Hey, fellow authors on Twitter and Facebook. You know what really bugs me about some of you?
Incessantly posting “Buy my book” with links to where I can purchase it. I’m supposed to buy your book because you’ve flooded my feed with your advertising? Yeah, right! You’ve just turned me in the opposite direction. Every time I see your name, I automatically scroll down.
Another turnoff is constantly begging for reviews of your book. Jeez!
Don’t you understand that all this energy you’re expending is counterproductive? It’s like going on a date with someone you’ve just met who pulls out a wedding ring an hour into the evening. Your first thought is to run.
Why not advertise your book once, maybe twice or three times, then keep your name at the top of my mind by posting something interesting? A post about how you came up with your book’s title. A blurb about what real-life person inspired you to create your protagonist. A contest with one of your books as the prize. A review of another author’s book, an interview with an author, or news about the publishing world and your take on it.
Then plug your book again.
There are so many things you can come up with that would make me want to read further posts from you. And, down the road, when I feel I know you, I might want to buy your book.
And, better still, why not spend some time reTweeting some of the more interesting posts in your Twitter feed? Make some friends. They may return the favour and RT your posts to their 20,000 followers.
All this takes time, I know. But everything worthwhile does.
Clue into the fact that social media is about giving, not just getting. It is about building a community.