Image: The words "To thine own self be true" are emblazoned on a wall above the stage in the auditorium of Conway Hall, London, England.

Building Your Brand on TikTok Isn’t Curation, It’s Authenticity

As authors, how do we make social media work for us? Here’s how one history nerd used the power of TikTok to create a community of readers.
Image: Holocaust survivor Gidon Lev stands at the gate of the former Terezin concentration camp in the Czech Republic, holding a yellow fabric Magen David with the word "Jude" stitched on it.

Harnessing the Power of TikTok: From Self-Published to Traditionally Published Author

How one author leveraged a sizable social media platform to breathe new life into a self-published book.
A seated woman wearing earbuds has a pen in one hand and a notebook in the other while she stares intently at an open laptop computer perched on her legs.

Why You Should Be Writing on Social Media

It’s still possible to write on social media to communicate our ideas, our topics, and our point of view to people who become our audience.
A man's hands hold a smartphone with the TikTok logo displayed on the screen.

Authors Who’ve Launched Their Careers on TikTok

Here’s how two self-published authors have been successful in their marketing and promotion efforts on TikTok.
Image: illustration of a businesswoman running on a large hamster wheel, in front of bookcases.

Writers, Stop Using Social Media (Like That)

A social media following doesn’t guarantee sales. Building an audience that’s engaged with your work—your mission—requires more varied tools.
Image: close-up of a laptop keyboard, showing buttons bearing social media icons.

Which Social Media Platform Is the Best?

Identifying the right platform for you comes down to your personality, what you like to do and, most importantly, what you want to achieve.
Image: a woman holding a notepad, standing in front of a camera and ring light mounted on a tripod.

How to Make Money Through Social Media Without Being an Influencer

You don’t need to be famous or a tech guru. All you really need is an Instagram account, a PayPal link, and something to offer your audience.
Image: someone deleting the Facebook app from a smartphone.

A Year Without Social Media as a Freelance Writer

For freelancers, forgoing social media can mean giving up crucial visibility. But it can also provide time to focus on being a better writer.
Image: young women looking at a smartphone on which the TikTok app is displayed.

BookTok: A Safe Haven for Young Female Readers

The key to winning BookTok content: authenticity.
Yes, Social Media Can Sell Books. But Not If Publishers Sit on Their Hands

Yes, Social Media Can Sell Books. But Not If Publishers Sit on Their Hands

Publishers need to closely collaborate with their authors if they expect that author's large social media following to sell books.
Image: a network of pushpins connected by string

How I Landed a Book Deal Via Twitter—Unintentionally

For one unagented author, landing a publisher was a result of preparation, transparency, and a well-developed network.
Image: woman's hands at a laptop computer, crafting a colorful post based on the open book at her side

Should You Hire a Social Media Assistant?

Virtual assistants take over tasks that you could do yourself. What you’re buying, in effect, is the freedom to use your time in other ways.
Image: illustration of birds following the leader

How and Why to Build a Twitter Following While Unpublished

An unpublished writer describes how she built a five-figure Twitter following within a year, by helping other writers and engaging on a personal level.
It's Okay not to Twitter

Saying No to Twitter: What Authors Need to Know

Social media use can drive book sales, but not all successful authors use Twitter. If you don't want to be on Twitter, you don't have to be on it. Digital services consultant and AuthorPop founder Daniel Berkowitz shares why Twitter truly is optional.
instagram tips for writers

10 Instagram Tips for Writers

Younger generations (and older ones!) flock to Instagram for its feed of beautiful pictures. So how can writers use Instagram to their benefit?
online crisis

How to Lessen Your Chances of an Online Crisis

It can happen to you. Your carefully built author business and your reputation can come under attack and threaten to disrupt your livelihood and your personal life. But you can help prevent a crisis in the first place by using some simple engagement strategies.
social media for authors

Social Media for Authors: The Toughest Topic to Advise On

I believe a successful social media strategy is driven by one’s personality and strengths, as well as the qualities of the work produced—leading to a unique approach for each writer. A
author without social media presence

So You’re an Author Without a Social Media Presence: Now What?

Social media is just one component of your author platform, and not necessarily the most important component. It works best as part of a holistic book marketing and promotion strategy.
Facebook page

The Pros and Cons of Using a Facebook Profile But Not an Official Page

Every author is told to start an official Facebook page. But what if you stick with your personal profile only? Learn the advantages and disadvantages.
social media for writers

Why You Should Join All Social Media Networks

I think it's fair to say that most of us are not looking to add more social media activity to our lives.
Simon Curtis 8 Bit heart

Storytelling Across Media: Q&A with Agent Laurie McLean

Agent Laurie McLean discusses the platform and book launch strategy for author/musician Simon Curtis.
Best Practices for Author Facebook Pages and Groups

Best Practices for Author Facebook Pages and Groups

Kirsten Oliphant discusses how to effectively use Facebook pages and groups.
A flock of birds in the sky

Overcoming My Fear of Twitter

Chris Jane, who writes the biweekly Q&A series 5 On, discusses overcoming her fear of joining the Twitterverse.
The secret to my productivity

The Secret to My Productivity, Or: Thoughts About Luxury and Privilege

I'm often asked: How can I be so productive? Or how does one balance creative work and other life demands? Here's the most truthful answer I have.
by Pauleon Tan / Flickr

Engaging Audiences through Twitter in 15 Minutes a Day

Writer and blogger Kirsten Oliphant explains how to build your platform on Twitter in only 15 minutes a day.
Book marketing on Pinterest

Using Pinterest to Market Children’s Picture Books

A children's author shares her strategies for promoting her picture books on Pinterest—as well as what adult fiction marketing techniques haven't worked for her.
by Niklas Wikström

My 5 Philosophies of Social Media

If you need a place to start, then focus on talking about or posting about others you admire.
Facebook for Authors

Facebook for Authors: Getting Started Guide

This 101 guide describes best practices for authors using Facebook for book marketing, with tips on when you should set up a fan page.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/35468148654@N01/7252970518/

2 Easy Ways to Measure the Impact of Your Social Media Use

Learn how to easily study the impact of your social media use on your marketing and promotion efforts.
social media

How to Avoid the “Extra” Work of Social Media

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of speaking at a one-day publishing event hosted by Blurb in Brooklyn, NY.
Writer Unboxed

How to Measure Whether Your Social Media Activity Is Worthwhile

Today I'm a contributor over at Writer Unboxed, discussing how social media can be used more effectively. My suggestions rely, in
uPublishU

Social Media 201: uPublishU Panel Preview

Tomorrow, I'm moderating a panel at BEA's uPublishU on Social Media 201, featuring: Porter Anderson L.L. Barkat of Tweetspeak Poetry
Photo by fatllama / Flickr

A Call to Disarm Technology & Hype (And Boost Your Writing Productivity)

The internet and other technology keeps us on insanely high alert, ultimately producing an effect where we attend to everything and we attend to nothing (deeply). This high-alert state is producing a fatigue that’s detrimental not only to our psyches and relationships, but also to the quality of our professional output.
Writer Unboxed

Does Social Media Really Sell Books?

There's no end to the conflicting advice about social media and book marketing. In this post, I present a framework for what's effective and what's not.
blogging for writers

2 Strategic and Compelling Reasons to Keep Blogging—Plus When to Kill a Blog

Note from Jane: Today's guest post is from Dan Blank (@DanBlank) and covers a topic that was recently addressed on
Pinterest for authors

5 Ideas for Using Pinterest as an Author

How authors, especially novelists, can start using Pinterest in a way that's a natural outgrowth of their work.
Should writers blog?

It’s Time for (Many) Experienced Writers to Stop Blogging

Author L.L. Barkat argues that writers who already have experience—as well as authors trying to promote themselves—should stop blogging.
Twitter

How I Got a Six-Figure Twitter Following (and Why It Doesn’t Matter)

It's almost a running joke. Whenever my manager introduces me at an event, he always starts by saying how many
Jane's Twitter bio

Build a Better Author Bio for Twitter

Before you decide to follow someone on Twitter, what's the first thing you look at? Probably the bio. Let's assume
Kitty Cornered by Bob Tarte

How One Introverted Author Successfully Markets His Work

The following Q&A is with author Bob Tarte. Bob lives in Michigan with parrots, ducks, geese, parakeets, rabbits, doves, cats, hens,
How to Blog a Book by Nina Amir

How Long Does It Take to Get Blog Readers?

The following advice is excerpted from How to Blog a Book by Nina Amir, recently released from Writer's Digest Books.
Facebook strategy

Facebook Strategy for Authors: In-Depth Discussion

If you're like most authors I know, you've wondered about how to best use Facebook. Should you stick to your
Platform by Michael Hyatt

Top 10 Blog Traffic Killers

The following advice is from Michael Hyatt's newest release, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World. The book is one of
Flickr / tq2cute

3 Horrible Mistruths About Social Media That Drive Me Insane

Flickr / tq2cute This post really needs no introduction. Let's just get to the rant, in my favored numbered list
Keynoting the Indy Authors Fair (2011)

How Perfect Does Your Manuscript Have to Be?

As part of the 2012 Missouri Writers Guild conference faculty, I did a Q&A for their conference blog that discusses
The Writer's Workout

Platform and Social Media Must Not Be Your Center

Today's post is excerpted from The Writer's Workout: 366 Tips, Tasks, & Techniques From Your Writing Career Coach (Writer's Digest,
by Garda / Flickr

3 Blunders That Can Kill Your Author Platform

Today's guest post is from author Kristen Lamb. The digital age author has more opportunities than any writer in the
Nobility of Time

How to Waste Your Time on Social Media

Last week, I discussed how you can waste your time trying to get published. You can also waste your time
Facebook logo

3 Principles for Facebook Fan Pages

Facebook is the No. 1 most popular website in the United States in terms of visits, which means it's more
Amy Stolls

How Much Has Book Marketing Changed Since 2005?

Amy Stolls is the author of The Ninth Wife, a novel just released from HarperCollins as a paperback original. The