Over the past couple years of doing speaking events, most authors that I've come across at conferences always tend to ask the same thing, no matter what panels I'm on. This weekend was no different.
This is GREAT for me! This is exactly how I came up with the idea of my non-fiction craft book, THE TRICKED OUT TOOLBOX~PROMOTION AND MARKETING TOOLS EVERY WRITER NEEDS.
"What is your top three advice tips for social media?" is the number one question I'm asked.
Social media still takes author's breath away. No matter what road of publication you've decided to take, all three of these will work.
1) AMAZON CENTRAL PAGE is a must. This is where you can list everything you can about you (the author) to help reach readers and other authors. Not only does it link all your books to you, you can put in your own bio, all your book trailers, any pictures you want to display, link your blogs, link Twitter feed, Facebook feed, EVERYTHING!
You can even create pages about your characters, setting, your novels in general. This might seem like a lot of work, but it's not. Once you take a few minutes to do it, you don't have to do anything to maintain it unless you need to change something on it.
Every so often I will update my bio or add a new book trailer. Setting up this account should be first on your list.
2) LINK, LINK, LINK! I'm sure you are on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, and now AMAZON CENTRAL. You can link your blog, Twitter, and Facebook to these sites. This will save you so much time because once you post to your blog, it will automatically go to your feeds and you won't have to go in and manually tell your social media peeps about your blog. The feed will do it for you. This gives you more exposure. All of this just takes a little time and it's FREE!
3) PAY IT FORWARD. Give back! Give a little KARMA. Visit a few author sites, leave a comment, share a couple of someone's Facebook status', or retweet a few of your tweeps.
The only thing these TOP THREE require are time. AND NOT A LOT OF IT! I know you are creeping on Facebook, playing around on Twitter, or even hanging out on the Kindle Boards. You can use that time to create these and you will be actually doing something to help boost your career.
Do you have a top three that you want to share?
#4: Follow Tonya! (Thanks for the great post.)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Diana! I'm so appreciate your wonderful words!
DeleteThanks for posting, Tonya. I'd forgotten about the Amazon Central page. Should I wait until my book is uploaded to Amazon before I create my author page?
ReplyDeleteMelissa, you know my mantra. . ."it's never too early to market or promote your career." I'd suggest to create it and put your bio up and timeline for when your books might come out, links to your blogs, and update those BLOGS! <3
DeleteSo when Sourcebooks uploads my title, I'll be able to link my author page to my book, and I won't have to start over?
DeleteNever mind, it's ALREADY UP!!! I had no idea, but when I searched for "Sultry with a Twist," there it was!!! (ZOMG!) ::scurries off to create Amazon Central author page::
DeleteI need to go check it out!
DeleteTonya,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing these gems of knowledge! You think of things I never do. :) I'm buying Tricked Out Toolbox today!!!
Thank you so much, Lorie!! It's all those little things that add up to make that big thing. Or at least that is what I've found out.
DeleteMore awesome advice! Thanks for sharing:)! I picked up a few idas for my Amazon Central page.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to help, Maria!!
DeleteGreat post, Tonya!
ReplyDeleteThanks, AR!
DeleteGood advice, Tonya.
ReplyDeleteI laugh at the questions asked because I'm of the opinion that people will ask it more than once. I think they hope the answer has changed since the last time they asked. Perhaps a magic carpet has been put in place to get where they want easier. :-D
Glad you're alive and well. Hugs,
Sia McKye OVER COFFEE
OH! I'd love to have a magic carpet!!!
DeleteLove the advice as always.
ReplyDeleteGood advice.Love that saying about the karma bus.Can I share that? Giving you the credit....
ReplyDeleteYou can share anything, Siggy! Glad to see you here!
DeleteI have an Amazon Author Central Page, but I haven't been able to figure out how to link it to my blog, FB and Twitter accounts. I don't get the whole RSS feed thing and I know I'm missing out on some great opportunities. Very frustrating to be so tech challenged. I've learned so much...and yet have so much to learn...geesh!
ReplyDeleteI have the Tricked Out Tool Box. It's an invaluable asset.
Hi, PJ! You can go to Google feed and it has easy directions. Not only can you link all your accounts, Google feed gives you the stats to see where it's working. Very cool, and I'm pretty techno stupid.
DeleteAs always, Tonya, good advice. And I still LOVE your wallpaper.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Vicki!
DeleteGood list, I wonder how many people visit Author Central? Is there a way to get metrics? I have mine completely fleshed out, but I couldn't tell you what good it's done. I'm sure it is useful, I just can't quantify it.
ReplyDeleteEoghan, you'd be surprised. I check my Google feed stats weekly and I was amazed at how many hits I get off the Amazon Central page. You should check your feed status.
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