How to Use Twitter To Promote Your Book
Although still technically young in the world of advertising, social media has become one of the primary marketing methods used around the world. Marketing through platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Vine is absolutely essential for any successful advertising campaign, big or small. No longer is it simply for sharing pictures of your kitten or tropical vacation – it is a powerful and exciting way to connect with potential consumers around the world!
But what if you are still new to this marketing method or have never utilized it for advertising purposes? Each platform has multiple ways it can be used to market your book. Today, let’s begin with one of the most popular social media outlets: Twitter.
Branding Your Twitter Page
Twitter is a fabulous way to begin an international conversation about a topic in just 140 characters. If you are looking to spread the word about your book, begin by customizing your page to reflect your brand – make sure your avatar is a warm and welcoming photo of yourself, change the color scheme of the page to reflect those used in your book cover or website, and update the header image to your book cover(s).
Also, if you have not already done so, update your Twitter handle to something memorable such as your name or the title of your book. Next, begin following potential readers, as well as book reviewers and entertainment journalists. It may take a little time for people to begin to follow you back, but have no fear – as long as you continue to tweet at least once each day you will gradually build a solid and engaged following.
What Do I Tweet About?
When using Twitter to market your book you need to make sure that you include tweets about your book along with personal commentary so that your readers connect with you, as well as your work. Here are a few examples:
Quotes from your book along with a link back to where it can be purchased.
Quotes from reviews of your book along with a link back to the full review.
Insights you have into the topic of your book.
Commentary on the life of a writer and how you came to be published.
If you are self-published, tweet tips on self-publishing.
If you are doing a book tour, which you should, tell people where they can meet you and purchase a book. Be sure to use hashtags that are relevant to the location the event will be in order to target the local demographic there.
If you are giving away a free chapter as a promotion, let people know where they can download it.
Similarly, if you are running a giveaway or contest to promote your book be sure to tweet about it.
Recommendations of fellow author’s books your readers might be interested in. Be sure to tag the author by using @ followed by their name so they are notified of the promotion. This shows you are generous and supportive.
Pose questions for your readers such as asking what their favorite topics to read about are or, if they read your book, ask them for feedback.
Be Present and Stay Engaged
It’s important with Twitter to stay engaged in the conversation. In addition to these tips take a few minutes each day to check your notifications and direct messages and personally respond to any questions, as well as thank those who retweet your posts or tag you in their posts. Expressing your gratitude goes a long way in social media.
Twitter is just one social media platform available to cultivate a readership and boost book sales. Trust me, once you get the hang of it, you’re going to thoroughly enjoy it! Be sure to look for my future posts about other applications and how to market to them successfully.
Do you use Twitter to promote your book or product? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!