me crazy. Is there a simpler way of understanding this? Please let me know, and of course I’ll appreciate any one-on-one help I can get. Thanks and God bless.
Pearl
I want to start a blog but have no idea of what to do. I would love to do this because I would like to see the interest some of my thoughts would generate. Can anyone help me, and it needs to be in “dummies” language and steps to do.
Thanks,
Wilma
Thanks for all of your post. We are new authors and very unfamiliar with the web media, social media, etc. Our new book, “Journey of the Soul…Cracked Pots and Broken Vessels…Live the Victorious Life Christ Died to Give You” just published with WestBow Press. The accompanying workbook is scheduled for release this June, “Stop the Violence…Seven Stages to Sanctify…Claim the Promises of Christ.
Both books take the reader on a journey to resolve challenges and problems we all face in a fallen world.
We will use the tips and advise from all of you to help promote our books and the principles of sanctification to church leaders, ministers and counselors for our seminars and workshops.
Thank you for helping introduce a couple of dinosours to the new century.
Carrol and Phyllis Davis