Writers, Do You Promote Your Events on Social Media?

Yes, I’m talking to all the writers out there who either schedule their own events or attend the events of others to promote their books.

What many of these writers fail to realize is how social media can help them to attract more people to their events and ultimately buy more of their books.

Let’s talk about this!

First, you have to be on social media to use it and to benefit from it.

This means setting yourself up and having a social media program to promote yourself and your books.

I’ve covered this topic in other articles.

But, I’ll just reiterate for now, if you’re not on social media (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, your blog, etc.) and you’re a writer trying to promote yourself then you’d better be!

Next, promoting your events on social media is not one and done.

I’ve met too many writers who complain to me that they posted one tweet on Twitter or one post on Facebook and no one came to their event.

Duh!

Social media is all about having a conversation with your audience.

You should have multiple posts about your events on your social media.

(And, remember to use your email list too!)

Pre-event, there are three categories:

1. Preliminary, you may not have all the details yet, but you have the basic idea. Start to tease it out with your audience. Tell them what you do know and tell them often.
2. Interim, here you do have all the particulars and there’s still some time to your event. Share them and share them often! If you can have a graphic so much the better.
3. Run-up, this is the last few days before your event. Give a sense of urgency. If all seats are taken (This is always a great problem to have.) then tell your audience to look for your next announcement. Again, promote often and use graphics.

After your event, thank all the attendees and your host on social media.

Post pictures from the event for a week afterwards if you have enough to do so.

Let your audience know what a great time they missed if they weren’t there.

In all your posts, include links back to whatever sites are selling your books.

Finally, don’t forget to share the social content, if any, of your host and any other participants.

This will increase your exposure to a larger audience.

One last tip…

Have a signup sheet at your event to capture the email addresses of people who are interested in your newsletter.

(Don’t have a newsletter yet? Watch this space for a future article on this topic.)

Events can be an excellent way for writers to get exposure and to increase their readership.

Also, they show potential agents and publishers that you’re doing your part too.

Give it a try!

That’s it for now!

Please check-out my 8 step approach for developing a social media program to get some more ideas on how to use social media.

Also, never forget to reach out to either ask questions or to ask for help from someone like myself!

In the meantime, thank you for following and reading my blog!

I look forward to any and all comments that you may have. I will reply to any comments made to this blog post as promptly as I can.

And, remember!

I do this for a living and if I can be of any assistance to either you or your organization, please feel free to call on me. Our initial discussion will be of no charge to you.

I can also be reached at conpsweeney@someddi.com.

My Twitter handle is @conpsweeney.

Stay well!