Quick Tip #2
by Cathie Dunn
In between posts by guest authors and designers, I'll be sharing short, concise Quick Tips, to make your author life a little easier. Here’s the second:
* Don't "Buy My Book!" *
"I'm a writer, not a marketing person."
I’ve lost count of how often I've heard this phrase over the last fifteen years or so, yet at this day and age, all authors are expected to do their own bit in promoting their books.
Historically, traditionally-published authors were lucky enough to leave any marketing to their publishers – attending book signing events, book fairs, and interviews on radio or TV, as arranged by their in-house marketing team. But these days, those perks are reserved for the bestsellers and celebrities (not always the same!). Even mid-list authors are now expected to organise their own events and do their bit to promote their books. And pay for it all out of their own pockets, of course.
But it can be tricky, with many authors – especially newbies – baffled by the sheer scale of options. Social media? Website? Book fairs? Blog tours? Local craft fairs? Etc...
Therefore, today, we're sharing a couple of easy tips about how best to share your books on social media without spamming people's timelines.
For goodness’ sake, don’t shout, "Buy my book!"
The classic mistake many writers make is to just pop a post on their Facebook page (or Twitter, etc), just saying: "I have a book out. Look!" or simply posting the title, in full expectation that followers do their own digging into what it's about and where to find it.
Well, many sadly won't bother!
Your friends & family already know, and have likely (hopefully!) bought their own copy, rather than scrounging a freebie off you. But how about other followers?
Your followers want to know more about your book, so oblige them! Tell them what the book is about – without begging for people to buy it.
You can do this in different ways, for example:
- quote from a great review;
- add your enticing tagline or a hook;
- describe your protagonist – or antagonist;
- share details of a price reduction or freebie;
- post thrilling details from your research;
- hint at your characters’ challenges;
- add a link to your newsletter;
- and always post it with a banner or book cover!
A nice, little banner enhances any post, and it will direct your followers’ eyes to it. Text alone is often overlooked, as people scroll past such posts. And in the algorithms of social media, they quickly disappear from sight.
You can create simple banners, free, on sites like Canva. A banner doesn't have to be fancy, but it's well worth it.
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| A simple, free design from Canva. |
Oh, and one more important point:
always add a link!
This could be a link to your website, your newsletter sign-up page, or a buy link (ideally a universal buy link, so interested readers don't have to go searching on their home store site – they may not bother).
These are just a few simple steps to ensure your promo posts are not annoying ’selling’ (which may hack off your friends), but instead, they make your followers curious about your books.
Happy sharing! 💝
The Coffee Pot Book Club was founded in 2015 by bestselling author, Mary Anne Yarde. Later, her daughter, Ellie, joined her.
Mary Anne’s goal was to create a platform that would help Historical Fiction, Historical Romance and Historical Fantasy authors promote their books and find that sometimes elusive audience.
The Coffee Pot Book Club soon became the place for readers to meet new authors (both traditionally published and independently) and discover their fabulous books.
In July 2022, Mary Anne and Ellie Yarde handed over the keys to The Coffee Pot Book Club to award-winning author, Cathie Dunn, who has many years’ experience as a book reviewer, author, publisher, and editor.
Cathie continues to feature quality historical fiction novels at The Coffee Pot Book Club and its wonderful tour hosts and associates.
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