The Power of Social Media: The Modern Way to Market Your Book
Social media platforms have the power to do big things like share important milestones, distribute world news, uncover scandals, and even market books. When people think of Instagram or Facebook they might envision funny cat videos and celebrity profiles, but these platforms can share so much more than that! There are Facebook groups dedicated to finding beta readers and TikTok trends that promote the newest YA fantasy novels. It might seem scary to dive deep into the world of social media, but if other people can master it then so can you! This is your unofficial guide to using each platform to market your book in the best way possible.
Canva may not be a social media platform, but it is still important nonetheless. This website provides an easy and free way for users to create graphics, signs, posters, and more- all of which you can use to market your newest book. Using Canva is not rocket science, and I can almost guarantee that you will be an expert in no time. LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook will all require graphics of some kind, and using this website is your best bet for a professional-quality post without actually paying a professional.
Facebook is one of the oldest social media platforms with a significant number of users, and it has stayed so prominent by creating a sense of community. Like most social media platforms, Facebook allows you to like, comment, and share content, but these days it goes much further than that. Facebook groups allow like-minded people to share posts and ideas that are relevant to them, such as advice and ideas for your next book. As an author, creating one of these groups can make your followers (or “friends”, as they’re referred to on Facebook) feel important and connected to you AND your book. These groups can also be a great way to recruit alpha or beta readers, create a fanbase for your writing, and offer special perks (sneak peeks, giveaways, early releases) to your most devoted readers.
Instagram is sometimes referred to as Facebook 2.0 and with good reason. While it does not have groups, it does have stories (which Facebook also has, but Instagram did it first) and the ability to directly message creators within the same app (as opposed to Facebook, which requires a separate app). Instagram Stories allow you to post a picture or video that can only be viewed for 24 hours, and you can decide who gets access to your story, giving it that coveted feeling that Facebook groups have. You can ask your followers to turn on notifications for your profile so that they never miss an update, and you can link things like your website or an Amazon pre-sale link in your bio.
Other social media platforms can be of use when marketing your book, such as Pinterest and Twitter, but if you want to reach a large audience without paying for ads then using the platforms above is your best bet. Feel free to tag Central Park South Publishing in your next social media post so we can help you publish your next book!