How to Use Social Media to Market Your Book to Global Readers
Social media usage is on the rise in the United States and around the world. Most people use social media often, many at least once a day. This means that billions of people around the world go on any of the wide array of social media platforms.
Every one of these billions of people are potential readers. That is why social media is an invaluable marketing tool in the 21st century. Social media has been on the rise for more than two decades. Over the years, social media has become one of the most powerful marketing tools imaginable, including for books.
A part of the publishing process is marketing. After you publish your book, you want as many people to read it as possible. This is where social media comes into the picture. This article will discuss current social media platforms and their roles in marketing a book.
What Are the Most Popular Social Media Platforms?
Some of today’s most popular social media platforms have been around for more than 20 years; others are newer. As with any phenomenon, social media platforms can gone and go in popularity. They evolve with the times and provide unique avenues of virtual social interaction, usually via writing, pictures, and/or videos.
According to the Pew Research Center, there are eight social media platforms used by at least 20% of Americans. These are YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, Reddit, Snapchat, and X. Three prominent, but slightly less used, platforms are Threads, Bluesky, and Truth Social. These platforms have substantial overlaps in audiences, type of content, method of distribution, and societal impact.
Pictures and Videos on Social Media
Nearly all social media platforms allow users to share photos and videos with others. Some were designed this way, and others added new visual features over time. Images of all types are increasingly important in social media, especially as artificial intelligence becomes more prominent.
Facebook and Instagram were two of the earlier platforms to encourage photo sharing. On Facebook, users can do more than post photos and videos, but that is Instagarm’s specialty. Snapchat is also centered around visual media, allowing users to send photos and video for one-time viewing. Snapchat broke new ground by creating “stories,” which allow users to post content that others can view for one day. Now, “stories” are found in nearly every platform.
TikTok is a much newer social media platform primarily for video content. On TikTok, users scroll through an algorithm-based “feed” of short videos. This has also become implemented by other platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram. BookTok is a large community of TikTok users who post about and encourage reading.
Writing on Social Media
Users can write on every social media platform. Whether it is a status update, comment on another post, or caption on a photo, users can write their thoughts. For some platforms, writing was the initial purpose. These include Facebook, WhatsApp, Reddit, X, Threads, Bluesky, and Truth Social. Some of these have permitted visual content from the beginning, but they can be used as solely text-based platforms.
On nearly all social media platforms, users can send direct messages to each other. Messaging other people is another noteworthy aspect of social media outside of posting one’s thoughts.
What Kinds of Accounts Are There?
Most people have at least one social media account. This is likely a personal account for one’s personal life. It can be focused on sharing life updates and opinions with friends, family members, and acquaintances.
However, for someone looking to expand their followers or gain prominence, there are also professional accounts. These are business-oriented and can belong to a person, brand, or other entity. This is less about personal opinion and more about building a professional network, potentially even a fan base.
What to Post on Social Media to Promote My Book?
You can post whatever you want on your social media accounts. When you publish a book, you will probably want to post any video trailers, art work, or quotes. If you do press for your book, you can also post about that on your profile. The goal here is to get your book to other users’ algorithms, enticing them to buy your book.
When you publish with Cloverly Christian, you are in safe hands. We help you on the journey of promoting your book on social media right from your book’s launch. You are able to share our social media posts about your book to your personal networks, including a video teaser.
By posting on social media, your book can get in front of countless potential new readers. Before social media, these people might have never heard of your book. You can also join communities of fellow authors online for advice or encouragement.
Social media can be your biggest asset along your journey as a published author. Make sure to take advantage of everything social media has to offer you.
