One effective way for self-published authors to promote their brand online aside from an author website is by creating social media advertising. Social media is flooded with a potential target audience and they are effective platforms as far as marketing is the concern. Here is a list of essential elements a self-published author must consider when creating his or her social media advertisement.

About Me/Bio

Your social media account must bear your real name or your author name. Your Bio or About Me page must contain all the essential information including your basic author information, contact information, and credentials. You can also throw in a short list of achievements, views, or even a brief personal history.

Profile Picture

Your profile photo is a key element in any of your social media profile. Your image is an extension to your author brand. Just like most author sites, your profile image must bear a professional photo of the author. Make sure to show your smiling face.  A half body shot is more professional looking than a simple headshot. Also, make sure you are properly framed and you are using a simple yet contrast background. Use this same image in all your professional social media profiles.

Cover Photo

Background or cover photos are pretty much the same as your profile image, except this time you won’t be displaying your face but something that would speak about your author brand. Some authors choose to display the cover image of their books, some choose a book event, while others opt for an inspiring image. It’s also important to adjust the image size since different social media platforms recommend different image size. Facebook recommend images with no smaller than 851 x 315 megapixels wide. For Instagram, 180 x 180 pixels is the most while Twitter says that the header must be between 1500 x 500 to 1263 x 421 pixels.

Status Posts

Timely status updates, posts, and tweets are what makes your social media advertising active and dynamic. Without these daily updates and expression of ideas, your site is lifeless and nothing more than a boring digital sell sheet. Make sure to update your status daily, posts about something interesting related to your book, and tweet about things that you passionately care as a writer and as a person.

 

Blogs/Updates

Your blog section usually has news updates, press release, and upcoming events. However, a blog has other purposes. You can use it to optimize your page.  Aside from sharing updates, blogs are also a great way to share your ideas and establish yourself as a serious writer.

Keywords/Hashtags

Using keywords and hashtags in your blogs or any social media post helps to increase and solidify your brand messaging. Hashtags glue together the core idea you want your target audience to capture. Keywords help optimize your blog posts in Google SEO search.

Images and Videos

Visuals are very enticing. They help attract new visitors each time and if you have pretty good visuals, you longer they will stay on your page. Make sure you create a gallery for your book pictures, including book covers. It is also important to post pictures of events, updates, and milestone. If you already have a book trailer, make sure to post the video in your social media accounts.

Chatbox and Chatgroups

Facebook Chat and chat groups are there for a  reason – to interact with your contacts. Your contacts and followers are on social media are your immediate audience. Engage with them as much as you can. Chat groups are also essential in engaging with your more immediate target audience, fellow authors, or closest colleagues.

Reviews & Testimonials

Collect positive reviews and comments in your social media accounts. Positive comments boost your social media advertising campaign and your author brand. And what makes testimonials unique is that they are not self-serving and they give more credibility to you and your brand.

Your Marketing Materials

Displaying your marketing materials in your social media account and its content is the most important element of your account. It’s what gives your account identity and character. From your cover photos to posts, up to your galleries, fill your account with various marketing materials and content related to it.

Links to Other Accounts/Profiles

Links simply means opportunities. If you can link the main page of your YouTube Channel on Facebook or vice versa, it would be an opportunity for your Facebook contacts to check your YouTube Channel. All you need to do is make sure that the link is easily found.  After all, the point in creating a social media account is to be noticed by the broadest number of target audience.

Compelling Call to Actions

Whether it’s Facebook, YouTube, Twitter or Instagram, what matters the most is a compelling call to action. The ability to effectively ask someone to take a certain course of action relies on building a sense of urgency right from the start and making the benefits to your CTA as simple, clear and concise as possible. Never hesitate using the word “FREE” for everyone is attracted by the idea of deals free of charge. Or responsibility.

ReadersMagnet Marketing Services offers Dynamic Website package and Social Media Advertising. Publish with us today and we’ll provide you with top quality social media page and advertising. Call us at Office Number: (619) 354 2643 Toll Free Number: (800) 805 0762 or email us at [email protected].