Support for Indie Authors discussion

I have barely used social media before. As in, at all. I do have a Facebook page, and around the release of my second ebook last year I set up an author page (using Wix), a Twitter account, a special author Facebook page, and signed up on Goodreads.

I just have no idea how to really put any of these to work. And since apparently I'll never get any attention without marketing, that's a problem. Probably my biggest writing-related problem, in fact.

I don't really understand how people use Twitter to communicate, and I barely understand the mechanics of Facebook. I do know there are other social media sites, but I think I'm best off focusing on a few. Baby steps, and all that. And if I spend all day on social media, I can't actually write.

I've been urged to blog. There is a function for that on my (admittedly poorly made) Wix author page, but I think I might be better off using either the Goodreads function or possibly the Facebook author page. At least I'll know there is some traffic.

Oof. Can someone advise me here? This all seems pretty daunting.

Hi Eli. There are several threads on social media here in the Marketing folder and also in the Author Help folder. Here's a few to start you off:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Hi Eli. Writing is the easy bit. No matter how good you are, if you don't put yourself out there, woof, it'll be a long road.

Now, I suggest you stick to the platforms you're comfortable with for a start, even if it is just one, but be very active on it. With time, you can add a second and third. For me, Facebook is more receptive. For some others, it is twitter. But you have to start. And oh yes, your wordpress is important.

Ajinomoh wrote: " And oh yes, your wordpress is important. ..."

Wordpress?

Elí wrote: "I have barely used social media before. As in, at all. I do have a Facebook page, and around the release of my second ebook last year I set up an author page (using Wix), a Twitter account, a speci..."

You're off to a good start. Facebook, Twitter, a website, and Goodreads are the top sites to be on. Just concentrate on those for right now. Starting a blog may be useful too. Just make sure you post consistently, like every two weeks or so.

You'll want to build a following by engaging with people. Don't just dump a promo post about your book and run. Be interactive.
For Twitter it is all about hashtags. Those are the words with the # sign you see before them. It broadens your post reach to people who might not be following your Twitter account.

I haven't really figured out how to use Goodreads myself. Everything has a learning curve. Just continue to dabble until you feel comfortable.

PS- I do website design if you're interested. Mine was done through Wix as well. www.CynthiaVespia.com

Go to Amazon. There are some free books being offered on how to use Facebook, pinterest, Twitter Linked-in and instagram. I downloaded a few and paid cash for one that really impressed. Now to schedule time to read them!

I can give you some tips. I've been quite active lately on social media. Unfortunately marketing takes a lot of time and effort, but that's the only way I can build a platform of readers. If you have questions, email me [email protected]

one word.. instagram

I basically do only promo posts on Twitter because I have very little to say, and avoid any controversy, but I try to be creative and interesting. A couple of people have even told me that they like my posts, and I've lost very few followers, if any, because of the posts.

Cynthia wrote: "For Twitter it is all about hashtags. Those are the words with the # sign you see before them. It broadens your post reach to people who might not be following your Twitter account. "

Okay. And how do I make use of hashtags?

#amwriting #selfpubling #author just to give a few sample. Usw hashtags related to the literary genre, theme-related Such as #comicbooks:historicalfiction #scify #ecology

#selfpublishing

Elí wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "For Twitter it is all about hashtags. Those are the words with the # sign you see before them. It broadens your post reach to people who might not be following your Twitter account...."

And I start my post with said hashtag before writing something relevant to it?

Elí wrote: "Elí wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "For Twitter it is all about hashtags. Those are the words with the # sign you see before them. It broadens your post reach to people who might not be following your Twit..."

Or including a picture that's relevant. Pictures are a powerful tool on Twitter if done right. Pair hashtags with pictures for the best effect.

After a few experiments, we ignore social media and that has worked fine for us. In our genre, social media appears to offer too little benefit to bother with. In other genres, the benefit can be greater.

Our bottom line is that if you are not enthusiastic about it (or at least happy), don't bother. If you dislike it, it becomes a distraction and a source of stress for marginal payoff. In that case, it's better to put the time and energy into writing.