Member Article

Build an audience: Always have time for social media

Social media can be an excellent tool for authors to promote books and build their brand image. It may all seem fairly straightforward, but a common pitfall authors endeavoring into the world of social media regularly fall into is not being able to use it effectively.

It may seem unrealistic to suggest that after all the other writing and marketing activities are done, there is still time to use social media. Time constraints are a self-publishing author’s worst enemy. However, it is possible to interact and engage in online conversation as well. How? Instead of trying to be everywhere at once, focus your time and energy on delving deeper in fewer different places. Interacting with smaller groups of people on a more meaningful level will ensure you create solid relationships with your audience. Continuing conversations will create the sort of fans who will actively spread the word about your book. Weak, un-nurtured relationships will prove to be ineffective.

A few ways to help you engage with your audience through social media are:

1. Ask questions: at the end of blog posts or via Twitter. This will encourage conversation between you and your audience. Be sure to ask simplistic questions that don’t require drawn-out answers in order to receive a large number of replies.
2. Be consistent: with commenting. Subscribe to the comments of posts that you have previously commented on so that you can return and continue the conversation.
3. Always have a strategy. Maintain a strategy when using social media to make sure you are always using it in an effective manner, as opposed to simply being active.

The key is to pick a couple of social media outlets you feel comfortable with and stick to them. Trying to join every social media outlet under the sun will only be counter-productive. Be engaged; don’t shy away from social media, if used effectively, it is an extremely powerful tool.

Tip: Don’t forget offline promotion! Moo.com are currently offering 50 free Facebook Cards http://uk.moo.com/products/facebook-cards.html to get you started.

Sign up now on Pastures Moo http://pasturesmoo.com and start promoting your e-book. It’s free!

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Pastures Moo .