10 Social Media Tips for Authors

Literary Agents Jessica Faust and James McGowan sit down to give their top 10 social media tips for authors. Pulling on their experience building the BookEnds social media brands, the pair work their way from starting social media, to simple usage, and ultimately growing it.
We hope it's helpful!
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Jessica Faust’s love for books is what first brought her to open BookEnds Literary Agency. It is her desire to be an advocate for all authors that pushed her to create her blog, the BookEnds KZbin channel and to maintain a vibrant presence on Twitter.
Jessica is proud to have grown BookEnds to an agency that represents authors of all genres for children and adults, allowing her to reach more readers and help more authors and illustrators achieve their dreams.
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Since interning at BookEnds as an undergrad in the summer of 2015, James has (basically) never left. He's just continuously level-up-ed inside of BookEnds. Now he is the Literary Assistant and Social Media Manager for the team. He’s been a reader since his mom gave him the first A Series of Unfortunate Events book and ordered the sequels regularly through Scholastic book orders.
James is currently growing his own list and is actively seeking submissions in adult literary and upmarket fiction, mystery, thrillers, and suspense. He is also actively building his picture book list.
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Website: www.bookendsliterary.com
Connect with Jessica: bookendsjessica
Connect with James: jmcgowanbks

[@johnclarke4701]

For me, doing something on social media is right up there with taking out my appendix through my left ear.

[@cadengrace5466]

OH. MY. GOD. I so totally agree with Jessica! The answer is that for some people it is a must but for others, not at all. I personally think you need an author site where customers can go to find information on your and your work. I am not a fan of Facebook, Instagram, and especially Twitter. There is no need to dive into Book Tube or become diversified into all of these other areas, that are not writing. If you are doing something that takes away from writing, you might want to rethink that. If you self-publish you have to wear multiple hats and one of those is brand management. But for a traditionally published author, you don't need much. Worse for many people, traditional publishers now have a nebulous "morals clause" in their contract that if for any reason they deem valid, they can drop you like a bag of trash at the curb. All of us have the potential to have a bad moment on social media and that is all it could take to end your contract. Get yourself a professionally set and managed Author Website and interact through it and you will be 90% on the way to support your brand needs.

[@rebeccaw9656]

I’m studying a bachelor of creative writing majoring in literature, and I have noticed that most of my favourite authors do have an online presence, some even podcast - even when traditionally published. So this led me to study some digital communications classes as electives, and it has been so eye opening and helpful. Studying social media in an academic sense, forced me to start doing it, and you learn by doing, it takes practice, to ‘learn new habits’ and basically to get over ourselves and our fears, self comfort. Our very first assessment was opening a Wordpress site, making a 2 minute video and uploading it to KZbin, imbedding that video into a blogpost (Wordpress) with 600 words on the filming process, self reflection and what we’d do to improve for next time, publishing it and uploading the link of blog post for assessment. TERRIFYING!! Even more, posting that blog post link on Twitter😂. But you know what, by my third video (now 8 minutes with two academic quotes to support our argument), I’m like... whatever🤷‍♀️😂. If I hadn’t been forced to do it, I’d probably still be too scared to even try. Plus, This blog site, our professor says, is now the start of our online resume.

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

I'm very interested to hear you talk about _not_ really needing to be on social media! I feel like that's all you hear: find a platform or two and cultivate a following. So thank you for an alternate perspective. I use Instagram and created a KZbin channel back in May. I wasn't quite sure where I would go with it, but it's been a lot of fun! If it wasn't, I'm sure I would have given up on it months ago, haha! For me, the biggest benefit of having a presence on social media is the community. I've found other writers to be so encouraging and supportive, which is lovely.

[@JDMcFarren]

Social media can be such a time vampire. Seriously, there's too much pressure for writers to be on social media. Websites are a must, though. No-brainer.

[@BookEndsLiterary]

Websites are definitely a must. Though, moving at your own pace on social media can totally be beneficial.

[@JDMcFarren]

@@BookEndsLiterary Most writers I watch on KZbin say that social media does nothing for them, as far as sales go, at least.

[@lljzmc]

I re-watch these videos sometimes when I'm anxious and need to step away from news and re-focus on my actual goals. 2 bits that especially struck me from this one: Don't be creepy (I try really hard to not be creepy, but who knows whether my creepiness standards are "normal"--oh god, something else to worry about!) and the 80-20 rule (new to me but totally makes sense as I think back over posts my favorite authors have made on various platforms). So thank you! Off now to look up Susan Orlean's drunk tweets ... Happy holidays to anyone celebrating this week.

[@MorganHazelwood]

Just a quick suggestion for people with clients or fellow writers you try to support, I create a Twitter list with just them on it. And then I can look at a feed of just them. It helps me be able to see any big news and I miss a lot less from people I'm invested in.

[@Sammowrimo]

It’s so fun to hear your thoughts on this! I use social media sparingly - mostly because my day job is in social media and I’m tapped out most of the time - but I want to be more visible... thankfully I have a website but it’s nice to hear that you guys don’t care that I’m not plugging myself 100% of the time because... I’m tired 😂

[@BookEndsLiterary]

We can relate to tired. And we work very hired to protect ourselves in that way and in how we use our own social media. You're doing great.

[@shantibeefree]

Thank you for your videos! I am very glad you two are having fun creating them! The connection between the two of you is awesome to witness. Your videos are always informative and supportive!

[@Elephantine999]

Interesting discussion. I have never cared for social media (least of all Facebook & Twitter), but I do take a lot of photos of my photogenic cat!

[@billenglish6352]

You guys are amazing. I can't stop watching.

[@mevia_mastropietro_author]

This video provided a lot of relief as I struggle with the “algorithms” and business aspect of social media. I’m just not very business minded and have always been quite private until forcing myself to do an Instagram account-where I find fellow writers instead of potential readers-something all the business-minded authors advise against. *facepalm* Thank you for this! I’ll go back to being more original! Haha

[@BookEndsLiterary]

Yes! Fellow writers form a community that will eventually branch off into readers as your book makes its way to shelves.

[@mevia_mastropietro_author]

@@BookEndsLiterary Thank you!

[@JDMcFarren]

I love Jessica's posts of Olive! Dogs are always a winner.

[@ariannastewart2643]

One of my goals is to engage on social media. I tend to be more of a lurker and rarely make original posts even though I really enjoy platforms like twitter and insta. Thank you for the tips!

[@BookEndsLiterary]

engagement is key

[@eliasmcclellan7940]

I can dig this. I have 16K followers. I do a Writer Wednesday blog crawl and writers' support group. I profile between 12 and 14 blogs, share (hilarious) memes, and tender asides. I get 3 or four likes and 3 or 4 retweets. If I depended on this sell books, I'd have to commit some of the crimes I write about to put food on the table.

[@h.a.s.7336]

I started an instagram account on January 1st this year in order to connect with writers/illustrators and those who might buy children's books - teachers, librarians, parents. But so far, I'm finding it much easer to connect with fellow writers and a few illustrators, not with those who will actually buy the books. The librarians and teachers on instagram are building a following and not really looking to follow you back... Some do, but generally because they are starting out. And now I've experienced Instagram throttling your reach in order to get you to pay for advertising. I'm realizing there are many other ways to connect with book buyers and social media is good for a presence in order to be "found", but not a good vehicle to sell books. I'll be devoting much less time on it than I initially thought. But thanks for the tips in the video! (Also found Twitter impossible if you are starting from scratch. I'd have to spend a TON of time to get connected and I'm not sure it's worth it. i'd rather just send a press release! ha)

[@hunterhatfield7157]

The 80/20 rule is the Pareto Principle and is over a century old. It refers to what's called a Power Law distribution. These distributions are found all over the world, including in matters of business. Also, see the video on the Zipf Mystery

[@BookEndsLiterary]

Thank you!

[@kassieritman7546]

I kinda see social media as a virtual cocktail party. And we all know we run screaming from anyone who is at the party to "network" instead of to have fun, meet people, and drink and a couple of gimlets

[@rentonreva2047]

just here to like this video. will watch it later

[@susanmatley5006]

I'm a new subscriber, and I'm very much enjoying the videos. Thanks! Regarding Twitter, any new thoughts on this platform given the current management/ownership upheaval?

[@BookEndsLiterary]

Hi! We actually did a video a few months back when this acquisition was first announced, and Jessica and James both had different thoughts about what would happen if Twitter changed drastically! :)

[@kimraethridge6124]

Thanks for the guidance, I have really appreciated it, so glad I found your channel and so glad you guys enjoy making the videos. I have no social media presence but I have this beautiful little picture book that I finished and decided I want to do something with... so I guess this means I get to try something new. I also just finished the first character of my next project and kind of dieing to show him off to friends/family so maybe I will do that on Facebook? Is that okay or appropriate? I'm so new to this scene but I think I could figure facebook out.

[@conwayfitzgerald]

I just asked you this question on one of your other posts. Then I saw this (your latest post). So pardon me for restating my question, as this subject is what my post was all about. I've seen a bunch of YT vids of pub agents who said essentially, 'My first step is to google the author's name, if nothing comes up I move on.' I'm not a fan of social media, so what I chose to do to establish social analytics was to create an audio book production of my novel on YT. Its been fun and I've built a substantial following in a short period of time. So here's my question: Does this constitute a self-publish in your eyes? Does seeing a substantial positive response hold any weight to how you might qualify a new author? Thanks.

[@saxbend]

Hiatus is a fourth declension noun, so the plural is also hiatus, but with a longer u. :)

[@BookEndsLiterary]

LOL Thank you

[@somekid3893]

Hiatoos?

[@h.a.s.7336]

What are your thoughts on using LinkedIn to connect with agents and publishers, though not pitching to them directly via LinkedIn. I read that it is a good idea since the publishing world is so transient, people changing positions, etc. Thanks for another great video!

[@BookEndsLiterary]

LinkedIn can be useful, but not everyone is on there and/or updating their linked in.

[@h.a.s.7336]

@@BookEndsLiterary Thanks for your response! Much appreciated...

[@drmcbean1]

I think the 80/20 rule James references is called the Pareto Principle (relationship between input/output)

[@BookEndsLiterary]

Thank you!

[@tejaswinisparthasarathywrites]

Hi! I already have a bookstagram but it's pretty small do you recommend setting up a separate account or should I just use the existing account?

[@BookEndsLiterary]

Hi! We recommend authors only participate in social media as much as they want to and in the ways they want to. If you want a separate author IG from your bookstagram, go for it! Otherwise, you don't need to separate them!

[@andynordvall626]

I have been wondering about this a lot, so thanks for the perfect video. Loved the advice "Set the consistency level that works for you." as I'm currently experimenting/figuring this out for myself. Is anyone else out there just using a URL of their name forward to a linktree with all your links? It seems a good way to be find-able yet funnel anyone interested to the places/platforms where you're active. And any advice for how to find communities and relevant hashtags on Twitter or IG?

[@BookEndsLiterary]

We definitely think a website would be stronger than a link tree (a linktree might be good to have for quick shares or something like that), but a website can have all of the necessary information and links, especially as deals are made and books announced.. Also, #writingcommunity is one of the best on twitter!

[@MerlinGal]

Was just having an online conversation with another writer about whether or not you disclose your cultural or political views online. My feeling is that one of the lessons from the JK Rowling situation is that who you are is going to come out. It's like dating: you can't live in Spanx. Sooner or later, someone is going to see the real you. I can see, depending on what you write, that you might not want it front and center online, but I also feel that if I lose some readers by saying I support LGBTQ rights, I'm okay with that -- and nobody can come at me in the future saying I "hid" my BLM support, for example. I'm writing for adults. If I were writing for children, I might start another account for that.

[@blackhawksfan2525]

You can either write or you can't. You either have a publishable work or you don't. I'd guess an agent cares about that first and foremost. Social media seems like something to be addressed once you're in the mode of promoting a book, which comes after finding an agent and a publisher. At that point, I see it becoming very important. But I doubt an existing social media presence is going to make-or-break whether or not you'll find an agent in the first place.

[@artemis6623]

I would like to see a video about what to post/not post regarding politics. Lots of agents on my feed have been bashing trump supporters without repercussions although a large part of the country disagrees. Being yourself in the publishing industry may only he true for half the us population

[@kardsufur2966]

get real. if you're a conservative this industry does not want you and no agent will represent you unless you hide in the closet and put on a fake persona

[@whutzat]

I think that the bare minimum for a PUBLISHED author is a landing page website. Any social media they do....website, Twitter, Instagram....should be about their works, in my opinion. I want to see stuff about their stories, characters, work process, etc. Not as enthusiastic to see pics of their grocery store adventures and what they had for dinner when they went out.

[@pagejustin5572]

0:56 it's about as important as your credit score, your driving record, your criminal record (excluding felonies) and what your present career is. You'd have to be pretty stupid to think these are factors in predicting whether or not you have a novelist

[@annematthews7139]

So, I am a new unpublished author/illustrator and I dislike the idea that I need to have a social media site to be considered a real person .If I blish a book I can create a specific page for the book on Facebook, but my experience is that I have had friends with 4000 friends but because most of those friend and follows never like, comment, or share none of those friends see the posts. Also, many agents ask for an "on-line portfolio of artwork." which i do not want to do because it is easy to steal art. All that you have to do is click on it. How do I know hat somene in China is not publishing my art as their book? Artists on the Redbubble platform complain of this. My social media is to keep in touch with family around the globe.

[@emberstonequest]

In regards to the online portfolio, you could password protect it and tell whomever you need to (agents and whatnot) to use that password to access the portfolio. Wordpress makes this possible with free plugins for a whole site, or you can put it all on one page/post that is password protected from Wordpress' core functions.

[@obsidianstang6296]

Forgot to mention politics. Just don't. No one wants to hear it.

[@blackhawksfan2525]

Exactly why, if I ever get published, I'll create an "author"-based social media presence that's separate from my personal social media. If you get messed up in politics and social issues, you're going to cut off half your consumer base.... regardless of what side you're on.

[@TheRandomINFJ]

A female on Twitter asked how she could get to a million followers. Gross. So I unfollowed her. I'm not anybody's number. I'm a human. Social media boggles my mind.