The best way to promote a book (or any product) in this world of social networking isn’t to take the old-fashioned approach of buy now because this product will solve all your problems!
Instead, the best way to promote is to engage directly, one-on-one, with your potential buyers. When a fan on your Facebook page clicks Like on your post—or, better yet, leaves a comment—you benefit from a ripple effect. People like to know what their friends are into.
The more conversation that occurs, the more the word about your particular book could begin to spread. But it isn’t enough to simply set up a social network profile and expect that people will interact with you. Savvy promoters and marketers actively court social interaction—not just because it helps spread the word, but because it’s actually pretty fun.
If your social network pages or profiles are feeling a little quiet, here are some ways to get the conversation going (and get more followers and fans).
6 Ways To Promote Conversation On Your Social Network
Along with doing the usual things on your social networks, like sharing pictures and updating your status to say what you’re doing now, you can also directly ask your friends and followers to engage with you.
Ask for opinions. When you get your book cover art or even when you repaint the kitchen, post pictures and ask for opinions. Your readers and fans are eager to share their thoughts.
Ask people to choose. Post two images side by side and ask which one people like better. Or post two words and ask people to choose their favorite (pen or pencil? E-ink or print?).
Ask for a favorite. Tell readers you want to hear their favorite one-line joke or their favorite quote from a movie or book. You’ll be surprised at the answers you get.
Start a game. Do some research on your social network of choice and see what kinds of games people play (for example, on Facebook you can start a rhyming game).
Take a poll. Ask readers, for the sake of curiosity, what they’re reading right now. You can also be a little silly and ask about the last thing they ate or what color socks they’re wearing—anything to get the conversation moving.
Ask readers to complete this sentence. Post a short sentence and ask your friends, fans, and followers to fill in the blank. Any kind of sentence can work! From My best moment today was when…to The question I’d ask if I met Elvis is…
When The Conversation Gets Going
Keep it going by interacting with users often. You don’t need to reply to every single comment that a person posts, but do reply to or acknowledge some of them. And continue to add your own thoughts.
Also, remember that you don’t actually have to be plugged in 24/7. You can use these tools to automate your posts.
Sometimes, you might run into someone leaving negative comments on your page or profile; if so, don’t panic. There are many solutions. Start here: How To Deal With Negative Comments On Your Social Network.
Photo by Nate Grigg.
QUESTION: What post of yours seemed to connect best with your friends/followers? Let us know!
Thanks a lot.