A Publisher's Conversation with Authors: Be Discovered by an Influencer or Become an Influencer?

 

It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side. 

Often, we have shared the major advantages to book sales that discovery by a social media Influencer brings. But what if, we have been asked, you have had zero luck, no matter how much you have tried to bring your book to the attention of an Influencer or to have an Influencer decide to promote your book? Well, you could become an Influencer yourself. Here are sone ways to go about that.

Choose your niche

Select a niche that aligns with your interests, expertise, and passion. Choosing a niche helps you target a specific audience and establishes you as an authority in that area.

Define your personal brand

Clearly define your persona and personal brand. Consider what makes you unique and how you want to be perceived by your audience. Consistency is key in building a recognizable brand.

Choose relevant platform(s)

Identify the social media platforms that align with your niche and where your target audience is most active. Platforms may include Instagram, YouTube, TikTok or BookTok, Twitter, or others.

Optimize your profile

Craft a compelling and concise bio that clearly communicates who you are, what you do, and what value you provide. Use a consistent profile picture across all platforms.

Create Quality Content


Develop high-quality, engaging, and consistent content. Use a mix of photos, videos, and captions that resonate with your audience. Experiment with different content formats to see what works best.

Consistency is key

Establish a posting schedule. Consistency in posting is crucial for maintaining and growing your audience. Create a posting schedule that works for you and aligns with your audience's habits.

Engage with your audience

Actively engage with your followers by responding to comments, direct messages, and participating in discussions. Building a community around your content is essential for long-term success.

Collaborate with Others

Partner with other influencers or content creators in your niche. Collaborations can expose you to a broader audience and bring fresh perspectives to your content. At the very least, you can post on each other's blog, review each other's books, and help spread the word about each other's books.

Make good use of hashtags

Research and use relevant and popular hashtags to increase the discoverability of your content. Research which hashtags are commonly used in your niche and incorporate them into your posts.

Optimize for SEO

Research the most useful keywords for your book(s). What keywords do potential readers use to look for similar books? Use those for yours and in your posts. If you have the resources, take on an SEO specialist who freelancers -- see how that person can improve the SEO of your website/blog.

Attend events

Book conferences and fairs are excellent places to practice being an Influencer. You will meet people there with whom you can network and increase your visibility as an Influencer.

Make your offerings valuable

Stay informed about advances in the areas about which you write. Be sure you offer value to your readers in all your postings, whether you offer entertainment, inspiration, or information.

Make it feasible

Nearly no one can do their Influencing work as a volunteer. Find out ways to monetize your site. Use the statistics available on blogger, twitter, whatever your platforms are to better fine tune your approach. Various platforms have ways to monetize contributions; ferret out what is possible for yours.

Remember the important little things

Staying authentic increases your credibility as an Influencer. Handle criticism gracefully. And, finally, be a nonstop learner.

Bottom line: Becoming a social media influencer involves building a strong personal brand, engaging with your audience, and creating content that resonates with your followers. That takes time and dedication. Focus on building genuine connections with your audience and consistently delivering content that adds value to their lives.

See more Publisher Conversations with authors HERE.

 Learn more about publishing from an acquisitions editor -- how to get your book proposal accepted, why proposals are turned down/accepted, and how to find the right publisher for your book. On special sale for $5 while inventory lasts at MSI Press webstore.

The Tuesday talks reflect real discussions between the management of MSI Press LLC and our own authors or those would-be authors who come through our doors but don't make the cut--yet. If you have a topic that you would like addressed, leave the question in the comment section. Chances are, in our 18 years of publishing first-time and experiences authors, we have had a conversation with one of our authors that we can share with you.

                             

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