The backdrop for most of my books are the Yellowstone and Grand Teton areas. I like to post a daily picture of the area on my fan page, which gets decent engagement with readers. I also post updates on current WIP, and a weekly teaser (linked to my blog, but I'm considering putting the teaser directly on the page). I did do a few opinion polls, which always gets readers to respond - which is great. Last summer, I was doing final edits of one of my books on location, and I posted from there, with photos of the areas that I talk about in the book.
Things you can post on Facebook for readers that aren't personal
A lot of authors are put off by the idea of having a big presence on Facebook, worried about the time it takes or the fact that it invites people into their lives. But as we've discussed on another thread, it doesn't have to be a time sink or something that exposes your "real life" to the world, and for many authors, it's proved itself invaluable in connecting with readers and getting them invested in your writing career. So in the spirit of that, I've decided to start this thread.
Please post your ideas of things that could be used on Facebook to engage your readers - things that are not personal, religious, or political.
I'm not the boss of the world or the thread, but I think it would be most helpful if we could limit comments to ^^ that stuff and refrain from debating the pros and cons of Facebook. If you don't like Facebook and don't want to use it, you could always start another thread called the I Hate Facebook thread.
My Top 10 ideas:
1. Photo promotions, inviting readers to post pictures of themselves celebrating one of your books. Two I've done in the past are tree-hugging photos (gave away 3 $25 Amazon gift cards to the photos with the most votes by readers), and one going on now, pictures of my readers holding up a sign that says, "Elle Casey Author has 900 Likes!"
2. Cover reveals
3. Video interviews
4. Character quotes
5. Book-related videos. One of my faves:
Found it through Dannika Dark
6. Book-related signs. (Example: book nerds are sexy graphic)
7. Links to other indie author books (don't forget to use your affiliate code!)
8. Opinion polls about characters or plot issues
9. Invitations to add a book to Goodreads "to read" shelf
10. Thank you notes, just thanking readers for sharing the reader love with friends and family
Please post your ideas of things that could be used on Facebook to engage your readers - things that are not personal, religious, or political.
I'm not the boss of the world or the thread, but I think it would be most helpful if we could limit comments to ^^ that stuff and refrain from debating the pros and cons of Facebook. If you don't like Facebook and don't want to use it, you could always start another thread called the I Hate Facebook thread.
My Top 10 ideas:
1. Photo promotions, inviting readers to post pictures of themselves celebrating one of your books. Two I've done in the past are tree-hugging photos (gave away 3 $25 Amazon gift cards to the photos with the most votes by readers), and one going on now, pictures of my readers holding up a sign that says, "Elle Casey Author has 900 Likes!"
2. Cover reveals
3. Video interviews
4. Character quotes
5. Book-related videos. One of my faves:
6. Book-related signs. (Example: book nerds are sexy graphic)
7. Links to other indie author books (don't forget to use your affiliate code!)
8. Opinion polls about characters or plot issues
9. Invitations to add a book to Goodreads "to read" shelf
10. Thank you notes, just thanking readers for sharing the reader love with friends and family
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Thank you for starting this thread, Elle. I spend far too much time posting about my love for Norman Reedus.
G
I share personal stuff that is related to what I do. I post notes about my gaming sessions, or weird emails I get, video games I'm playing, or silly things like my zombie phobia (OK, I don't think it is silly at all, but for some reason people find the fact that I'm terrified of zombies hysterical 
). But I don't "overshare" about my day to day life or relationships.
). But I don't "overshare" about my day to day life or relationships.
These are really good suggestions, all. I have to be more active on my Facebook author page. 
The thing I have taken away from other author's FB pages, and which I have tried to emulate, is to have a few general themes for your page and post things related directly to those themes.
For me, those things are a love of reading (so I post funny book/reading memes, pictures of libraries, great spots to read) romance and my own brand of humor. I usually post two-three things in the morning and two-three things in the evening and that generates likes/comments/shares throughout the 24 hour cycle.
The advantage of posting things that your readers like/comment/share is that whatever it is shows up on their friend's wall as well. I am slowly growing my # of fans this way - about one per day on average.
I get the biggest boosts when I have a big promotion like a BOTD ad or a free run. I have a link to my FB page in my back matter, so lots of people show up on those days. When I had a good free run two months ago, I added over 200 fans in less than 30 days that way.
I think the real key thing is to build a community and not be a salesman too much. I only mention something that benefits me (a promo, new release, sign up for mailing list) on rare occasions. So far, the only people who have sent me messages/commented loved my book and wanted to tell me so. Who doesn't want to hear that?
For me, those things are a love of reading (so I post funny book/reading memes, pictures of libraries, great spots to read) romance and my own brand of humor. I usually post two-three things in the morning and two-three things in the evening and that generates likes/comments/shares throughout the 24 hour cycle.
The advantage of posting things that your readers like/comment/share is that whatever it is shows up on their friend's wall as well. I am slowly growing my # of fans this way - about one per day on average.
I get the biggest boosts when I have a big promotion like a BOTD ad or a free run. I have a link to my FB page in my back matter, so lots of people show up on those days. When I had a good free run two months ago, I added over 200 fans in less than 30 days that way.
I think the real key thing is to build a community and not be a salesman too much. I only mention something that benefits me (a promo, new release, sign up for mailing list) on rare occasions. So far, the only people who have sent me messages/commented loved my book and wanted to tell me so. Who doesn't want to hear that?
I have an almost non-existent facebook following. I feel as though I would be posting to myself if I posted there often.
Good list and I'll keep in mind for the future
I'll share one tip that I read - create your own 'posters' sometimes (on general topics related to your facebook page) and if they're good enough, they'll go viral. People will just keep on sharing and sharing.
Good list and I'll keep in mind for the future
I'll share one tip that I read - create your own 'posters' sometimes (on general topics related to your facebook page) and if they're good enough, they'll go viral. People will just keep on sharing and sharing.
1 - 20 of 40 Posts
