I write in the YA + crossover space (querying now and hoping that one of the full requests turns into an offer). I also work full time (school administrator) and have three school-aged kids, so investing time in social media is a challenge, and I'd like to make the biggest impact possible with limited time. What I find most challenging of all, though, is the idea of trying to reach potential readers when I am generally much older than my intended audience.How can I reach them while also being authentic? My skin crawls when I think of turning all the way to promo. How can I strike a balance, be efficient, and authentic while reaching ideal readers?
I'm a debut author with approximately 12,000 "connections" on Facebook and LinkedIn. But what does that really mean in the real world? Statistically, does that suggest I'll probably sell something like 120-1200 novels through social media? With all the "hoopla" about social media, there must be studies that predict effect. Or is it all amorphous?
I am at the start of my journey and struggle to decide on the right target audience on social media, feel like my content is too much of a mix of things. How do you decide your niche and clarify it if you have so much interesting things to write about?
I always wonder how to reach my target audience of GenX and Baby Boomers in this loud extroverted world when one is introverted and hasn't got the budget for ads.
Great topic, thank you! I am curious about how Substack can be optimized to build platform, engagement, and awareness for a book launch. Have you seen any best practices here outside of notes, posting about it to your readers, and I guess that’s all that’s coming to mind, hence my question. 😂
Publishers seem to rely more and more on BookTok. With TikTok's future so uncertain, why don't they band together to create a social media platform of their own and draw readers and writers to them more directly? The big 5 probably don't need any more writers knocking at their doors, but couldn't small publishers work together to create and share a platform?
I truly value your newsletter. I've seen you post on SM that you aren't sure if you are reaching anyone. Rest assured we authors/writers appreciate you!
Now for my question: I've heard you mention the need for authors to identify their target audience. As a former copywriter that resonates with me. Do you have suggests for how to identify that audience and find them in other (non book) channels?
Super fascinated by all these questions. I was a copywriter for 15+ years before becoming an author and it seems like all the advice I used to give clients about building their brand has simply disappeared from my brain when I started thinking about how to apply them to myself!
Funny how that happens, isn't it? I have a degree in Marketing & Sales and have worked in this field for decades, but seem to be unable to translate this knowledge to my books.
How do you promote your book as a first time author if you have no desire to be an "influencer?" I don't mind making some reels/posts or whatever but it doesn't feel natural and I don't know what exactly to post. My "space" is very competitive and very social media oriented right now.
How far ahead of launch do writers actively need to promote their brand? Just selling ~vibes~ without CTAs is exhausting and I’m worried I’ll run the risk of burning out before it gets to crunch time.
I have a problem with creating a brand I can stick with. It could be as my writing grows I feel the need to update my brand to match. Or, it could be that I’m scattered across branding an author, a book, or a newsletter. Or, it’s the early stages and I’m working with a concept that might change and grow over time. Or, is it a case of imposter syndrome and I just need to learn how to leave it alone. I guess my question is, how do I stop tweaking it when it’s the one thing that needs to be instantly recognizable?
I wonder how to maintain growing audience organically and what is the most healthy way to organise your time at social media with actual outcome?
Thank you for the tread!)
I write in the YA + crossover space (querying now and hoping that one of the full requests turns into an offer). I also work full time (school administrator) and have three school-aged kids, so investing time in social media is a challenge, and I'd like to make the biggest impact possible with limited time. What I find most challenging of all, though, is the idea of trying to reach potential readers when I am generally much older than my intended audience.How can I reach them while also being authentic? My skin crawls when I think of turning all the way to promo. How can I strike a balance, be efficient, and authentic while reaching ideal readers?
How do you stay motivated to keep marketing?
I'm a debut author with approximately 12,000 "connections" on Facebook and LinkedIn. But what does that really mean in the real world? Statistically, does that suggest I'll probably sell something like 120-1200 novels through social media? With all the "hoopla" about social media, there must be studies that predict effect. Or is it all amorphous?
In my experience, 1% is the correct number here. 😊
Just commenting to say welcome to Canada! :)
I am at the start of my journey and struggle to decide on the right target audience on social media, feel like my content is too much of a mix of things. How do you decide your niche and clarify it if you have so much interesting things to write about?
I always wonder how to reach my target audience of GenX and Baby Boomers in this loud extroverted world when one is introverted and hasn't got the budget for ads.
I would like to discuss platform and branding independent of social media.
What’s the truth about what publishers look for in terms of established platform? For context, I am a nobody writing my first novel 😂
Great topic, thank you! I am curious about how Substack can be optimized to build platform, engagement, and awareness for a book launch. Have you seen any best practices here outside of notes, posting about it to your readers, and I guess that’s all that’s coming to mind, hence my question. 😂
There’s a guide to this somewhere on Substack, put together by the one of community heads. Let me see if I can find it and link it here.
https://on.substack.com/p/how-to-promote-your-book-on-substack
Oh my goodness you’re amazing! Thank you, Deepa!
I’m really curious about this as well!
Publishers seem to rely more and more on BookTok. With TikTok's future so uncertain, why don't they band together to create a social media platform of their own and draw readers and writers to them more directly? The big 5 probably don't need any more writers knocking at their doors, but couldn't small publishers work together to create and share a platform?
I truly value your newsletter. I've seen you post on SM that you aren't sure if you are reaching anyone. Rest assured we authors/writers appreciate you!
Now for my question: I've heard you mention the need for authors to identify their target audience. As a former copywriter that resonates with me. Do you have suggests for how to identify that audience and find them in other (non book) channels?
I have a similar question--I'm curious if you have suggestions for growing an audience. Thanks for your excellent newsletter!
Super fascinated by all these questions. I was a copywriter for 15+ years before becoming an author and it seems like all the advice I used to give clients about building their brand has simply disappeared from my brain when I started thinking about how to apply them to myself!
Funny how that happens, isn't it? I have a degree in Marketing & Sales and have worked in this field for decades, but seem to be unable to translate this knowledge to my books.
How do you promote your book as a first time author if you have no desire to be an "influencer?" I don't mind making some reels/posts or whatever but it doesn't feel natural and I don't know what exactly to post. My "space" is very competitive and very social media oriented right now.
How far ahead of launch do writers actively need to promote their brand? Just selling ~vibes~ without CTAs is exhausting and I’m worried I’ll run the risk of burning out before it gets to crunch time.
I have a problem with creating a brand I can stick with. It could be as my writing grows I feel the need to update my brand to match. Or, it could be that I’m scattered across branding an author, a book, or a newsletter. Or, it’s the early stages and I’m working with a concept that might change and grow over time. Or, is it a case of imposter syndrome and I just need to learn how to leave it alone. I guess my question is, how do I stop tweaking it when it’s the one thing that needs to be instantly recognizable?