Hello authors and aspiring writers!
* How you thought about your author branding or author platform lately?
If you are an author, your Facebook profile (and all your social media) should showcase your brand and clearly indicate that you are a writer. And even if you are not yet published, start talking about your writing now to build up a following. Social Media is great way to market your work without much effort.
* If I am a reader and I check your profile, it should be obvious at a glance that you are an author, or that you have an interest in writing. Or even reading books! If not, then I strongly suggest that you change that starting today. :-)
* Do you have a header/cover that reflects the genres you write or your books?
* Does your profile photo look professional? While it is great that you love your dog, cat, or hamster, they should not be your main profile pic. It should be a headshot of you alone, a branding logo, or a book cover.
* Does the left sidebar of your profile page have current, working links?
* When was the last time you checked your "About" section and updated everything?
* I suggest that you update your bio, description, and links. Go through to ensure everything is up-to-date and filled in. Almost EVERYTHING in the "about" section should have text.
* If a reader clicks on your profile and checks your "About" section, you should have lots of info about you, your interests, and your books or your writing inserted in those sections. It should be clear at a glance that you are an author or aspiring writer.
* Check all of the following “About” sections:
* Add a nickname: You can include the word “writer” or “author” in that section.
* Be sure to add a website, or blog, or Facebook page (not profile), or your Amazon profile URL to the "Contact and Basic info" section. If you don’t have a website/blog yet, you can add sites like Twitter, Instagram, or Goodreads.
* Add “Details About You” with a short Bio. Example: S.A. Soule is the bestselling author of the Fiction Writing Tools series, a developmental editor, and cover designer. Or share anything with readers/friends about yourself, your publications, your love of reading, any WIPs, and your interests/hobbies, etc.
* Add a book quote, or even a line from your own book in the "Favorite Quotes" section.
* Add a fun life event: It can be anything from your love of reading, sharing your current publication, to a personal event.
* The only sections you might want to leave blank are these: “Add your religious views / Add your political views.” I know a lot of writers have strong opinions about these topics, but I recommend keeping this profile all about books, reading, writing, and anything publishing related. The point is, you want to attract readers, book bloggers, and reviewers to your profile where you share things all book related. (But I’ll leave this decision up to you.)
* If you have a pen name and you wish to remain anonymous, you can add info that fits that persona’s genre. Yeah, it’ll be fake info, but be as truthful as you can without exposing yourself as the author to remain anonymous.
Let me know if you have any questions. You can use my Facebook profile as an example: https://www.facebook.com/sasoule/
Remember, if you are a going to be a successful author, you have to start with a brand that is reflected on your social media. Wishing everyone a successful and creative year!
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