It can be overwhelming to even consider yourself a writer. And really quite scary to ‘put it out there’ when you have created something. Writing is a lonely activity and letting the world know you have written something makes you feel vulnerable. But, you do need to consider how you are going to share your writing with the world. Consider Facebook for writers – it really is a good place to start sharing about your creative endeavours.
Why have a Facebook Page?
One of the main reasons to have a Page rather than use a personal profile for your writing is that Facebook doesn’t like you using a personal profile to promote something you are (or will be selling). I have heard of at least five people in my circle who have had their profiles removed in the last 6 months. And the only thing they have in common is that they all promoted their business (or their writing) on a personal profile.
Facebook also has limits on the number of friends you can have using a personal profile. It is currently 5,000. But a Page is limitless and I do hope that you are considering growing your community to more than 5,000 people.
A Page means you can create a ‘profile’ around your writing brand. You can follow other Pages that support your writing and that are relevant to you as a writer and not you as a parent or a friend.
When you embark on writing you are in effect setting up a personal brand business. You need to understand what’s working and what’s not. This you can do using a Page. You have access to statistics, information about your community (gender, age etc) and you can do paid advertising. You can’t do this on a personal profile.
And remember, your friends and family are not necessarily your Ideal Readers. And many, don’t want to see you pushing your book sales. They would prefer to see posts in their feed from you about your life, your garden, and your holidays. Don’t annoy your friends and family.
A Page for your Writing, not your Book
You have published a book! That’s amazing! I know after the hard work you are probably thinking, “Never again!”. But, very quickly you have the next book lined up. Remember, as a writer, you may also be invited to write articles, and blogs, speak at events and contribute to podcasts. If this is all around your book, that’s great, but what if it’s not? What if these invitations come because of your book, but not about it?
As soon as you publish a book, you become a brand. And it is your brand that needs the Facebook Page. You will want to grow a community around YOU, the write, not your book. And if you have your community growing on a Facebook Page, they will be ready for your next book.
Remember, if people have liked your book, they will become fans of everything else you do.
Please do not limit your reach by having a Facebook Page for your book. Rather have one for you, the writer, the creative and published author.
What to post about?
Here is a list to start with. But you are a creative, so you will come up with your own favourite post topics:
- Behind the scenes – where you write, where and how you find your inspiration
- Discussions from your book – why you love a character, why you chose a location, how you came up with topics
- Links to your blog posts, articles you have written, and interviews you have been on (YouTube and/or podcasts), and any other writing you sell.
- Links to other writers you admire
- Excerpts from your book with an explanation
- Shared posts from local bookshops and organisations, publishing houses, other authors, people who inspire you
- Images and promo of events you are attending, (even if not in relation to your writing) and your own events – workshops, speaking gigs etc.
- Personal snippets – choose the level of personal you would like the world to see
- Links to purchase your books
Have fun! Your Facebook Page is about building a community around your personal brand. Using it purely as a broadcast opportunity will not be of any value to you and future sales. Show the world the person you are, and share your creativity. People want to know the person behind the writing, so let them see YOU.
Make sure you check your post insights to see what posts have done well, and what posts haven’t. Then, do more of what works and less of what doesn’t. And you will start seeing the rewards in your book sales. All fingers are crossed for you.
